03/28/2024
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Bladen County Health Department Director and Mary Ann Val
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners with the new leadership in place of Chairman Russell Priest and Vice-Chairman Arthur Bullock, covered a lot of ground Monday evening.
Interm Director of Health and Human Services Wayne Raynor and Marianne Valentiner with the Health Department, made a few requests of the commissioners. Renewal of the agreement with Bladen Community College for Nursing and Nursing Assistant programs was requested and approved.

Raynor did state the county still has a position open in the nutrition department. Until the position is filled, Raynor requested the commissioners approve an agreement with Nutrition Plus.

Valentiner announced the health department did apply for a Bicycle Helmet Initiative. She reported the county has received funds in the past from Safe Kids of North Carolina for bicycle helmets and the initiative has a positive impact on our county by keeping children safe on their bicycles.

Bladen County Commissioners present Charles PetersonCommissioner Charles Peterson was recognized with a plaque and a gavel for his leadership and service as the board’s chair for 2015.  READ MORE

IMG_0075Changes coming in the mental health and medicaid industries was reported by Eastpointe CEO Ken Jones. According to Jones’ report, Eastpointe is excelling as a managed care organization for behavioral health. Jones also said the organization is looking for new ways to reinvest in the communities they serve and new ways to grow. READ MORE

Howell and Kinlaw at Bladen Board of CommissionersDavid Howell, chief of Bladen County EMS, and Bradley Kinlaw, Emergency Services director, presented a report on EMS response times. According to the report, Bladen County falls short of meeting the state average for response time. Howell tell the commissioners about the measures EMS has in place to try and improve response times.

Commissioner Delilah Blanks asked for Howell to provide a budget for the commissioners to review. Howell stated he would provide the budget to the commissioners.  Blanks said, “We want a budget that serves all of the county.” READ MORE

 

Commissioners made 35 new appointments to county boards. New appointments were made for the Ammon Fire Department Firefighters Relief Fund Board, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

The commissioners approved Special Ops Training at the new training facility requested by Bradley Kinlaw, Emergency Services Director.

The Harmony Hall Committee and Bladen County Historical Society recommended a resolution be made for the Cape Fear River bridge in Tar Heel to be named in honor of Col. James Richardson. The commissioners adopted the resolution.

The commissioners entered into close session for personnel reasons with no further discussions made about the closed session.

The next commissioners meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 a.m.

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