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Wayne

WEEK DECEMBER 21, 2025

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Three people have thrown their names into the hat for consideration as commissioners eye filling the late Wayne Aycock's seat.

Mount Olive Commissioner Gena Messer-Knode says recent revelations make it clear that it is time for a new search for a town manager so the board can find "the best."

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METER MELTDOWN According to members of the Mount Olive Town Board, the town has been "guessing" what to charge people and businesses for their water bills for what could be years — a reality one commissioner said has cost the distressed municipality "six figures" a month in revenue. BY KEN FINE / P. 18

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CONTENTS 4 Messer-Knode calls for search DECEMBER 21, 2025 Volume 3, Issue 20

NEWOLDNORTH .CO M

EDITORIAL EDITOR Ken Fine EDITOR Renee Carey DESIGN DIRECTOR Shan Stumpf PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Casey Mozingo

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Melissa Hamilton

PUBLISHER

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Mount Olive Commissioner Gena Messer-Knode said the time has come to launch a search for a new town manager.

6 Private security at City Hall?

Members of the Goldsboro City Council seemed to signal Monday that they are likely to approve putting a metal detector and a private security firm at the entrance to City Hall.

8 About next week ...

There will be a paper printed the week of Christmas, but because we will be unable print on Thursday, like we normally do, because it is Christmas Day, delivery of hard copy Dec. 28 editions will be delayed.

10 Three apply for Aycock seat CONTACTS EDITORS

kfine@newoldnorth.com rcarey@newoldnorth.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES advertising@newoldnorth.com llanders@newoldnorth.com

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As of press time, three people had submitted applications and hope to be considered for the late Wayne Aycock's seat on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. And a fourth said she will throw her name into the hat, too.

14 Our take

In our view, the time has come for elected officials to pressure the state's Local Government Commission to take over the Town of Mount Olive.

16 Op-ed © 2025 NEW OLD NORTH MEDIA LLC All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission. WAYNE WEEK (ISSN 2993-9666) is published weekly — except the week of Christmas, Easter, and July 4 — for $125 per year by New Old North Media, LLC, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC, 27530. Periodicals postage paid at at Goldsboro, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WAYNE WEEK, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Kriquette Davis says this holiday season has shown her the pure good Wayne County residents have in their hearts.

18 Cover story

Mount Olive, again, is facing a crisis, as Town Board members admit that the town has been "guessing" water bills, leading to what could be hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue per month.

22 Public Notices COVER DESIGN BY SHAN STUMPF newoldnorth.com

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NE WS +VIEWS

Messer-Knode calls for manager search After a new set of concerns was unveiled inside Mount Olive Town Hall, newly elected Commissioner Gena Messer-Knode said it was “imperative” that the town find “the best” town manager possible. BY KEN FINE

oments after a lengthy discussion during which several members of the Mount Olive Town Board seemingly lamented the fact that yet another obstacle had come to the fore — this time, commercial and residential water meter issues that have, for an unknown number of years, left town coffers far short of what is needed to “cover daily expenses” and “fund infrastructure needs” — newly elected Commissioner Gena Messer-Knode said the time for action had long since passed. But there was no way, she said, to move forward with fixing the many problems plaguing the municipality until a search for a new town manager yields her desired result.

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“I think given what we’ve learned over the last 30 days, it’s imperative that we find the best town manager we can possibly find,” she said, prompting several residents in the audience to throw their hands up in celebration and nod their heads in agreement. “It just can’t go on with people who say, ‘I’m going to guess (on water bills). I’m going to do this. I’m going to look the other way. You’re my friend and you’re not my friend.’ I think given everything that we’ve learned in the last 30 days, we must put all of our efforts into finding the best management we can get.” It has been nearly a year since the town has had a permanent town manager in place. In fact, Glenn Holland’s role as Mount Olive’s in-

terim chief executive began when he was appointed to serve after three previous board members who decided against seeking re-election this fall voted to fire Jammie Royall in January. And he told Wayne Week back in October that he, “never intended to still be here” — that he had not moved into the town manager’s office and assumed that, back in February when the board approved paying the Eastern Carolina Council thousands of dollars to assist the town with a manager search, he would be relieved of his role and allowed to return to “the plant.” But then, without disclosing it publicly, the same board majority that voted to fire Royall — Barbara

Kornegay, Danny Keel, and Tommy Brown — allegedly decided to suspend the search, leaving Holland in the role indefinitely. And his tenure has been a tumultuous one. Under his watch, several town employees, including two members of the Water Department and the town’s finance director, have been fired. Then, the state warned the town that it knew about violations of the decade-old moratorium on new wastewater flow — and that should it happen again, criminal prosecution of town leaders was a real possibility. Not much more than a month later, a bombshell investigative report was published by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor — one that revealed what investigators characterized as proof of mismanagement, incompetence, and potential fraud inside the Water Department and at the Mount Olive Municipal Airport. The League of Municipalities dropped the next bomb, telling the town it was severing ties with Town Hall until it got its financial house in order. In June, a “Notice of Deficiencies” sent to Holland stated that Mount Olive had violated the North Carolina Administrative Code — and warned him that failure to comply with state rules that govern public water systems “may result in enforcement actions, including civil penalties,” because the town lacked the ability to contain “very hazardous” chemicals at “either water treatment plant” and had iron concentrations in treated water “consistently near or above” the “Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level.” And if that were not bad enough, it was revealed a few weeks later that for the second time since this summer, Mount Olive had violated the Special Order of Consent it entered into with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality — and should state officials follow the letter of the agreement, the municipality was going to have to pay because of it. In a letter sent to the state by Holland Oct. 16 that was obtained by Wayne Week, he admitted that Mount Olive had not completed a project that carried an Oct. 31 deadline. “Due to the total project coming in over budget, this deadline cannot be met,” he wrote. More concerning, however, was the fact that a project with a July 31 deadline remained

