THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 6, 1994 TAG: 9412060367
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The newest member of the Dare County Board of Commissioners wasted little time at her inaugural meeting before dropping a bomb.
But Shirley Hassell's first salvo - aimed at County Manager Terry Wheeler - didn't explode. Hassell, sworn in Monday morning as the only new commissioner, moved that the board ask for Wheeler's resignation.
The motion was met with silence. It died for lack of a second.
Wheeler had terminated Hassell's cleaning contract with the county this fall. Hassell - a longtime critic of the board - said her motion was not for revenge. But she acknowledged that his action had been a factor.
``I understand the county's form of government,'' she said. ``But (Wheeler) also works for the pleasure of the board. With this form of government, he is given much power and I do not feel he is serving the people's best interest.''
Wheeler did not respond to Hassell's remarks, but said later he was ``looking forward'' to working with all of the commissioners. He has been county manager for nearly four years.
Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens, re-elected Monday as board chairman, praised Wheeler.
``I think our county manager is doing an excellent job,'' he said. ``I'm proud of all of our staff. We're moving the county in the right direction.''
Owens was elected by a 5-1 vote. Hassell cast the lone dissenting vote, for Commissioner Clarence Skinner. Skinner was elected unanimously to another term as vice chairman.
In other action, the commission took under advisement a request for funding from Lou Browning of the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad. Browning said that without an additional $50,000 annually, the rescue squads that serve Hatteras, Buxton, Frisco and Avon would go out of business.
It is unclear if the money could come from the general fund, or would have to be approved by referendum. Browning said an additional 1-cent tax would provide the needed funding for the squads. The county is expected to discuss the issue at its next meeting.
Commissioners Geneva Perry and Doug Langford were sworn in for another four-year term on the board. Langford defeated Bill Hauschild in November. Perry was unopposed. Hassell replaces Robert Williams. She defeated him in the Democratic primary, and beat Republican Charles Elms in the general election.
KEYWORDS: DARE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS by CNB