
DATE: Friday, March 14, 1997                TAG: 9703140671
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B01  EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: MANTEO                            LENGTH:   75 lines

GO OR STAY? NEW CHAIR TO DECIDE ON ORDERING EVACUATIONS

What many consider the toughest job on the Outer Banks has been given to Commissioner Geneva Perry: chairing the panel that has to decide whether to order the evacuation of Dare County when a hurricane threatens the resort beaches.

Perry, a businesswoman who is vice chair of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, will be at the helm during any county emergency, which is typically weather-related.

The Dare County Control Group which she agreed to guide has the authority to set curfews, mandate evacuations, restrict alcohol sales, forbid access to certain areas and restrict movement within the county.

Her appointment was announced Thursday by Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr.

Perry's predecessor, Clarence Skinner, was voted off the Board of Commissioners last November, leaving the control group post empty and unclaimed. Owens stated bluntly at a recent commission meeting that it was not a popular appointment because the job is demanding and controversial.

Owens, who by state law is automatically the Control Group chairman unless either he or the board appoints a substitute, said the demands of his state job as Gov. James Hunt's eastern representative made him an unsuitable candidate for the seat.

But Perry said Owens will have input on the panel.

``He and I will work cooperatively,'' she said. ``He will certainly be involved in the process.''

Last summer, the Control Group ordered evacuations during two threatened hurricanes, angering many merchants and restaurant owners who charged the decisions were premature and costly. The hurricanes hammered the southern coastal regions of the state but did no damage on the Outer Banks.

After Skinner lost a bid for re-election, there was speculation that he was punished at the voting booth for the evacuation orders.

But Skinner, who held the post for nearly four years, said the scenario was possible, but unlikely.

``I don't put much stock in that,'' he said.

Although he has kept his hand in emergency management, Skinner said he turned down Owens' offer to keep his post.

``He did indicate an interest and I just told him I thought it would be an untenable position for me,'' Skinner said. ``When push comes to shove, it could get to be mighty awkward . . . I'd go out there and kill myself and then get kicked in the butt.''

But he said he'd be glad to share with Perry the experience he gained chairing the Control Group, including ``a lot of sleepless days and nights.''

``My best advice right now is to make sure that a plan is in place, you like the plan and it's reviewed very carefully,'' Skinner said. ``And be sure all of the involved officials are aware of the plan . . . in the heat of the battle don't talk to me about changing the plan just because you don't understand the plan.''

The Control Group includes mayors of each municipality within the county, the sheriff and the National Park Service superintendent. Decisions are made by a majority vote, and the chair is responsible for carrying them out. When a storm or crisis seems imminent, the Control support group gathers - members of the Coast Guard, the county manager, the public works director and representatives from the power, water and telephone companies.

``We have what we consider to be a strong staff,'' Perry said. ``We will rely on their expertise.'' ILLUSTRATION: CONTROL GROUP

The Control Group includes mayors of each municipality within the

county, the sheriff and the National Park Service superintendent.

Decisions are made by a majority vote, and the chair is responsible

for carrying them out.

When a storm or crisis seems imminent, the Control support group

gathers - members of the Coast Guard, the county manager, the

public works director and representatives from the power, water and

telephone companies.