N.C. Sen. Charlie Albertson is to be applauded for his candid approach to helping his home county assess itself and, in turn, use that assessment to bridge large gaps between elected officials and those they serve.

By many accounts, the gap is wide and, based on a report presented by Dr. James H. Johnson last week, the impression residents have of elected officials and the county in general none too pretty.

For Albertson to be willing to step outside the box and call for such a study shows just how much he wants Duplin officials to work to improve their image and, in so doing, improve the perception people both inside and outside the county have.

And for him and other elected officials to allow such a mirror to be held up, shows, at least, that while there are many flaws that must be corrected within Duplin, there are many leaders who want them corrected.

In his report, Johnson reiterated that government infighting, inaccurate and rarely updated information on the county’s web pages, as well as a lack of development focus, left far too many negative impressions among local residents and outsiders.

That negative impression, we believe, could be detrimental to the county’s potential economic development ventures, current and future, and it could hinder people from even considering relocating to the area.

It’s a problem that needs to be corrected.

Albertson understands that all too clearly. In fact, he said last week that after problems surfaced last year with the James Kenan School of Engineering, the studies were initiated.

The report, though good on many levels, paints a stark picture of the problems that exist in Duplin County. But, the report comes with recommendations on how to take that “sobering picture,” and repaint it in colors of progress and change – on all levels — for the better.

Johnson and Albertson both said what Duplin County officials need to do is take the report, review the things viewed as weaknesses and begin improving them immediately, showing that leaders take the report and its findings seriously.

And they need to be taken seriously. Every aspect of the report reflects what we’ve either said from this page over the past year or heard from Duplin residents in the same 12-month period.

Action needs to be taken, and Johnson’s recommendations are certainly the right track to follow. For example, he suggests Duplin officials rebrand the county and develop an image marketing campaign. While the idea is a good one, officials need to understand that to rebrand and remake an image, they must watch their own actions (or the lack thereof) and learn to work together for the good of residents.

Albertson said Duplin needs to turn its weaknesses around, changing the way the county does business when it comes to economic development and education. And he emphasized what we all know to be true — Duplin has a county full of good people. All that’s lacking is getting those good people involved and keeping them involved.

Much of the responsibility for turning Duplin’s image around falls squarely on the shoulders of its government leaders. But residents need to have a vested interest in this as well, understanding that they can’t just complain about what commissioners or Board of Education members are doing or not doing. They need to get involved and help these leaders make a difference.

Doing that will produce the results Johnson and Albertson are talking about.