Mayor responds to bad faith accusations
Henderson Mayor Pete O’Geary opened Monday’s meeting of the Henderson City Council by responding to accusations of bad faith negotiations made in The Daily Dispatch and what the mayor characterized as “conversations around town”.
Here is the text of O’Geary’s response:
“There have been many comments made in the local media, via letters to the editor, and in conversations around town about the City of Henderson not working fairly with Vance County in negotiations for the sale of water for its proposed county-wide water system. Normally, I do not publicly address such comments; however, for the sake of transparency and good intergovernmental cooperation, I feel that I must do so now.
First and foremost, the City of Henderson is very supportive of Vance County’s efforts to build a county-wide water system. Development of this type of infrastructure can only help the County and City move forward in the future.
Secondly, and quite importantly, the City of Henderson has never once, and will not tie county-wide zoning to the sale of water. Both are important issues and both are separate issues that must stand on their own merits.
Thirdly, and equally important, the City of Henderson is not trying to “hold up” the County on how much it must pay for water. While negotiations continue, the proposed sale price has always been, and still is, less than that established for both Kittrell and Franklin County. The lower rate is based on the fact that the County will be a large volume user for 40 years and the County’s success in developing its water system is good for both the County and City’s future economic wen being.
One of the City’s Core Values, Core Value 9, is this: “We value a good working relationship with the County of Vance and believe by working together in a cooperative effort we can better address the strategic challenges and opportunities facing our community.”
It is in this spirit that we will continue to work with and negotiate in good faith with the County regarding the proposed county-wide water system. It is also in this vein that we will continue to seek to meet with the County to discuss solutions for more equitable funding formulae for the several joint programs provided by both jurisdictions. Finally we will always seek to work with the County to address opportunities that help improve the lives of our citizens and the quality of life within our community.”
Good people of Henderson, are we supposed to believe this dribble from a man who stated he was not part of the new direction? from a man who said he would be honest and transparent? From a man who said he would have regular meetings with the county and then had one meeting and that was a dinner meeting at the Silo Restaurant at the taxpayers expense?
This man is not to be trusted and if you choose to do so you will regret it.
Pete trust has to be earned and so far you have come up short in a big way.
Comment by Jeanne Dixon — November 11, 2009 @ 6:27 am
Hmmmm – wonder who wrote this.
Comment by Interesting — November 11, 2009 @ 7:28 am
Why can’t we all just get along? What is good for the city is good for the county and what’s good for the county is good for the city. We need to work together for the advancement of the entire area. Perhaps this is the time to take a close look at combining the government and do away with a lot of duplication of duties and services. The county needs to accept zoning as a necessary tool for economic growth. The idea of “It’s my land and I can do with it as I please” is no longer acceptable. What I do with my land does affect my neighbor and we need regulations to prevent those who cannot respect the rights of others from doing things to bring down property values of their neighbors.
Comment by County Resident — November 11, 2009 @ 7:37 am
What? Nothing on the truly unspectacular job the editor did on editing the text of the speech? I must have forgotten to proofread it.
Comment by Jason Feingold, Ed. — November 11, 2009 @ 10:14 am
Jason, you are a riot! You are the best Editor ANYONE could have! Keep up the good work.
Comment by mudball — November 11, 2009 @ 10:27 am
County Resident, didn’t you read the letter where the guy said that if you implement zoning what you end up with is Henderson???
I mean, forget prosperous places like Wake Forest, Fuquay, Cary and Apex also have zoning. No no no, zoning is what causes Henderson to be what it is, and if you implement countywide zoning, the entire county is going to just tumble.
Comment by Follow the White Lines on the Road — November 11, 2009 @ 10:31 am
mudball; his head is already a little large………easy on the “big-ups!”!
Comment by Heavy Handed Ruler — November 11, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
“…zoning…a necessary tool for economic growth.” This is a tired and thoroughly discredited argument. Besides, we already have enough “tools” in charge of economic development.
Zoning, like socialism, works only for those who are politically connected. Just look at Henderson.
Henderson is zoned and it’s an economic, political, and social disaster for all but a precious few who profit from poverty and dependence.
Next subject…
Comment by Snap-On — November 11, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
The scary thing about these comments coming through our Mayor is ,Like most polliticians, our mayor has been known for years for the fact that you can not believe a word he said.
Comment by Dreaming — November 11, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
Snap-On, You need to snap out of it. If we are ever going to get in the game of recruiting any businesses that are going to relocate to this county, then zoning is a must. Our bedroom community will never grow or attract real industry without it.
We need jobs, we need tax base, we need these folks in this county to “Snap Out Of It”…or we will always be a bedroom community for industry outside of OUR county.
Comment by Ohh Snap — November 11, 2009 @ 7:18 pm
#1 Jeanne – I certainly do not trust Pete. He will do or say anything that Sam tells him to.
He lied to the people before the election and said he was not a part of the “new direction.” Clearly he is. Pete is a joke.
I regret every penny I ever spent in his florist.
Nothing that Pete says is to believed. No telling who wrote that speech for him. Pitiful….pitiful, and the citizens of Henderson re-elected him.
SHAME ON YOU!!!!!
Comment by Interesting — November 11, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
OT…I read in the Franklin Times that a manufacturing company might be coming there, and ready to open by Spring.
Ironically..in a specialized zoned area.
The company has also considered Granville County and Atlanta..but seems partial to Franklin County, so far.
we’ll see..
notice..Vance is not on their list.
Comment by ziggy — November 11, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
as long as the same native hendersonians use the same methods of governance the results will forever be the same. voting for someone you’ve known your entire life may not be the best decision. give the non-native residents a chance to bring change. most of them have better sense than those without outside experiences and perspectives. the hubris of most our leadership is killing henderson.
Comment by mighty me — November 14, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
i thought the errors in the mayor’s letter were left intentionally, for all to see how much he doesn’t care and how barely literate he is
Comment by mighty me — November 14, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
“If you aren’t “from Henderson”–you’ll never be elected to office–or be placed on any municipal or county boards–now, there must be one or two somewhere along the line–but I can’t recall off hand.
“From Henderson” means above all–no northerners.
Comment by north star — November 14, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
And it usually means grandparents, great grandparents, etc. were here long before.
Comment by Interesting — November 14, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
why? habit or hoping to get it right some day?
Comment by mighty me — November 14, 2009 @ 5:39 pm