Opinion

Communities in Schools is a unique program that benefits students throughout Brunswick County.

It looks as if some officials in Calabash may have been trying to pull the wool over their constituents’ eyes.
First, the board of commissioners illegally went into closed session March 8, when it discussed the possibility of purchasing property from commissioner Bill Dixon, who was present for the discussion. The board failed to publicly identify the property location and who owned it.
Not only did the board go into closed session improperly, Dixon violated the town’s code of ethics by participating in the property purchase discussion.

Thanks to Carol Scott for being a voice of reason on Sunset Beach Town Council.

The council is considering implementing a policy that would regulate how the town deals with public records requests. 

Among items included in the proposal is a form that would require each person to provide detailed information including name, contact information and specific public records information requested.

Calabash town attorney Mark Lewis sent a letter to commissioners last week advising them to release information about a possible property purchase—information that has been withheld from the public since the board met on March 8.

Would you be OK never knowing why Brunswick County Department of Social Services Director Jamie Orrock was fired, even though thousands of taxpayer dollars have since been spent on related matters?

What if Brunswick County government fired DSS-appointed attorney Gary Shipman and you never knew about it? Would you have been outraged to find out weeks, months or maybe even years later how much money he was expecting the county to pay him post-termination?

It was with great sadness last week we learned of the sudden passing of Shallotte Mayor Donald C. “Buddy” Kelly.

Kelly, who died following an illness, was a selfless and tireless community servant. 

He earned the respect of all who knew him by being a conscientious listener. He was observant and respected other people’s opinions. When he spoke, those who knew and worked with him knew he was being thoughtful and had well evaluated information before sharing his opinion.

From the information we’ve reviewed so far, it seems there could be some good cost savings for Brunswick County taxpayers if the county were to allow a nonprofit group to run the county’s animal shelter.

Last week, Rescue Animals Community Effort (RACE), made a pitch to the Brunswick County Health Board to take over shelter operations. 

Brunswick County Health Director Don Yousey has said he thinks the concept is a good plan, one that could ultimately save the county money.

A North Carolina House bill that has passed first reading could lead to a constitutional amendment that would further protect citizens’ rights to public information.

House Bill 87, whose primary sponsors are Reps. Stephen A. LaRoque, R-Kinston, and Tim Moore, R-Kings Mountain, was filed earlier this month and passed first reading Monday. The bill aims to amend the state constitution to protect the public’s right to know.

Since 2004, Brunswick County has invested millions of dollars to purchase a new emergency radio system and maintain and repair it.

The problem is, even with all of that money dedicated to it, some of the men and women who use it regularly—emergency responders whose lives depend on it—say the system doesn’t always work.