unfinished, as the SOC only allows for missed deadlines without penalty for “an act of God,” “an act of war,” an “intentional act or omission of a third party,” or “an extraordinary event beyond the permittee’s control.” Given that reality, the state, based on the agreement, had the authority to begin levying fines against the town — $500 per day for the first seven days and $1,000 per day thereafter until the project is completed — three months ago. According to Messer-Knode, “we are still being fined for that,” and Holland has told elected officials, “he is hoping to negotiate the final amount we owe down” once the projects are completed. “That’s not an acceptable response. We can’t keep going on like this,” she told Wayne Week Tuesday. “So, I do think Glenn has to be commended for the work that he’s done because (Royall) and (former Town Manager Charles Brown) were two frickin’ hot messes, but we can’t keep doing business like this. Glenn inherited a lot, but it is just so apparent after being sworn in and now having these . meetings that he’s not who we need in that job.” Particularly after it was revealed, in a Wayne Week cover story that published Oct. 26, that Holland was not only still, despite being Mount Olive’s interim CEO, working for two other municipalities in two other counties — Newton Grove and Princeton — but that he found no problem with not being “all-in” for the distressed municipality he was appointed to lead. “I can go ahead and tell you that what I do after five o’clock until it’s my time to be back here and what I do on the weekends is my business and nobody else’s,” Holland told Wayne Week when interviewed for that story. “I’ll be the first one to admit that Mount Olive is in trouble. But I didn’t create the problem and I am trying to help with the problem. But I’m not, you know, I’m not gonna turn my life upside down.” It is unclear if — and when — the Town Board will officially address a potential town manager search. But while Messer-Knode is the first to publicly call for one since new commissioners were sworn in, others, including C.J. Weaver and Delreese Simmons, have said, on the record, that ensuring the town has the right person in charge is a top priority. n

“It's imperative

that we find the best town manager we can possibly find ”

newoldnorth.com

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Council could OK City Hall security plan in January A private security firm with a setup akin to the one at the Wayne County Courthouse could be in place by February. BY RENEE CAREY

ome February, those who travel to downtown Goldsboro to pay their water bill might have to go through a security checkpoint to do so, as roughly six weeks after City Manager Matthew Livingston told members of the City Council that he was “leaning toward” using a private security firm to ensure employees and elected officials were safe inside City Hall, the board asked him to present a budget amendment during its second meeting in January that would fund just that. But buying and installing a $1,500 metal detector at the building’s front entrance — and paying those who will ensure, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., that it serves its purpose — might only be a temporary solution. In fact, that plan was referred to as an “interim” one, as council members also voted to task staff with gathering details for the “permanent plan” — a “remodel” that would “fortify” what Assistant City Manager Kelly Arnold characterized as a “busy” area. “For the most part, City Hall is generally a good, safe, secure place, but there are — particularly at the entrance to City Hall — that’s a place where we don’t have much security involved. It’s been a very open environment,” Arnold said Monday. “I’ve sat there for the last few months … and just watched the flow of traffic and it is busy. But what it isn’t is a place where people are being checked.” The interim solution, should the council OK it in January, would change that by creating an experience for visitors almost identical to what they are required to go through if they enter the Wayne County Courthouse. “They essentially make you go through a security gate, and they have the opportunity to wand you if they need to,” Arnold said. “You come through and essentially have some assurances that the individuals coming into the building are not a threat.” And because the council would only be asked, for now, to find enough funding to put the plan in place through the end of the fiscal year, the estimated price tag is only “about $51,000,” he said. For Councilwoman Hiawatha Jones, the expenditure is worth it. She told the council that she has talked, over the last few months, with staff members who “have concerns” and has witnessed

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“combative customers” who were “really angry at the receptionist” and “she really didn’t know what to do.” “So, I’ve always felt … we need to have security,” she said. And Mayor Charles Gaylor said it is important to ensure everyone who enters City Hall — particularly those who work there every day — feels safe. “I think that the overall goal, as I under-

stand it, is to get this place to where we feel like our employees are protected,” he said. •

• •

Conversations around City Hall security have been gaining momentum since this summer after Jones was followed to the bathroom and berated in the hallway — and Gaylor had death wished upon him by a local resident — during

the board’s Aug. 18 meeting. A few days after those incidents, Livingston sent a letter to the city’s elected officials — a note that was obtained by Wayne Week and spelled out a series of “actions” that had been taken to “enhance the security during City Council meetings.” They include: • Security cameras have been installed in the City Hall parking lot to “provide increased surveillance and monitoring.” • Reserved Parking signs have been ordered and will be installed to “designate reserved parking spaces specifically for City Council members.” Those spaces will be strategically located so that they are close to the City Hall exit near “the back elevators.” • A Goldsboro police officer will be stationed in the City Hall parking lot “prior to and immediately following” council meetings “to provide visibility and ensure safety.” • Two officers will be assigned to council chambers “during all meetings” and will also “be charged with escorting City Council members to their vehicles.” But back then, Livingston said other measures could be implemented, too, including the “interim” proposal pitched Monday. And Gaylor signaled, to members of the public, that he, too, would be doing everything in his power to ensure safety of those inside City Hall was a top priority — telling Wayne Week that he would enforce a Goldsboro policy that demands speakers remain civil, courteous, and refrain from personal attacks and/or threats directed toward members of the board and public, and gives the mayor the power to remove people from meetings. “My top priority is for council meetings to be candid, thoughtful, and safe for all involved. We expect everyone who chooses to participate in a City Council meeting to conduct themselves professionally in their interactions with one another,” Gaylor said Aug. 26. “In my role as mayor, I have the responsibility of ensuring that discourse is civil and the process of debate is respected. I never desire to gavel down conversation or remove participants from our meeting. However, I must ensure that reasonable restrictions are enforced, that meetings are efficient, participants are professional, and everyone goes home safely.” n

