River Town--Life in Harnett County

River Town--Life in Harnett County

By Gary A. House

When local author and historian Bryan K. Avery approached me many months ago about a web-based series called River Town that would depict life in Harnett County in the 1850's, I became excited and offered him much encouragement.

I have always been amazed by Mr. Avery's creativity and his ability to make things happen.  His idea to use local actors in his series certainly gives his series much local appeal.  

I had played Cornelius Harnett in the trailer to one of Mr. Avery's books and I had also played Cornelius Harnett in a monument ceremony in the Old Town of Averasborough initiated by Mr. Avery..  Through these experiences, I knew Mr. Avery's  River Town's productions would be loads of fun.

The fifth episode of River Town was filmed yesterday.  It was the first time that I had the opportunity to participate due scheduling conflicts.  It was extremely cold yesterday.  But it did not dampen the spirit of any of the River Town cast or Mr. Avery.  As always, when having the privilege of working with Mr. Avery, I  and the rest of cast had a most memorable time loaded with laughter.

Mr. Avery has brought Harnett County history alive.  I would put him right up there with authors such as Malcolm Fowler and John Hairr in helping us remember our roots.

Mr. Avery has sparked interest in our history among many of us.  Because of Mr. Avery, I have been doing my own research into the Cape Fear River in Harnett County.  Mr. Avery is always there to help answer questions for me.  Many of you have kayaked the Cape Fear River with me over the years.  The next time you go, you will hear stories such as the Legend of Big Red McNeill and will view  the hill where Matthew Smylie was shot.  Mr. Avery has brought River Town to life in film.  I am going to bring it to life by kayak.

As Mr. Avery told me from the beginning, if anyone wants to act in River Town, he will find them a place.  Bryan is a man of his word.  He has used local people just like you and me to depict life in the third largest town on the Cape Fear in the 1850's.  Local horses, mules, and dogs have also been casted.  He uses period clothing which may be a challenge sometimes.  Not everyone has clothing hanging in their closets from the 1850's except Linda Overby.  Actors attempt to use language from the 1850's even though it hard for those from Harnett, Sampson and Cumberland Counties to refrain from using our present day slang..

I encourage you all to participate in an upcoming episode of River Town.  You will have the time of your life and learn some history too.

The first four episodes can be found of YouTube.  I also encourage you to visit the FaceBook page "Welcome to River Town" administered by local attorney and River Town actor Jason Wunsch.

The fifth episode should premier in a month or two at the County Seat Restaurant in Lillington owned and operated by Terence and Sharona Stokes.

Keep an eye out on the FaceBook page for the date and I hope to see you there....

Why Rotate the County Chairman?

Why Rotate the County Chairperson?

By: Vice Chairman Gary A. House

Harnett County's Board of Commissioners are composed of five individuals elected by geographic districts within Harnett County.

At the first meeting in December of each year, the Board reorganizes and elects its chairperson for the upcoming year.  The chairperson has no duties greater than any of the other commissioners other than the right to call a special meeting, the right to conduct a meeting, the right to help set the agenda, and the right to sign documents on behalf of the Board.  Other than those items, all commissioners are equal, should be treated equal, and should have equal access to information.

In four of my seven years on the Board, the Board elected the same chairperson at its annual reorganization meeting---Chairperson Tim McNeill.  I have met no one that claimed that this was healthy for the county.  As a matter of fact, I never felt that there was equality among the board members during that four year reign.  Lack of equality breeds dysfunction. 

Once a chairperson feels too much power and claims authority over the county manager, problems occur.  Relationships all get out of whack.

Commissioner Jim Burgin and I have discussed the effects of re-electing the same chairperson year after year on several occasions.  We both believed, or at least I thought we believed, that the chairperson should be rotated each year.

For these reasons, I have requested that County Manager Tommy Burns come up with language in our Rules and Procedures that would require the rotation of the county chairpersonship each December.  

Several other counties have implemented this policy and I have no doubt that it breeds equality and healthy relationships.

Educating Harnett County Youth

Educating Harnett County Youth

By Vice Chairman Gary A. House

During my seven years on the Harnett County Board of Commissioners, we have dealt with tremendous impact from the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) mostly in the southern and western parts of our county.

In the early years, we were led to believe that the federal government was going to provide $70 to $80 million dollars to help Harnett County with our infrastructure needed to educate our students.

BRAC brought more and more people who enrolled more and more children into our school system.  There was no influx of money that came with the influx on people.  

The State of North Carolina mandates that the county educate all children within Harnett County's borders.

