Vets, County Deadlocked on Memorial Site
The Moore County Board of Commissioners has been asked by Bojangles’ Corp. to sell vacant land (background) adjacent to the county's veterans memorial in Carthage for a fast food restaurant.
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Local veterans say they remain "challenged" by "the apparent stalling tactics" of the Moore County Board of Commissioners in a bid to protect a memorial to those who served.
Veterans' advocates Ruby Hendrick, Carolyn Mealing and Chuck Spelman recently issued a statement concerning preservation the Veterans Memorial off U.S. 15-501 in Carthage.
"Veterans' interests remain challenged by Moore County Board of Commissioners' delaying and diversionary tactics as we continue the fight to preserve and protect the sanctity and purpose of the Moore County Veterans Memorial in Carthage," they wrote.
At issue is whether the county-owned land adjacent to the memorial should, in time, be subject to development or held back and preserved as a buffer to the memorial.
Veterans have long sought to stave off development, especially after news surfaced earlier this year that the Bojangles' Corp. was looking at buying land adjacent to the memorial.
The commissioners, hoping to alleviate veterans' concerns, agreed to form a joint committee with them to discuss the site's future.
The Veterans Memorial Advisory Council, which includes Commissioner Nick Picerno, county Social Services Director John Benton and other county representatives, was formed along with area veterans in August. Co-chaired by Commissioner Jimmy Melton and Moore County Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman Raymond Doby, the group met once last month and has not confirmed a date for their second gathering.
Veterans wanted to jointly own the site with the county and prevent future development. County officials on the committee instead spoke of landscaping and buffering the site to protect it from future development.
Veterans call the area "sacred ground," and have been seeking assurance from county officials that the restaurant will not be located near the memorial, requesting that the adjacent land be left vacant. Commissioners say nothing has been decided and that a recent decision by the board assured that nothing could be done to the property for the time being.
"After listening to one of the resolutions presented by the Moore County Veterans Memorial Committee, Chairman Larry Caddell stated that he would not sign anything unless the entire piece of property between Hardees' and the memorial remained open space, and he proposed that the best way to do this would be to have that property, and the site on which the memorial sits, to be jointly owned by the county and the Moore County Veterans' Memorial Committee," the statement from the veterans advocates reads. "He (Caddell) stated further that the joint ownership should include a provision that the county would continue to maintain insurance and normal maintenance as it currently does."
But Caddell said his comments were taken "out of context."
"I was trying to say that since Commissioner Tim Lea had previously said that he wanted to put a 50,000 square-foot government building on the property, which would've blocked the view of the monument, it would be better to leave it open space," he said. "It is my intent to protect the monument, but it is not my intent to give them everything.
"The county has really been good to the veterans. We put up $35,000 of the $47,000 cost for the initial stages of the monument, and we put up the land."
Caddell said that he didn't believe that joint ownership would be a successful solution.
"You could put it in joint ownership, but we tried that with a local cemetery when I was mayor of Carthage and that didn't work out too well," Caddell said. "If we deeded that property to the veterans they would have to maintain it and pay insurance on it, which they couldn't do, and sooner or later it would come back to us.
"This is a valuable piece of property," he said. "We want to take time to make a decision about it. Since the board has made a motion, a second, and a unanimous vote not to sell it at this time, what is the big hurry? We just want to protect the monument."
Veterans aren't so sure.
"It should be noted that a period of four months had gone by from the time this issue was initially brought up to the commissioners by veterans' organizations and the time a committee was appointed," Mealing and the others observed. "At each meeting where resolutions were presented, the commissioners refused to take any action, citing various reasons for their inaction.
"Once assigned to a committee, it became a simple matter to stretch out the time between meetings until after the election, thus minimizing the potential for negative publicity."
Melton characterized the idea that the county was stalling as "pure nonsense."
"It never even crossed my mind," he said. "Our number one goal is to protect the memorial, and nothing is going to happen to that property until the Advisory Council decides what will be done. It takes time to get this done, and stalling is not something we are intentionally doing."
