Voters approve appointed county manager system

By Carey Phillips

Voters overwhelmingly supported the appointed county manager form of government by a count of 6,532-4,024. The 62-38 percent margin was a turnaround from eight years ago when a similar measure was defeated 53-47 percent. The measure carried in 17 of 18 precincts.

Although the referendum is non-binding, a majority of commissioners have said they would support the will of the people.

"I'm very pleased with the vote on the future of Jackson County's government," Commissioner Stacy Buchanan said Wednesday, "and I'll do my part to carry out that decision."

Jay Denton, who serves as both board chairman and county manager as a result of his election victory in 1998, had a different reaction to the results.

"I believe in the elected county manager system," he said. "I am disappointed it failed in the referendum."

The N.C. Court of Appeals ruled on Jackson County's ability to hire or elect its county manager as a result of a lawsuit brought against the former board of commissioners, who in 1996 adopted a resolution to change county government. The three-person court sided with the previous board members, saying state statutes gave them the right to decide by resolution to appoint a county manager.

Members of the current board, who were elected five months after the previous board appointed an interim county manager, reversed the prior decision, saying the issue would be voted on again. They decided to couple the vote with this year's presidential election, hoping for a high turnout. Jackson County had 52.3 percent of its 23,590 registered voters cast ballots.

Since a majority of commissioners have expressed their willingness to carry out the voters' wishes, the only question that remains is when Jackson County will advertise for a county manager.

"I personally would like to see a smooth, expeditious transition into the appointed manager system," Buchanan said. "I have asked the county manager to call a special meeting to discuss a game plan and time line."

"I don't believe in the (appointed county manager) system," Denton said. "It will be up to the commissioners who supported it to make the decision when we are going to change. I won't vote for it."

"The people have spoken, and it's certainly a mandate," Commissioner Franz Whitmire said. "I don't agree, as I stated before, but we certainly will abide by it."

Commissioners Roberta Crawford, who is recovering for injuries sustained in an automobile accident, and Conrad Burrell could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In other election results, two local legislators will be returning to Raleigh after winning close races. Democrat Phil Haire of Sylva led the ticket in the 52nd House District. Unofficial returns showed Haire with 24,532 votes, while the other seat was apparently claimed by Republican Marge Carpenter of Haywood County with 22,967. Haywood County Commissioner Mary Ann Enloe, a Democrat, who had 22,607 votes, was edged out. Republican Jesse Sigmon was last with 18,355.

In Jackson County, Haire, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, led the way with 5,645 votes, followed by Enloe at 5,334, Carpenter at 4,149 and Sigmon at 3,216.

In the 29th Senate District, incumbent Democrat Dan Robinson of Cullowhee had 31,495 votes to 29,821 for Republican Judith Fraser of Haywood County. Jackson County went for Robinson 6,459-4,382.

"I'm glad it's over and that I won," Robinson said. "It turned into some big election... a race that took on a personality of its own; one that became energized by some factors I had no control over, like the Congressional race and the governor's race... but that energized all the candidates. I know I worked harder than I ever have, and I saw other candidates working hard, too.

"I look forward to pursuing my goals of improving our educational system and helping solve the problems involving our elderly. And, of course, the environment is a top concern with me," Robinson continued.

Republican Bob Carpenter won re-election to the State Senate from District 42, which includes Cashiers. He had 689 votes in that precinct to 112 for Libertarian Larry Gavel.

Incumbent Republican Roger West won the State House seat from District 53, which includes the Hamburg and Cashiers precincts. He had 909 in those precincts to 557 for Democrat Sonny Burrell.

A statewide higher education improvement bond totalling $3.1 billion won big in North Carolina. It passed in Jackson County 7,365-3,353. The measure is expected to provide $98.4 million for Western Carolina University and $10.4 million for Southwestern Community College.

In the 11th Congressional District, Republican Charles Taylor won a sixth term over Democrat Sam Neill. In Jackson County, Neill won 6,032-5,743, while Libertarian Charles Williams had 333 votes.

At Herald press time, the race for president was too close to call nationally with the winner of Florida expected to be the next president. North Carolina went with the Republican ticket of Texas Gov. George W. Bush and former Defense Secretary Dick Chaney.

Jackson County followed the state trend with Bush the only Republican to carry the county. He received 6,182 votes, while the Democrat team of Vice President Al Gore and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman had 5,652. The Libertarian ticket of Harry Browne and Art Oliver had 83 votes here, while the reform team of Pat Buchanan and Eloza Foster polled 74. There were 49 write-in votes. Green party candidate Ralph Nader was no on the ballot in North Carolina.

Attorney General Mike Easley, a Democrat, will be North Carolina's next governor. He won Jackson County with 6,630 votes to 5,216 for Republican Richard Vinroot, formerly mayor of Charlotte. Libertarian Barbara Howe had 245 and Reformist Douglas Schell totaled 47.

State Sen. Beverly Perdue, a Democrat, will be North Carolina's first female lieutenant governor. She had 6,411 votes in Jackson County to 5,123 for Republican State Sen. Betsy Cochrane and 257 for Reformist Catherine Carter.

Democrats swept Council of State races with the exception of secretary of labor. In that race State Rep. Cherie Berry apparently edged Democrat Doug Berger. Jackson County went for Berger 6,078-5,205.

State Sen. Roy Cooper, a Democrat was elected attorney general. He won Jackson County with 6,175 votes to 5,105 for Republican Dan Boyce and 365 for Reformist Margaret Palms.

Local results for other Council of State races, all won by Democrats, were as follows with the Democrat listed first followed by the Republican: Auditor - incumbent Ralph Campbell 6,265, Leslie Merritt 5,113.

Commissioner of agriculture - Meg Phipps 6,215, Steve Troxler 5,297.

Commissioner of insurance - incumbent Jim Long 6,566, Mike Causey 4,957.

Secretary of state - incumbent Elaine Marshall 6,415, Harris Blake 5,023.

Superintendent of public instruction - incumbent Mike Ward 6,424, Michael Barrick 4,998.

Treasurer - Richard Moore 6,479, Henry McKoy 4,913.

Republican Beverly Lake, an associate justice on the Supreme Court, ousted Democrat Henry Frye for the chief justice post. Frye won Jackson County 6,074-5,506.

In the race for an associate justice seat, Republican Court of Appeals Judge Bob Edmunds knocked off incumbent Democrat Franklin Freeman. Jackson County went for Freeman 6,070-5,343.

Three Democrats and two Republicans were elected to the Court of Appeals. Democrat Robin Hudson carried Jackson County 6,220-5,096 and was the state winner over Republican Paul Stam. Democratic incumbent John Martin defeated Republican Wendy Echols. He won here 6,268-5,098. Incumbent Democrat James Wynn won over Republican Wendall Schollander. Wynn was the winner locally 6,284-5,081.

Two Democratic incumbents were defeated by Republicans for the Court of Appeals. Clarence Horton fell to Doug McCullough and Jim Fuller was defeated by John Tyson. Horton won locally 6,062-5,162, and Fuller won 6,210-5,103.

Democratic District Court judges running unopposed, John Snow and Richlyn Holt, had 7,312 and 7,044 votes, respectively.

Tom Massie, who was unopposed for soil and water district supervisor, had 6,998 votes. There were 14 write-in votes.

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