KENANSVILLE — Questions about what the future has in store for the Duplin County Events Center was on the front burner this week as the center’s advisory board spoke with the county commissioners.

Advisory board chairman Stephen Williamson shared with the board that the Events Center’s future was at a crossroads, where the direction taken by them would ultimately impact its future success.

“The advisory board wanted to come here this morning to just update this board on where we are at the Events Center and what direction we are hoping to head in the future,” said Williamson.

The chairman went on to state that following the commissioners’ meeting a few weeks back, the advisory board had met with county manager Mike Aldridge, and commissioners Frances Parks and Cary Turner to discuss VenuWorks and its break with affiliation with the county. “It was our first thought to move them out as quickly as possible, but after examining the extensive changes needed to make the transition smooth and possible, we have opted to end our relationship as early as May 31, which will save the county one month of administrative costs, as the current contract will end June, 30.”

Williamson asked commissioners to join in the Events Center planning by appointing three board members to work alongside the advisory board to develop a plan that will work for everyone.

“We have tried to do as much as we possibly can to do everything right with the Events Center,” commented Williamson, “but our hands have been tied up until now. Now is the time for both boards to work together to provide a positive and productive business plan to make the Events Center the best it can be.”

Commissioners chairman Turner then asked for volunteers from his board to serve with the advisory board, and was the first to volunteer to serve. Commissioners Parks and Reginald Wells also asked to serve on the joint committee.

Williamson explained that the $30,000 appropriated by the commissioners in their last meeting had put them in fairly good shape through the end of March, as expected and discussed in that meeting. He did state that he was not certain how much money it will take to cover until the end of the contract in June, but he said he felt it would be something they will have to look at on a month-to-month basis.

Angela Miller, the county’s deputy finance officer, said the Center has $10,009 left in its expense budget, including money from shows in addition to funds given by the commissioners. The advisory board chairman had questioned John Vogt, current Center manager from VenuWorks, about the income from the remaining scheduled events, a figure estimated at $20,000.

Commissioner David Fussell then questioned Williamson in regards to the income of the Events Center versus the money lost from the costs of producing the events. Williamson said that would be addressed by the dual boards as well as determing if the charges for having an event at the Center is adequate to cover the costs of having the event there.

“We have to decide if the center is worth the costs,” stated Fussell. “We have to develop a business plan acceptable to citizens of Duplin County, and now is the time to do that. Hopefully we can put a positive spin on this. I think we need to look at places like James Sprunt and a possible athletic program there. I have had some talk to me about letting JSCC manage the facility. I also think we need to involve the tourism department in the planning.”

A discussion then followed that had Wells commenting, “It (Events Center) is there and we have to do something with it. It is time we do more than give lip service, and put our heart and guts decisions. We have helped to damage the image of the center. We have to make a commitment that its ours and it is not going away, and make a commitment of not going out of meetings saying how bad it is. We also need to listen to our advisory board, if not, we need to disband the committee and manage the center. We need to respect their experience and research. If we do those things, we can turn the corner It is all about image presentation.”

Wells further went said he was tired of hearing people outside the county asking what was going on in Duplin “Whatever happened in the past has to be forgotten ... (we need to) take our personal agenda off the table to make this thing work. This board has to be committed to this project for it to be successful.”

Commissioner Zettie Williams spoke up to say “As long as we keep politics in this Center it will continue to be a problem. Happy people are what we need. We have to have a change in attitude from negative to positive. What we have been doing is just not professional.”

Fussell then responded. “I do not have a negative attitude on the Events Center. We need a positive business plan for new light and new opportunity now. We have to readdress the way we do government; the old way is no longer the way it is done today.”

Williams answered Fussell’s denial of using politics and negative attitude in regards to the Events Center by saying the way he (Fussell) had passed out some information pertaining to the Center was done in a negative manner She also stated that if Fussell had so much to offer by way of suggestions for how the Center should be operated, then he should have volunteered when Turner asked for volunteers.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.