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EDITORS' NOTE

An important note about next week's paper Absent an act of God like a hurricane, tropical storm, or blizzard, we only experience non-traditional production and delivery schedules a few times a year, if any. But 2025 is a little bit different. Here’s why:

In order to ensure our print subscribers receive their papers Friday and Saturday — and to maintain our identity as a true Sunday paper — we go to press on Thursday evenings. Well, this year, Christmas Day falls on a Thursday. Here is what that means for Wayne Week: Typically, we would not publish an edition the week of Christmas. It is, much like how we operate the week of Thanksgiving, our way of rewarding our staff for the long hours they pour into the paper to meet our standard of journalism. But, like we did this Thanksgiving week, we wanted to ensure our legal notice clients could conduct their business in a timely fashion. And we also decided that because we have covered so many impactful stories in 2025, we needed a two-volume Year-in-Review to produce the type of look back/look ahead our readers have come to expect this time of year. So, we really had no choice but to accomplish that Dec. 28 and Jan. 4. Still, there is the “Christmas Day is on a Thursday” problem. As a result, the Dec. 28 edition will not go to press until a few days after the holiday. And, because we want our staff to have some quality time with their families during this special time, they will not be able to deliver those editions on our typical schedule.

So, here is what we are going to do: For those who just can’t wait for our delivery route to resume the week after Christmas, the Dec. 28 edition will be available outside the New Old North office at 219 North John Street in Goldsboro late in the evening Dec. 27. The papers will be stacked inside our rack, which does NOT require payment to open. And we will make sure we are restocking it often to ensure there are plenty available. So, the choice is yours. You can feel free to swing by and grab a copy. Or you can wait until we are able to head your way. That way, those who have gotten accustomed to reading their paper Sunday morning will still have that option. And for everyone else, we will get your paper to you just as quickly as we can. Digital subscribers? Your schedule will remain the same. With all that said, we appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we thank our team members — and their families — for all they sacrifice to fight for this community we all care so deeply about. We look forward to sharing our first-ever two-volume Year-in-Review with you and setting the stage for what promises to be a critical year ahead for Wayne County. — Ken and Renee

T H U R S D AY

DECEMBER

S AT U R D AY

DECEMBER

S U N D AY

DECEMBER

F R I D AY

JANUARY

. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

Christmas! Thursday is our typical press day, but this year, CHRISTMAS DAY falls on THURSDAY.

Digital version

So, we'll have to print this week's paper on the 27th. The DIGITAL VERSION of Wayne Week will still be delivered to inboxes that day.

Delayed delivery And while our routes will be delayed, for those who can't wait, print versions will be available in the free rack outside our DOWNTOWN GOLDSBORO office.

Back to normal Then, all January 4 hard copy editions will be delivered Friday and Saturday, as usual.

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. Wayne WEEK . 9

ELE CT ION 2 0 2 6

WHO'S RUNNING SO FAR

Jennifer Stickland

Kevin Johnson

Joe Democko

Craig Uzzell

3 apply for Aycock's seat And a fourth has told Wayne Week she intends to submit her application before the Monday deadline. BY KEN FINE

ne was a vocal member of the Wayne County Board of Education and nearly won a seat in the North Carolina Senate. Another was narrowly defeated when he ran for a seat on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. Then, there is a man who will be involved in the March Republican primary for the same position. And finally, there is a former BOE member and local GOP chairwoman who told Wayne Week she will now apply because her primary opponent did, but “doesn’t want to be appointed” because she feels strongly that commissioners should “not get involved in the primary” to allow “voters to be the ones who decide who serves them.” Dr. Joe Democko, Craig Uzzell, and Kevin Johnson have all officially submitted applications to be considered to fill the late Wayne Aycock’s seat on the Board of Commissioners. And Jennifer Strickland said she, “reluctantly,” will, too. But others who want to be considered for the position still have time to submit an application. In fact, the window to do so closes Monday. At that point, the Wayne County Republican Party will have also been expected to submit its nomination, as commissioners face a Jan. 17 deadline to appoint Aycock’s replacement and the GOP, because the late at-large commissioner was a Republican, has the right, pursuant to North Carolina Gener10

