Since taking office January 1, Abingdon district supervisor J.J. Orth has been trying to initiate new ideas and unique ways of thinking on the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors.

This was apparent Tuesday night during the board’s work session in the colonial courthouse when Orth presented the idea of starting a "buddy system" with school board members and also with his push for coming up with new ways to attract and promote small business in Gloucester County.

On the buddy system idea, Orth said, "The citizens would like to see the two boards working closely … It’s as simple as picking up the phone and talking to people."

However, several supervisors expressed their reservations about the idea of a formal buddy system.

York district supervisor Carter Borden said he talks regularly to school board members, but referred to a recent letter to the editor in the Gazette-Journal, where a writer accused him and Ware district supervisor Andy...