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Residents urge review of consolidation and raise nursing-home concerns; board approves agenda and minutes
Summary
During public comment, a resident urged unannounced inspections of nursing/retirement homes and another called on the board to review decisions, including the health-social services consolidation under the prior county manager. The board approved the agenda and Oct. 6 minutes and adjourned to Dec. 1, 2025.
Public commenters at Monday’s Duplin County consolidated human services board meeting urged oversight and review of recent county decisions and raised concerns about care in local retirement and nursing homes.
AJ Connors of Wausau, who identified himself as a delegate for Duplin County seniors, said he has received complaints from family members of residents in retirement/nursing homes who feel some residents are being neglected. He asked which county department investigates these complaints and suggested that unannounced inspections — rather than scheduled visits — might reveal problems facilities attempt to hide ahead of inspections.
Jessica Thomas of the Sorecta community urged the board to review “every major decision made under former county manager Bridal Miller,” specifically naming the consolidation of the health department and social services. Thomas said that experts, professionals and citizens had advised the board to reconsider the consolidation when it was voted and argued the board should now evaluate whether those decisions served the public interest or personal or political agendas.
In routine business, the board approved the meeting agenda on a motion by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Branch (voice vote). The board then approved minutes from its Oct. 6 meeting on a motion by Commissioner Garner, seconded by Commissioner Edwards (voice vote). With no further business, the board approved a motion to adjourn until Dec. 1, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.; Commissioner Branch moved to adjourn and the motion carried by voice vote.
No formal response to the public commenters’ requests for investigations or policy review was recorded in the meeting minutes during this session. The matters raised—nursing-home inspections and a review of consolidation decisions—were presented during public comment and were not acted on during this meeting.
