Challenges, benefits of being in the public's eye - Jacksonville Daily News
Only one thing is certain about the day-to-day schedule of a public official: It varies.
Whether elected or appointed, public officials are often accepting multiple hats with their titles and have an obligation to serve the needs of the people in their coverage areas.
An open mind
Gregg Whitehead is the appointed town manager for Richlands and said he sees himself as an advisor to the Board of Aldermen.
“You’ve really got to have an open mind and positive outlook and a desire to work for the public,” Whitehead said of being in a public official’s position.
The Richlands Board of Aldermen have their regular meeting on the second Tuesday of every month and Whitehead said he tries to be prepared to answer any questions about items on the agenda.
While he claims no crystal ball is involved, Whitehead said he tries to know the board members well enough that he can anticipate what questions they might have or get a feel for what their interests might be. Then, Whitehead tries to find the information the members might need – just in case they ask.
If Whitehead can’t answer immediately, he doesn’t say “I don’t know.”
“Like I always say, if I don’t know the answer I can always find it,” he said.
Challenges
There are challenges when it comes to serving in the public’s eye, especially when the person’s background might not have prepared them for everything that comes across their desk.
For Onslow County Commissioner Mark Price, it was the Mental Health Task Force.
The task force is working to bring mental health solutions to Onslow County, and Price said there are a lot of layers to it. He had to unwrap those layers and learn from scratch since he doesn’t have a medical background. It was a process for Price to understand it all.
Price took his time going over everything in order to make informed decisions, just like he does with the monthly agendas for the regular Board of Commissioners meetings.
The agendas are released on the Wednesday or Thursday before a Monday meeting, Price said. He looks over the agenda and the supporting documents in his agenda packet, or binder of information compiled by staff for the commissioner's review before voting, so he can process each item before the meeting.
To get to that point, Price said he usually goes to the county manager, David Cotton, or a department head when he has questions about an agenda item.
While it may seem the commissioners run through agenda items at the meeting quickly, Price said he wants people to know there’s already been a lot of work put in before the meeting even begins.
Elections
Price was still teaching at Southwest High School while he campaigned to become part of the Onslow County Commissioners in 2016.
He didn’t want to just retire, Price said. He wanted to do something that mattered.
There were several events during the campaign he wasn’t able to attend because of work, but he spent many evenings at forums and meet-and-greet opportunities to get to know those he would be serving and find out what their needs and wants were.
“It was a busy time, but it was very much something that I enjoyed and I didn’t see it as a burden,” Price said. “It was a lot of fun for me.”
Every two years, the Richlands Board of Alderman is up for re-election, and that includes this election cycle.
Whitehead said he tries not to get too mixed up in elections but he does keep any new members informed and offers them the same open communication as he did the board before them.
After spending at least four years with the current board, Whitehead said he was able to gauge their likes and dislikes and what their long-range plans were shaping up to be.
Understanding both the people in the community and the board members is what helps Whitehead gather information and be ready to answer whatever questions come his way.
A better place to live
Some weeks, Price has three or four events and a few meetings to attend and other weeks there may just be a single event to go to.
“Some weeks are just busier than other,” Price said.
In addition, Price said he’s part of at least five other boards and those boards have meetings and events that he works into his schedule as well.
Whitehead said there are multiple committees and volunteer boards he’s part of, and for both of them it’s all about making their county, their city, a better place to live.
At the end of the day, Price said he wanted to make positive changes for Onslow County.
Now, after being in the commissioner’s seat, Price said he feels he’s affecting change and impacting people in Onslow County. He hopes his decisions have bettered their quality of life.
For Price, that’s the best part of his job.
Reporter Amanda Thames can be reached at 910-219-8467 or Amanda.Thames@JDNews.com
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