Public commenter criticizes meeting notice, urges housing and civic changes at Onslow County meeting

During the public comment period at the Onslow County Board of Commissioners meeting on Jan. 5, Ari Rakowitz criticized the lack of notice for a Dec. 15 meeting the commenter said had been canceled without public signage or web notice and urged the county to take steps on housing and civic inclusion.

Rakowitz told the board they arrived early on Dec. 15 and found lights off and no staff at the security desk and criticized what they described as poor notice from the board of elections. They said the county should reserve 10–20% of cabins at Hines Farm for short‑ or long‑term homelessness relief and suggested providing grocery delivery during the first month. Rakowitz also raised broader civic reforms including consideration of ranked‑choice voting at the local or state level and urged greater recognition of diverse holidays.

Direct quote: "A quick reminder that your sign and prayer are both cruel and illegal..." Rakowitz said, criticizing the board’s holiday and religious displays and urging more inclusive practice.

No board member offered a factual rebuttal or immediate staff follow up on the specific allegations about the Dec. 15 meeting cancellation during the public comment period recorded in the transcript. The board’s clerk later confirmed there were no additional public commenters that morning.