The State of Union--By Allan Baucom

The Enquirer Journal has printed a wonderful guest column from Allan Baucom. While United for Union doesn't always agree with Mr. Baucom we certainly agree with his column. Enjoy

--United for Union

The State Of Union

By: Allan Baucom


One year ago, on December 1, 2008, Kim Rogers and Tracy Kuehler were sworn in as Union County Commissioners. On the same night, I nominated Lanny Openshaw, and he was elected, as chairman, and Kim Rogers Vice Chairman, of the Union County Board of Commissioners.

Each member of this new board majority spoke of working for the benefit of all the citizens of Union County. They spoke of the abolition of any thoughts of an east/west divide. They spoke of absolute transparency in county government. They spoke of working to develop policies to move the county forward with long range planning, to develop a long range plan to procure a resource that we do not have naturally…water. They spoke of working to improve the business/residential tax base.

Here are the realities of what has occurred during the past twelve months.

Water. When Lancaster County offered to work with us to manage water shortages by allowing Union County to purchase additional water, they (the board majority) said no, we do not want your help.

Volunteer Fire Departments. This Board quite effectively told our volunteer firemen and women that we do not like what they are doing for Union County. In fact, one of the commissioners stated emphatically that she did not care what the volunteers thought.

Property Rights. Forget it. If this board majority proceeds on its’ present path, in effect there will be ETJ for the entire unaffiliated areas of Union County. I have heard some of the commissioners state their commitment to property rights. However, the language that was developed by some individuals of the Planning Board and now has been sent by this Board of Commissioners to this Planning Board for their input, clearly defines that property use will be determined by a few people on the Planning Board. This is the “fox guarding the hen house” approach. My fear is this will result in the virtual abolition of property rights for the citizens of Union County.

Monroe. This board majority refused to work with Monroe on property that Union County owns. This land is in a flood plain so it has virtually no values outside of what it is already, part of Lake Tonawanda Park, which is used by all citizens of the county. First, this board majority tried to extort money from Monroe for this property in secret negotiation and when that did not work, tried to rationalize their actions as “good business decisions”. Well, this business decision has now taken part of the park away. It now costs Union County taxpayers $8,000 a year to mow the property and now has led to a decrease in parking lots for county employees. It’s a lose-lose for everyone and now has caused a distrust from each board majority which was totally unnecessary.

Hospital. Ah, yes, the county’s most valuable asset. I have heard the rhetoric that the purpose and intended use of the funds from the proposed sale of “our” hospital is to pay down current county debt. This is not the truth. At first blush, I see how this could sound feasible to people that either have not been in Union County very long, or who have no need or intent on using our hospital facility, because they plan on going to Mecklenburg County facilities. The reality is that only a very small portion of current county debt can be paid early without serious penalties and would have negative impact with our bond rating agencies. I hope these statements have been made from ignorance rather than the intentional misstatement of the facts. County staff has been instructed to contract with a firm to facilitate the sale of the hospital. This firm will be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for their work. Where the money to pay this firm is going to come from has not been identified. I have heard that individuals are saying the money from the sale of the hospital will go towards building more parks and libraries.


Transparency. This majority has refused to tape special meetings and workshops where the hospital was the purpose of the meeting, to televise to the public the same as regular commissioner meetings are televised. It has become the norm for motions to be made and action to be taken at special meetings and work sessions. This action is away from the camera and quite often there is not any news media present. Therefore, the public is challenged to know what is happening at the county level. All motions to tape these meetings have been voted down, 2 to 3, with Parker and me voting to televise the meetings.

Planning. During the past twelve months, there has not been a single long range plan moved forward. The present Planning Board is essentially dysfunctional, challenged internally for leadership control. This current Planning Board has taken the Land Use Plan the previous Planning Board developed, with lots of community meetings and hundreds of citizen fingerprints, and the consultant assistance the county paid for, and “shelved” it, without bringing a viable, workable option forward.

During the past year the commissioner board majority has not brought a single stated objective to a positive conclusion. The closest was the vote to proceed with the infrastructure to accept additional water from Anson County.

I suspect that you are going to hear lots of excuses why there have not been any accomplishments during the past year. Most of what you hear will be the fault of others, I suspect.

Folks, when your horse is hitched to the wagon, it is your responsibility to hold the reins and guide the wagon to reach the determined destination. Lanny, Kim, and Tracy wanted to hitch their horse to the Union County wagon; however, they seemingly forgot to connect the traces and their horse has been wandering, aimlessly, with the wagon still sitting, still waiting to move forward.

I suggest there be a Board of Commissioners workshop this winter. I make this suggestion with the hope of developing a harmonious, credible, and effective relationship among commissioners, and between commissioners and staff, with a better understanding of desired objectives and direction by all involved.

At the conclusion of the December 1, 2008 Union County Board of Commissioners meeting, I pledged to work with the new majority. I stated that I probably would not agree with everyone on all issues; however, I consider good discussion to be a vital part of the process of good government. I make this same pledge to Kim, as the new chair. I hope there will be communication from the chair, to all commissioners, this year. Good communication leads to collaboration and understanding.

Union County deserves leadership.