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Residents urge unity and enforcement of ethics rules during Surry County public comments
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the board to address racial tensions, workplace respect and enforcement of the code of ethics; speakers urged bridge‑building, third‑party facilitation and consistent application of the code.
Several residents used the county's public comment period to press supervisors to address race relations, civility and enforcement of the board's code of ethics.
Dr. Lawrence Beal, introduced by the chair as the first speaker, gave a historical perspective and read from an editorial about race and politics, saying in part that "we long for the day when race is no longer a prevailing factor in politics." Charlon Pierce, speaking for the Bakers Castle community, asked whether recent protests, social‑media posts and criticism indicated a broader race‑relation problem and said minority voices on the board were not being ignored but noted that outcomes often differ from voices. "Let's build bridges and reach out to each other," Pierce told the board.
Other commenters, including Susan Corvallo, asked the board to enforce its code of ethics in response to social‑media posts and alleged disclosure of private text messages. Corvallo said the code of ethics exists to "avoid and discourage conduct which is divisive or harmful to the best interests of Surry County" and asked the board to consider third‑party facilitation to improve unity among elected officials, staff and citizens.
The chair thanked speakers and moved the meeting forward to scheduled presentations.
