Nags Head and SS elections - endorsements and more

Let's get this straight up front.  I am Treasurer of the Committee to Elect Bob Oakes.  I have been working on his campaign since he decided to run.  I am definitely not a disinterested bystander but then I am not sure that I would be in any Nags Head election.
I support Bob because he is the best candidate to get Nags Head focus on deciding what is wants to be in 20 years then moving us towards that future.  Towns are a lot like rivers.  They have a lot of activity but don't change course very often.  Only consistent effort over long periods of time dictates where they end up.   Nags Head needs to refocus on specific elements of vision and then start to implement them, not just in zoning code but it political and social dialog action.  Nags Head didn't get The Village at Nags Head, the Outer Banks Hospital or the Nags Head Elementary school by passing rules.  It got them because boards under three different mayors made phone calls, held meetings and solve problems to get these community assets located in the Town.  The current board has lost that drive and focus.  I believe that Bob Oakes is better equipped than his opponent to achieve that. 
I am not alone feeling this way.  Take a look at what Russ Lay has to say about his choice in the Nags Head Mayor's race.  I know Bob appreciates the support of the Outer Banks preeminent blogger.
If you want to learn more about Bob Oake's stands then visit oakesformayor,net, our campaign website.

The local blogosphere has really heated up over the race in Southern Shores.   Former Mayor and my good friend Hal Denny is running againgst incumbent Mayor Don Smith.   This blog has not been kind to Don Smith over the years but I won' relive those battles.  I will suggest that you visit 3 blogs with great insight into the races.
Eye on Dare has a good piece that sets the stage for the race.
Dave Sander's Southern Shores Times has several pieces about the relationship between Mayor Smith and the SS Volunteer Fire Dept.  My guess is he doesn't support Smith.  You read it and see what you think.
What was initially a cake walk for incumbent Brian MacDonald has become a bit more heated as long time SS volunteer George Kowalski has mounted a write in campaign.  Kowalski has a blog that details his reasons.  It makes for interesting reading.

I strongly urge Southern Shores voters to support Hall Denny.  He was and will be an excellent Mayor.

Take a look at these sites if you live in Nags Head or Southern Shores and then, whatever town you live in, get out and vote on Tues.
Ciao

Nonprofit training classes on the Outer Banks

Registration is now open for fall classes in the Duke Nonprofit Management Program. To register go to the Duke program site. For more information call Bob Muller @ 252-207-5287 or visit obxlearn.org Classes on the Outer Banks Include:

Event Management Alice Lutz Class ID# 12528
Learn the essentials of event management whether you are: "fund raising," "friend raising," or "fun raising." This class will outline a basic approach to event management including: committee and volunteer development, planning and implementation, securing appropriate resources, underwriting and in-kind donations, methods for evaluation, and follow-up strategies. Through examples of events (both small and large), participants will see how critical event planning is to setting the stage for success and contingencies for failure. Alice Lutz, CFRE is a seasoned nonprofit manager with 20 years experience and operates her own nonprofit management firm, Oxygen.
1 hour networking lunch
Thursday October 22, 2009 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Nature Conservancy Office at Nags Head Woods Education Pavilion, Kill Devil Hills
Enrollment Fee: $ 98 6 hours Materials Fee: $7

Grassroots Fundraising Ruth Peebles Class ID# 12530
Perfect for the newcomer to fundraising, this course will take you through the most effective and successful methods of raising money. You will discover the nuts and bolts ideas and activities to help you fundraise. Learn about current trends in giving, annual giving programs, direct mail, prospecting new donors, and managing your donor base. You will be guided from "the ask" to the acknowledgment and will find that fundraising is a simple process anyone can learn. Ruth Peebles, MPA has more than 18 years of hands-on-experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and development. She is the Founder and President of The INS Group (Innovative Nonprofit Solutions) providing consulting services for nonprofits, educational institutions, and faith-based institutions nationally.
1 hour networking lunch
Thursday November 10, 2009 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Nature Conservancy Office at Nags Head Woods Education Pavilion, Kill Devil Hills
Enrollment Fee: $ 98 6 hours Materials Fee: $7

Grant Proposals: Planning for Positive Results Amy Montgomery Class ID# 12529
Does "grant writing" sound like a daunting task? Are you or could you be a grant writer? A grant writer is a passionate person on a mission to solve a problem or an unmet need. Successful grant writers know that writing is the easy part, especially if you have someone who will edit your work. Passion for your work is your number one tool to get funded. You know your target audience, what they need and how to help. With some solid research, careful and realistic planning, strong and strategic relationships, and a good editor, you can be a successful grant writer. Participants will finish this personalized course with a checklist and road map, definite Do’s and Don’ts, and completely convinced that they have what it takes to be a successful grant writer. Amy Montgomery earned her Master’s in Health Education from East Carolina University. Beginning her career in public health, Montgomery had to learn the ins and outs of getting grants to be able to fund important community health programs. With over 10 years of grant writing experience in the areas of public health, education, and human services, Montgomery has earned millions of dollars in grant funds for projects such as mobile dental services for children and affordable housing for teachers. Montgomery is currently the Executive Director of the Dare Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit.
1 hour networking lunch Amy Montgomery
Thursday, November 19, 2009 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Nature Conservancy Office at Nags Head Woods Education Pavilion, Kill Devil Hills
Enrollment Fee: $ 98 6 hours Materials Fee: $5

ORV The battle continues. How Lying liars lie.

I have not been writing much about the debate over beach driving rules lately. The matter is now in the hands of the National Park Service and we will see a draft of the new rules soon. Unfortunately others have not been so lucky. There are those on both sides of the debate who seem to live to keep the debate going. The environmental groups that engage in this activity do so because it promotes their primary goal - raising money to continue their operations. For the opponents the motives are less clear, some fight because they can't accept the defeats they have suufered and some simply like the limelight.
An editorial in the Outer Banks Sentinel highlighted the hijinks on both sides. It is recommended reading. It debunks the enviromentalists claims that the beach closures have been good for tourism and chastises their foes for just generally acting ugly. Just how ugly this whole thing has gotten is memorialized in an excellent post by Russ on the Outer Banks Journal. He details an exchange with the fringe supporters of beach access that should be used as a lesson in how NOT to win supporters to your side.

Neither post paints a pretty picture so I won't post one either. However if you want to see some photos from Ocracoke that will remind you of why people get so passionate about the area take a look at this slideshow.

Ciao