Harnett Dispatch

Commissioner Tries Unorthodox Appointment to Planning Board

Commissioner Burgin Tries to Appoint Person from outside his district

On Monday night the Harnett County Commissioners held their regularly scheduled meeting. One item on the list was the appointment of a new member to the county planning board.  The Planning board is define as according to the county webpage GS 153-9 (40) provides for the establishment and operation of a county planning board.  Function:       To acquire and maintain in current form such basic information and materials as are necessary to an understanding of past trends, present conditions, and forces at work to cause changes in these conditions; to prepare and from time-to-time amend and revise a comprehensive and coordinated plan for the physical development of the area; to establish principles and policies for guiding action in the development of the area; to prepare and recommend to the Board of County Commissioners ordinances promoting orderly development along the lines indicated in the comprehensive plan; to determine whether specific proposed developments conform to the principles and requirements of the comprehensive plan for the growth and improvement of the area; to keep the Board of Commissioners and the general public informed and advised as to these matters; and to perform any other duties which may lawfully be assigned to it.

Burgin Makes Motion

As a general courtesy among county commissioners if there is a vacant spot open from their district they are given the right to nominate the person of their choice. The vacancy in question fell under the 2^nd commissioner’s district which is currently represented by Gary House. Commissioner Jim Burgin who represents the 3^rd district made a motion to appoint David Levinson and Cris Nystrom, Mr. Burgin’s motion failed and Commissioner House made the motion to appoint Mr. Cris Nystrom. The motion passed 3-1 and Mr. . Nystrom was named the new planning board member from district 2.

What was Burgin doing?

Jim Burgin

After the meeting the Harnett Dispatch spoke with House and asked what his feelings were on the motion that Mr. Burgin made. Mr. House said “not sure why he would cross the lines to nominate someone from the district I represent. I was my understanding that there was a common courtesy between commissioners but I guess it did not apply tonight. In a post on Mr. Houses Facebook page he released the following statement “I am proud to announce that Cris Nystrom will be the new planning board member in District 2. District 3 Commissioner Jim Burgin tried to cross the District 2 line and appoint David Levinson for the planning board to represent us in District 2. He failed to have anyone second his nomination. Then Mr. Nystrom was appointed to represent us. Mr. Nystrom will do a fine job. We are lucky that he has agreed to serve.”

Gary House