David Sandifer was a Brunswick County treasure

Since 1996, David Sandifer had been serving the people of Brunswick County as a county commissioner. While it may have been one of his more high profile positions, it was only one of many hats he wore while serving the people of this community.

When he wasn’t busy with county governmental affairs, including leading the commissioners as its chairman, David was busy with the county’s board of health, the criminal justice partnership advisory board, the Communities in Schools advisory board, the board of directors of Hope Harbor Home, the Brunswick County Jail Population management committee, the Brunswick County Rescue Squads Capital Expenditure Committee, the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority and much more.

We wonder where he found the time to do all the things he did, but for those who knew him well, they know it was his love for this community and its people that gave him the energy to get it all done.

On Friday, the day he died, David was bestowed the well-deserved honor of being inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. It is the highest civilian honor given in North Carolina.

On Monday, David’s family, friends and colleagues reflected on his contributions to the community and their individual lives in a memorial service honoring his legacy.

Friends said David was a fair man who always had the county’s best interest at heart. Whether it was working with young people in Teen Court or supporting county ventures, David proved himself a trustworthy public servant and a man of good character. He was also a devoted family man and dear friend.

David’s departure leaves a void in many hearts. He has left behind a legacy and has set a benchmark for quality commitment to this community.

In the next 30 days the Brunswick County Republican Party will come together to nominate a person to be an interim replacement for his county commissioners position. In November, a Republican and Democratic candidate will have the chance to vie for the remaining two years of Sandifer’s term during the General Election.

We hope whoever takes his place is as committed to doing the best for Brunswick County as David was.

We offer our condolences to all those who knew and loved him and express our deepest appreciation for all he has done for Brunswick County.