Voided conflict of interest statement was the “final blow.”

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Integrity. Honesty. Reputation.

They are three things that Ivan Wilson says are very important to him – important enough that when he learned the Columbus County Board of Commissioners voided a planning conflict statement, he decided enough was enough.

“You appointed me to the County Planning Board and I am flattered that you had that much confidence in my abilities; however, after serving for several years, I have concluded that it is in my best interest to resign from this board,” Wilson wrote to Commissioner Bill Memory on June 6. Memory appointed him to the board.

“It is apparent that the Commissioners do not want a planning board that is independent and creative but supports only the views of the Commissioners and all their biases,” Wilson explains.

“The Subdivision Ordinance that we worked on for almost two years is a good example.

“The Commission body altered the document to the point that it is hardly recognizable and still has not approved it.

“The final blow for me was the repealing of the conflict of interest statement adopted unanimously by the planning board. The implications of this repeal shatter my demands for integrity and honesty, therefore, I must resign from the board rather than risk the tarnishing of my reputation.

“I would encourage the Commission body to stop and assess yourselves as a governing body, be objective, get valid input on all issues and move Columbus County forward in a proud, confident, and efficient manner,” the letter reads.

The Columbus County Planning Board recently adopted the policy requiring board members sign a conflict of interest statement after months of deliberation and the majority voting to eliminate members from voting if they did not sign the statement.

Three board members, Lacy Wilson, Chandler Worley and James Register said they had problems with the statement and refused to sign it. At subsequent meetings board members appeared to work out their differences. All members including Lacy Wilson, Worley and Register agreed to sign the revised statement, which eliminated any reference to “future” conflicts or “perceived conflicts.”

By signing the statement members would acknowledged if a conflict existed they would refrain from voting and would not engage in discussion to sway other members’ opinions.

Despite the compromise, commissioners were not happy with how the board went about creating rules for themselves.

“They did not approach us – that is not why we put people on that planning board,“ Commissioner Bill Memory said at a commissioner meeting last month in which he asked other commissioners to void the policy. All seven commissioners voted unanimously to void the statement.