Been thinking about folks who came to or through Bladen County in my lifetime, some quietly, some with fanfare, those who made a difference….
One of the quiet ones was David Bartlett…..In the mid 70’s he was hired as part-time manager of Bladenboro. He also served in the same capacity, at the same time, in Fairmont. He had previously worked as a planner with the Lumber River Council of Government…
I was serving as Chairman of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners when he called to tell me that Bladen County and the towns in the county should be good candidates for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). He added that the application…in his opinion, would have a better chance of being funded if the towns and the county submitted a single application. There would be no local match. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I knew he did, or I thought he did.
The suggestion was submitted to the Board of Commissioners and it was approved. Bartlett would complete the application, but thought towns in the county should be represented with one from each town on the overall committee…White Lake was not eligible according to the regulations…and according to Bartlett. East Arcadia decided to do their own application…
So, we had a representative from Bladenboro, Clarkton, Dublin, Elizabethtown, Tar Heel and Bladen County. We met and determined needs that were allowable and approved a formula for dispersing the funds. Bartlett’s information determined that the total application could be no more than $500,000. We studied needs, held public hearings and finally agreed on a list of projects and Bartlett completed the application and it was submitted.
Bladenboro applied for funds to improve Wateree Park, including new lighting, Clarkton folks wanted the old depot renovated to make it useable, with their part of the funds, Elizabethtown decided to build a park in the housing development behind the National Guard Armory, Dublin needed assistance with upgrading a well that would provide more and better water, Tar Heel wanted to purchase a piece of property across from the school to begin working toward the construction of a multi-purpose building and the county decided to use their funds to build a county park on property, owned by the county, near the NC Highway Patrol Station on US 701S.
Spread the money around. Low and behold the application was funded…well partially funded, $480,000 was approved. East Arcadia’s application was not funded, but they had a real need for a roof on the old gym in the town…The committee agreed to share their funds to help replace the roof.
Over a period of time, the money was spent as directed, with that one approved exception…and today we are still reaping the rewards…with one or two exceptions….and eventually David Bartlett moved on…
The last time I heard from him, he was living in the Seven Lakes community in Moore County. He must be in his early to mid 70s…A great example of a quiet, knowledgeable individual who worked his magic for the betterment of Bladen, departed the scene and few ever knew how the projects came to be. He did not attempt to control the efforts of the project. He did not seek praise. So far as I recall, he was never officially “thanked.” He did want to make sure Bladenboro’s share of the funds benefited the folks that employed him. We are fortunate he came our way. We all benefited…and he was never paid a dime for his efforts.
I think of him when I travel through Clarkton, by the county recreation park, and when I travel through Tar Heel, just to mention a few. Many have never heard of David Bartlett. I do not remember him wearing a white hat, but he was one of the good guys.
It never ceases to amaze me what can be done when all pull together and work for a common cause that benefits the entire area.
One more thought…I know I am aging….One of my early ‘little leaguers’ recently celebrated his 58th birthday…Happy Birthday to Steve Strouse.
Seen it all, done it all, can’t remember most of it.
I respect your right to free speech. Please respect my right not to be forced to listen to it.
The road to success is always under construction.
robert g hester
rgh4612@gmail.com
910-876-2322
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