Opinion Piece – Part I

The plethora of contradictory statements within what is now referred to as the Currituck Conspiracy necessitates a detailed breakdown into distinct parts. Unsurprisingly, the mainstream media has taken sides, firmly aligning themselves with the Board of Commissioners’ narrative. Our sole allegiance in this matter is to the side that aligns steadfastly with the law and factual accuracy.

In instances like these, government bodies in North Carolina typically seek guidance from the University of North Carolina School of Government (SOG) for a definitive opinion. In my more than 20 years as a resident of Currituck, I cannot recall the county ever invoking the name of the professor at the SOG who provided an opinion on a query from the county. However, BlackwaterReports has disclosed the names of Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government Kristina Wilson, Robert P. Joyce, and Charles Edwin Hinsdale, Professor of Public Law and Government, UNC School of Government. In this case, names and backgrounds are of significant importance.

Brief Timeline:

• January 15, 2024: Start of Meeting without Facts
  • Bob White sends an email discussing Paul Beaumont’s unauthorized engagement with a job placement group, posting a position online, and suggests potential actions, including resignation or an AMOTION process.
  • Commissioners, including Selina Jarvis, Mike Payment, Mary Etheridge, Kevin McCord, and JOwen Etheridge, respond with thoughts on potential actions, such as censure, removal from boards, and having a closed session with Paul Beaumont.
• January 16, 2024: Day Two of Meeting Still no Facts
  • Commissioners discussed the need to have Megan Morgan present in a closed session and considered the removal of Paul Beaumont from advisory boards.
• January 22, 2024: Six days after Meeting Fact Finding First Begins
  • Megan Morgan emails Megan Quinn at Insight Global, asking about the status of documents related to Paul Beaumont’s communications with Currituck County and Insight Global.
• January 23, 2024:
  • Paul Beaumont sends an email requesting copies of communications about misrepresenting events surrounding the unauthorized posting.
  • Megan Morgan responds, stating she will send what she has and asks commissioners to provide any relevant communications.
  • Bob White responds to Megan’s previous email, expressing that Paul Beaumont’s actions have made Megan even busier.
  • Megan Morgan advises Paul Beaumont to submit a formal public records request.
• January 24, 2024: Eight days after Meeting, Facts are Finally Shared (Read the Emails Here)
  • Megan Morgan forwards documents from Insight Global’s attorney to other commissioners.
  • Megan Quinn (Insight Global) responds to Megan Morgan, mentioning the likely public nature of Currituck’s records but offering to provide documents as a courtesy.

The most concerning element in this concise timeline is the hasty decision-making by commissioners, in collaboration with the county attorney, just six days before the investigation and eight days before receiving documents from InsightGlobal. This process bears a resemblance to a group of neighborhood Karens hastily jumping to conclusions, akin to a scenario where they find a Burger King cup during their morning patrol and, based solely on personal assumptions, decide it must belong to a specific person simply because they know that individual enjoys burgers. The anticipated due process inherent to responsible governance has been notably absent in this situation.

Regrettably, what we have observed is anything but the fair and equitable procedures expected from a government body. Instead, the Old Courthouse has seemingly transformed into a figurative henhouse, where decision-making resembles a group of individuals exhibiting a pattern of overzealous and subjective behavior reminiscent of brooding Karens.

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