04-07-06: Moratorium Effort Backed

Down East candidates seek seat
Incumbent Robinson backs 1-year development pause

MOREHEAD CITY — Jonathan Robinson has been enamored with the fishing industry since he was a child.

Growing up Down East, he was surrounded by fishermen, including his father, who were full of stories of the sea.

"There was a certain amount of adventure and romance associated with that type of work, and it appealed to young people," he said. "I never really envisioned myself doing anything but working in the fisheries."

But when the "heavy hand of government" came down on the fishing industry, it forced Mr. Robinson to take up another career: politics.

After serving in the N.C. House from 1995-96, he became involved in county politics and is now running for his third term on the County Board of Commissioners. He will face Republican challenger Steve Williamson in the May 2 primary. The winner of that race will go on to face Democrat Hugh "Buck" Wilde in the fall campaign.

Running again was not a decision that Commissioner Robinson took lightly, and, he said, there are still challenges out there.

For the Down East communities, the biggest challenge right now is how to handle new growth and development. The group Down East Tomorrow has proposed the county enact a one-year moratorium on certain types of development, such as condominiums and subdivisions of more than five lots, to give residents time to develop plans to better control the growth.

While the board of commissioners has not yet decided on the situation, Mr. Robinson is openly in favor of the moratorium.

"We need to look at these issues. For years we were kind of at the end of the road geographically. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind," he said. "We were sheltered somewhat by over-development due to the constraints of the septic systems, the soil and the topography. It didn’t render itself to development."

But today’s sewer systems enable development to go in where it couldn’t before, and the area is looking more attractive to developers.

"The concern, and rightfully so, is what will be the cumulative effect of all the development," he said.

Some have argued that Down Easters just don’t want outsiders coming in to their pristine environment, but Commissioner Robinson said that was completely erroneous.

"The people Down East are cordial, welcome and caring," he said. "They always welcome new blood. I think the natives and the newcomers Down East all share the same concerns (about growth)."

And he didn’t want to consider what would happen if the county didn’t enact a moratorium.

"A year is such a short time. It’s not asking for a prohibition on development. It’s not being disrespectful to property rights. It will take a year to put any plans in place. The moratorium will give the local people an opportunity to have input and influence management tools," he said.

"I don’t see anything wrong with people wanting to preserve and enhance the character of the community."

Also, development along the coast is cutting off access to the sea, both for fisherman and the public, he said.

"I’m fearful we’re going to find ourselves living on the shore with no access to the beaches or waterways," he said. "If we can’t go to the shore, we might as well be anywhere."

Earlier this month, the county board approved sending a letter to the county’s state and federal representatives endorsing two resolutions, from the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and a group of maritime scientists, which stressed the importance of preserving access for the public. The action came at the behest of Commissioner Robinson.

But growth and development issues aren’t the only topics.The school bond situation is another that has sparked controversy.

Last month, SFL+A, the architectural firm designing some of the projects in the school bond, informed the county that the $50 million approved by voters last year may fall well short of accomplishing all the goals listed. One estimate stated the amount was off by as much as $25 million.

Members of the County Board of Education have said the architect went beyond the scope when designing some of the projects, which is why the cost has gone up so significantly. Still, the board and the school system expect the funding to fall short.

"It’s kind of disappointing when you seek professional advice, and you pay for it and get reassurances from school officials that the money will take us out into the future and meet the capital needs of the school, only to find out it falls way short. It’s discouraging and a tragedy. Voters lose confidence in their government," he said.

"I want to be guided by my voters. In the absence of that, you have to toy and struggle with the decision on your own, but when the voters give you a clear direction, it’s my job to respond to the voters."

Given that voters approved the school bond on two referendums last year, Commissioner Robinson said the county shouldn’t make drastic changes — such as building an entirely new school for East Carteret — that the voters didn’t sign off on.

Next year’s revaluation is another issue that will influence citizens of the county, but he was sure the board of commissioners would adjust the tax rate down to have as little impact as possible on property owners.

Still, Commissioner Robinson said the system of taxation was a poor one.

"Property tax is the poorest system of taxation in the world," he said.

For the next four years, Commissioner Robinson wants to use his experience in politics for the benefit of the county and its people.

"The best thing about Carteret County is the people who live here," he said. "There’s always been a community here that welcomes others to come. There are some friendly people and for the most part, we have a willingness to work together and care for one another. I think that’s our greatest resource."

But still, there is no denying his love of the water.

"There’s something about it," he said. "Where the water meets the shore, it has some kind of magnetism that draws everybody to the edge."