Public speakers urge Pender County commissioners to retain local newspaper for legal ads

The Pender County Board of Commissioners convened on April 22, 2025, to address several pressing issues, including employee engagement, public comments on legal advertisements, and community outreach initiatives.

The meeting began with a discussion led by the County Manager regarding employee feedback mechanisms. A request was made for Human Resources to engage more directly with county employees to gather comprehensive feedback, as current survey participation was noted to be below 50%. Vice Chair Springer expressed willingness to collaborate with staff members to explore options for enhancing employee engagement.

Following this, the meeting transitioned to the public comment section, where six residents voiced their concerns and opinions. Kenneth Ramsey was the first speaker, addressing the agenda item concerning legal advertisements. He criticized the potential shift away from the Pender Post as the county's official newspaper, suggesting that such a move could be politically motivated and detrimental to local media.

Rochelle Whiteside echoed Ramsey's sentiments, urging the commissioners to maintain the Pender Post as the paper of record, citing concerns over financial implications and the importance of free speech. She highlighted the significant cost difference between the Pender Post and the Wilmington Star News, emphasizing the potential burden on taxpayers.

Charlie Schumacher encouraged the board to conduct thorough planning for county services, while Diane Giddens, representing the Union Rescue Squad, called for unity and collaboration among first responders and the community. She urged the commissioners to visit the rescue squad to better understand their operations.

Beth Butler concluded the public comments by questioning the appropriateness of certain portrayals of commissioners in the Pender Post and advocating for adherence to North Carolina statutes regarding legal notices. She stressed the importance of ensuring that public notices reach a broad audience, particularly on the East side of the county.

The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions regarding local media and the commissioners' responsibilities to their constituents. As discussions continue, the board faces the challenge of balancing community engagement with fiscal responsibility and transparency. The next steps will likely involve further exploration of employee feedback strategies and a review of the legal advertisement issue as the board seeks to address the concerns raised by the public.