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Residents urge county to invest in parks, a public pool and library services; callers also raise concerns about board appointments and oversight
Summary
Multiple speakers during the public comment period urged Person County to fund parks and a public pool, increase library support, finish Centennial Park, and to improve equity and transparency in board appointment processes. Speakers also urged fair treatment for permit applicants and more local job creation.
Several residents used the board’s public‑comment period on May 5 to press commissioners on parks, libraries, volunteer opportunities, appointments, and economic development.
Kendra Coggins, speaking for Friends of the Park Board, asked the county to invest in people and complete the Centennial Park project, which organizers say has run out of money. Coggins said the parks and recreation budget needs support for tasks including electrical work and rock removal, and she asked local congregations and businesses to volunteer equipment and labor. She also urged increased funding for library programs to support tutoring, STEM and reading improvements.
Sam Lias, community organizer with Down Home North Carolina, said door‑knocking and conversations show residents frequently request summer activities for youth, naming pools and water recreation as priorities. Lias asked the board to keep a splash pad in the 2027 capital improvement plan, to support a future pool project and to consider increasing parks and recreation funding.
Nina (last name not specified) and Jessica King Collins Williams spoke separately in support of a public pool, citing safety, swim lessons, summer jobs and health benefits for residents.
Anita Charnaker said she and others who applied to serve on county boards had not received responses and asked the board to review appointment processes and provide notification to applicants when not selected. John Seape criticized the board’s oversight of a local project (referred to in the agenda packet) and said residents want consistent enforcement of permitting requirements and fair treatment of applicants. Jimmy Whitfield urged focus on economic development that produces many local jobs rather than land sales that have not yet translated into employment.
Several speakers also praised the inaugural civics academy and county staff who run it. The board did not act on these requests during the meeting; commissioners and staff acknowledged the comments and said budget and planning decisions will be considered during upcoming budget discussions.
