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Johnston County commissioners adopt multiple proclamations honoring public-safety and health observances
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Johnston County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted proclamations recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Public Health Week, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Mental Health Month and Older Americans Month, and Line Worker Appreciation Day.
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted several proclamations at its April 7 meeting recognizing public-safety and health observances and community service efforts.
The board proclaimed April 13–19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in recognition of the county 9-1-1 communication center and its staff. Morgan Harris, Johnston County 9-1-1 communications director, told the board the center holds a rare state rating, saying, “We are the senior most track credit center in the world. We're the only confirmed perfect 10 score for communications in the North Carolina Department of Insurance.” Commissioners said the center’s rating also helps reduce homeowners’ insurance rates.
The board also adopted a proclamation designating the week of April 7, 2025, as Public Health Week, praising the Johnston County Public Health Department for services ranging from immunizations and outbreak response to restaurant inspections and school education. Dr. Marilyn Pearson, who led the department’s remarks, described the staff of 157 and noted the department’s recent accreditation with honors.
Commissioners declared April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month after a presentation from Christine Dowdell, director of the Johnston County Department of Social Services. The proclamation cited Child Welfare League of America statistics cited by the presenter and urged “citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected officials and businesses to increase their participation” in prevention efforts.
A proclamation naming May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and another naming May 2025 as Older Americans Month were adopted without opposition. Josh Jensen of Community and Senior Services read or introduced the older Americans proclamation and described the county’s efforts to support older residents.
The board concluded the proclamation agenda by declaring April 18, 2025, Line Worker Appreciation Day, recognizing linemen for storm response and high-risk work. Derek Reamer, district manager for Duke Energy, brought local operations staff and technicians and noted crews’ work both locally and on large-scale deployments.
All proclamations were adopted by voice vote; commissioners followed each reading with a motion, a second and a recorded “aye” vote. No roll-call tallies were provided in the meeting record.
Votes at a glance: - National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 13–19, 2025): Adopted by voice vote; motion carried. - Public Health Week (week of April 7, 2025): Adopted by voice vote; motion carried. - Child Abuse Prevention Month (April 2025): Adopted by voice vote; motion carried. - Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2025): Adopted by voice vote; motion carried. - Older Americans Month (May 2025): Adopted by voice vote; motion carried. - Line Worker Appreciation Day (April 18, 2025): Adopted by voice vote; motion carried.
The proclamations were ceremonial and did not direct action or create new county programs. Several presenters offered to coordinate follow-up with county staff — for example, the 9-1-1 director and Community and Senior Services said staff would provide additional information or follow-up briefings on their programs.
