THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604250214
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
Unfair criticism
The April 14 edition of The Coast contained a letter to the editor from a sitting Dare County Commissioner, Shirley Hassell. The content of her letter stunned me.
What was different about Commissionr Hassell's letter was an attack on a Dare County employee. Which one was far from clear. In fact, I had to call a friend in the news business to find out. I apparently missed the published report of the incident.
Having been in the media in the Albemarle since 1979, I have had the good fortune to meet and get to know many people who have decided that it was their civic duty to run for office and serve on local town councils, school boards and county boards and even in the General Assembly.
Never, in that time, have I ever heard an elected official criticize publicly an employee under their purview. That has been left to executive session of the respective body and only the result announced in public session in accordance with state law.
Mrs. Hassell has been a strident opponent of many Dare County Board of Commissioners actions, both at board meetings and in interviews. Fine. That's politics, I guess.
But this letter she wrote leaves open the question, to the uninformed, whom she accuses of driving ``a new vehicle (purchased with tax dollars) without anyone knowing if the individual has a valid driver's license.''
She mentions two names in her letter: Charles Hartig, public relations coordinator for Dare County, and Terry Wheeler, county manager. Or was it, perchance, some other senior staff member with the county? Mrs. Hassell doesn't specify. I suppose she thinks innuendo is enough.
I now know that Mr. Hartig was her intended target.
I've followed Mr. Hartig's career through the years, from TV reporter, to newspaper reporter here in the Albemarle, to Currituck where he had a big part in revitalizing the Whalehead property for a county attraction, to his work with Dare County.
Charles has been a treasured asset for us in this region and doesn't deserve this treatment from this commissioner. For that matter, no other staff member deserves that letter, which seemed to imply that county employees, named or otherwise, could have been the subject of her unfortunate letter.
As an outside observer, I believe Dare County deserves better representation than this.
Jack Grove
Hertford
SUPPORTING DANIELS
I want to express my support and admiration for an individual I feel has served the beach well, and urge each voter on the Outer Banks to come out and show their appreciation for a job well done.
I have been impressed with the job David Daniels has done and his efforts to provide a quality education by providing the necessary tools needed by our children. From leading the effort and support of the new beach schools, and the gym and new wing, and reconstruction at the Kitty Hawk School, Mr. Daniels has kept a constant eye on possible benefits for Dare County's youth. Mr. Daniels also was first to cast a vision by working with the town of Kill Devil Hills and the Nature Conservancy for the newly-negotiated site that is on Veterans Drive for the new beach high school.
His concern and commitment for the youth of Dare County has prompted Mr. Daniels to provide recreational opportunities such as a skating rink and ball field at the ark church to enable the youth to have a place that not only is an area for activities, but provides positive role models and a chance to interact with others.
I would hope that the beach would support David Daniels in his re-election effort. He is certainly a person we need to keep.
Jane Gray
Kill Devil Hills
TRASH ATTACK
The Second Annual Kill Devil Hills Trash Attack was held Saturday, April 13. Outer Banks residents, assisted by many visitors and weekenders, picked up over 3,000 pounds of trash and debris from our streets and roadways.
I would like to thank all the folks who helped make this event a success, especially the committee: Jay Aydlett, Bob Combs, Con Weltman, Jim Poulos, Howard Kimble, Cynthia Mayeux, Chuck Smith and Debbie Caton. Additionally, thanks to the Surfriders, the Kill Devil Hills Public Works crews, the donors of the food, drinks and prizes furnished for the picnic, and to Kill Devil Hills Mayor Duncan Wright and the town board for their support. Finally, thanks to all the picker-uppers!
One last thing: Trash Attack is fun and certainly helps beautify our town. But with some effort and education, maybe we would not need to have it anymore. Please, let's not litter!
Jerry Froehlich
Trash Attack Committee by CNB