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al Statute § 153A-27, to nominate its pick to fill the seat. But those who are not Republican still, theoretically, have a chance to win commissioners over, as statute does not require the board to accept the local GOP’s nominee. It states: To be eligible for appointment to fill a vacancy, a person must (i) be a member of the same political party as the member being replaced, if that member was elected as the nominee of a political party, and (ii) be a resident of the same district as the member being replaced, if the county is divided into electoral districts. The board of commissioners or the clerk of superior court, as the case may be, shall consult the county executive committee of the appropriate political party before filling a vacancy, but neither the board nor the clerk of the superior court is bound by the committee’s recommendation. Those who wish to enter the fray have until Monday to submit a letter of interest, resume, and references to the county clerk. After that, the board plans on interviewing each candidate at the end of its January 6 meeting before making a selection before the statutory Jan. 17 deadline. As of press time, with less than 24 hours remaining to file for 2026 contests, Strickland, fellow Republican Johnson, and Democrat Beatrice Jones have all filed for the atlarge contest. n

fter sitting out for the first two weeks of the filing period, Democrats have entered several 2026 races, including a now-fourman race for Wayne County sheriff, a three-person contest for the at-large seat on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, and a battle for the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District, a race experts believe could become one of the most expensive campaigns in the nation. But as of press time, only one person from the party has filed for each of those races. And that means unless a challenger emerges before the Friday deadline, they will move on to November while their Republican counterparts battle in March primaries. One of those Democrats is former State Rep. Raymond Smith Jr., who, before voters sent him to Raleigh, served on the Wayne County Board of Education. Now, he has Washington on his mind, and will attempt to win a seat in Congress despite at least one local Democrat joining an unsuccessful lawsuit that claimed the newly drawn district was “racially gerrymandered” to hinder a candidate like Smith’s ability to win. The following candidate list is current as of press time. For real-time updates, visit the Wayne County Board of Elections website.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (DISTRICT 03) Raymond Smith Austin Ayers Greg Murphy

N.C. SENATE (DISTRICT 4) Jessica Rivera Buck Newton

N.C. HOUSE (DISTRICT 4) Jimmy Dixon Marcella Barbour

N.C. HOUSE (DISTRICT 10) John Bell Zaire Webb

DISTRICT ATTORNEY Jeff Cannon Mike Muskus

N.C. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE (DISTRICT 09, SEAT 01) Roy Dawson

WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (AT-LARGE) Kevin Johnson Jennifer Smith Strickland Beatrice Jones

WAYNE COUNTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT Julie Whitfield

WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF Larry Pierce Ricky Hooks Stephen Howell Reginald (Reggie) Edwards

WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 1) Chris West

WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 4) Bill Joyner

WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 5) Dana Vinson Mull

WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION (DISTRICT 6) Wade Leatham Kathy Larson

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n s o e C r v a R t i U v e O V Y o ice ! l l i t S Grounded in faith, service, Conservative ideals and family values, I will NEVER stop fighting for Wayne County!

Please vote

JENNIFER STRICKLAND in the March Primary so we can

win the County Commissioner At-Large battle, together, come November. PAID FOR BY THE JENNIFER STRICKLAND COMMITTEE 12

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Continued on page 12

{ our TAKE }

HAPPINESS and CHEER

ere we are. Another year is almost in the books. And this one has been a doozy. But we will go over all of that as we end 2025 and get ready for the promise — and the challenges — that will be 2026. We learned a lot this year — about whom we can trust and whom we can’t, about what happens when we don’t pay attention to what’s going on in our communities. And we also learned what happens when we do. But there will be plenty of time for that recollection. In fact, as you will read in this edition, we are planning a special two-volume Year-in-Review package to put a bow on 2025 where we will do just that. This week, we are getting ready for what has always been a very special holiday in this community. People around here understand that this is more than just a time to break the bank with presents, parties, trees, and decorations. They know the reason for this season, and they take as much time for remembering that and celebrating their faith and the spirit of giving as they do on the more commercial stuff. No one gets left behind in Wayne County. And not everyone can say that about the place they live. There are a lot of big hearts in this county. That, in our view, is what makes this community so special. And is there a more festive place to celebrate the sights and sounds of the holidays? We know that you enjoyed the Goldsboro Christmas Parade and other wonderful traditions including Lights Up and Wayne County Public Schools’ Christmas concerts. Nothing sets the mood for Santa’s arrival like a bunch of elementary school students singing about his favorite reindeer, Rudolph, or reciting their holiday lists for the Jolly Old Elf. It’s another reminder of the spirit of the season — and it always warms our hearts. And in the coming weeks, we are sure that many of you will be enjoying the quiet worship and joyous celebrations of the Christmas story with your church families. You never forget to remember the reason we celebrate Dec. 25 in the first place. And we, like you, will be soaking that in, too. So, yes, despite the bumps in the road, 2025 has been a year of milestones and memories,

good news and even better news. There have been reasons to be very, very proud of this community and the people who live here. You have stepped up so many times when the need arose that we are not surprised anymore. For that reason, we are incredibly proud to call you our neighbors and friends. We have loved telling all your stories — and setting the stage for the bright future that we know is just around the bend. And we promise we will continue that responsibility into the new year. But before we continue this journey, as is our tradition, we will be putting our families

first during the upcoming Christmas week — and making sure that we give our staff time to be with their loved ones. So, as you will read in our Year-in-Review preview, we will be off our typical schedule to celebrate this special day. We will be back to “normal” the week after Christmas and both our Dec. 28 and Jan. 4 edition will be delivered. So, don’t worry. The presses will, indeed, roll both weeks — even if it means a slight diversion from our traditional delivery schedule. And it will be worth the wait. There are several major stories that we are following — all important to safeguarding the

