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Editorials - 06/07/01

Helpful information for county newcomers
When we heard from Superintendent Mack Mc-Cary, a recent arrival from Elizabeth City, that the widespread community interest in his switch of two assistant principals is "more than strange" because "you don't get this kind of response just by swapping two assistant principals" other places he's been, we realized that administrators new to Jackson County probably need some help in understanding local ways.

The superintendent is surprised this is a big deal. From our balanced newsroom perspective (two native, two not), we're surprised he's surprised. A little research into recent local history would show how educational issues have galvanized this county during the past decade.

It would appear that school board members were lax in preparing McCary for the intense interest the community would have in personnel transfers. We hope the commissioners will do a better job in orienting the new county manager to this aspect of life in Jackson County.

Here's our advice to both McCary and the soon-to-be hired county manager, who's bound to be a newcomer since none of the finalists are local.

First, be a good listener. Listen to everybody. Pay as much attention to diners at The Coffee Shop and shoppers at Wal-Mart as you do to the people in your board rooms. Don't be surprised when you hear information on the street that you thought was to be kept confidential. Folks in Jackson County tell each other everything. Rumors spread like wildfire around here, and we've found most rumors are grounded in fact.

However, while they're listening, newcomers need to keep in mind that Jackson County people don't always mean what they say. For example, when folks say they want things to change, they may not really mean that. People say we need more and better-paying jobs while also saying they don't want the population to increase.

And administrators shouldn't be surprised when decisions are examined microscopically. People in this county get excited over every detail and personality involved in local schools and governments. Of course they care when assistant principals are swapped - they get worked up when teachers are shifted around. Anything to do with kids and their schools is a big deal around here.

Finally, newcomers should study family trees and learn about interpersonal relationships. If they fail to do so, they may find out the hard way that the person they're talking to is related by either blood or marriage to the person they're talking about - or is perhaps a next-door neighbor's wife's best friend.

One of our county commissioners stated that whoever is hired as manager needs to know how to deal with the people here.

We would add that newcomers need to take time to familiarize themselves with their new neighbors in order to avoid pitfalls and problems. People in Jackson County have a lot to offer. And new administrators willing to accept and appreciate this county as they find it will attain greater success in their efforts to move it forward.

Otherwise, they better not forget how they got here, because they may need to take the same trail back.

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