Residents press Duplin County commissioners on leadership and transparency during public comment

Several members of the public used the Sept. 2 meeting’s public-comment period to criticize county leadership and demand greater transparency and accountability from elected officials.

Krista Parker, who identified herself as a former deputy director of tourism, told commissioners that county leadership was ineffective and that employees face bullying and retaliation. She urged the board to consider raises for lower-paid employees and said, "There's no reason people should be getting paid this in this county." Parker said she loved the county but asked officials to "listen to the community" and act on staff and citizen concerns.

Jessica Thomas, who said she represents the "SIRACDA community," offered a broader critique of county governance, saying a pattern of decisions made "in the dark" has eroded trust. "Someone's fear of sunlight is not an acceptable defense for stalling because public record is just that, public," Thomas told the board. She said residents are organizing a town hall and added, "No one is immune here, and silence will be read as an answer."

Both speakers framed their remarks as accountability demands rather than specific policy requests; no formal board action followed during the public-comment period. The board did not take questions that resulted in policy changes at the meeting, though county staff and commissioners acknowledged receipt of the comments.

The public-comment period preceded several agenda items; the concerns raised may inform future meetings or staff follow-up if the speakers or residents press for formal responses or hearings.