An exit interview with former Hatteras Island County Commissioner Danny Couch

The last few weeks of 2024 marks the end of an era and the start of a new one when it comes to Hatteras Island representation on the Dare County Board of Commissioners (BOC).

On November 4, Danny Couch attended his last BOC meeting as Hatteras Island’s County Commissioner after announcing his retirement a year ago, and on December 2, newly-elected Mary Ellon Ballance was sworn in to start her four-year term alongside two other new board members – Carson Creef and Mike Burrus.

While Couch will no longer be a regular presence at monthly BOC meetings, his lengthy commitment to his community ensures that he won’t be disappearing from the island’s radar anytime soon.

A lifelong Hatteras Island resident, Couch has been involved in the public service arena for roughly 30 years, which includes serving the past eight years on the seven-member BOC.

He has also served two terms on the Dare County School Board, is a member of the Dare County Waterways Commission, and has taken on numerous other public service roles, typically as a philanthropic and charitable volunteer.

His decades-long dedication to Hatteras Island resulted in the Fessenden Center Gymnasium being named the Daniel C. “Danny” Couch Gymnasium in his honor, and virtually every islander can recount a time when Couch tackled a constituent’s question, advocated for a local cause, or simply helped a resident in need.

Now, with eight years on the BOC in the rearview mirror, we’ve asked Couch to talk about his experiences as a county commissioner, including the challenges, the success stories, and what comes next.

The Island Free Press’ “exit interview” with Danny Couch is below.

What did you enjoy most about representing Hatteras Island as a Dare County Commissioner?

Embracing the challenge to be the best Hatteras Island ambassador and advocate possible, for tax paying non-resident property owners, new and established residents, and native-born locals.

I respect the dedication of previous commissioners and community leaders – Hatteras has been fortunate – and I didn’t want to dishonor that. That includes my father and my brothers. We as an island community work together, it’s who we are. Yes, we have family fights among our villages from time to time, but when a threat emerges, we circle the wagons, load our six-guns, and come out firing.

What were the biggest challenges you encountered as a county commissioner?

1. Hands down, the pandemic. Miserable time – no one was happy – understandably so. Dare overcame four lawsuits. On the island, I’ll be forever grateful for the insight from a capable cadre of smart people I trust.
2. Navigating party politics – I didn’t fit anywhere. I was the last of the old-guard Dare County Democrats, and there’s no such cat in that fish house anymore. Say what you will, but we built the brand.
3. Managing the stress and getting a grip on mental and physical health. District 4 is seven unincorporated villages, with different personalities and needs. Other districts have two reps each, incorporated towns with their own planning, law enforcement, public works, etc. It’s a big, difficult job. I had cancer during the pandemic and was pretty much in denial until my wife put her foot down.

What accomplishments and milestones are you proud of during your years as county commissioner?

Dare County Waterways Commission. There are two inlets in this county. With the Oregon Inlet problems, Hatteras became an afterthought. Fortunately, the board listened and appointed smart, knowledgeable, and experienced watermen to right the ship. I’m grateful for the Waterways Chairman [Steve “Creature” Coulter] and each member. Hatteras Inlet and our beaches are our economy. Hatteras Island generates about a third of Dare’s gross revenue production.

Key to representing Hatteras is to rally people and stakeholders, [as] lots of involved voices means lots of support and votes. Wanchese stopped a questionable development in its tracks. Manns Harbor got organized and has a really good civic association with vocal leaders. Politicians get nervous when the ants start marching.

The success of Avon Beach nourishment, the Buxton Civic Association, an improved National Park Service relationship, College of the Albemarle, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, EMS, NC Beach and Inlet Waterways Association and the seizure of a seat at the table of complex coastal management challenges in this state, Children and Youth Partnership, Fessenden Advisory Board, and Buxton Woods Advisory Board are examples of citizen action. The people rightly get the credit.

What did you like best about your job as Dare County Commissioner?  

The teamwork among the Commissioners that made a singularly cohesive board, but also the skill set of Dare County personnel top to bottom.

We have an excellent county manager. We need to appreciate the sacrifices of our county folks that make the wheels roll, most of it behind the scenes.

I will miss the human interaction. I was never labeled the “Hatteras guy” by leaders of consequence. The board put agendas and egos aside and pulled the wagon as a unit – there were no weak links on that board. Bi-partisanship works if we ignore the noise and let it happen.

