April Fools Day

Two Currituck Commissioners nominated for Award

Nelms and Gregory neck and neck for Braying Ass Award

by Tar Marlign

The Independent newspaper today announced that two Currituck Commissioners are locked in a tight race for the highly coveted Braying Ass Award (BAA) – honoring local politicians who go above and beyond in the call of duty in pursuit of extreme politics.

Commissioners Gene Gregory and Barry Nelms have been nominated by the newspapers executive editorial staff. Gregory was nominated for his recent blitzkrieg assault on county staffers, demanding that they not conduct business with Michael Cherry – Gregory’s opponent in the May Primary.

Gregory, of Shawboro, is also nominated for the award for a recent missive in an email to supporters, stating “Currituck politics have sunken to new lows” – referencing the fact that someone has registered an internet domain name genegregory.com and have been pointing the domain at various websites on the internet.

Executive staff members agree, Gregory should know low politics, as he is a regular practitioner of the art.

Also nominated, and tied with Gregory for award of the BAA is Commissioner Barry Nelms of Poplar Branch. Nelms nomination by Independent staff members stems from multiple instances of political wheeling and dealing.

Recently Nelms claimed credit for creating jobs in Currituck at the announced opening of a new McDonalds restaurant in Grandy, NC. When contacted by members of staff to ascertain the verity of this claim, Ronald McDonald stated that he did know a Barry Nelms in California; however was not familiar with our commissioner with a similar moniker.

Nelms has also recently accused filed complaints with the Board of Elections, making claims of cyberquatting, identity theft and general mischief against fellow Commissioner John Rorer and primary opponent David Palmer. Nelms is referring to the fact that unidentified individual or individuals have registered the internet domain barrynelms.com and have been pointing the domain at various sites around the internet. Nelms claims against Palmer are unfounded, since there is no evidence pointing to Palmer, and Palmer denies involvement. Staff members point out that Nelms is getting a dose of his own medicine – in 2007 Nelms printed and distributed bumper stickers with the wording “Maurice Sucks” – referring to Nelms’ nemesis Maurice Slaughter, owner of three regional Harley Davidson dealerships.

Prior recipients of the award include, current nominee Commissioner Gene Gregory and former Commissioner Paul Martin and fellow Republican Board of Commissioners members.

Gregory was honored with the BAA prior to his defeat in the 2004 elections. Gregory has been an outspoken critic of The Independent and according to local business owners and citizens has been heard advising local businesses not to do business with the newspaper.

Gregory’s dislike from the newspaper stems from the fact that publisher and editor John H Snowden, III chose to run Gregory’s picture in the editorial section of the paper for 365 days prior to the 2004 election, citing his voting record on the condemnation of property on the northeast end of the Currituck Regional Airport. Gregory had publicly claimed that he did not vote in closed session to take the land – while Snowden pointed out, after requesting a copy of the closed session minutes, that Gregory did not cast a vote, which according to Robert’s Rules of Order is the same as casting a YES vote.

Gregory was subsequently defeated in the 2004 General Election by J. Owen Etheridge of Shawboro. During a candidate forum sponsored by the Currituck Chamber of Commerce prior to that election, Gregory publicly accused challenger Etheridge of breaking into an office and stealing documents relating to a land deal that was under negotiation by the Board of Commissioners. Gregory’s accusation violated an oath he signed prior to the forum, attesting that he would not make personal attacks or statements during said forum.

Former Commissioner Paul Martin was nominated in 2004 / 2005 prior to his defeat in the 2006 General Elections. Martin was nominated for his participation and vocal support for the Currituck County failed lawsuit against former Governor Mike Easley’s attempts to sell the then state owned county airport property back to the county for the sum of $1 million. Currituck ultimately settled the suit after agreeing to pay over $50,000 of the governors legal fees, along with in excess of $50,000 of it’s own legal fees.

Martin was also nominated for his participation and vocal support of the effort to erect a fence between the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Whalehead Club properties on the Currituck Outer Banks. This idea was a response to failed county efforts to acquire the lighthouse, and failed subsequent enforcement action against the lighthouse owners for operation of a museum or attraction without appropriate permitting.

Vote for your favorites by expressing your opinion on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nencnews/ or send an email with either NELMS or GREGORY in the subject line to publisher@nencnews.com

HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY!
This is not an April Fool’s Joke … when appropriate, we award elected officials for their bad behavior.

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