Justice Orr Speaks on Open Government, Infrastructure and Health Issues

Justice Bob Orr campaigning for North Carolina Governor 2008, graciously accepted our invitation to answer your questions.

March 6, 2008

COUNTY NC NEWS -- Justice Bob Orr campaigning for North Carolina Governor 2008, graciously accepted our invitation to answer your questions concerning North Carolina open government, infrastructure and health issues. Justice Orr expediently responded with some surprising answers.

The questions were compiled from County NC News readers, and were sent via email to Justice Bob Orr's campaign staff on Friday, February 28, 2008, at approximately 2:00 P.M. Justice Orr, as with all GOP candidates, was given the choice to answer the questions in text or video. We asked that Justice Bob Orr keep his answers brief (eight minutes). To read the combined News article click here

Please note that the Orr Staff did offer County NC News a face-to-face interview. I declined, due to travel and time constraints, in order to release this information to as many Republican voters as possible before the primary election on May 6, 2008. Furthermore, Justice Orr and staff are encouraged to add information to this site for you at anytime, before, during, and after the November 4, 2008, North Carolina election.

The following answers to your questions were received March 3, 2008:

Currently, many North Carolina County local government officials ignore sections of NC Statute 143-318.9 Public Meeting Law. The average citizen cannot take action against these violations do to the high legal costs of pursing such a legal endeavor.

QUESTION:
Justice Orr, if elected Governor, what could you do to assist individuals in enforcing this State Statute, NC Statue 143-318.9 Public Meeting Law? Would you be willing to address this issue?

ANSWER:
Yes. I have consistently said that open and honest government is a prerequisite for every other policy objective in the state. A mandatory award for the reimbursement of legal fees and costs incurred by citizens or the press if public officials are found to be in violation of the Open Meeting or Public Records Law is an important part of keeping government accountable. Please visit my website at www.Orr2008.com for further information on my plan for open government.

County NC News has been conducting a study across North Carolina on whether County Governments are complying with the North Carolina General Statute, 132 Public Records Law. Thus far, we have found several counties, including Washington County, which have a policy NOT to release Public Meeting Draft Minutes.

QUESTION:
Justice Orr, if elected Governor, what would you do to rectify this issue of compliance with NC Statue?

ANSWER:
It is critical that you first enforce the statute at the state level. This is an important issue and the state should not conceal documents or evade the public records law, but set an example of openness for local officials. Our Public Records Law was written to protect the interest of taxpaying citizens and it is important that the law be enforced at all levels. In addition, for local governments who fail to follow the law, I would work with the Attorney General to sue where necessary.

QUESTION:
Justice Orr, if elected Governor, would you continue to use internet technologies to deliver timely press releases? Would you release News on a daily basis?

Yes, I will absolutely use internet technologies. In my administration we will use the internet to deliver press releases, to create a searchable online database of all public expenditures, to conduct web-based town halls, etc. As for frequency, I will release news in a timely fashion and as often as is practicable.

QUESTION:
North Carolina faces severe problems in financing its transportation, water, sewer and other infrastructure needs. To what extent do you think that privatization of these publicly owned systems could fulfill the state's long-term needs? Would improved planning of new infrastructure to accommodate growth be a more responsible solution?

ANSWER:
While we should look at opportunities for privatization and models of where it has been done successfully, privatization is only one potential solution to what should be a multi-faceted, long-term push to address the quality of our infrastructure. Long-term planning is important. Among the issues to be addressed, we must actively secure the long-term viability of our roads, water supply and sewer systems by efficiently using the funds we have today, examining alternative funding options and encouraging conservation.

The North Carolina Psychiatric Association has stated that it is clear that Mental Health Reform has not achieved the promised reductions in state hospital admissions of children, adolescents and adults. Yet NC continues to divest public sector clinicians and reduce the number of state hospital beds available. It is not unusual for severely mentally ill patients to sit in the Emergency Department for several DAYS waiting for a bed to open in a state psychiatric facility.

QUESTION:
Justice Orr, what are your thoughts about the effectiveness of North Carolina's attempt at mental health reform, and how do you propose to ensure that the state's population of severely and persistently mentally ill receive appropriate and prompt treatment?

ANSWER:
Please see my Mental Health Policy released March 4, 2008. Mental Health reform has been an abysmal failure. North Carolina had no plan prior to reform, and reform has left us with an unworkable system. I have spoken to the North Carolina Mental Health Coalition and recently released my thoughts on reform and how we can improve services for patients in North Carolina. Please visit my website at www.Orr2008.com for the complete proposal.

We would like to give special thanks to Ms. Pat Nelli, Lindsey Wakely, and the Orr for Governor 2008 campaign staff and volunteers for taking time to arrange for Justice Orr to answer our questions.

Finally, we wish Justice Bob Orr campaigning for North Carolina Governor 2008, the best of luck in the up and coming primary election. Additionally, we would like to thank him for indulging our reader's questions concerning North Carolina open government, infrastructure and health issues.