Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue named her picks to lead her law enforcement and justice agencies today.
To head the state Department of Correction: Al Keller, a former Marine Corps colonel and judge and former assistant attorney general, reports Ben Niolet.
To lead the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety: Reuben Young, a former prosecutor who has been the chief legal counsel to outgoing Gov. Mike Easley. Before joining Easley's staff, Young was an assistant attorney general who represented the crime control department in legal matters. The department includes the State Highway Patrol, and the divisions for Alcohol Law Enforcement, Emergency Management and the National Guard.
To head Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Linda Wheeler Hayes, chairwoman of the Governor's Crime Commission.
Perdue said she made her choices, the first she has announced, based on experience and qualifications, but also a willingness to make changes.
"I wanted somebody with the courage to not just accept the status quo, to shake things up if needed," Perdue said.
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Reuben Young? Horrible... Easley Lacky- and lates example..
Beverly Perdue's decision to appoint Reuben Young as head of Crime Control and Public Safety is the latest example of a extremely disappointing attempt of transition. This has all the markings of pick made for other reasons beyond professional ability. Young carries the smell of covering up for Mike Easley for years on Easley's personal staff and completely lacks the professional credibility, ability and respect of the Highway Patrol, Emergency Management and National Guard professionals. This is a disaster waiting to happen....
Perdue's early salvo of appointments has taken on the air of team matching a profile rather than the best professional available to work collaboratively to move the State of North Carolina through these unprecedented difficult times.
The Perdue/Zack Ambrose tandem are giving the direct impression of a pair overwhelmed, lacking in grasp and unprepared to lead. At a point when Perdue needs all the best minds and strongest cohesive individuals who will give it to her straight... she has surrounded herself with shallow circle of light-weights and yes-people more condusive to insecurities than progress.
This administration will quickly be defined as the earliest lame duck on record. In a record time Perdue has proven completely unprofessional and has burned the trust and crediblity in her word to the majority of her backers. Might as well go ahead and crown Basnight as the de facto Governor. The Perdue support network have clearly already lost faith in Bev and will now move to consolidate in the Basnight camp.
You are overwhelmed and out of your league in office Mrs Perdue just as you were in your campaign. This time- you have burned your credibility and those folks won't be there to do all your work for you anymore. They are all now firmly on the Basnight team and will govern through the legislature and compensate for the empty office which now exists in the Gov's Mansion. Truly disappointing - you had it ALL there for you- and and you have already failed miserably. Enjoy figure head status.