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Residents urge caution, call consolidation a ‘power grab’ during Caldwell County hearing
Summary
Multiple residents told commissioners they oppose converting the health and social services boards into advisory bodies, arguing the change concentrates power, reduces technical oversight and lacked adequate public notice.
A string of residents who spoke during a public hearing on July 27 told the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners they opposed the proposed governance change that would make the commission the governing body for the Department of Social Services and the county health department.
"Checks and balances are a fundamental core of the American experiment," Faith Naff said, urging commissioners to "reject this consolidation of power." Roger Patterson told the board the move looked like "a sort of a power grab" that would allow elected officials to appoint positions currently overseen by health and social-services professionals.
Several speakers also questioned the process and timeline. One resident urged a 30-day postponement, saying a required public notice had not reached many citizens and that the draft resolution should be available for longer public review. "This public meeting notice was supposed to be delivered to me 30 days ago... I think this public meeting is out of order," another commenter said, asking the board to delay the decision so the public could respond fully.
Commissioners responded in part by saying advisory boards would remain and that state funding and oversight of many DSS functions would continue. However, the board voted to adopt the resolution by voice vote despite the objections.
