03/27/2024
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By Erin Smith

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday evening and requested to have the representatives from Chemours to meet with the County Commissioners to discuss the GenX issue.

“I’ve been to several different meetings in reference to Chemours and the water problems that still exist out there,” Chairman Ray Britt said. “The last was at Gray’s Creek. Every one I’ve been to thus far, they take questions from you. Very few answers have been given. I’d like to request of the Commissioners that the Chemours representatives come meet with us as a board and if they can’t, then explain to us why they cannot.”

He noted the board owes it to the residents of the county to “get beyond people taking and asking questions to the state.”

“It’s time to get some answers and some time frames involved,” said Britt.

He noted that people have been asking questions and that he does not have any answers to offer because the board has not been given any answers.

“I think we just need some clarification,” Britt said. “We owe it to the people as well as the Commissioners, to get some direct answers with some time frames attached.”

Commissioner Ophelia Munn-Goins made a motion seconded by Commissioner Arthur Bullock supporting the request.

Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson said, “Mr. Britt, I think the people really need to be informed of what is going on, but I think it has to be driven from the state of North Carolina, not the Board of Commissioners. They have the expertise, they have the knowledge, and, hopefully, Chemours and the State can work it out. I don’t think Chemours will attend a public meeting at this time.”

He added he is not against the idea, but feels it should be driven by the State.

Britt said “I think, at this time, though, it is for Chemours to tell us that is the recommendation and requirement by the State. We need to hear it ourselves from them. They would need to comply with the request. It’s just a request. We’ve got a lot of unanswered questions.”

Britt continued, “We can go to all of the meetings we want to, but if they are just taking your questions and you’re not getting any answers, it is a little depressing.”

Munn-Goins asked that if Chemours could not do an open forum, could they meet with the board in a closed session. Peterson said the matter cannot be discussed in a closed session.

Britt reiterated the board is simply extending an invitation to Chemours. Peterson said, “I’m just saying the State needs to be a part of these conversations no matter who meets with Chemours.”

“That is up to them if they want the State to come with them,” said Britt.

Munn-Goins asked about a county resident who has been before the board twice seeking assistance for her water. No answers have been given on that matter.

In other business:

** The board conducted a public hearing for the close out of the Community Development Block Grant No. 11-C-2332 related to the Carroll Poultry plant in Bladenboro. No one signed up to speak and the hearing was closed.

** The Commissioners recognized Bonnie Drew of the Department of Social Services for her retirement which was effective on January 1, 2018.

** The board approved the relocation of equipment for the backup 911 Center to the new Detention and Law Enforcement Center. Supervisor Alisha Evans told the board moving the backup equipment to the new facility will allow for adding extra stations in the future. Commissioner Michael Cogdell asked if anything would remain at the Bladen County EMS building. Evans said no and explained the space currently used for the backup 911 Center would be given back to Bladen County EMS to be used for office space.

** The board approved an “authority to represent” contract regarding the opioid litigation.

** The board voted to accept a Golden Leaf grant in the amount of $390,000 for the purchase of four 125 kilowatt generators. General Services Director Kip McClarey told the board the generators will be used at the Abbottsburg, Rodsindale Road, Smith’s Mill Pond, and Tobermory sites. McClarey said the additional generators will give the county a total of seven generators to provide water during power outages.

** Peterson asked the county request Congressman Robert Pittenger assist with having NC 87 converted to a four-lane highway from Elizabethtown to US 74-76 at Riegelwood.

** Cogdell asked for the county attorney to look into service agreements and establishing some guidelines for volunteer agreements which are presented to the county.

** The board reappointed Fannie Long to the Division on Aging Board and appointed Renee Steele to the Library Board.

** County Manager Greg Martin updated the board regarding non-profit funding requests.

** The board also voted to approve a policy for Bladen County Parks and Recreation for travel to and from regional and state tournament games. The county will pay travel costs at a rate of $30 per player for games that are over 60 miles away. In the case of World Series travel, reimbursement will be $500 per team for out-of-state travel. The board opted not to reimburse players for travel that was less than 60 miles away.

** The board scheduled a meeting with Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial for Janaury 16th at 8:30 a.m.

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