The Vance County Board of Commissioners approved the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission’s Strategic Plan during its regular monthly meeting on Monday evening as it was originally presented to the board on March 1, 2010.
County Manager Jerry Ayscue recommended passage of the plan so that the EDC can implement it. He noted that the Henderson City Council has already approved it.
Member Dan Brummitt responded that the commission should continue to work on the plan. He said that it needs more work before it is approved.
Commissioner Deborah Brown said that she understands the reason for the attachments to the plan.
During a planning retreat in March of this year, she said that the appendices should be removed.
The appendices to which Brown referred were controversial because they identified “former elected officials” and “local blog Home in Henderson” as “key strategic challenges”. They also made reference to an allegedly negative relationship between Henderson Police Chief Keith Sidwell and Vance County Sheriff Peter White.
Brown went on to say that it may not be exactly what [the commission] wants, but it is a starting point. She recommended approving the plan so that the EDC could “move on”.
Brummitt continued to argue that the commission should work on it and get it right before it is approved. He said that it would be good to have the input of the new director when he or she is hired before the document becomes final. He expressed the opinion that the document is “all over the place” and should be refined before moving forward.
Member Terry Garrison responded that “a lot of work has gone into this” and that “it’s pretty close to what we were thinking”. He said it would be good to have something in place before the new EDC director comes on board.
He then moved to approve the plan, with Brown seconding his motion. Commission Chair Danny Wright stated his support for the plan before the vote was taken.
The plan was approved by a vote of six-to-one with only Brummitt opposed.