Just about anywhere you go, people know us. We were at the White House in 2019 and when it was our turn to introduce ourselves, we shouted with conviction, “Outer Banks of North Carolina!” Every head in the room swiveled around to us. We were the last to leave the Eisenhower Wing because the folks in the [Eisenhower Executive Office Building] all wanted to talk to us. Many recognizable people in public and media circles made it a point to tell us how much they love the Outer Banks.

Sometimes there’s a feeling on Hatteras Island that we’re the ignored stepchild of Dare County, and we are often overlooked. Do you think this is the case?

Yes and no. There was a flippant remark made by a public servant at a meeting, that “I don’t want to cross that bridge down there if I don’t have to.” I approached the person and before I could say anything, she confessed that she knew she said something stupid as soon as she said it, and apologized profusely.

The danger of us advancing such a perception is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Crazy thing is, every place in this county, they all think they’re the stepchildren! It’s human nature – people feel better about themselves by talking about somebody else.

The way to get around it is to change the perception – play to your strengths. I believe that is happening now.

I saw it with the lighthouse being moved [in 1999]- the Outer Banks was in a national spotlight and public leaders from every government level were stepping all over themselves to be our new best friend. Similar thing is going on now with the cleaning up of Buxton Beach. It’s a remarkable story on many levels.

What accomplishments or milestones would you like to see the new board accomplish?

1. Access to Hatteras and Ocracoke. It’s a local, state, and federal issue. I was not a proponent of bridging years back. but I think we need to look at Pea Island, Buxton, and Hatteras. I hope they’ll advocate for it. If it impacts the revenue stream coming out of Hatteras Island, I can pretty much guarantee it’ll have their attention.
2. I don’t think we’re doing enough to advance our heritage. I hope they’ll re-embrace the elements on our county seal, with the 125th of the Wright Brothers coming up in 2028, our indigenous population being the “First People” that made our area the birthplace of English-speaking America, and the Lighthouse getting a [more than] $20 million makeover. With rapid social changes going on here, let’s not forget who we are. The America250 NC committee, Dare County – under the capable leadership of the Dare County PIO [Public Information Officer Dorothy Hester] – is positioning us to be relevant in the story of our nation.

What advice would you give the new commissioners on the board?

1. Return all calls and emails, good and bad.
2. Get a thick skin, don’t take anything personally.
3. Limit social media.
4. Never say, “I’ll take care of it.”
5. Stay out of personnel.

What are you going to do next? Are you going to stay on the Waterways Commission and/or in the public service eye?

1. There are numerous boards I come off of because the appointment was “Commissioner Liaison.” This includes the Fessenden Center, Buxton Woods, Children and Youth Partnership, and the Waterways Commission – all high-performing boards with capable people. I am a Governor Cooper appointee to the NC Code Officials Qualifications Board and I have a moral and ethical obligation to stay on until the new governor appoints someone. The North Carolina Residential Building Code is mandated by the General Assembly to be re-written and we’re right in the middle of it – a colossal undertaking. but it’s happening because the state staff is phenomenal. This is getting done with no money allocated. Also, the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, I want to remain active on.
2. I’ve got two four-drawer filing cabinets full of stuff and need to write a book.
3. I’ve been an absentee husband and father – that’s on me. Our daughter is a world traveler and lives in Paris. I knew the moment she was born she would take on the world. Our oldest son fortunately got my wife’s brains and looks. He persevered through the pandemic and never complained, and I’m fiercely proud of everything he is. He’s got self-taught restaurant cooking skills. Our youngest got both our families’ height genes and is playing basketball at the highest scholastic levels in the state, at Trinity Christian in Fayetteville. He’s getting exposure, with another year to go. Family will be first from now on. I’ll say this for Hatteras Island kids – they’re resilient and make their own opportunities. We’ve been regrettably slow in acknowledging it. I hope the Board of Ed reads this.
4. I’m told there’s life after politics. I want to go trout jigging back of the reef, catch Spanish at daybreak at the lighthouse, and hit the shoals in the inlet for drum.

Lastly, let’s get behind our Commissioner [Mary Ellon Ballanace]. She needs and deserves our support. She’s smart, has good social skills, has been through fights, and knows a lot of people. She’ll do a fine job, and I wish her all the best!