DATE: Friday, May 2, 1997                   TAG: 9705020617

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  129 lines

OWENS NOMINATED FOR 1 OF 2 SEATS ON STATE UTILITIES PANEL STATE SEN. CONDER ALSO SELECTED BY GOV. HUNT, WHO HAS PRAISE FOR BOTH.

Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr., chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, Thursday was nominated by the governor for a seat on the powerful North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. informed Owens of his selection in an midday phone call. State Sen. J. Richard Conder, 66, D-Rockingham, was nominated for the other vacancy on the commission.

If Owens is confirmed by the legislature he will give up his seat on the board, ending an era in county politics where the controversial Democrat played a major role for a quarter of a century.

Names of possible replacements on the board were immediately bandied about, but one person quickly took himself out of the running. Owens' son, 40-year-old R.V. Owens III, said he is not interested.

A former member of the state Board of Transportation, young Owens, who owns R.V.'s restaurant, said, ``I already have a job. I don't need a government paycheck. I fry shrimp for a living.''

As for his father's nomination to the utilities commission, his son said: ``If Daddy's happy, I'm happy.''

Other names mentioned included Dare County Emergency Medical Services Director Harry Seymour; real estate executive Stan White; restaurant owner Mike Kelly; Nags Head Mayor Renee Cahoon; former Kill Devil Hills Mayor Terry Gray; and former Dare County Democratic Party Chairman Bo Taylor.

A replacement for Owens will be chosen by leaders of the Dare County Democratic Party. The governor, the state leader of the party, had high praise for Conder, a banker, and Owens, 64, a longtime Dare County commissioner and restaurateur.

``Sen. Conder and Bobby Owens are leaders who have served North Carolina well in local and state office,'' Hunt said. ``They will serve our state well on the utilities commission.''

They now face confirmation hearings in both houses of the General Assembly.

``I'm excited,'' Owens said by phone minutes after Hunt's call. ``I told him I'm exhilarated.''

Owens confirmed earlier this week that he was on a short list for a spot on the regulatory panel, which among other things establishes utility rates.

As for confirmation, Owens said, the timetable for the beginning of hearings is uncertain. Owens' nomination will be handled much like a proposed piece of legislation. Depending on where his nomination originates - either in the House or Senate - Owens must first testify before the Commerce Committee. If that hurdle is cleared the nomination will move on to the full body for a vote. Then, the confirmation will move to the other chamber, where the process will be repeated.

Owens is expected to have an easy time in the Senate, where his brother-in-law, Marc Basnight, is president pro rempore [tempore].

However, in the Republican-controlled House, winning confirmation may be more difficult.

In a prepared statement, Basnight called Owens an ``exceptional'' choice for the utilities panel.

If Owens wins lawmaker approval, a more pressing local issue will be his replacement. It appears, however, that the Dare County Democratic Executive Committee will have some time to make a choice. Owens officially would start his new job July 1. The post pays $94,000 annually.

``If I'm confirmed, I won't leave my job as the governor's eastern representative or my seat on the commission until June 30 or 31,'' Owens said. ``Things might change, but I can't see any of the outgoing commission members leaving before then. I may be a lame-duck commissioner, but there are some things I'd like to get done before I leave because I love Dare County.''

Two members of the county's Democratic leadership - Commissioners Geneva Perry and Doug Langford - said Owens has cast a long shadow in two decades on the board. And they declined speculation on who Owens' replacement might be.

Under state law, the executive committee will have 30 days from the date Owens resignation takes effect. The panel's selection is binding on the commission. If the committee fails to arrive at a choice, the clerk of courts will make the selection.

Also at issue will be the chairman's position. Perry now serves as vice chair, but she would not automatically ascend to the chair.

``I spoke with the Institute of Government,'' said Dare County Attorney Al Cole. ``They say according to statute, the commission selects a vice chairman to serve as chair in the event of the absence or disability of the chair. However, when someone resigns, it's permanent. It's the institute's belief that the board would have to choose a new chair.''

``Bobby's influence on Dare County and northeastern North Carolina is so much greater than people have ever seemed to realize,'' Perry said. ``He's seen the county grow from being very small through one of the greatest growth spurts we've ever experienced. He knows where to go to get things done, and he knows where to go to ask for help. That only comes with time and experience.''

Langford, who has served for the last 4 1/2 years with Owens on the board, said his influence will be missed.

``He always voted his conscience, and has always done what he thought was right and what was best for the people of Dare County,'' Langford said.

As for a replacement, Perry said she had not spoken with any of her fellow members of the executive committee about Owens' successor.

The county's Democratic leadership is comprised of the four county officers, the chair and vice chair of each of Dare County's 16 precincts, the Democratic members of the board of commissioners, Basnight, the clerk of court, the sheriff and the register of deeds.

One of those mentioned as a possible successor - Stan White - said he learned that his name was in the speculation pool Wednesday night.

``I know the rumor mill,'' White said. ``I've not spent any time thinking about it one way or the other. I think I've got some of the same interest at heart that Bobby does. But it's not something I'd consider or take lightly. If I were approached, I'd certainly consider it. But I think it's premature to talk about it now.''

White, a Dare County native, grew up in a political family. His father, W. Stanford White of Manns Harbor, served for a quarter of a century on the board of commissioners before moving on to serve in the General Assembly.

White said Owens will be missed.

``It's going to hurt Dare County,'' White said. ``That's not intentional on Bobby's part. It's a great opportunity for him. Dare County will miss that weekly contact with the governor. I didn't always agree with Bobby, but I think he always did in his heart what he thought was best for the county.

``It will change politics in the county,'' White said. ``How much it will change I can't say until we find out who his replacement will be.''

News that his name was among those on the street as a possible choice to succeed Owens was a surprise for Gray.

``It's news to me,'' Gray said by phone from his home. ``I'd certainly be willing to talk to (the executive committee). But no one has approached me.''

Seymour, who has served as director of emergency medical services for four years, is also chairman of the Nags Head Democratic precinct.

``I feel it is an honor to even be mentioned,'' Seymour said. ``I would be interested. But it's something the Democratic Executive Committee will have to decide.''

Neither Cahoon, Kelly nor Taylor could be reached for comment. Earlier this week, however, Cahoon announced that she would seek another term as mayor of Nags Head.

If Owens survives General Assembly muster, he will go to his job in Raleigh with mixed emotions.

``I'm humbled to have been nominated by the governor,'' Owens said. ``It will be sad for me to leave Dare County. But if I'm confirmed, I'm going to try to do the best I can for the people of North Carolina.''

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