community’s future prospects. A true watchdog never really sleeps and is always looking out for its community. So, you can rest assured that we will be doing just that. And if something important comes up — breaking news that just cannot wait — you will be able to find it on our social media accounts or on NewOldNorth.com As always, we appreciate all of you and all of your support. We really could not do what we do without you. Together, we have made significant progress — making changes that while long overdue, have made a real difference in moving us closer to the goal of creating a community that our families will be proud of, and preserving the gift our parents and grandparents entrusted us with. It is a responsibility we know you take seriously — and so do we. So, as you prepare for the holidays in the coming days, and as you celebrate with your family and friends, know that we are wishing you a peaceful and joyous holiday season. There really is nothing more important than the time we spend with the ones we love. And if you are alone this year, or if 2025 has been especially tough, know this: You are in a community of people who love and care for each other. Reach out. Because like we said the week before Thanksgiving, there is always room for one — or a couple — more at our table. And last but not least, remember that this is a time for togetherness. We can argue about the future another day. Remembering the reason for the season also means setting those battles aside and focusing on what binds us together, not those things that all too often tear us apart. With that said, we remain grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this community’s future. And we are counting on you to help us make 2026 the best year yet. So, tell a friend or family member to join the Wayne Week family. Remind them that the bigger our coalition, the more unstoppable a force of change we can become. And tell them, from us, Merry Christmas — and that we will never stop fighting for them either. n newoldnorth.com

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Mayhem in Mount Olive

here are times when the only answer is change. There is no more time for waiting to “see if it works out.” There are no more excuses that work for why there has been no progress made. And there is no more room for the excuse, “Well, that was done by a previous administration, and it isn’t this mayor’s fault.” And it is absolutely way past time for the “trust the process” line — or allowing even a shred of an inkling that there is information that isn’t being provided to the public, that the politicians or bureaucrats in charge are “handling it.” There have been a couple times over the last few years in other municipalities when that last straw has made its appearance. Pikeville and Eureka come to mind, and in the most recent past, so does Wayne County Public Schools. And who can forget the troubles that plagued Goldsboro before someone finally said, “Enough”? When you hit that line, when the evidence is absolutely clear that there is something wrong — really wrong — well, that is when drastic steps must be taken. And it is way past time for just that kind of action in Mount Olive. If you want us to cover a bit of the evidence, we will. But if you are a resident of that community, and you heard the words that Town Hall was “guessing” at your water bill — that they had been doing so for quite a while — you likely couldn’t stifle an audible gasp. That’s right. The community that is facing daily scrutiny from state officials because of mismanagement — to the point that a letter came recently from one of those state regulators threatening a hefty fine and criminal charges because its direc-

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tives were not being followed — has been winging it when it comes to preparing bills for its residents and businesses. Now, as you can imagine, that revelation brought a whole bunch of scurrying around and blame-throwing all over the special-called meeting that was convened this week to discuss water and tax rates. You see, that was curious, too. And when word got out that there was going to be a meeting, called by the newly re-elected mayor, Jerome Newton, to discuss potentially “cutting rates,” a warning was sent from the state, specifically from the Department of Environmental Quality. If you do that, Mount Olive officials, your system will go bankrupt, DEQ said. Well, Newton held the meeting anyway — claiming that the intent actually was not to lower rates, even though it was listed as an action item on the agenda. Yikes. And when that discussion hit, one of the board’s newest members, Gena Messer-Knode, said what every member of the community in Mount Olive must have been thinking. She said her water bills for a two-person household were well over $200 a month. You heard that right. Now, of course, there is the possibility that Messer-Knode is just a really enthusiastic consumer of water, or that she has a plumbing problem that is sending that bill skyrocketing. But when she heard — and we heard — that the Water Department has had a meter problem FOR YEARS, and that the need for new meters meant that the department really did not know whether bills were accurate, she was astounded that nothing had been done. That’s when the blame game started. You know the routine. “It’s not the current mayor’s fault. It was like this when he got here.”

Unacceptable, Messer-Knode said. And if we’re being honest, we say that, too. This is not just a little hiccup. It is a potential catastrophe for homeowners and businessowners in Mount Olive who are picking up bills the town has no idea if they actually owe. And that is not the only problem with how water is being managed in Mount Olive. As you probably remember, the town is under a moratorium because its system is not just over capacity, it is extremely over capacity. Dangerously so, in fact. So, without aggressive and immediate action, the state is not going to allow any new construction in that community until the problem is solved. Yes, the town board has known there was a problem. Everybody knew there was a problem. The moratorium was handed down a DECADE ago. But many suspect tens of millions of dollars in grants and other efforts to provide the funding to stop the problem were used elsewhere or not used at all. And now, what has always been a major issue is yet another catastrophe. And there are other reasons to be concerned as well. The interim town manager, by his own admission, had no interest in being the full-time chief executive officer for the town. In fact, he is currently working two other jobs — managing wastewater systems — in other municipalities. And he is not there when he needs to be — also by his own admission — because that is not what he signed up for when he agreed to help out his community. He knows there needs to be a new town manager. The board knows there needs to be a new, professional, town manager. And everybody and their brother from Raleigh on down knows that there needs to be not only a new town CEO, but new finance employees and, really, a mayor, as well. So, that brings us back to what we started with when we began this discussion about what to do in Mount Olive. We have said publicly that Newton is not right for the job — not because he is a bad person, or that he is dishonest, but because he is simply out of his depth. This is not a problem that can be solved with a charming personality and a good heart. It needs someone who is ready to do battle — and who is not afraid to give the community and the board the brass tacks, down to business, no matter how hard it is to hear truth. And Newton, and really the entire staff inside Town Hall, are simply not ready for that kind of cleanup.

