THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503020470
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Members of a committee in charge of studying a proposed Dare County office complex acknowledged Wednesday that they should have gotten the public involved in preliminary discussions.
``Coming out of the campaign and the general election, I had a very positive feeling'' about the complex, said Commissioner Clarence Skinner, chairman of the Capital Improvements Committee. ``On that basis, we felt it would be all right to go ahead and begin the process. But if we had it to do over again, we would get more involvement from the public.''
Commissioner Doug Langford agreed, saying, ``We've got to continue to get more people and more groups into the process.''
The committee has faced widespread criticism for proceeding on the proposal without seeking taxpayers' opinions.
To address that criticism, a committee will be chosen this month, and public hearings will gauge residents' opinions.
As well, a countywide referendum could be held, Skinner said, since construction of the facility could require a tax increase.
``If we find that there is overwhelming public support or opposition to the plan, we won't have a referendum,'' he said. ``But if there is any doubt about the public's feeling, we will have a referendum.''
The Board of Commissioners will have only a limited role in choosing the group, Skinner said. Its members will come from ``every walk of life'' in Dare County.
``We as a board of commissioners will not pack the committee,'' Skinner said. ``Each commissioner will be given an opportunity to appoint one person from his or her district. It may be a committee of 30, 40, 50 or 100 members. But we want members from business groups, churches, school groups, civic groups, a cross section of Dare County.''
If public opinion turns out to be against the county office complex, Commissioner Geneva Perry said, she would have no difficulty voting against the proposal. The three commission members on the seven-member capital improvements panel are not ``so gung-ho'' about the project that they would block a vote against it, she said.
Also Wednesday, Skinner said ``misinformation'' about the government complex had appeared in the media. He said ``not one penny'' had been spent on the proposal.
However, he acknowledged that $148,000 has been ``appropriated'' for Phase I of the project. At its last regular meeting, the commission approved the funding, 6-1.
The Washington firm of Spillis,Candela/Warnecke will provide preliminary architecture, engineering and design services.
Skinner also said the Capital Improvements Committee may consider sites other than the two selected.
It recommended two - in downtown Manteo and near the Dare campus of the College of the Albemarle.
A site is expected to be chosen this month. by CNB