Board tables freight support
By Steve Herring
Published in News on April 7, 2016 1:46 PM
Wayne County Commission Chairman Joe Daughtery's attempt to drum up support for a proposed intermodal freight terminal in neighboring Johnston County Tuesday morning drew a quick rebuff from his fellow commissioners who tabled the issue.
A resolution calling on commissioners to support the project had been included in their consent agenda that is normally voted on with little to no discussion. It was moved to new business at the request of Commissioner Ray Mayo.
Mayo balked at two paragraphs in particular in the resolution -- one saying that the board "supports the assemblage and acquisition of the property needed for terminal construction and operations" and another that urged "engagement with affected property owners in Johnston County prior to and throughout the process to work toward a beneficial outcome."
"My concern is that these two paragraphs refer to eminent domain which is a very sore subject with citizens, not necessarily with elected officials," Mayo said. "I think we should look at this resolution as a general resolution and not get into the weeds on controversial issues with citizens in other counties across the state."
Wayne County does not have a "dog in the fight" when it comes to acquisition of property in Johnston County, he said.
General support is "OK," but the resolution has items in it that Wayne County has no control over, Mayo said. Also, support from Wayne County is not going to make a difference as to "whether this project flies or not," he said.
"Why stir the pot if there is no need to when it comes to eminent domain?" he said.
Mayo followed up on his comments with a motion to table the resolution until the offending paragraphs are removed.
"Why is the resolution even on our agenda today?" Commissioner Joe Gurley said.
"Because I asked for it," Daughtery said.
"So it wasn't from Johnston County?" Gurley asked. "They didn't ask for it?"
No, Daughtery said.
Gurley said he agreed with Mayo and that he could not go on record supporting the use of eminent domain.
Gurley then made a motion to table the resolution completely.
Commissioner Wayne Aycock said he wanted Wayne County to do everything that it can to be a good neighbor to Johnston County, but that he agreed with Mayo and Gurley.
"But I just feel like this wording, I won't say it is wrong, but I just don't think that it is appropriate," he said.
Commissioner John Bell asked Daughtery if there was some economic reason that he was asking for board support.
Wayne County is taking the lead in developing a rail coalition throughout eastern North Carolina to develop rail and the usage of rail in the area, Daughtery said.
It is similar to the U.S. 70 Corridor Commission that successfully brought counties together to work for improvements to that highway, including future Interstate status, he said.
The intermodal facility being proposed in Johnston County is the "most dynamic spark" seen in decades for eastern North Carolina development and growth, Daughtery said.
It will bring plants, distribution centers, jobs and "a great deal more" to eastern North Carolina, he said.
However, there is a choice of just saying take it South Carolina along with the jobs and supporting industries, Daughtery said.
"For the growth of eastern North Carolina, for the growth of Wayne County, we need to take a stand here," he said. "If not, we stand back and let it happen or may not happen. But this resolution was mainly sending a message loud and clear that the adjoining County of Wayne stands with you Johnston. We stand with you and your board of commissioners which supports this intermodal facility.
"I really did not see the controversy here other than the fact that we want to read into something that is not even here. It doesn't say anything in here about eminent domain. We didn't say anything about taking property. What we said here is we support an intermodal terminal in Johnston County."
Commissioner Ed Cromartie said tabling the resolution would give commissioners time to become more comfortable with the idea that the county is urging broad support for the project without suggesting a use of force to make it happen.
Daughtery said that what he was hearing was that commissioners didn't think that eminent domain should be used for any purpose.
"What could be a better purpose than to bring jobs and economic vitality to eastern North Carolina than the use of eminent domain in that rare occasion because we can't agree, and there are only seven of us?" he said. "We are talking about 50 property owners over there. How are you going to get 50 property owners to actually all agree to sell their property?
"So you all are saying let's back away from this because of the possibility that somebody may read into here the use of eminent domain. I don't understand your logic because we as county commissioners ought to be doing what is best for the citizens of Wayne County to bring jobs and economic vitality to our area. That is what we were elected to do, not put our head in the sand. I am sorry if it seems like I am frustrated because I am frustrated."
Daughtery then asked for a unanimous vote to table the resolution.
"Mr. Chairman, before you vote on that, I have a comment to make," Aycock said. "Let's clarify. I don't have my head in the sand. I am going to vote against the resolution, but my head is not in the sand."