Yet the federal government has never stood up to help us.

On June 27, 2013 during a special session of Harnett County Board of Commissioners, I made a motion to adopt the proposed General Fund budget with the modification of adding a capital reserve fund with the excess of revenues over expenditures for the 2012-13 budget.  The reserve fund is to assist with the construction, repair and renovation of our schools in Harnett County.

With the audit of our financial statements presented to the Board a few weeks ago, the final numbers are in.

Through sound fiscal management, at June 30, 2013, our unassigned General Fund balance is $17,959,942.  The increase in fund balance from the prior year was $4,645,351. This increase represents the excess of revenues over expenditures for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.  At the same time I made the motion for the excess to go into a capital reserve fund for the schools, the budget passed with the County using $2,400,000 to balance the 2013-2014 General Fund; thus, leaving $2,245,351 left of the excess to go into the capital reserve fund for schools.

I have asked for this budget amendment be presented at an upcoming Board of Commissioners' meeting.  I trust that my fellow commissioners will follow suit since the motion to create this fund was approved by vote when the budget was adopted.  If we do not pass this budget amended, the taxpayers of Harnett County would never have any reason to have faith in us again.

Also, on October 21, 2013 I presented a resolution stating the intent of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners was to use all proceeds from the 1/4 cent sales tax increase, if approved by the voters on November 5, 2013, would be placed into this capital reserve fund.  The 1/4 cent sales tax passed by a surprising margin.  The sales tax increase goes into effect on on April 1, 2014.  Money from these sales taxes should start flowing into the newly created capital reserve fund in May or June of 2014.  Funds generated should be able to make the annual payment on a new elementary school.

The revelation of a new Super Wal-Mart sending construction plans for a location on Highway 87 to the Harnett County planning department should make the annual payment on another new school.

Recognizing that our school needs are still overwhelming, I have asked our County Manager Tommy Burns to gather information on a bond referendum for new school construction to be presented at a future meeting.

Our needs are massive in Harnett County as far as our school needs go.  It will take everyone to come together to make sure that our school system can fulfill the needs of our youth and to provide each of them a seat, books, locker, etc.

Our kids are our future.

The "New" Iron Triangle

The "New" Iron Triangle
By Commissioner Gary A. House


Recently, my good friend Larry Parker also known as the Old Master wrote a column in the Dunn Daily Record that indicated that a new iron triangle may be forming among the Harnett County Board of Commissioners.

I have always touted the Old Master's accuracy rating as 95% to 99%.  I almost always agree with his writings and predictions.  He almost always hits the nail on the head.

However, in this instance, the Old Master read his crystal ball incorrectly.

It was the Old Master that coined former Chairman Tim McNeill, former Commissioner Dan Andrews, and Commissioner Beatrice Hill as the The Iron Triangle.  There were lots of 3 to 2 votes of the County Board during McNeill's reign as chairman.  Commissioner Jim Burgin and I almost always were the 2 in those votes.

The Iron Triangle appeared to stick together no matter what.

Well, McNeill gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for NC State Senate and Andrews lost his seat to Gordon Springle in 2012.  Thus, The Iron Triangle was broken.

I know that many assumed that there would be another iron triangle between Burgin, Springle and me.  Needing a new chairman, I nominated Burgin.  He became the chairman in 2012 on a 3 to 2 vote.

The assumption that another iron triangle between Burgin, Springle, and me proved to be false rather quickly in 2013.  I have never and will never vote against what I believe is in the best interest of Harnett County.

Burgin and I talked many times about the need to rotate the chairman each year like some other counties do.
When the time came in 2013 for the annual reorganization of the board, Hill nominated Commissioner Joe Miller to be chairman.  Commissioner Springle nominated Burgin.  Agreeing with Burgin in our past conversations, I saw the need to rotate the chairman each year so I cast my vote for Miller.

That vote is apparently why the Old Master thinks there may be another "New" Iron Triangle forming between Miller, Hill and me.

I have enjoyed getting to know Miller and Hill since the current board was formed.

No, there was no deal of any kind between Miller, Hill, and me over vote for chairman nor over any lawsuit.

I never talked to Miller or Hill about dropping any lawsuit.

I never talked to Miller about voting for him to be chairman.  Hill talked to me about the new chairmanship but even she did not know how I was going to vote that day.

The casting of my vote for Miller was, in my opinion, in the best interest of Harnett County for the upcoming year.

I will continue to vote for what I think is best and will not be part of any iron triangle.  I will vote my conscience regardless of which commissioner supports or opposes certain issues.

