By Charlotte Smith
Ms. Quessie Peterson has been organizing events for the community at the Baltimore Community Center in Council. A Voters Registration and Resources Workshop was held at the center on June 7th sponsored by Southeastern Community & Family Services, Inc., Bladen County Get Out and Vote Organization and the Baltimore Community Center.
Ms. Louella Thompson, Bladen County Board of Elections Chairperson and Mr. Randolph Keaton, Men and Women United Founder, were the guest speakers.
Ms. Thompson spoke on duties of Board of Election and briefly on how and why the new board was appointed. Mr. Keaton spoke on the moral reason for voting.
Bladen County Commissioners Michael Cogdell and Arthur Bullock stopped by after their budget meeting to answer questions from participants and the Mayor from Navassa attended as well, according to Peterson.
The workshops included: “County Every Person” presented by Greg Elkins, Bladen County Coordinator. View his presentation here: 2020 Census CCC PPT – Bladen County) 06.20.2019
The “Organizing to Get Out The Vote” workshop was presented by Mylie Durham. His focus was on organizing to increase voter participation, according to Ms. Peterson.
Mary L. Bellamy, Bladen County Case Manager presented information about the Elizabethtown Neighborhood Service Center.
There were vendors at the event as well. The vendors in attendance were Smart Start, Families First, Down East 4-H Club, Weatherization Program from Action Pathways, Fayetteville, Voter Registration group, and Census 2020.
The weatherization program took applications from participants to have their homes weatherized. Smart Start took applications for the Dolly Parton book Program.
Upcoming events were also announced.
Two Forums presented by N.C. State Board of Elections to highlight Information on the New Voter ID Laws and information on voter rights will be held at Bladen Community College Auditorium July 18, 2019, two forums 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Black Farmers Land Loss program was held at the Baltimore Community Center June 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
The Bladen Disaster Relief Support Group Meeting was also announced. The group will meet at Foundation Church on 701 Highway on Tuesday June 18, 2019 6:00 p.m.
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