JACKSON – A busy man.

Northampton County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Robert V. Carter can lay claim to the title with no objection.

Twice during last week’s meeting of the Northampton Board, Carter was appointed to serve on various committees requiring a commissioner.

After the second appointment, Commissioner James C. Boone said he was concerned about the workload placed on his fellow board member.

Early in the meeting, Commission Chairwoman Virginia D. Spruill made the motion to appoint Carter to a local panel to help choose with the effort on the 2004 Community Development Block Grant. It was pointed out by Spruill that Carter served on a similar panel for the Lebanon Church Road CDBG program.

Spruill’s motion was seconded by Commissioner James Hester and passed without objection.

Later in the meeting, Board Clerk Kay Flythe presented a request to have a Northampton County Commissioner appointed to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Board of Directors.

Spruill asked if it was certain Northampton County was supposed to appoint a director and County Manager Wayne Jenkins said it was.

&uot;What happens if a county doesn’t appoint someone,&uot; Spruill asked. Jenkins said he did not know.

Information provided to the commissioners showed that Boone had served on the District Seven Board in 2000 and 2001. District Seven is comprised of Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton and Wilson counties.

Spruill moved to appoint Carter to the post with Hester again offering a second.

When asked if there was discussion, Boone interjected his thoughts.

&uot;I question the ability of one commissioner to extend himself so far,&uot; Boone said. &uot;I don’t have the time to serve, so if he has the time, that would be up to him.&uot;

Spruill said she felt Carter could handle the duties and that he may be doing something to take up more time in the future.

Boone said he appreciated the chairwoman’s thoughts, but wanted to hear from Carter.

&uot;Thank you Commissioner Boone for your concern,&uot; Carter said. &uot;This committee will convene at the state convention in Charlotte and I plan to be there anyway.&uot;

Carter said caucusing with other commissioners was already part of his plan and that he had &uot;no problem with this whatsoever.&uot;

Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Carter to the board.