Former Wake schools Superintendent Del Burns said this week that county commissioners could have "great impact" as the 143,000-student system works to come up with a new school assignment plan.
The Board of Commissioners has to approve the school system's budget and can influence school construction, location and calendars, Burns said. "There could be interplay between the two boards," he said. "There has been in the past."
The politics between the two boards will be interesting whether or not the Democrats retain control of the Board of Commissioners. With the former Republican majority on the school board in disarray, Democrats effectively could rule both boards. But if the commissioners flip to the GOP side and Debra Goldman starts to play nice with her Republican colleagues on the school board, it could be smooth sailing for them to remake the system - if they can hash out a plan.
A lot of ifs ...
Excelling at fundraising
All of the final pre-election campaign finance reports are in, and they show that the four Republican candidates for Wake County commissioner have raised more than their Democratic opponents.
Republicans got $48,000 from Variety Wholesalers CEO Art Pope and his family, and $31,000 from political action committees for Realtors and homebuilders. They also got thousands of dollars from individuals involved in both fields.
Democrats got $13,000 from Capitol Broadcasting CEO Jim Goodmon and his wife. Democrats didn't get anywhere close to Republicans in terms of PAC money. But they did get a lot of smaller individual donations from people who are opposed to the school board's elimination of the diversity policy.
In District 1, GOP Commissioner Joe Bryan has raised $73,585. Democrat Don Mial is way behind at $15,655.
In District 2, Republican candidate Phil Matthews has raised $18,726. Democratic Commissioner Lindy Brown had raised $16,343.
In District 3, GOP Commissioner Tony Gurley has raised $80,995. Democratic challenger Steve Rao has raised $62,693.
In District 7, GOP Commissioner Paul Coble has raised $79,639. Democratic challenger Jack Nichols has raised $57,938.
Go to www .wakegov .com/ boedocs/ to view individual campaign reports.
In favor of bonds
The InterNeighborhood Council went on record this week in favor of Durham's proposed $20 million bond issue for resurfacing about 150 miles of the worst streets in the city. Voters will decide the issue Tuesday.
The city has been using bond money previously approved to catch up on deferred maintenance that had left about one-third of Durham's 680 miles of streets in "poor" or "very poor" condition by 2007. If passed, the 2010 bonds would get the job finished by late 2012, according to City Hall.
Before concluding with a statement of support for the bonds, INC's resolution includes a clause reminding the city it has pledged to do better, by repairing streets using annual revenues rather than special bonds.
"It would be great," Colony Park representative Don Lebkes said, "if we knew that from 2012 on we wouldn't be back here again."
Where's the website?
Wake County commissioner candidate Jack Nichols' campaign recently took a swipe at District 7 incumbent Paul Coble for not having a website in the heavily "wired" Triangle.
"It may seem trivial, but it is not really," Nichols adviser Perry Woods said in e-mail to TriPol. "It is completely intentional and demonstrates a level of contempt for the electorate."
It took Coble a few days to get back to TriPol. It's all about choosing your shot, the former Raleigh mayor said. "I decided the most effective way to spend my money was on television advertising," Coble said. "I daresay I have been more effective in reaching voters than Jack has."
Searching far and wide
The Fuquay-Varina Board of Commissioners agreed to pay a Durham consulting company at least $18,900 to help vet candidates for a new town manager.
Durham-based Developmental Associates will conduct a national search for candidates, with a focus on people with experience in North Carolina. Mayor John Byrne said he would prefer that the next manager have a master's degree in public administration and previous experience in the field.
Town Manager Andy Hedrick, who has held the position for almost five years, said in August that he would step down Dec. 31. Hedrick, 54, has worked in the public arena for 33 years and earns $137,187 a year.
Developmental Associates will place advertisements, target specific candidates and screen applicants, according to its contract with the town. The company will also design ways for the town to assess potential managers. Finally, the company will coordinate a background investigation of the final candidate and give "executive coaching" to the new manager.
Compiled by staff writers Andrew Kenney, Jim Wise, T. Keung Hui, Ray Martin and Tommy Goldsmith