I truly believe this is the way all governments should function.

So Old Master, I am sorry to report that you called this one wrong.  There is no "New" Iron Triangle.  That philosophy left when McNeill and Andrews walked out the door.

I have faith that the Old Master will call the next 99 correctly.

I forever will be a fan of the Old Master......

Thank You

Thank You
By:  Vice Chairman Gary House

I want to take a few minutes to express my sincere appreciation to all of you who have supported me over the last few years and to explain some things and actions to you.

When Commissioner Tim McNeill sued me a couple of years ago, my attorney advised me not to say a word about anything to anybody during the process.  She told me to trust no one.  I took that advice even though I was continuously blasted.  McNeill did not produce any witnesses that could verify  the claims in his lawsuit.  I have always vehemently denied his allegations.  Throughout the proceedings, it became apparent to me that my resignation from the county board was the goal of that lawsuit.

When I did not resign, Harnett County initiated another lawsuit against me and Randy Rogers while McNeill was chairman.  Allegations in that lawsuit were also false.  This time, my attorney who was a different attorney gave me two options.  I could remain quiet during the process or I could come out swinging and bash the county over the head with the knowledge that I had.

I chose to remain quiet and let the process work itself out.   All the while, I took continued abuse from a faceless group of people.  Only a couple of them chose to reveal themselves even though I know who the faceless ones  are.  After the County put the same settlement agreement in front of me for the third time that asked me to sign things that were not true, gagged me from speaking, and prevented me from requesting public information, I decided that I could be quiet no longer.

I started using FaceBook as my primary method of getting information out to you.  I even told you it would be coming for a few months and to block me for a those months if you did not want to read it.  Very few of you chose to block me.  Many of you repeatedly thanked me for the information that I was putting out to you.

It was not until I started speaking that the County began negotiating seriously.  I was forced into a corner and the only choice I had was to come out swinging.  I assure you that I always spoke the truth.

My posts about the County will slow down significantly.  I will still let you know what is happening in our County but it will be done in a different manner.

I thank all of you for your patience and understanding in this matter and I will continue you to serve you to the best of my ability and I will continue to look after your money...

Many Thanks,
Gary A. House
Vice-Chairman of Harnett County Board of Commissioners

Sauer Grapes

Sauer Grapes

By Commissioner Gary A. House

When the Harnett County Board of Commissioners hired Scott Sauer as county manager some five years ago, I would have preferred to have had Tony Wilder in that position; however, I was happy with the hire of Sauer.  He interviewed very well and knew how to answer all the questions without hesitation.  He even knew how to initiate conversation with me.  In hindsight, in my opinion, he may have been prepped beforehand by someone who wanted him in that position.   He even got  a good recommendation from our human resources department.

Not long after the announcement of his hiring, a few friends from Sampson County thanked me profusely for taking him from them.  That seemed odd to me but I was happy with the hire.  I have said many times that I learned more about Harnett County in six months under Sauer than I had learned in the previous two years.  He gave us loads of information and gave the appearance of treating all commissioners equally as he had promised in his interview.

Randy Rogers came to see me the first time in August after Sauer was hired in January  He came to me with information obtained from the Harnett County School Board via a public records request from the Daily Record about the construction of the replacement of Boone Trail Elementary School.  I listened intently.

In our many discussions on this subject, he began telling me things that were happening in public utilities.  In the beginning, it was difficult to believe some of the things he was sharing with me.  Some of those allegedly  involved, I considered friends.  It took quite a bit of time for it to sink in that truth came from Rogers lips.  Much of the information he shared with me was and has been corroborated by other employees and former employees.

One thing I do remember Rogers sharing with me early on was that then Public Works Director Rodney Tart was driving a Mercedes that Engineer Hiram Marziano used to own.  I took that with a grain of salt because I knew all county employees know to keep arms length transactions with county vendors.  I happened to mention the Mercedes to Sauer one day.  He became very interested in this issue.  He asked me if there was any proof that I could bring him.  Yes, Sauer asked for the information to be brought to him.

I contacted Rogers and he produced a picture of the vehicle license plate.  A few days later, Sauer informed me that the vehicle was registered in Tart's name.  He called Tart into his office and inquired about it.  According to Sauer, Tart said the vehicle came from a used car dealership in Greensboro.  Peaking Sauer's interest, he decided to investigate further.

