Michael Bobbitt: Commissioners Retreat Suggestions

Editors Note – We will compile Mr. Bobbitt’s letter, and all of your suggestions in comments and send to the Vance County Board of Commissioners for this retreat.  We have confirmed that they will definitely receive this during the retreat, however their agenda is already full and will not have time to answer them during the retreat session.  They may or may not provide any response, but your voices and suggestions will be read and are welcomed and encouraged.  Mr. Bobbitt’s letter beings below:

On January 19, 2012, our County Commissioners will attend their annual retreat where they theoretically review goals for the County.  For representative government to work properly for the represented those elected as representatives need to know the goals of the represented.  Otherwise the representative government works at the behest of those the representatives are beholding.   Or has Louis Edward’s was fond of saying, we get what we accept.

I have been wondering what goals the Commissioners should consider.  Here are three ideas:

Technology

Way back in August 2010 with much fanfare the Commissioners received the Vance County Technology Study.  Since then some limited improvements to our County’s technology have been implemented, overall not much.  The Commissioners should resolve that the following three goals be effective before the February regular meeting:

• Every Commissioner will have their County email address posted on the County’s website.  This allows the represented to communicate with their representative using email, saving time and resources.
• Meeting agenda and all public documents posted to the County website by end of day on the Thursday before the Monday meeting.  This saves paper, labor cost, and supplies.
• Meeting minutes to be posted to the County Website within 24 hours after the next Board meeting.
• Resolve that County website will be update by the end of February.

See this is something the Commissioners are in position to require and has no political benefits for any particular person or commissioner.

County Dump Sites

Our County dump sites are an eyesore, with unmaintained dirt access points, overloaded dumpsters on weekends, and minimal grudging acknowledgement of a need to recycle our collective waste.

• Require a study and cost estimate to pave every dump site be presented to the Board by the March meeting with goal of paving every dump site by end of June.
• Require that re-cycle containers be compliant to American’s with Disabilities Act.  If Commissioner Wright is unable to personally place cardboard in the little slot six feet above the ground then the dump site is not compliant to ADA.  If your grandmother is unable to reach the dumpster to recycle her newspaper and plastic bottles then the dump site is not compliant to ADA.  This problem can be resolved before the end of June.
• Require an electronic recycle container be placed and every dump site.
• Require Waste Management managers and supervisors to personally police NC 39 and Hope Valley Road every Saturday morning regardless of weather for trash within 1.5 miles of the Waste Management Re-cycle Station. 

Again something the Commissioners are in a position to accomplish that is a benefit to all the residents of the county;

Jail Expansion

Currently the jail is overcrowded and will remain so into the future.  Sadly our local criminal population will continue to grow and we need a place to house safely those charged and those found guilty.  Initiate a plan to expand the current jail or to build a new county jail with recommendations due at the December meeting.

What would you suggest the Commissioners consider during their retreat?