Guilford County Commissioner James Upchurch is attending the 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in Colorado this July but, unlike the other commissioners who are going, he’s getting there in an unusual way.
Upchurch is getting into his car and driving the distance to the annual event where county commissioners and other county leaders get together each summer reportedly to learn new things and exchange ideas for best practices.
Upchurch said that he hasn’t been a fan of flying for most of his life. In his youth, he said, a small plane crashed in his neighborhood and that had a lasting effect on him.
The other county commissioners who are attending the conference are flying since Colorado isn’t exactly a stone’s throw away from Guilford County.
Taxpayers cover the expense of travel, and gas is at an all-time high, so some taxpayers might worry about the cost of the drive – however, county reimbursement policy means that the most Upchurch can get for his trip is the cost of a plane ticket to Colorado.
Upchurch says his car gets about 35 miles to the gallon on the highway.
The conference is in the Denver area and taxpayers will cover the transportation, meals, lodging and admission costs for all the commissioners who attend.
Upchurch lived in the area briefly and said he also may stay a few extra days to visit friends.
He also said that he doesn’t mind driving, and said that a cross country trip by car these days is really not bad at all.
Here’s a couple idea’s. Mr. Upchruch should ask king skip to ride with him they could spend some quality time bonding. Of course a better idea skip and mr. jones his clone or clown which ever fits could ride together in skips spit shined black car and with any luck for us taxpayers it would end up like Thelma and Louise. Just a little humor here
He’s an odd fecker.
genius !
I wouldn’t quite go as far to say, “I have a fear of flying”. I have flown a couple times in the past several years, but prefer to drive if I have the time. I lived in Colorado for about two years after college and plan to spend a few days visiting old friends after the conference. Taking the cross country trip will definitely add time to the travel, but I’ll save money by not having to get a rental car.
And you’ll have the freedom to stop in communities, learn about them, and see a little of America.
Automobiles are our freedom.
Have a good trip!
have u left? i can share x penses but not driving. i’ll forego beans until i hear from u.