If Rep. Darrell McCormick, a Republican member of the state house, ever becomes a contestant on the TV show “Survivor,” he’ll know what to expect during the 30-day experience.
The “survivors” undergo tests for an immunity idol. The losing tribe goes to an elimination vote to see who will be booted off the show. When a participant feels most confident, that’s when he’s most likely to be “blind-sided” by a sneaky tribe member.
McCormick knows the feeling. He, along with recreational anglers, was blind-sided on April 5 in Raleigh.
McCormick, who represents Iredell, Surry and Yadkin counties, had a good idea that would have, among other things, merged the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, saved taxpayers millions of dollars and maybe brought some sanity back into our saltwater-resources management.
He was trying to get monetary influence and back-room politics out of marine fisheries and free saltwater resources, held in thrall for decades by a small minority of commercial netters. Once again, netters outsmarted — or outspent — those interested in boosting fish species and bringing some semblance of sanity and equity into saltwater fisheries management.
Sen. Don East of Pilot Mountain, a Republican like McCormick, was the ninja. From January’s first committee meeting, it was clear East was aligned with the netting pros. Once exposed, he kept a low profile until April 5, offering a last-minute hand-written amendment that was just the first blind-side tackle in a massive a pile-on of McCormick.
Sen. Stan White (D-Nags head) also was a key playing in helping change McCormick’s proposals into just another delaying action — which is typical of politicians these days; they always put off making the tough decisions.
It was clear after the smoke settled and a dazed McCormick left the room, that he’d been set up. It was political theater at its best as first East, then White, then Rep. Tim Spear (D-Creswell), followed by Rep. Ruth Samuelson (R-Charlotte) dominated the discussion and led the committee into the wilderness.
Otto Von Bismarck said nobody should watch laws or sausage being made, and this performance proved the point. The state’s motto, “Esse Quam Videri,” is laudable. It means “to be rather than to seem.” Near the end, co-chairman Sen. Harry Brown (R-Jacksonville), patted himself and fellow lawmakers on the back and turned that truism on its head.
“It’s better to do something rather than nothing,” Brown said.
This statement probably had more to do with relief at avoiding a tough decision before November’s elections — and keeping his job in Raleigh — than helping saltwater resources.
April 5 was sad for our fisheries, our economy and our citizens, along with the professional biologists at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. If the pols had held this meeting April 1, the irony would have been perfect.
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