The Bladen County Board of Commissioners held a meeting for regular business on January 3, 2023, at the Bladen County Courthouse. After the invocation and pledge, the Bladen County Board of Commissioners breezed through the meeting’s agenda.
The officials recognized their outgoing chairperson and gave thanks for his service.
“Thank you so very much, sir,” new Chairperson Rodney Hester said to immediate past Chairman Ray Britt while handing him a plaque in recognition of his service.
“As serving as Chairman, I have never forgotten I represent you guys… and I appreciate it very much,” Britt stated.
Next, Commissioner Dr. Ophelia Munn Goins raised concerns about water pressure issues for firefighters in the East Arcadia area. County of Bladen Manager Greg Martin took note to follow up on the circumstances.
Commissioner Cameron McGill inserted an issue brought before the Board in the past about the sound ordinances in the County. “I was just wondering how many citations have been written,” McGill said, “Something really needs to be done.”
Commissioner Britt added, “I witnessed it myself and went and found a police officer… The people are livid with it.”
Then, Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson interjected a question to the County Manager, “It’s a County ordinance; what are the Towns doing?”
Commissioner Michael G. Cogdell, asked, “Have we put a sign up to tell people there is an ordinance?”
“We were supposed to send out letters,” Commissioner McGill responded.
Commissioner Peterson stated Mr. Martin needed to check with the Towns to see if their law enforcement would help enforce the noise ordinance.
Then, Benny Lennon with Bladen County Schools was welcomed by the Board to discuss the NC Education Lottery Public School Building Capital Fund Application in the amount of $118,943. As soon as Lennon stepped up, Commissioner Peterson said, “Motion to approve.” Commissioner Britt made the second, and the Board approved the application unanimously.
Advisory Board appointments were next on the agenda. The Board tabled the appointment for someone new to the BARTS Advisory Board. Mr. Kenneth Brown, the chair of the BARTS Advisory Board, unfortunately passed away.
Then Commissioner Munn-Goins asked to table the appointment to the Economic Development Commission because she said, “I had someone in mind. The person was supposed to get back up with me, but they have not yet.” The motion to table the appointment passed unanimously.
Commissioner Peterson nominated Tommy Knox (the last name may be incorrectly spelled) and David Foster to replace the two outgoing advisory members on the Aging Advisory Board. The motion passed unanimously.
County Manager Martin went over the calendar of events reminding the Board about the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade to be held Monday, January 16, 2023, at 11:00 am in downtown Elizabethtown, North Carolina. A roundtable meeting with Senator Brent Jackson will be held on Wednesday, January 18, for all local elected officials. The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting and awards on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Lu Mil Vineyard at 5:30 pm. Then on Tuesday, January 24, the Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force will meet at Bladen Community College.
The Board also approved unanimously to adopt the Resolution to direct the expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds and Ratify the Professional Services Agreement with The Healing Place. View the documents approved here: MOA-Spending-Authorization-Resolution NCACC Opioid Settlement Funds 01032023 and MOA-Spending-Authorization-Resolution NCACC Opioid Settlement Funds 01032023 Contract 2022 The Healing Place Bladen Co ratified 01032023
Listen to all the announcements made by the County Manager and the entire Board meeting on the YouTube Channel linked below.
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