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Onslow County swears in four commissioners, elects chair and vice chair and backs Medal of Honor effort for retired Major James Capers Jr.
Summary
At its Dec. 2 organizational meeting the Onslow County Board of Commissioners took oaths of office for four members, elected a chair and vice chair, adopted routine items and unanimously approved a resolution supporting an effort to award retired Major James Capers Jr. the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The Onslow County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 swore in four commissioners, unanimously re-elected an existing chair, selected a vice chair and adopted a resolution supporting an effort to award retired Major James Capers Jr. the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The board convened its statutorily required organizational meeting and administered oaths of office to Commissioners John Davis, Joseph Paul Buchanan, Robin L. Knapp and Tony Padgett. Judge Jefferson Griffin of the North Carolina Court of Appeals and Superior Court Judge William P. Shanahan III administered the oaths, with each commissioner repeating the oath and signing official documents at the dais.
The actions formalize the seating of the 2024–2026 Board. The meeting then proceeded to elect leadership: commissioners cast ballots for chairman and vice chairman; the clerk reported a unanimous vote naming Commissioner Foster as chairman and Commissioner Robin L. Knapp as vice chair for the coming 12 months.
Why it matters: the organizational meeting sets leadership and routine procedures that guide county business for the coming year, and the board used the session to signal continuity while noting priorities including coordinated planning and staff retention.
The board also adopted the meeting agenda and approved the consent agenda by voice votes without recorded roll-call tallies. Later in the evening, the board read and adopted a resolution expressing support for efforts to secure the Congressional Medal of Honor for retired Major James Capers Jr., recognizing his combat actions in Vietnam and recommending that his service be considered for the nation's highest military decoration.
Retired Major Capers addressed the board after the resolution was read. He thanked the commissioners and described his gratitude for fellow service members and for living in Onslow County.
County staff and commissioners used the organizational meeting to emphasize priorities for the coming term. County Manager Smitherman told the board staff will continue strategic planning work, push forward implementation of the recently adopted Horizon 2040 comprehensive plan and conduct a countywide employee engagement effort. Commissioners also highlighted coordination with municipalities, schools and the North Carolina Department of Transportation as recurring topics for the board.
Votes at a glance: - Election of chairman: Commissioner Foster — unanimous voice ballot; outcome: elected. - Election of vice chair: Commissioner Robin L. Knapp — unanimous voice ballot; outcome: elected. - Motion to adopt meeting agenda — voice vote; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (multiple routine items) — voice vote; outcome: approved. - Resolution supporting an effort to award retired Major James Capers Jr. the Congressional Medal of Honor — motion to adopt read and approved; outcome: adopted.
The board announced a reception following a short business session and adjourned after commissioner comments.
