By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Portions of a memo that The News Reporter and Tabor-Loris Tribune were denied access to for years have been made public.

The release brings closure to nearly two years of legal battles over the public record that ended in a 3-0 decision of the N.C. Court of Appeals filed on July 3. The court ruling makes public portions of a memo that then-Emergency Services Director Ronnie Hayes wrote to county commissioners about Emergency Services Medical Director Fred Obrecht.

The county had until Aug. 8 to decide if it would ask for a N.C. Supreme Court review of the Court of Appeals decision.

While the Court of Appeals concluded that portions of the letter are protected, the judges disagreed with the county’s claim that County Manager Jim Varner’s choosing to place the memo in Hayes’ personnel file made it confidential.

The public portions of Hayes’ Sept. 2005 memo read:

“As you are aware Dr. Obrecht does not currently have a contract with Columbus County. His last contract expired on June, 2004, at which time I made the County Manager and the Board aware of this matter.

“It was determined to leave the issue alone until November of 2004, at which time no action was taken on the item. Now in July 2005 Dr. Obrecht sent an RFB to Darren Currie to have his contract for 04-05 and 05-06 approved.

“Mr. Currie passed the RFB (request for bids) to me for my action to the board. In June I contacted Mr. Jacobs about arranging a meeting with the personnel committee on this matter.

“It was decided to wait until after the budget was approved and the 4th of July holiday. On July 11, 2005 I met with you gentlemen and you advised me to look for another medical director.

“At this time I would like to inform you that Dr. Peggy Barnhill has agreed to assume the task of Medical Director for Columbus county with the approval of the board. Dr. Barnhill is a county native and has returned to Columbus County to serve the citizens and raise her family.

“Dr. Barnhill has a private practice in Whiteville and has full medical privileges at Columbus Regional.

“Dr. Barnhill has expressed extreme interest in this position when she was contacted and can meet all requirements of the State of North Carolina to be our EMS Medical Director.

“Dr. Barnhill is willing to serve the county for the fee that is budgeted this year ($3,000 a quarter) and has stated she is willing to meet with you or the entire board before her approval.”

Obrecht remains the county medical director. He is paid $12,000 a year in quarterly installments, according to his contract that automatically renews on July 1 each year. It is retroactive and effective July 2005.

The county budget reflects $15,000 in contracted services, $3,000 more than what is stated in the medical director’s contract. The medical director’s budget totals $53,000 and includes travel, uniforms, training, office supplies and a $25,000 nurse liaison salary.

The medical director’s budget, once included with the emergency services budget, is now separate from the EMS budget.