City committee makes appointment recommendations

Jul. 7—HENDERSON — The Henderson City Council's Boards and Commissions Committee met on Thursday, making three recommendations for appointments to two boards.

The committees consist of four elected officials that meet to discuss items of interest related to that particular committee. Boards and Commissions, for example, discusses applications from citizens for seats on city boards and commissions, as the name implies, such as the Downtown Development and Economic Development commissions.

City Council members Lamont Noel, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Marion Williams sit on the Boards and Commissions Committee.

From there, the committee makes a recommendation to be discussed and voted upon at the monthly City Council meeting. Committees cannot make votes or binding decisions, only recommendations for further action.

The Land Planning Committee meets monthly, and all others do so on an as-needed basis.

This time, Boards and Commissions met to discuss four applications. One was from Greg Etheridge, president of Gupton Services, Inc., who applied for either one or both of two commissions, the EDC and the Planning Board. Bob Herford was granted a one-year appointment for the EDC last year, but would reportedly like to continue serving.

"I know Mr. Herford would still like to serve," said City Manager Terrell Blackmon, "I don't know that he resubmitted an application... but I know that he would still like to serve."

Blackmon suggested that the committee not recommend Etheridge for both posts, but at least consider him for one or the other. Council member Williams noted that the committee "definitely wants" to keep Herford in his seat.

"In regard to Mr. Etheridge, because we have someone who has been working on that committee," said Williams, "I would like to either table his position until we find out whether or not [Herford] wants to continue, or if the recommendation is to appoint him [to] another one."

Council member Noel recommended contacting Herford, and would defer a recommendation for Etheridge until hearing from him.

"I've actually had the opportunity to meet Mr. Etheridge," Noel continued. "It was my understanding that he lived in Wake Forest. I know he has obtained an apartment in Henderson, but it was my understanding that him and his family lived in Wake Forest... I'm not accusing, I'm just saying I have questions about residency."

Although some boards and commissions allow members who live outside city limits, the EDC does not. Blackmon noted that while reaching out to Herford, staff could do their due diligence on residency. He later said he didn't think the committee had any issue recommending him, but whether they even could.

Etheridge told The Dispatch that he has an apartment in Henderson on Garnett Street, which he listed in the application, and a house in Wake Forest, which he considers a "beach house." His wife lives in Wake Forest and that's where he spends his weekends.

"I do live here [in Henderson], I own businesses here," said Etheridge. "They don't have a problem when I pay my rent or my water bill for that residence."

He noted that some members of city boards and commissions own beach houses they visit as well.

"I do maintain a residence here in Henderson and I stay there," said Etheridge. "I also have a residence in Wake Forest, as well, and I stay there some too."

Etheridge went on to say, "I believe that a good citizen is civically minded and operates with a heightened sensitivity to the needs of others," regarding his reason for applying.

He wrote the same on his application. "I seek to improve my community and leave it better than I found it. I believe each person is born with a specific design and purpose and is gifted with unique abilities and talents that are instruments for service in faith, family and vocation.

"I consider a person selfish if they only use their gifts and opportunities for personal gain. I was born and raised in Vance County, where these values and beliefs were taught and modeled by many adults who faithfully served in this community that I love. I believe that I honor them and their legacy in part by actively serving in various capacities, including municipal boards and committees."

Etheridge is also the president of the Henderson Rotary Club, a member of the VGCC Foundation Board of Directors' Executive Committee, area chairman of Ducks Unlimited's Kerr Lake Chapter and more. He noted that he also has a record of active public service in the area.

Two other applications, from Horace Bullock and Sharon Owens, were for re-appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The committee members were in agreement to recommend their re-appointment.

The last was from T.W. Floyd, who applied to serve on the Recreation and Parks Commission. Noel, too, moved to recommend him for the seat and the other members agreed. The City Council will vote on these three recommendations during its next meeting on July 10.