He sent Staff Attorneys Slusser and O'Leary to Asheboro to interview Marziano about the vehicle.  For some unknown reason, Tart weaseled his way into the car.  According to Sauer, Marziano claimed that he had sold the car to Tart.  He even pulled out an amortization schedule showing the monthly payments.  Amortization schedules can be produced on the internet in a matter of minutes.  Nevertheless, Marziano confirmed that the vehicle was purchased from him while Tart claimed it was purchased from a Greensboro dealership.

Sauer appeared very upset that Tart and Marziano told different stories.  Sauer never told me whether he thought the vehicle was sold at fair market value or less.

On the way back to Harnett County from Marziano's office, Tart allegedly began making inappropriate comments to O'Leary.  She filed a complaint with the County.

Sauer became very upset about that he thought Tart had lied to him and about the comments made to O'Leary.  He brought the information to the Board of Commissioners.  Sauer recommended termination of Tart.  I do not recall if a formal vote was taken by the Board on termination since Sauer had full authority to do it on his own because Tart's position was not an appointed position.  I do remember it being a consensus among all Board members to support Sauer's decision.

Later Sauer came back and informed the Board that he had terminated Tart.  One Board member appeared to reverse his position and said he only thought Tart would be suspended temporarily.

As I recall, Tart was given the opportunity to retire in order to avoid termination.

The Board instructed Sauer to go to public utilities, make inquiries, and report back to the Board with anything he found wrong.  To my knowledge, Sauer never made the inquiries among employees that I remember him being instructed to do.

I think Sauer stepped on some pretty big toes with the way he handled the Tart situation.  After that event, in my opinion, Sauer's performance dropped off dramatically.  It appeared that someone may have instructed him not to mess with the Good Ol' Boy System in Harnett County.

Over the next couple of years, in my eyes, Sauer's performance, in my opinion,  became so lacking that I had to support Commissioner Jim Burgin's motion to terminate him.

Sauer admitted to the new Board that it was he who instructed David Senter to add me to the suit against Rogers.  The Board never voted to add me to the suit as attested to by Burgin and Wilder.

Some time between Tart's retirement and Sauer's termination, a faceless, cowardly cyber(s) stalker appeared.  I blocked myself from reading the garbage a couple of years ago.  I am certain I know who is involved in this continuous harassment.  I always thought Sauer was above it because he had a lot to lose even though others were telling me otherwise.

A few months ago, I got a few friend requests on FaceBook from a lady that I did not know.  Her name was Tuesday Price.  I had heard the day before that Sauer had a girlfriend named Tuesday.  Just to be sure, I declined her as a friend.  Then all of a sudden, according to my sources, Ms. Price starting posting along with the faceless, cowardly cyber stalker.  Then, I heard Sauer and Price married which is verified on Price's FaceBook page.

Since the marriage, Price's postings have apparently escalated.  Price may be posting on her own but I have a hard time believing that since she came from a different county and I do not know her.

Somehow I doubt this lady is making these atrocious FaceBook postings.  I am not even sure she knows about them...

In my opinion, this just may be a case of Sauer Grapes...

.

"Throwing Money Down a Rabbit Hole"

Throwing Money Down a Rabbit Hole

By Gary A. House

Many of you have asked me why Harnett County decided to drop the lawsuit against me and not Randy Rogers.   I wish that I could answer that question.  I am sure that each commissioner has his/her own reasons and they are likely to be much different.  Whatever the reasons, I thank each and everyone of them.

One of the possible reasons could be that certain people were on the verge of being deposed.  I had the ability to depose them.  Randy Rogers does not have the ability to depose them until he pays a sanction levied by Judge Sasser.

Another reason is that I had asserted no other claims against Harnett County.  I never intended to sue my own county and did not, other than filing a counter claim to defend myself from a frivolous lawsuit.  Rogers has several legitimate claims against Harnett County that he could pursue.

Maybe they realized that I was not going to cave on certain points.  Negotiations took 8 months.  I would not sign my name to anything that was not true.  I would not give up my right to speak and ask for information.  I was satisfied with the settlement.  None of my rights that I need to properly serve my constituents were stripped from me.

Perhaps that they realized that the lawsuit that they inherited from a previous rogue county manager and commissioner is filled with distortions and false allegations.  I have had at least two commissioners tell me that they know there are improprieties and that at least some of what Rogers claims has truth to it.

Perhaps they are growing tired of an attorney milking the county on behalf of certain individuals.

As Commissioner Jim Burgin said in a previous Daily Record article, "It's like throwing money down a rabbit hole."  That may explain why they dropped the frivolous lawsuit against me but it does not explain why it is continuing against Rogers.  Wouldn't it be the same rabbit hole?