Melton said that both sides contributed to the length of time it has taken to get the Advisory Council members together.
"It's been hard for everyone to get their schedules together to meet," Melton said.
Melton said that no sale to Bojangles' is pending.
"I can assure you that Bojangles will not go there," he said. "It's not even on the table. They made an offer and we discussed it, but no counter offer was ever made."
The group decided to form a subcommittee "when it became evident there would be no agreement with respect to the portion of the property that should be under discussion or how landscaping and design ideas should be approached."
"Then, more delaying tactics," the statement reads. "Several weeks went by until a date was finally set for the sub-committee to meet on October 29, six weeks after the initial meeting of the county-appointed committee."
Caddell said Melton will be "fair and diligent" in bringing the group to a resolution upon which all will agree.
"Jimmy Melton is one of the smartest men I've ever met," Caddell said. "He is very thorough, and will not let anybody run over him. I am sure that he and Mr. Doby will come up with a good solution."
But Hendrick, Mealing and Spelman say that all that the veterans of Moore County seek is to "be treated with the dignity, honor and respect they deserve."
"If ... the citizens of Moore County cannot spare a mere three acres of land for our veterans, property that has been determined by a recent county land use study is not needed for future county needs, then perhaps we need to reexamine our values," they said. "This issue should not be about money. What amount of money could possibly equate to the sacrifices that our veterans have made and continue to make to preserve and protect our freedom and democratic way of life?"
Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot.com.
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Comments
mymindwanders 6 months, 3 weeks ago
I think the Memorial should be moved. I also respect and am in Awe of what our vets have done for us. If anything ,I think they deserve for the Memorial to be in a more suitable place.Just my Opinion
Toda 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Wait until after the election and then Caddell and company will go behind closed doors and make the decision to sell the property to BoJangles.
Toda 6 months, 3 weeks ago
But Caddell said his comments were taken "out of context."
Toda 6 months, 3 weeks ago
"will not let anybody run over him" Seriously Larry ... was that remark one of an intelligent person?
MichaelFlorence 6 months, 3 weeks ago
A simple idea.
1 Ask the County how much for the land if purchased by veterans and with a stipulation that after it is purchased the Veterans will never sell/ or lease the land for any type of commercial or residential development. 2 Ask the County to give the Veterans 2 years to come up with the money 3 The veterans buy the land and nothing will ever be built there 4 If the land is not bought within the two year period. It willl then be sold to the highest builder to repay the Taxpayers of Moore County 5 I have empathy for the Veterans, but the land is a valuable asset. The County has to at least get its money back.
Mozambique 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Time for these vets to just hike up their skirts and get over it. You have your monument, now don't whine because you can't control the view in the background. You don't like it, then pony up the money and buy it yourself. Your poor attitude and demeanor don't speak for this veteran. There are FAR bigger problems we are facing these days.
RmeMP 6 months, 3 weeks ago
The committee was formed in August, and it is now days away November - and they've only met once?! Doesn't seem like a matter they really want to tackle. What about the ILLEGAL meetings held behind closed doors, even against the advice of their attorney?! Was there ever an investigation done, or is this simply another case of Moore County nepotism at its finest?
I'll bet anyone a beer that Bojangles will be going up, and there is nothing that is going to stop it...
MooreNorth 6 months, 3 weeks ago
I'll take that bet, but make it a Diet Coke. Can't believe this is "still" a story. Must be a slow news week at the Pilot. Brad McNeill.
