Wayne Delegation Headed To Hawaii At Taxpayers' Expense

Posted 12:11 p.m. Jun 7, 2005 — Updated 12:11 p.m. Jun 7, 2005

WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — Next month, three Wayne County commissioners and the board clerk are going to Honolulu for the National Association of County Commissioners' convention. The trip will cost Wayne County taxpayers about $10,000 at a time when the county is squeezed for money and commissioners are considering a 10-cent tax hike.

Commissioner Chairman J.D. Evans said the convention will give him valuable information and he understands the trip could raise some eyebrows.

"I have no question about that. I understand that totally," he said.

When asked why four county officials have to go to the convention, Evans replied, "The convention is too large for one person to obtain everything that could be gotten from it."

Evans said he does not want to make waves, but he said Wayne County's budget is $100 million. The Hawaii trip is $10,000.

"I have a strong philosophy. If you stay home, that's all you know at home," he said.

Several other North Carolina counties are sending representatives to the Hawaii convention. Wake County, for example, is sending nine people. Orange County is sending five representatives while Durham County is sending three. In all, 189 North Carolinans are registered to attend.

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