Moving on: Commission faces new challenge, momentous responsibility.

At last, it is over.

And while we are no closer to knowing just what the reasons were that the Wayne County Board of Commissioners could not seem to work with the county's manager of more than a decade, there is only one truth now.

There is a mess and it must be fixed -- immediately.

There should have been no glee that went along with the acceptance of the resignation of Lee Smith. This was not a good day for Wayne County, no matter what some members of the current board might think.

And despite what some people might say, Smith was paid what his contract required. That is the contract that the previous board of commissioners approved.

Although the commission and Smith have agreed not to speak of the circumstances of their parting of ways, we will be watching, and seeking information that is public record so that this community -- which is owed an explanation and justification -- can understand just what has happened and what challenges we now face. We will need to know what is not working, what is and what is going to cost taxpayers more money.

But, for now, we move on.

There are some cautions that need to be emphasized as the commission continues on its way and budgeting for the next fiscal year looms.

First, time is of the essence. This personnel action was badly handled, and it has left the county with an interim manager who is not qualified to run this county and a crew of county employees who are now without a leader and -- there is no way to say it delicately -- not sure whom they can trust.

That situation needs to be rectified as soon as possible -- and not with some crony of someone currently on the board or a current employee. This needs to be an experienced hand who can take the helm, calm the waters and keep what has been, for the most part, a solid financial ship on course.

We can't afford to be seen as the "crazy county," not when there are businesses looking to invest in this community and important decisions looming.

This is a strong community of good people. They deserve better. And, we have a feeling, they are going to demand it -- emphatically.

And when the new manager comes in, the county board of commissioners needs to remember its charge -- and why its members were elected.

They are not the county manager. We repeat. They are not the county manager.

Therefore, they need to put in a first-class leader and let him get the job done, without micromanaging, without 800-hour meetings, without messing around in personnel, without trying to take over the business of running the county.

And gentlemen, when you have one in place, please, let the professionals who understand the workings of a county government do their job. Let the county manager decide who should stay and who should go -- and listen to his advice on how to position the county for growth and a solid future. Hold him accountable, of course, but let him do his job. You owe anyone you hire that chance.

And last but not least, make sure there is a second in command. While Chairman Wayne Aycock is to be commended for the yeoman's effort he has had to undertake to run the county as interim manager, he is not who should be in charge of the day to day -- and right now, someone, not a gaggle of "yes" men and women jockeying for power, needs to be in charge.

In the last couple of months, some members of the board have seemed to come to their senses and have become reasonable, open and ready to get to work.

Let's hope that promise remains and that the new county manager will meet a different commission.

The past is the past, and this county will move on.

But it is critical that its leaders understand how momentous a decision they are about to make and the potential implications it could have on the future of this county.

We pray they do.

Published in Editorials on February 15, 2014 11:37 PM