Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 3 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Shame on you
Published Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Apparently, there are two Northampton Counties.
At last week’s meeting of the Northampton Board of Commissioners, a motion calling for the county to provide $6,145 for runway expansion at Tri-County airport was not approved.
Hertford County officials have opted to provide their one-third share of the project. Meanwhile, Bertie County leaders were waiting to see what direction Northampton officials would take on the airport’s request.
While it’s true that Tri-County Airport is located in Hertford County, it does serve Bertie and Northampton equally as well. That airport sits in a central location, one easily reached by ground mode of transportation from anywhere within the three-county area.
However, it appears from the discussion generated by the Northampton Commissioners at their Jan. 20 meeting, Tri-County Airport sits on the wrong side of the county.
“I don’t understand who is going to benefit from the expansion,” said Commissioner Virginia Spruill, adding that she could understand the need if there was a lot of economic development going on in the area.
It seems to us that Spruill missed the point here…the point being economic development for your county. The key word there is “development.” One must first “develop” prior to experiencing economic gain. That’s like first planting a seed, watching it mature and then gaining from harvest.
Her comments were a slap in the face of every Northampton citizen residing in the eastern end of the county. Spruill and her fellow commissioners had no issues with providing incentives to help build the infrastructure that spurred economic growth along the I-95 corridor in the western end of the county, but yet she, along with Commissioners Robert Carter and Chester Deloatch, voted against the airport project.
The Commissioners are to be commended for their vision to help attract new business to the Garysburg and Gaston areas of the county. Equally, they should fully support efforts to do the same for the eastern side of Northampton.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by bejoyner (anonymous) on January 29, 2010 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I couldn't agree more with you. You can't have development unless you are willing to invest. The money requested is just that an investment. It is roughly a $6,000 investment to get a $350,000 return from the State and Federal governments. Looks like a no brainer to me. We need to have the vision of our forefathers who were responsible for getting the airport here in the first place. Who saw that the airport would attract companies such as Perdue, Fineline, NuCor, not to mention Walmart, Catos, McDonalds and various other companies who manage the nursing homes in the area. This is just a few to mention. We often speak of our youth moving away well isn't it about time we gave them a future here?
Posted by Choanoke (anonymous) on February 2, 2010 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kudos!!! to those who have spoken up for what is right.
Posted by Choanoke (anonymous) on February 2, 2010 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This comment/question goes out to all of the tax paying citizens of Eastern Northampton County. Where is the LOVE? Where is the Leadership? Where is the VISION?. The previous comments posted are RIGHT ON. They are hitting the Proverbial 'Nail on the Head". To effect positive change we need more informed citizens ENGAGED.
Some excellent questions for the Leadership of Northampton (i.e., Commissioners/Mayors/Officers etc.) are these.
1. How and Why did REA leave Northampton for Hertford.
2. Why are Students driving or being driven to Hertford County to attend there school systems.
3. A Rich Square citizenry specific question is as following ; Why are there more Churches per square mile than Schools, Recreation Centers, Playgrounds, Jogging trails, Basketball Courts, Baseball Fields, Libraries etc?
There is a big disconnect here. We probably lead the area in Churches per square mile and simutaneaously probably lead in Burglaries, Homicides, Larceny and Drug trafficing.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)