To the Editor:

I would like to start by congratulating all our new Southampton County Board of Supervisor members. I look forward to the positive changes that you will bring to Southampton County.

I am hoping that there will be much more accountability in the future of both the board and the county staff. There are many, many areas I’m sure you’re aware of that could use some “trimming.”

Over the past months I have noticed not only by visiting the county offices but by reports performed by different departments, for example, building permits, that there are many employees who are not “busy.”

I feel that each department should submit a project and productivity report each month to be reviewed at each board meeting. This can help ensure that taxpayers are getting the services they deserve.

I hope that you will use every avenue to challenge every proposal brought before you. As many of you know, the board has basically been a “rubber stamp” board for many years. They did not ask the important questions or challenge proposals brought before them by the administrator and other parties. This has allowed a lot of smoke to be blown and many other things to be swept under the rug.

I believe the board should be involved in every aspect of managing the county right down to the staff and other items that have been allowed to be ignored for many years. There are many ways that this can be achieved, and one is starting with changing the county charter. It has not been changed in many years and is definitely in need of updating to ensure the transparency that is needed reshapes Southampton County’s economy and government.

Again I look forward to the changes and hard work that will take place, and again, congratulations to all!

Winston Johnson
Courtland