To the Editor:

I am writing in reference to an opinion piece by Warren Smith in the June 23 edition of the Daily News. First, opinion pieces are just that: someone’s opinion of a situation that exists in the community. Opinion pieces are not necessarily factual, often backed up by scant data. Mr. Smith’s “opinion” pieces for the WDN always take a negative tone toward any issue that involves the commissioners, as did his piece on June 23. Answering an opinion piece is often not worth the time and energy it takes to research the facts and write one’s own “opinions” in a coherent and timely manner. However, today I decided to make the time and not let what he said get by without a response.

In his column, Mr. Smith says that Beaufort County Community College secured a grant for $6 million to revise programs offered in its curriculum. BCCC did not receive a grant but will receive as their share $6.5 million from the recently passed statewide bond issue for higher education. This bond issue focuses on capital improvements at higher education sites throughout the state. At the commissioners’ budget meetings with BCCC, we were informed that the bond money would be allocated as follows: $1.5 million for handicapped access improvements; $3 million for a driving pad for training law enforcement and other agencies to update their techniques behind the wheel; and $2 million for additional classrooms and other buildings. This leads us to Mr. Smith’s data that BCCC has lost 500 students from their enrollment. I don’t know if this figure is correct, but BCCC President Dr. Barbara Tansey did tell the commissioners that the fulltime-equivalent students at BCCC is down to 578. Now, we get to the area where commissioners, myself included, ask and cannot wrap our heads around why new classrooms and other construction are on the docket to the tune of $2 million when enrollment is down, existing classroom space is underutilized, and infrastructure improvements to existing buildings are sorely needed.

The way to make capital improvements with bond money is to certify that the improvement you make to the facility will have at least a 10-year lifespan. I am looking at the BCCC budget request for capital outlay for the 2016-17 fiscal year as I write this. They asked for $150,000 for new HVAC in Building 9; paving repairs of $50,000; a $150,000 new parking lot beside Building 12; a new elevator for $50,000; and new vehicles at $74,000. There were other, smaller miscellaneous items. In addition, we know that other roofs and HVAC units at the college will soon need to be replaced. One roof was patched two years ago, rather than replaced due to lack of funds. Bond money could go a long way in solving some of these infrastructure problems without overburdening the county purse strings. We are a poor, Tier 1 county. Our tax collections are static or declining. Our largest taxpayer in the county no longer contributes 25 percent of our tax base, but closer to 17 percent. BCCC and other agencies must operate on the basis of needs, not wants. Remember, the commissioners did help BCCC with a land purchase this past year. These funds were not budgeted but came out of fund balance. This was a capital appropriation.

Mr. Smith implies the buddy system for the commissioners making appointments to the BCCC board. Let’s use our last appointment as an example, actually the reappointment of Mr. Bill Wall to the board. To my knowledge, no commissioner has a relationship with Mr. Wall. His reappointment was endorsed by those at the college. His knowledge of financial matters and his long and successful career at FSBK make him an excellent board member. We should be thrilled that such capable people are willing to give of themselves and serve.

Mr. Smith’s column is rife with error and omission. For example, he did not even know where the $6.5 million originated and said it was to be used for curriculum purposes. It came from the statewide bond to be used for capital improvements. I hope the public will take this into consideration when reading these columns and be aware that everything that is printed should be read with a critical eye and questioning mind as to authenticity. Finally, Mr. Smith concludes by calling the commissioners hypocritical and self-serving. Perhaps a look in the mirror is in order.

Robert Belcher
Beaufort County commissioner