Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Ethics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners censure Elise Craver after debate over alleged discriminatory remarks
Summary
The Hope Mills board voted 3-2 on Oct. 6 to adopt a resolution formally censuring Commissioner Elise Craver over allegations she made discriminatory remarks about town staff; Craver denied the accusations and several commissioners urged further fact-finding before formal discipline.
The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on Oct. 6 to adopt a resolution censuring Commissioner Elise Craver for comments board members described as inappropriate and discriminatory.
Commissioner Marley introduced the resolution, saying the complaint alleged Craver had made “inappropriate, discriminatory and offensive comments concerning the town manager and other town employees,” including that “the town was hiring too many black employees.” After the resolution was read aloud to the board, members debated whether the evidence warranted formal censure.
Craver denied the allegations during the discussion. “I am not guilty of saying any racial remark anywhere,” she said, adding that she had supported pay raises for police and had acted in ways she said were pro-citizen. Several other commissioners said they had concerns about the tone of the remarks but expressed reluctance to take a disciplinary step without more documentation. One commissioner said they were “willing to sit down and talk about it.”
After discussion the motion to adopt the censure resolution passed by a 3-2 vote. The board reasserted its stated commitment to fairness, integrity and racial equality in its dealings with employees and residents. Applause followed the vote in the chamber.
The resolution text recorded in the meeting minutes cites the board's interest in protecting equal treatment for employees and states the board will “not tolerate actions or statements that undermine these values.” The board did not record additional, formal penalties beyond the censure language during the meeting.
The censure prompted several public commenters later in the meeting to raise concerns about board civility and leadership. The board also approved an external personnel investigation later in the evening (see separate article), which the town said would examine employee grievances alleging a hostile work environment.
What happens next: The censure is the board's formal statement of disapproval. Commissioners said the town will continue to address employee and public records concerns through the investigation and other processes.
