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December 16, 2002 Page 516 Politics aside, I have no personal regrets at havin9 served in Cabarrus County. Just as each county manager before me was asked to leave as county commissioners chan~ed, this time is no different. I will serve one month shy of seven years, four county commission elections, and ten different county commissioners. Only Charles McGinnis served longer as county manager. If the current board had been in place in 1995, it is doubtful I would have been offered or accepted the position at that time. Personalities change and people move on. Unfortunately, a few individuals have chosen to make statements that have been hurtful to my wife and daughter. For that I am truly sorry and apologize to my family. My family should not suffer because some people attempt to enhance their credibility by demeanin~ the credibility of others. I will not respond to those individuals. In four days, I celebrate a 27th wedding anniversary with my best friend, companion and confidant. That relationship survives and grows stronger each year. Our daughter Meghan came to Concord High as a freshman and is now a junior at WCU. Concord will be her hometown. My wife, Bobbi, is an outstandin9 public school teacher. The parents of children she has taught tell her so years after those children have moved on. Our daughter is a caring, compassionate individual that will likely follow in her mother's footsteps as a classroom educator. I am a fairly private person. My family, religious and personal beliefs are not for public scrutiny or approval. We live our lives openly; respectful for the community we call home. We do not seek recognition for our citizenship or community service. I have never appreciated the efforts of a few to make my personal life trivial pursuit. However, I do want to leave a little partin~ insight for anyone that might care relative to my character and personality. The year our daughter was born (1981), 1 came across an advertisement in the Wall Street Journal. It was a full-pa~e ad that conveyed a message --- not advertising. I framed a copy and keep it in my office ever since. I try to llve my life accordingly, and if you seek to "label" me, hopefully, in some manner this is applicable. CAN EIGHT WORDS MAKE A BETTER WORLD? · DOCTRINES, CREDOS, MANIFESTOS, LAWS, DECLARTIONS, CODES OF ETHICS. · EVER SINCE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMMUNICATE, THEY HAVE COMPILED WORDS TO LIVE BY. · BUT THE WORLD IS STILL TROUBLED · TAKE THESE WORDS: HONESTY, WORKMANSHIP, AMBITION, FAITH, EDUCATION, CHARITY, RESPONSIBILITY, COURAGE. · CHANCES ARE EVERYONE WON'T AGREE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES BY THEM. · BUT THINK HOW MUCH BETTER YOUR LIFE WOULD BE IF JUST ONE PERSON DOES. · YOU. I thank the commissioners that were here in 1995. They gave me the opportunity to work in one of the finest communities in North Carolina. This was home to my family for seven years. It is time to move on. We will continue to appreciate what the community has meant to us and remember it fondly. To this county commission: I am hopeful that you find the type of individual that will meet your expectations, takin9 your directions to successful ends that benefit the county, its citizens and taxpayers. To the citizens of Cabarrus County: I commend to you a group of county employees that go far beyond their paycheck in being of service to this community on and off the job. Most are citizens of Cabarrus County, your neighbors and taxpayers. Their efforts often go unnoticed. But nothing happens without their efforts. I personally appreciate the opportunity that this community has given me. To best of my ability I attempted to serve and act upon each issue with the community's best interest as first priority over politics. I wish the community well. Tough challenges do exist. Resources and capacity to address each issue also exists, IF the public remains involved. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and may God watch over us all. (K) CLOSED SESSION UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carruth, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board moved to go into Closed Session for the following purposes: (1) To prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 143-318.10(e) as authorized by NCGS 143-318.11(a) (1) (Authorize approval of minutes/general accounts of Closed Sessions); (2) To discuss personnel matters as authorized by NCGS 143-318.11(a) (6); and (3) To discuss pending litigation (Board of Education vs. Provident and Benton) as authorized by NCGS 143-315.11(a) (3) and to invite County School Board Vice Chair Liz Poole to join the Board in the Closed Session. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carruth, seconded by Vice Chairman Suggs and unanimously carried, the Board voted to come out of the Closed Session.