Eastern Shore Post
Friday, February 22, 2008

George Parker, president of the local citizen's group Save Our Necks, was appointed to Accomack's Industrial Development Authority last week despite his part in an active lawsuit against the county.

The Accomack Board of Supervisors took the action in an 8-1 vote. "I just can't believe the county would appoint someone like that," Supervisor Wanda Thornton, the only member to oppose the move, said before the vote was even recorded. "It's not like they are suing us for money," said Vice Chairman Steve Mallette. Maybe not, said Thornton. But, the suit is "costing taxpayers a lot of money." Mallette, Chairman Ron S. Wolff and Members Donald L. Hart, Phil McCaleb, Laura Belle Gordy, Sandra Hart Mears and Grayson Chesser voted in favor of Parker serving on the IDA. County Attorney Mark Taylor said the supervisors might appoint whomever they want to "serve at the pleasure of the board." He later said that both the county and the citizen's group are waiting for Judge Glen A. Tyler Jr. to make a ruling on the lawsuit. SONS filed it in Accomack County Circuit Court in January 2007. They allege that the supervisors acted illegally when making appointments to the county Planning Commission over the previous three years. The complaint also alleges that the supervisors willfully created terms of office for various commissioners beyond the limits of Virginia law. In addition it names individual cases in which members were removed before their four-year terms had expired.

Parker spoke earlier during a public participation section of the supervisors' session. He rhetorically asked how much money the county planned to spend to fight a question that they know they were in error over. The case he said has included three court appearances and 11 briefs. According to the citizen's group website their mission "is to advocate, promote and support responsible growth and leadership in Accomack County. Taylor said the IDA is an "independent body created to work and promote business development and economic opportunity. The panel has the authority to provide grants and financing for businesses. The planning commission is basically an advisory board. Onancock Councilman Duke Shanahan was also appointed to the IDA and the supervisors returned John LeCato to the panel.