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County recognizes longtime scouting volunteer and declares November Prematurity Awareness Month
Summary
The board adopted two ceremonial items: a resolution honoring William R. Turner Jr. for 75 years of service to Scouting America and a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as Prematurity Awareness Month; NICU staff described local neonatal capacity and the need for community support.
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution recognizing William R. Turner Jr. for 75 consecutive years of service to Scouting America and signed a proclamation declaring November 2025 as Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17 as World Prematurity Day.
Commissioner Scalise read the resolution honoring Turner’s long record of leadership with Troop 26 (Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church), noting his decades of mentorship and the role he played helping more than 250 scouts earn the Eagle Scout award. Alderman Hank Miller and family members attended; Turner thanked the board and said adults learn from scouts because “they are our future leaders.” The board adopted the resolution by motion and took a group photo with guests.
The board then adopted the Prematurity Awareness Month proclamation. Brandy Garris, NICU nurse manager at the county’s regional medical center, told the board the NICU has 45 private rooms and receives roughly 700 admissions per year across preterm and term births, and urged continued community collaboration to support families. The proclamation text cited local preterm birth rates of roughly 9.9% to 11.8% for 2019–2023 and encouraged residents, providers and partners to raise awareness and promote healthy beginnings.
Both items were adopted by voice vote and entered into the record as adopted ceremonial business of the meeting.
