ROCKINGHAM — Two Richmond County commissioners have issued statements regarding the board’s decision on Sept. 1 to approve a separation agreement with now-former county manager Bryan Land.
The board unanimously approved the agreement, which includes a separation payment of $226,250 — to be paid out over the next 20 months — as well as health insurance until Land is eligible for Medicare.
Commissioner Justin Dawkins said at the meeting that he was not in favor of the financial terms of the agreement, but did support the separation.
On Wednesday, he expounded on that.
“A no vote would not have changed a single term of this agreement,” Dawkins said in a statement provided to the RO. “It would have extended the uncertainty and cost this county more in the long run. So I voted for resolution and put my objection on the record instead.”
Commissioner Jason Gainey also posted a statement to his Facebook page on Wednesday, explaining his reasoning behind voting for the agreement.
“To terminate this contract without cause would cost us $540,000 dollars and potentially leave us open to future litigation,” Gainey said, adding that he didn’t write the contract, “... That was just what was in it from before my time.”
Allowing Land to finish his contract, Gainey said, would have extended employment through May — but with no clauses or protections for Land or the county.
“To have a mutual separation where everyone goes their separate way, no more lawyers and all of that fuss, it cost us insurance and a year’s severance which is less than termination without cause and gives assurances to both him and the county of a clean break,” Gainey said. “The agreement is fair and gives all parties what is needed to be whole moving forward.”
Commissioner Jason Gainey speaks during the September meeting of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Gainey added that he doesn’t “need a piece of paper to know that we should move forward with vision and bless those that are moving on.” He said he holds no ill will toward Land “and I wish him all the best.”
“He’s grown our county from a near state takeover to surpluses, increases and many good things,” Gainey said. “I also know personally what it is like to have mountains of misinformation thrown at me for things framed in ways that are somewhat unfair.”
On the other hand, Gainey added that he sees “room for improvements, things that I would like to see us do differently and transition is always a good time to make changes.”
“That doesn't make anyone evil or bad — just different.”
“Now it’s done,” Gainey concluded. “This is where we all choose to move forward or you can choose bitterness — which is like holding your breath while under water, all the while hoping the other person dies first — friends, choose life. Move onward and upward. We are being blessed and many positive things are happening all around.”
Dawkins is also focused on how the county operates going forward.
“The first thing is transparency,” Dawkins said. “This board should learn about county business before it becomes public. When we vote on anything that obligates taxpayer money, we should have the full cost in front of us, in writing, before the motion is made. That's the standard I want for the next manager, and I intend to push for it.”
Working closer with the county’s municipalities is also on Dawkins’ list.
“Rockingham, Hamlet, Ellerbe, Norman, Hoffman and Dobbins Heights are dealing with the same growth pressure the county is,” Dawkins said. “We've been planning in separate rooms for too long.”
Dawkins proposes regular joint meetings between the county and the city and town boards, “not a phone call after something has already gone wrong.”
The commissioner also said the board should be listening to the people.
“More than thirty residents spoke at the air quality hearing last month, and hundreds have signed a petition asking for a pause on new data centers,” Dawkins said. “Those are neighbors and taxpayers, not opposition.
“I pushed for a public forum on the Amazon project for a long time, and it finally happened yesterday,” Dawkins continued. “That's the kind of conversation we should be having before a project is underway, not after. I want it to be the norm, not something a commissioner has to ask for repeatedly.”
Finance Director Cary Garner was appointed to serve as interim county manager until a permanent replacement can be found.
Dawkins said he wants an open, competitive search: “Post the job, take applications, interview candidates, and let the public see the process.
“This county deserves the best person we can find, and the only way to know we have that is to actually look.”
