• A cloud of secrecy hangs over the possible sale of the department of aging building and the county attorney has not been forthcoming with a real estate appraisal the The News Reporter has tried to obtain.

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

The law is clear when it comes to public records. What’s not clear is County Attorney Steve Fowler’s response to a recent request.

The law says “every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian’s custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person.”

Friday a reporter followed up a request for a real estate appraisal of county owned property mailed to Fowler earlier in the week by waiting in his office to speak with him.

Fowler dodged direct questions and would not confirm or deny that a copy of the appraisal was in his possession.

“What I am saying is this, if a department has asked for an appraisal you have the ability to obtain a copy of it; from my understanding most appraisals are public record,” Fowler said.

While Fowler said “my understanding is appraisals by and large would be public record” he was not willing to divulge any information as to whether he in fact had a copy of any appraisal.

“Do you have a copy of any appraisals?” A reporter asked Fowler.

(Silence and no response for several minutes.)

“This office has not initiated any appraisals and would have to discuss this with whomever initiated the appraisal to obtain any copies,’ Fowler finally answered.

Look elsewhere

Fowler suggested the reporter go directly to the department head to obtain an appraisal “if there is one.”

“I’m not aware of any departments that have initiated any appraisals. I’ll be more than happy to check around to see if there are any,” Fowler said.

“I would not be the only means of access to that information,” Fowler pointed out. He added that County Manager Jim Varner was in the hospital and access to anything in his possession would have to wait until he returned.

The reporter then asked Fowler if any department head could have an appraisal done of county property.

“I’m not sure about that,” he responded and suggested that it may be left up to the department head and county manager.

Fowler said it was good to have commissioners’ consent to “keep everybody involved” and make sure everything is “as open as possible” but did not say it should be done in the open.

Worley contacted

Department of Aging Director Ed Worley said he is hopeful the department will get a new building in the future.

“Apparently they’re (the commissioners) are behind us –they see the need,” Worley said. “We’ve got no where else to go or grow.”

Worley did not wish to comment further. “That’s about all I can say.”

Sale discussed

Appraisal of the Whiteville Department of Aging building was discussed in a closed session on Jan. 16, according to sources.

The News Reporter has learned that commissioners discussed selling the Department of Aging building in Whiteville. The Columbus Regional Medical Center is interested in purchasing the property but there may be other interested parties as well, sources said.

Legality questioned

Amanda Martin, attorney with the N.C. Press Association and Everett, Gaskins, Hancock and Stevens said discussing the sale of county owned property is no exception to the N.C. Open Meetings Law.

New building

Worley has been before the board on several occasions and asked that they consider building a bigger department of aging building. No public action or lengthy public discussion has followed those requests.

In December, the board told Worley they would possibly consider putting together some type of advisory committee. At the first meeting in January, Chairman Sammie Jacobs asked Worley to give the board a little more time.

On Friday afternoon all seven commissioners were contacted by phone.

Commissioners Ricky Bullard, James Prevatte, and Ronald Gore agreed to try to obtain a copy for The News Reporter.

“I’ll try to get it to you,” Prevatte said. “I’ll be glad to on Monday.”

“It certainly shouldn’t be denied to you by any means,” Gore said, pointing out he did not have one but would try to locate one by Monday also.

Bullard contacted Varner’s assistant and the county attorney’s office but was told there was no appraisal in their possession.

“I haven’t seen an appraisal,” Commissioner Lynwood Norris said. “I had nothing to do with getting an appraisal or anything.”

Messages left with Commissioners Amon McKenzie, Bill Memory, and Sammie Jacobs were unreturned.