DATE: Thursday, July 24, 1997               TAG: 9707240411

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: MANTEO                            LENGTH:   51 lines

DEMOCRATS AGAIN POSTPONE REPLACING OWENS

Confronted with continued delay in the expected approval of Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. to the state Utilities Commission, Dare County Democrats for the second time this month postponed selection of his replacement on the Dare County Board of Commissioners.

The Dare County Democratic Party Executive Committee was scheduled to meet Tuesday to vote on a successor. But because the North Carolina House of Representatives had still not voted on the nomination, county Democrats decided to wait.

Owens, a county commissioner or board chairman for the bulk of the last quarter-century, would by law be barred from politics once he assumed the prestigious $94,000-a-year post. He has already passed through all but one hoop - an affirmative House vote - in the confirmation process.

If his nomination is confirmed, the 64-year-old Manteo resident also will have to quit his $73,000-a-year job as the governor's eastern representative. Owens had earlier said he expected to start work on the Utilities Commission by July 1.

Democratic Party Chairman Chris Hardee said he decided late last week that because it appeared Owens' seat was unlikely to be vacated by Tuesday, it would be better not to jump the gun.Meanwhile, one candidate withdrew his name. And another entered hers.

Brant Wise, an environmental land surveyor from Colington, asked Hardee Tuesday to remove his name from consideration.

Two other contenders, real estate man Stan White and former teacher David Oaksmith, both of Nags Head, remain in the running.

And Manteo Elementary School Principal Sandy Brooks has notified Hardee that she would like to be a contender.

``I want to be available to be an alternate for people who need an option between the other two (nominees),'' Brooks, 42, said Wednesday. ``I don't have anything personal to gain. I don't have any other reason to do this. It's just a way to give back to the community.''

Brooks, of Colington Harbour, said that under state guidelines, no conflict exists for a teacher or lower-level administrator serving on the county panel.

Hardee said others are welcome to submit their names.

``The position is open to any registered Democrat in District 2 (Kill Devil Hills, Colington and Nags Head),'' Hardee said. The party chairman added that he must announce the next meeting of the executive committee seven days before it is held.

Hardee said state law allows a vacant seat on the county commission to be filled after a vote by the board. If it does not make the decision, the Clerk of Court is authorized to choose the replacement. The state also allows the party of the person who held the seat to select the new commissioner. The post can be held until the next general election.

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