Windley
Windley is saying all the right things publicly, understanding that his desire to become executive director of COMtech depends on his willingness to hold his tongue. But he did tell The Robesonian this: “The biggest problem I have is relationships you build up and friends you make at work. Then there are other things that you like to do and see finished, but you can’t. Working with the public, solving problems, helping people out, those are the kinds of things that I will miss.”
Does that sound like someone eager to leave a job?
We will say it: Windley was forced out — and anyone intimate with the situation knows that. What remains unclear is why, and why now?
Windley has managed the county for more than eight years, working largely with the same group of commissioners. There are going to be hurt feelings as tough decisions are demanded, but in the spring the county commissioners thought enough of Windley’s job performance to give him a $5,000 raise.
Windley’s departure, which becomes effective on Tuesday, was announced publicly on the heels of the news that the county is facing a $4 million shortfall, largely a result of lower-than-anticpated sales tax revenues, but also a result of the commissioners’ unwillingness to raise the tax rate.
This county suffers under a tax burden, but that is because the county is poor, and so many residents are unemployed, underemployed, or on fixed incomes. Tax revenues being generated are less than what is needed. Does anyone truly believe that the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, and the Sheriff’s Office — all of which account for more than half of the county’s employees — are overstaffed? In fact, all are shorthanded.
But last June the commissioners felt a need to trim a penny from the tax rate in a move that was all style and no substance. It also contributed $500,000 to the current shortfall.
If Windley is being scapegoated, it’s for the mess the commissioners made. They are the ones who approve the budget — and have insisted in recent years that the tax rate could not be increased. The lag in sales tax revenues was as easy to forecast as the next hour’s weather.
The county has never needed a competent and experienced manager like Windley more than it does now as tough decisions — layoffs and furloughs seem inevitable — loom. Those decisions will now be left to the next county manager, meaning that person will make enemies before having the chance to make friends.
The good news is that COMtech will benefit with Windley as its CEO. One of Windley’s strengths is recruiting industry, so perhaps he can help the county end a long dry spell in securing new jobs.
On Monday, Windley will be honored for his service to the county — and that is befitting. The problem is that recognition is coming too soon.
It shouldn’t have ended like this.
In regard to the comment about "the Tribe" many Lumbees would not give up their U.S citizenship to pledge allegiance to the Lumbee Flag. The only land "The Tribe rules is those under their housing program."
A person should be judge by the quality of their character and not the color of their skin. I would love to see the Africian Americans,Hispanics and white hold the important political office in this county. But, those who are "qualified are too smart to run for office because of the good ole`boys around here." Hopefully, the days of "tokens" are long over with.
In regard to Sheriff Sealey. He was elected back to office by ALL the people. To be perfectly honest I think his has done a good job clean up the mess which was left by a member of "The Tribe" who was brought down by another member of "The Tribe" who recorded phone calls. Loyality to "The Tribe" deserves a GOOD LAUGH.
best School Super. Int. the county has had in sometime. Say what you want,, but watch and see.
Perhps, if we voted the County Commissioners out there would be a chance for things to change. Everyone in the courthouse and commissioners tried their best to vote Sealey out. But, the PEOPLE decided to keep him. NOW LETS VOTE OUT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS!
I would like to see Mr. Windley run for an office around here because he is more truthful that the ones who are in there.
Champion of all things unfair, unjust and immoral...
How come NO ONE, most importantly the main distributor of information for Robeson County - i.e. The Robesonian - seems to point out just how unethical it is that the ComTech BOARD MEMBER with the Office of Secretary, was just named as the CEO? Wonder how Mr. Windley voted on that motion to hire?
Ndnlarken,
Windley didn't vote. We reported the facts. People can make their own judgments. I don't see any issue as he was not involved in the hiring process and, in fact, his work on the board probably makes him more qualified to manage COMtech.
Donnie Douglas
Editor
The Robesonian
You are sorry to see Mr. Windley go, however I lump him and the Commissioners in the whole rotten package we have governing this county. He is the one behind the reevaluation boondoggle that we had several years ago, and he was the executive who could have trimmed the budget before a crisis of a 4 million shortfall rose its ugly head.
This county has far too many ticks sucking the lifeblood out of it. They won't work, but sit and wait for the obligatory check. I'm not speaking about the old and infirm. I don't begrudge them a single public penny. What gets me is all of the young (of all races) thugs that are out there existing on my money, running to the doctor when they get a cold, getting their 3 dollar prescripions and their EBT cards, sitting in their Section 8 housing paid for by me, plotting their next breakin or purse snatching. That's what frosts me. And is the DSS understaffed? If I had my way it would mostly close, except for Child Protective Services, along with the so called health department. The police would be doubled with the money saved.
So, please save the swan song about Mr. Windley. As I said in another post, I just wish he was taking the rest of the Board with him. Too bad for Robeson County.
This county needs some tough love - cut off the free money for those able to work. Cut the garbage of upping the property tax every time you exceed your budget instead of looking for ways to stop stealing from the tax payers.
To the Commissioners and the new manager - the message is that ITS NOT YOUR MONEY. IT BELONGS TO THOSE WHO MADE IT. You serve at our pleasure and any money you get from us is a sacred trust to not be wasted.
Good bye Mr. Windley. I hope you do better by ComTech than you did by the county.