By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners received a visit from Ana Grace Allen, Miss Outstanding Teen Bladenboro, who will be representing Bladen County at the Miss North Carolina pageant in June.
Pageant Representative Sunday Allen was also present as was Miss Bladenboro Pageant Executive Director John Ruffin.
Allen told the Commissioners that Anna Grace Allen and her “pageant sister” Miss Bladenboro Haven Cashwell have been representing Bladen County very well and there are very few weekends that they are not traveling somewhere.
Anna Grace told the board that Haven Cashwell’s platform is called “Think Before You Send” regarding social media and messaging. Anna Grace’s platform is “Sock It To ‘Em.” She told the board that socks are the most needed item in homeless shelters so she began a group where socks for the homeless are collected and distributed to the shelters. Anna Grace said she doesn’t stop there. She also volunteers in the homeless shelter.
The Miss North Carolina competition dates are June 26 and 27. Sunday Allen told the board that it is expensive traveling and that it takes about $1,000 for the ladies to compete. Sunday Allen asked the board for their financial support.
Peterson requested the item be added on the agenda for the next meeting to discuss some funding.
In other business:
** Bladen Community College Executive Vice-President Jeff Kornegay told the board that college has received two grants – an Economic Development Administration grant worth $ 1.3 million
And a $500,000 Golden Leaf grant. Kornegay said that the grants will be used to construct a $1.8 million building.
He requested the board approve a financial assistance award as part of the EDA grant. The board approved the request.
** Bladen County Tax Assessor Renee Davis presented a request for the board to approve a bid to purchase the Vera G. Normile estate which was foreclosed on by the county. Heir to the estate Asia Bush has placed a bid of $11,822.97 through a private sale.There is also an upset bid from Dennis Williams for $11,825.
Commissioner Michael Cogdell recommended the board allow the heirs to go forward with the private sale.
Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson said, “ I was approached about the property. I think it should go to the family.”
The board set a time of 90 days to complete the transaction.
** The Commissioners reappointed Livingston Lewis, Elizabeth Blanks, Joey Todd, and Warren Holder to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. A fifth member is slated to be contacted about whether she wishes to continue on the board or not.
** The board set a budget workshop for March 31 at 6 p.m.
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/2v65Ke5qDp4
About Author
