Newspapers / The Chowan Herald (Edenton, … / Aug. 19, 2009, edition 1 / Page 1
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Capstrat: Who knew what when? by Dee Langston Correspondent That seems to be a central question surrounding Chow an County’s association with Capstrat, a Raleigh communi cations and lobbying firm. But Frank Hill, a lobbyist who was employed by Cap strat from 2004 until 2007, said that at some point, he believes he probably met everybody in Edenton, including most of the town’s public officials. “It sure did seem like I met Music in the Parks ■HHHHHHK_J REBECCA BUNCH/THE CHOWAN HERALD Fred Hill smiles at the crowd Sunday afternoon during a break in performing during the Music in the Parks series on the Edenton waterfront. Hill and his 007 Band performed R&B favorites. Also entertaining during the event was Anthony Horton, flutist. ECDC director releases statement about Capstrat Hole in auditor’s report leads to unanswered questions By Rebecca Bunch Staff Writer Chamber Director Richard Bunch is denying reports that he may have mislead a State Auditor’s investigator look ing into the county’s financial shortfall. Town Councilman Steve Biggs has been quoted in news accounts as saying that he had a conversation with Bunch during which Bunch made the comment that the Eden ton-Chowan Development Corporation, better known as the ECDC, ‘‘would have more money in its kitty” if it did not have to pay Capstrat, a Raleigh-based lobbying firm, $6,000 a month. Biggs has since been quoted as saying he could not under stand why Bunch apparently, led a state investigator to be lieve he did not know about Capstrat’s activities. Biggs repeated those con C2009 The Chowan Herald All Rights Reserved all of the elected officials and shook their hands,” he said. On his frequent visits to Edenton, he worked with former County Manager Cliff Copeland and Edjenton Town Manager Anne Marie Knighton, “except when I was walking downtown and being introduced to everyone,” he said. Bunch, Knighton and Vaughan on Capstrat/ECDC SEE BELOW cerns during last Tuesday night’s Town Council meet ing and expressed the hope that at some point Bunch would step up and shed some light on the situation. Days later, Bunch told The Chowan Herald he did not mislead the investigator when asked about the re lationship between the Eden ton-Chowan Develop ment Cor poration, of which he serves as director, and Cap strat, a North Carolia lobby ing firm. In a written statement re leased to the paper, Bunch said he met on two separate occasions in the fall of 2008 with an investigator from the State Auditor’s Office who was looking into the county’s financial troubles. Bunch said he “willingly and honestly” answered all the questions put to him. It was during a second visit to his office by the in vestigator that Bunch said he related a conversation he had had with then-county manager Cliff Copeland in 2005. See BUNCH on Page 2 Bunch He said the two made a good team, as Copeland had a dear overall vision of the county’s needs, and Knigh ton was more of a “nuts and bolts” type person. ^'Everybody’s really nice down there in Edenton,” Hill added. Usually, he introduced himself as the former chief of staff for Elizabeth Dole and currently a Washington lobbyist for Capstrat. “That’s what I told them, and nobody recoiled in hor ror, nobody ran away from Knighton opens up about dealings with Capstrat Town Manager says Capstrat portrayed as county investment By Rebecca Bunch Staff Writer Edenton’s town manag er wants to set the record straight. Anne-Marie Knighton re cently briefed members of the town council, and the mayor on her knowledge about activities carried out by a Raleigh-based lobbying firm, Capstrat, on behalf of the community At times wiping away tears, Knighton read from a prepared statement during last Tuesday night’s town council meeting. “Mayor, no one has worked harder to promote, preserve and improve the economic vitality of this community than you,” she told Vaughan. “I apologize to you and to the council that my associa tion with the former county manager and Capstrat has caused so much confusion. I am deeply sorry that I did not tell you about my involve ment with the former county manager and Capstrat.” During the meeting, the council considered, and re jected, a motion by Council man Steve Biggs, asking that me,” he said. Sometimes, he was just introduced by Co peland as “our lobbyist,” he added. During a meeting in Febru ary, 2007, regarding a commu nications system that might benefit the county, he said he was introduced to between 30 and 50 people, including the sheriff, the Edenton chief of police and the emergency management staff. It was initially reported See CAPSTRAT on Page 2A the town withdraw its share of funding — $36,000 - for the embattled Edenton-Chowan Development Corporation. Another motion, that the council ask the U.S. attorney general’s office to look into, findings from the report is sued by the State Auditor’s office, also died for lack of a second. Council man Willis Privott origi nally second ed Biggs’ mo tion to end the town’s contribution to the ECDC’s funding, then withdrew his second after Councilmen Jimmy Stallings and Sam Dixon said they would prefer to allow the ECDC an oppor tunity to present plans for remaining viable at the next regular* council committee meeting. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24. Privott said he “did not want to slam the door” on economic development ef forts here. The county recently with drew its portion of the ECDC funds, $46,000, for the remain der of the fiscal year. “I hold out hope they’ll See KNIGHTON on Pag* 7A Knighton Nixon legacy lives on Marks left on commercial fishing industry by Murray Nixon are irrefutable; community leader draws expansive crowd at funeral service By Earline White Managing Editor More than 900 attended Murray L. Nixon’s funeral Sunday Letters written by his children and grandchildren were read. People from all walks of life filled the church hall. Later, the trail of cars that led to the nearby family cemetery seemed never-end ing. In the past three months, Murray welcomed over 2,500 visitors to his Rocky Hock home. The man who put knowledge and ingenuity into his work, his family and his country was dying of cancer. During one of Nixon’s final talks with friend Rev. Gene Asbell, Murray said to Asbell, “let Dr. Horton take care of business, but you talk about me.” Asbell spoke of Nixon — a “great friend, <nice man, good neighbor and community leader.” Asbell spoke of the quiet and calm that drew Nix on out into the water for the best fishing — when it’s rain Mayor questions findings in state auditor’s report By Rebecca Bunch Staff Writer The Edenton-Chowan De velopment Corporation is contesting information in a preliminary findings report recently issued by the state auditor’s office. The report on the county's* budget shortfall as a result of depleted reserve funds finds that funding connected with the ECDC was not detailed correctly. Edenton Mayor Roland Vaughan, who also serves as chair of the ECDC board points out that the report was removed from the county’s Web site at the state’s request because the document was considered “a work product and confidential. “The document as written contained errors that reflect poorly on the ECDC,” Vaughan added. "We therefore feel com-, pelled to publicly disclose the* information that corrects the errors in your report. We also feel a sense of responsibility to disclbse this information to the Chowan County Board of Commissioners.” “I am deeply disturbed to find errors and misinforma tion pertaining to the ECDC,” said Vaughan in his letter. Specific objections by Vaughan include Murray Nixon obituary SEE PAGE B4 ing and when it’s not. Nixon’s legacy and his con tribution to the seafood indus try are irrefutable. His eldest son Ricky wrote “Rocky Hock has lost part of its heart.” Nixon had a great sense of humor and a strong love for the Lord. Of his favorite hobby, fishing, Nixon would say fishing is “a jerk on one end waiting for a jerk on the other.” As to the Lord, Nixon was happy with Him in his heart and was blessed to tell every one so. Nixon leaves behind his wife Ruby, six children, 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. And parked in front of Rocky Hock Baptist Church where Nixon spent his Sundays, was his jon boat which took part in the funeral procession. On the seat from which Nix See NIXON on Page 2A • Questions about why the ECDC is the only “agency fund” listed. Vaughan feels that the ECDC was singled out. “The (auditor’s) report cites $248,821 in ECDC expenditures made by the former county manager without the benefit of budget or dinances, ” Vaughan said. ECDC re viewed the county’s au dits from FY 2003-08 show ing at least seven or eight additional organizations that ; should require the county manager get budget ordinance approval of commissioners. “Should not (these other or ganizations) also (be) required to have their expenditures approved through a Chowan County Board of Commis sioners budget ordinance?” Vaughan asked. “Your report recommends the county ascertain its re course to seek reimbursement for amounts disbursed with- S out benefit of spending ordi nances. ; “It appears to us there is a lot more than $248,821 to be considered as part of possible recourse for reimbursement” Vaughan See VAUGHAN on Page 2A .2009 5:00 - 7:00PM HUE FOOD & DRINKS • 6:00 - 9:30PM E MUSIC & DANCING IM ★ Music bv: Dyversity (Southern Rock) 0 Q\ SAStSAU - T-SX/-RT RESERVATION SOS # 426-*? 12 QUANTITY LIMITED' Tickets: American Legion Clubroom 482-2097 (Randy), Dixie Auto, United Country, Colony Tire, Westover, Albemarle Motors Legion Office 482-4057 www.chowanfair.com c| /oy ^ kv; . 4. & ' *J| ■ rt , / i 1 i V .•'V.%? *■
The Chowan Herald (Edenton, N.C.)
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Aug. 19, 2009, edition 1
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