If you want to know what it takes to turn around a rusting heap of incompetence and inaction that has been allowed to fester for a decade, just take a look at the mammoth undertaking it took to get the county schools back in shape. We are sure that the current superintendent and the members of the Board of Education could tell you all about it. So, what is the solution for Mount Olive? We think there is only one real choice — the Local Government Commission. This organization is designed to step in when there are more than just a few problems to fix. The idea is that trained professionals from the state come in and take over the day-to-day operations of the community. When it is solvent and operating smoothly, they give it back. We have seen it work here in Wayne County. Pikeville is a perfect example. And when those professionals — with no good-old-boy contacts or public influence — get their hands on the facts, the records, and the information about what is really going on, they can execute the decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens and the community’s future. Of course, this isn’t going to be popular, and there will have to be a couple of state leaders with the gumption to get the ball rolling — we are speaking specifically of Rep. Jimmie Dixon and Sen. Buck Newton, the men who represent the people of Mount Olive. And there will be leaders in place now who will see it as a personal affront, a vote of “no confidence” in their leadership. But the hurt feelings and the whining, or protesting about government overreach, are worth the risk. This is a mess that has taken decades to create. It is a problem that has reached proportions that are simply astronomical. And if these issues are not solved — and soon — the community and its residents face dire consequences. So, no more trying to have discussions “in private.” No more hiding from residents the scope of what is really going on here. No more pretending that you have any idea how to fix a massive problem for which you have little to no expertise. And no more letting those who have benefitted from the inattention and mismanagement hide in plain sight. Mount Olive deserves better. And we, like the many people in the community who have reached out to us, are no longer willing to sit back and “wait and see.” Bold action and brave honesty are what fix problems in communities. This is absolutely the time for both. n

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. Wayne WEEK . 15

This holiday season, I have seen hope B Y K R I Q U E T T E D AV I S

wenty-five years ago, during a quiet walk on the farm, I found myself thinking about our teachers — the ones who quietly buy supplies from their own pockets so their students won’t go without. I thought about all the Christmas programs our community pours its heart into — and I felt grateful for that generosity — but I also kept thinking about the families who fall through the cracks, the ones who don’t ask for help, who struggle silently, and who remain unseen. Those are the families I wanted to reach. That first year, I raised a little money and took nine families shopping. Each had $350. I watched them choose clothes, coats, shoes, detergent, hygiene items, and food. A few toys here and there, but mostly necessities. It hit me hard. For these families, Christmas wasn’t about wish lists. It was about stability, dignity, and being able to breathe for a moment. That experience became the foundation for what would grow into Kriquette’s Christmas Kidz. Today, we host the event at multiple Bridge Church campuses. The whole family comes. Our volunteers — our beloved Kindness Krew — spend time with the children while 16

. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

another volunteer shops with the parent or guardian. It is volunteer-intensive on purpose. People want to help. They just need an avenue and a plan. And our mission, Love In Action, is visible in every corner of this work. This year’s event was extraordinary. We received approximately $15,000 worth of toys, including an incredibly generous $10,000 donation from one family. Additional toys came from collection boxes placed throughout the county, ensuring every child had something special to open. Families also received food boxes and a fresh protein or turkey to take home — support that eased the financial strain so many are feeling right now. Those touches turned the event from a shopping trip into a celebration of hope and community. Over the last 25 years, we have served more than 1,800 unique families, and we do not serve a family twice unless the situation is truly desperate. We also collaborate with more than 20 local agencies that refer families directly to us — partners who see the needs firsthand and help us reach those who might otherwise go unnoticed. And above all? Dignity. We treat our participants with the respect

every person deserves. When someone is already struggling financially, the last thing they should feel is “less than.” That’s why being able to choose their own items matters. It restores a sense of control, pride, and normalcy. Too often I hear people say, “They should be grateful for what they get,” and it breaks my heart — not because these families aren’t grateful, but because most people have no idea the barriers they face. If you truly want to understand, try a poverty simulation. It will change the way you see your neighbors. This year, Kriquette’s Kidz had a record fundraising year. Our organization is completely crowd-funded — no city, county, state, or federal dollars — and our community shows up, year after year, and believes in our mission. Our goal for Kriquette’s Christmas Kidz was $130,000, and we surpassed it, reaching a staggering $134,400. At our December 7 event, we served 94 families, and since then we have supported an additional 11 families with Christmas needs. But beyond Christmas, we continue helping families daily with utilities, rent, groceries, and other urgent needs. The need doesn’t stop when the decorations come down, and neither do we. We also provided toys, blankets, and bicycles for 35 deployed military families through

countywide collection boxes. And we distributed coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and hygiene items throughout the season to families referred by our partners. So, when I look back over these 25 years, I don’t see numbers or totals or even the mountains of toys and coats. I see faces. I see relief. I see hope beginning to flicker again in tired eyes. And I see a community that chooses, over and over, to show up for people they may never meet — a community that believes love is a verb. That’s what Kriquette’s Kidz is really about. It’s what our Kindness Krew embodies. It’s what makes Love In Action more than a tagline — it is a calling. And I believe with all my heart that when we step into that calling, God takes whatever we offer — our time, our resources, our compassion — and multiplies it in ways we may never fully see. Because every act of kindness plants a seed, and God is faithful to make those seeds grow. So, thank you for being a part of our mission — for allowing us to serve so many in what was a humbling year for our organization. We look forward to — with your help, prayers, and support — serving this community for many, many years to come. n

newoldnorth.com

. Wayne WEEK . 17

According to members of the Mount Olive Town Board, the town has been "guessing" what to charge people and businesses for their water bills for what could be years — a reality one commissioner said has cost the distressed municipality "six figures" a month in revenue. BY K E N F I N E

. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

hey don’t know how many residential or commercial water meters in the town are functional. They don’t know when the last time the town employee responsible for reading the ones that work — a man who remains on the payroll — has done his job. They seem to agree that because of the above, water bills have, for an unknown number of years, been generated by, as one Town Board member put it, “guessing.” And while another member of the board suggested the revenue lost as result has been “six figures every month” for as long as a decade or more, the truth is, nobody knows for sure.

