By Charlotte Smith
The Bladen County Commissioners held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 9, 2020. Although budgets and economic discussions and other business items were handled during last night’s meeting, the Proclamation declaring “Racism a Public Health Crisis” was the item that received the most passionate debate.
The Proclamation declaring “Racism a Public Health Crisis” was added to the meeting’s agenda at the request of Bladen County Commissioner Dr. Opheila Munn-Goins. However, before the agenda was approved, Commissioner Munn-Goins asked the commissioner’s chairperson, Ray Britt, to remove the item abou the Proclamation from the agenda.
Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson said he received phone calls all weekend and even up to the day of the meeting about the Proclamation, and news reports had been broadcasted about the topic. He felt the item needed to be addressed. Commissioner Peterson motioned to keep the item on the agenda, and Commissioner David Gooden gave the second for the motion. The item remained on the agenda.
This is the second time the item has been brought before the commissioners. The first time was in August of this year.
During the August meeting, Bladen County Health and Human Services Director, Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, was asked to evaluate the situation.
Dr. Duncan stated, “People that have social predetermination start out unequal. Living in a rural population, we start out as an underserved population. It’s not just the African American population, but it’s all of the general population because we are in a rural area.”
After Dr. Duncan’s statement at the August board meeting, the board voted. Commissioners Bullock, Cogdell, Trivette, and Munn-Goins voted for the motion, and Commissioners Gooden, Britt, Peterson, and Dowless voted against the motion. The motion did not pass.
Last night, Commissioner Munn-Goins explained she asked for the Proclamation to be put back on the agenda because the CDC presented evidence showing some minorities are disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
In Commissioner Munn-Goins’ statement, she said, “Barriers must be removed, so that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible.”
She added, “If you don’t recognize where we are, how can we move from it. People of color are disproportionately affected or negatively affected… than any other group because you don’t want to recognize the fact that it is a concern.”
Commissioner Peterson objected to Commissioner Munn-Goins statements. He cited the health department COVID-19 reports that shows that COVID affects “the white citizens more so than the black or brown.”
He said, “I don’t care what the CDC says, I’m here to represent Bladen County and the citizens of Bladen County.”
He added the data provided by Dr. Duncan with the health department does not reflect what the Proclamation says.
He said, “The Proclamation is not written correctly. I am not racist, and I am not going to support this Proclamation.”
Commissioner Bullock and Cogdell interjected. Commissioner Cogdell explained the Proclamation is for health reasons and not racism on a social or economic level.
“It’s simply health reasons,” Commissioner Cogdell said.
“You need to read this Proclamation, Mr. Cogdell,” Commissioner Peterson said to Commissioner Cogdell. “When you separate and isolate black and brown, and you leave the other race out,” Commissioner Peterson ended as he threw up his hands.
Read the full Proclamation here: BC Proclamation Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis
Commissioner Cogdell replied to Commissioner Peterson, “Well, maybe we need to put segregation in there and not racism.”
Commissioner Britt took the floor and said, “I hate to see anyone argue. But, we have a good health department and North Carolina has not adopted a Proclamation declaring racism a public health crisis.”
He continued, the way the Proclamation reads, I can not support it. As Chairperson Britt tried to voice a call for a vote, chatter erupted again.
Commissioner Munn-Goins spoke up for the Proclamation and voiced her opinions again. Commissioner Bullock explained the Proclamation was to see what Bladen County was doing to bridge the gap in health care.
“But that is not what it says,” Commissioner Britt stated.
The Proclamation did not pass in a three to six vote. Commissioner Munn-Goins, Bullock, and Cogdell voted for the Proclamation to be approved, and all the other Commissioners voted against the Proclamation.
Commissioner Cogdell stated, “You see, the vote shows racism.”
Commissioner Peterson said, “Then you should have voted the other way.”
Related article: https://bladencounty.org/bladen-commissioners-pay-tribute-to-priest-and-address-county-matters/
The commissioners held a public hearing to receive comments regarding a draft Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Program Application; however, no one commented during the hearing about the application.
Next, the commissioners heard from Rusty Worley, Bladen County Schools Maintenance Director, about the third quarter Capital Outlay expenditure for Bladen County Schools, in the amount of $143,709.91. Purchases made with the Capital Outlay funds were as follows: furniture for the districts human resources office, a brush mower for ditch banks, some technology devices, 58 windows for Bladenboro Middle School, two refrigerator lights at Dublin Primary, a thermostat, replaced the floor in Dr. Beatty’s office, replaced carpet at Bladen Lakes Primary which was mandated by the state, replaced the carpet in the media center at Plainview Media Center, installed tile flooring at Bladen Lakes, heat pump at Elizabethtown Primary, doors for HR department, 10-ton HVAC unit at Bladenboro Primary, Cisco software lease, macbook pro for the PR department, and then at the central district office three heat pumps were installed over the summer (a five-ton, two and a half-ton, and a two-ton). Commissioner Munn-Goins made a motion to approve the expenditures. Second, by Commissioner Cogdell.
Commissioner Peterson asked if the Board of Education approved the expenditure. He explained I was looking through this, and there was about $20,000 spent on Dr. Beatty’s office, and I would not support that.”
Worley interjected, “Just for clarification, it was four offices.”
Peterson was the only commissioner to vote “no” in approving the Capital Outlay expenditures.
Then the commissioners heard from the public. Business owner Brian Campbell addressed the commissioner to talk with them about a “People First Initiative.”
An environment where the government, healthcare, schools, businesses, citizens, and students all work together to create opportunities in the County is the idea Campbell presented.
He said, “I want to be part of the solution.”
The concept is to form an advisory committee to help students and the community. The first step in the initiative would cost no money, only time and support.
“I don’t think we have a cohesive group right now,” Campbell said.
Commissioner Britt agreed with Campbell’s idea to improve the quality of life in Bladen County with all sectors in the County working together.
Commissioner Cogdell thanked Campbell and said, “I think it is a great idea to help the citizens of Bladen County.”
Commissioner Peterson said, “Basically, all these people are in the chamber.” He added, “I’m not taking anything away from what you are saying, but all these people you mentioned are in the chamber.”
Commissioner Britt thanked Campbell, and they all agreed to work with Campbell on his idea.
After Campbell’s presentation the board heard about the White Oak/Back Swamp Canal Stream Debris Removal Project Change Order. Without much discussion the motion to approve the project change was approved unanimously.
Kip McClary with the County of Bladen presented the Bladen County Courthouse Window Replacement Project Change Order number two. The change is about the concrete separating from the windows. An engineer gave recommendations to the County about the repairs. The County took the recommendations from the engineer to a contractor, and the contractor gave an estimate for the repairs for $4,188.00. All commissioners approved the project change order. Commissioners also pointed out some other repairs needed at the courthouse.
Proposals for a Telephone System Provider for the County of Bladen was next to discuss on the list. Star Communications was the lowest bid. View the proposal here. All commissioners approved the motion to accept Star Communications’ proposal.
At the next regular board of commissioners’ meeting scheduled for November 23rd, the commissioners will appoint an advisory position for the following: two for Bay Tree Lakes Fire Service District, two for the Clarkton ETJ Advisory Committee, and three for the Clarkton Fire Service District Committee.
County of Bladen Manager, Greg Martin reviewed the calendar with the commissioners. View the calendars below.
View the full meeting on YouTube in the video below:
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