Arestorer 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Another Sign that most Americans dont really apprecitate the sacrafices that our Military personel make for this Countrys freedoms.....I would much rather see the County give land to a Memorial than the Airport.....I would donate to the Moore Co. Veterans group to purchase the land...But, think it would be a more respectful thing for the County to donate, or at least keep the land for the Sanctity of the Memorial....I have 3 generations of family on the Monuments...If your not proud of our Countrys soldiers,dont visit,but please dont make this somekind of Political or Money issue..
jed 6 months, 3 weeks ago
CARTHAGE HAS PLACES TO EAT ALREADY, YOU WANNA EXPAND IN MOORE COUNTY, PUT A FAST FOOD PLACE DOWN AROUND THE LOBELIA AREA NEAR CRAINS CREEK FIRE DEPT. ALOT OF NEW HOUSING WENT UP IN THE LAST 10 YEARS OUT THERE. ALONG WITH A DOLLAR GENERAL. WE NEED A PLACE FOR FAMILIES TO GO AND EAT NEAR VASS. LEAVE THE MEMORIAL ALONE !! FROM A VETERAN WHO CARES. :{ JB
Toda 6 months, 3 weeks ago
RmeMP "I'll bet anyone a beer that Bojangles will be going up, and there is nothing that is going to stop it...
Toda 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Everyone who has an interest in how the "peoples" business is conducted should take the time to watch the dog and pony show conducted by Caddell and company. Their actions reflect how distorted politics can be when Caddell makes a commitment and then reneges when Commissioner Lea asks for a vote to be taken on Caddell's recommendation.
As a resident of Moore County, the manner in which Caddell, Picerno, Melton and Kennedy has delayed action is a slap in the face of all taxpayers and concern citizens.
Toda 6 months, 3 weeks ago
In all fairness to the Chairman, it is totally logical that he has never spoken directly with a broker or Bojangles Corporation. I can believe his sincerity.
Here is the link to the three ring circus referred to as a County Board of Commissioners meeting:
Toda 6 months, 3 weeks ago
101jackson => did you watch the video of the meeting?
MooreNorth 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Arestorer~ I am a veteran. I attend the ceremonies at the Memorial, and am moved each time. My name was almost on this monument. When I learned this was about to take place, I stopped it. To me, this is a place to remember members killed in action, and those that never came home. I do not feel "owed" by those that did not serve. The honor of serving with America's finest was compensation enough. The behavior of this small group has been an embarrassment to me, and many of my fellow veterans. The question I have is, who started this mess? A company inquired about a piece of property, and here we are. It boggles the mind.
alladat1 6 months, 2 weeks ago
MooreNorth - Thanks, you summed it all up with your last two sentences.
Arestorer 6 months, 2 weeks ago
MooreNorth; I also stopped my name from being put on the Monument for the same reason..I felt also,that it should be for the fallen...I dont feel owed anything. I volunteered for the Honor of serving.. Im puzzled by some vets that dont want a Monument in place to Honor their Brothers in Arms.. Our County Commisioners either Respects our service,or put up the Memorial to gain Political clout. I do know that the Vets that originally organized this,had absolutly the right intentions in mind.. I dont know how it became a political football...
xemrac 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Pure politics....after the election(s) they will railroad this to whatever end. Its a shame...as a veteran myself and a Moore County native, I'm embarrassed by this whole mess.
Toda 6 months, 2 weeks ago
"The question I have is, who started this mess? A company inquired about a piece of property,"
Why was a confidential memo sent out referencing offers and counter offers for that property? Want a copy? toda1@mindspring.com
There is more or has been backroom politics than the board would want the pubic to know. Caddell in the video of the August meeting raised his right hand to God saying, "he has had no contact with anyone from Bojangles"!
Toda 6 months, 2 weeks ago
O' Brad if you watched the video of the August meeting, a buffer was mentioned more than several times. Now we all have insight into the subliminal methodology of TPO-4.
MooreNorth 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Bojangles is expanding all over. No big mystery. They wouldn't build on that property now if it was given to them, so rest easy. We've gone from "Don't build Bojangles" to "Gimme the property". There is no deadlock. The demands just keep changing. Personally, I wish the Memorial had been built at Hill Crest Park. Not in a hole, beside DSS and the highway. The Bo biscuit request would've been drowned out by chicken trucks throttling down anyway.
Toda 6 months, 2 weeks ago
As well as other convenient food chains. From my perspective, it's not as much about the food chain as it is the way the whole issue has been addressed by the board. One would expect Bo to find their way on down 15-501 near the other businesses locating in the area of the municipal building.