So, when the Mount Olive Town Board announced it would be holding a special-called meeting for the purpose of taking on two “action items” — to consider “approval of a reduction in the current (8) percent increase of water bill rates” and “approval of a reduction in the current (7.5) percent property tax rates” — the move set off alarm bells inside the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

But even after NCDEQ Project Manager Caroline Bari emailed board members to encourage them to “strongly consider the ramifications of reducing rates at this time,” Mayor Jerome Newton convened the Monday meeting anyway. And while no action was taken during the session — and the mayor denied, despite what was stated on the agenda he approved, that potentially lowering water rates when Bari pointed out that current water revenues were “insufficient to cover daily expenses” and “to fund the infrastructure needs as relates to the Consent Order” signed by the town as part of the moratorium it has been under for a decade was even on the table — the discussion that unfolded inside Town Hall, and the email Bari sent in response to the meeting being promoted, were revealing. The email outed that the town is “currently under investigation by the Division of Water Resources due to repeated violations of the Consent Order,” and that “follow-on actions regarding these violations are imminent.” And during the discussion, it was revealed that nobody inside Town Hall seems to know how much money Mount Olive should be collecting for what Commissioner Gena Messer-Knode characterized as “the biggest commodity we have that we sell.” “At what point did we decide it was a good idea to start averaging water bills?” she asked during the meeting. “I can’t answer that question,” Newton replied. “It was before my time.” Messer-Knode tilted her head, as if to signal confusion. “At what point did my current water meter stop working? Because I have a water meter in my front yard,” she then said.

“At what point did it stop — like, the water meter man stopped coming? Is he still on the payroll? Newton, again, replied. “Yes,” he said. “As far as we know, he’s still on the payroll.” Messer-Knode kept going. “So, we have a water meter man on the payroll, and I have a water meter, but you’re guessing my water bill?” she said. “And you can only tell me this has been going on for greater than two years, because you have been mayor now going into your second term, correct?” At that point, Newton got visibly upset and raised his voice. “Yes, I am going into my second term, but we’re not going to get into this right now,” the mayor said. “If you want to discuss that with me later, we can, but we’re not going to discuss it here. We’re not going to do what you’re about to do.” But Messer-Knode was not finished. “How can I vote on an increase or decrease when I don’t understand?” she asked. “I’m just saying it’s been at least two years we’ve been guessing on water bills.”

he truth is, Newton does not have the answers Messer-Knode — and many town residents — have been asking about how the water meter and billing issues happened and why they have been allowed to fester for so many years. He admitted as much Monday. And there were no department heads or DEQ officials at the meeting to turn to for an explanation. Continued on page 20

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. Wayne WEEK . 19

Continued from page 19

Interim Town Manager Glenn Holland was not even in attendance. But Commissioner Delreese Simmons shared bits of pieces of information he said he received from Holland about the situation — and defended Newton’s lack of knowledge because, “it happened before the mayor got here.” “It actually happened under other mayors in the past, way before this mayor took the oath of office,” he said. As for the “guessing” what amounts should be charged to water customers? “The guessing started whenever Glenn was put in this seat as town manager,” Simmons said. And, in his view, the biggest offenders from a lost revenue standpoint are businesses he alleged intentionally defrauded the town. “We lose more revenue from the commercial businesses. I can’t tell you guys who, but we have a lot of businesses, some of them are only paying less than $20 a month for their water bill,” Simmons said. “Some of these businesses are friends of friends of friends. We’re losing hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars a month. It’s six figures this town loses every month.” Messer-Knode, who spoke to Wayne Week the day after the meeting, was not convinced. “I have not seen any evidence that we have large commercial establishments that are not paying water bills, but I’ve only been on the board for two weeks,” she said. “And I’m tired of sitting down with people. I want to see the documents. There should be a master list somewhere … of every address.” And she characterized the fact that the people who have been on the board for years — and Holland — seem to have no proof of anything as “mind-boggling.” “How can you say we can continue with the current administration we have over there?” Messer-Knode said. “You can’t.” As for her heated exchange with Newton? “I didn’t think I went far enough. Remember what he said to me. He said, ‘I know what you’re trying to do here and we’re not going to go there.’ What was I trying to do?” she said. “The mayor treats women differently. I will go on the record with that. He treats me differently. I watched him treat the women on the last board differently. He lets the men speak. The women have to ask him, ‘May I make a comment?’ I’m not going to do that. It is 2026 in two weeks. Mayor Newton needs to realize I was elected two to one over my opponent and I’m not going anywhere. So, during the discussion period, I will ask as many questions as I want to ask.” And she will continue to demand both that no more time on meetings that “accomplish nothing” is wasted while Mount Olive remains engulfed in several crises and that she is treated with the respect she feels she has earned. “The meeting should have never been called. If you’re going to have the meeting, have the information there,” Messer-Knode said. “So, the mayor needs to remember that. And he needs to remember that he’s a figure head. His job is to be a liaison between the town manager and the board. So, he should be shaking hands and kissing babies and being a liaison. He does not need to dictate to me what questions I can ask and when and how I can ask them. I think the people of Mount Olive need to know that their water bills are basically being guessed.” 20

. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

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. Wayne WEEK . 21

NO T ICE S NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF LARRY EARL VAUGHN

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Larry Earl Vaughn, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of March, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 30th day of November, 2025. Sandra Denise Vaughn Stokes, Executor of the Estate of Larry Earl Vaughn 107 Valleyview Drive Goldsboro, NC 27534 Published November 30, 2025, December 7, 2025, December 14, 2025, and December 21, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF PATRICIA EILEEN O’CONNELL

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Patricia Eileen O’Connell, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of March, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 7th day of December, 2025. Scott Thomas Fisher, Executor of the Estate of Patricia Eileen O’Connell c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for Estate P.O. Box 916 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275 Published December 7, 2025, December 14, 2025, December 21, 2025 and December 28, 2025

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

All persons, firms, and corpora- Notice is hereby given that tions having claims against the the City Council of the City of Estate of Terry Jeanne Kriger, Goldsboro will conduct pubdeceased of Wayne County, are lic hearings during the course notified to exhibit them to the of their open meeting which undersigned on or before the starts at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, 9th day of March, 2026, or this January 5, 2026, in the City Hall notice will be pleaded in bar of Council Chambers located at their recovery. All persons in- 214 North Center Street to condebted to the estate will please sider the following requests. make immediate payment to the undersigned. CZ-04-25 Tucker Trace: The This 7th day of December, 2025. applicant is requesting to re zone one tract of land totaling approximately 53.76 acres from Tori Lynn Gautier a Highway Business (HB) and Administrator of the Residential-16 (R-16) to ResEstate of Terry Jeanne Kriger idential-6 (R-6) and General 165 North N.C. 50 Hwy Business Conditional Zoning Faison, NC 28341 (GB-CZ) for the construction of a 120-lot single-family dePublished December 7, 2025, tached residential subdivision December 14, 2025, and 3 commercial lots. The December 21, 2025, property considered for zonand December 28, 2025 ing reclassification is located on the south side of Tommy’s Road, approximately 369 feet east of the intersection with US NOTICE TO CREDITORS Hwy. 117 North. The property is OF DANNY MASSEY The undersigned, having qual- further identified as Wayne Co. ified as Executor of the Estate Pin# 3601-50-3388. of Danny Massey, Deceased, of Wayne County, North Caro- RZ-05-25 Glenda Blanding: lina, this is to notify all persons The applicant is requesting to having claims against said es- rezone one tract of land totaling tate to present them to the un- approximately 15,000 square dersigned on or before March feet from a Residential 16 (R-16) 14, 2026, or this Notice will be zoning district to a Residential pleaded in bar of recovery. All Manufactured Home (RM-9) persons indebted to the dece- zoning district for the placedent or estate shall please ment of a manufactured home. make immediate payment to The property considered for zoning reclassification is locatthe undersigned. This 14th day of December, 2025. ed on the north side of Lexington Avenue, approximately 330 James Massey, Administrator feet southeast of its intersecc/o Henry C. Smith, Attorney tion with Forsyth Street. The Warren, Kerr, Walston, property is further identified as Taylor & Smith, LLP Wayne Co. Pin# 3529-73-2987. P.O. Box 1616 Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616 SU-07-25 Paul Tracy Williams: (919) 734-1841 The applicant is requesting a special use permit to allow for Published December 14, 2025, a place of entertainment with December 21, 2025, ABC permits on properties loDecember 28, 2025, cated within a General Business and January 4, 2025 (GB) zoning district. The properties considered for approval are located on north side of the intersection of Carolina Commerce Drive and North William Street and further identified as Wayne County Pin# 3600-394348 and 3600-48-3976.

. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

SU-09-25 Maeen Abdo Alashwal: The applicant is requesting a special use permit to allow for a convenience store on property located within a Neighborhood Business (NB) zoning district. The property considered for approval is located on the northwest side of the intersection of East Ash Street and North Jefferson Street and further identified as Wayne Co. Pin# 3509-64-1683. All interested persons are encouraged to attend. To accommodate disabilities and to comply with ADA regulations, please contact City Hall if further assistance is needed. All inquiries regarding this matter may be directed to the City of Goldsboro Planning Department at (919) 580-4313 or online at www.goldsboronc.gov. Mark E. Helmer Planning Services Manager Published December 21, 2025, and December 28, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF EZRAIL SIMPSON JR.

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Ezrail Simpson Jr., Deceased, of Wayne County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before March 21, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 21st day of December, 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF JAMES WALTER CREEL

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James Walter Creel, Deceased, of Wayne County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before March 21, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 21st day of December, 2025. Galen Curtis Creel, Executor of the Estate of James Walter Creel 4733 N.C. Highway 111 South Seven Springs, NC 28578 Published December 21, 2025, December 28, 2025, January 4, 2026, and January 11, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF GEORGE WAYNE AYCOCK, JR.

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against George Wayne Aycock, Jr., deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 23rd day of March, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 21st day of December, 2025.

Kimberly Simpson, Executor of the Estate of Ezrail Simpson Jr. 1543 Pineview Cemetery Road Seven Springs, NC 28578

Meredith Jan Peters, Executor of the Estate of George Wayne Aycock, Jr. c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for Estate P.O. Box 916 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275

Published December 21, 2025, December 28, 2025, January 4, 2026, and January 11, 2026

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. Wayne WEEK . 23

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. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

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