Local residents and town commissioners are frustrated with a number of issues they say are embarrassing Mount Olive — and could lead to people and businesses steering clear of their town.
By KEN FINE and RENEE CAREY
12
NEWS & VIEWS: Pikeville ends recycling program after questions about service surface. p. 7
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CONTENTS
4 Count: 83 unsheltered identified
The annual point-in-time count saw volunteers, non-profit staff, and members of the Goldsboro Police Department converge on everywhere from wooded areas to downtown benches to document those who, on that day, did not have a roof over their heads.
7 Pikeville ends recycling program
Town Manager Tim Biggerstaff said staff and local residents were not convinced that they were getting what they were paying for, as reports of solid waste workers mixing their recyclables with trash were common.
8 WCPS puts schools up for sale
The former Fremont Elementary School and School Street School buildings — and the land they sit on — will, should Wayne County Public Schools get what they are asking for, net millions for the district’s coffers.
10 Our take
In our view, a reckoning is coming for the town of Mount Olive, as two state offices are now probing how the town has been operating thanks to whistleblowers who refused to give up on the community they love.
12 Cover story
A Feb. 3 meeting in Mount Olive laid bare mounting frustrations among commissioners and residents in the wake of the announcement of another state investigation into the town.
20 Spectator
The Southern Wayne High School girls nd boys basketball teams fell to East Wake Wednesday evening in Dudley.
COVER DESIGN BY SHAN STUMPF
NEWS + VIEWS Homeless count reveals unsheltered population of 83
City
leaders, including members of the Goldsboro City Council, say homelessness remains one of the city’s most pressing issues.
BY KEN FINE
From wooded areas and known encampments to roadsides and benches in downtown Goldsboro, volunteers from local non-profits and city police officers joined forces Jan. 29 to participate in the national “point-in-time” homeless count.
And while there was, despite training provided by Greene Lamp, confusion in the days leading up to the event about exactly how the count should be conducted, United Way Executive Director Sherry Archibald said the teams successful documented 83 people without a roof over their head that Wednesday.
The number came as a surprise to Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West, who said, in the days leading up to the count, that he thought this year’s effort would be more difficult in the wake of the shuttering of the Royall Avenue “Tent City” — and that based on his officers’ experiences, “what I’m seeing is (a homeless population of) 20 to 40.”
Last month, Archibald stressed the need for an accurate accounting — unwrapping how the numbers result in federal funding that is distributed to the region for use by organizations that combat homelessness.
“That’s why we’re doing it. The more information that we’re sharing, the more our numbers are realistic, that’s going to increase the dollars that are sent down to our county,” Archibald said. “If we’re not having adequate numbers — and accurate numbers — we’re not getting enough money in the whole region to even apply (for the money).”
But whatever the final count ends up being after the paperwork collected that day is vetted, one thing is clear: City leaders, including members of the Goldsboro City Council, still consider homelessness a pressing issue.
The count came just more than a week after members of the council listed helping the “unhoused” as one of its top priorities for 2025 during the board’s annual planning retreat.
And several council members agreed that despite the fact that Tent City was shuttered last spring, challenges remain.
District 1 Councilwoman Hiawtha Jones was one of them.
“I know that we’re not there yet. I know
that we did work with Tent City, but moving the unhoused out of there has presented more problems in many of our districts,” she said. “They have moved into other areas … and in some instances, have caused arson. I’m not blaming the council, but I don’t think we’ve done all that we can do. I’m pointing my finger at myself as well.”
West, who has been open about homelessness in recent months, has similar sentiments.
His officers have seen “the same” people who once lived beyond the tree line off Royall Avenue “scattered” across the city — and threatened trespassing charges for those camping on numerous pieces of private property, from the Stoney Creek Park Greenway to the woods behind Ollie’s.
The department has received an uptick in calls for service in neighborhoods near the emerging encampments.
And it’s a “cat and mouse” game, West said, that is pulling his resources from other pressing issues.
“The homeless issue isn’t going away. It doesn’t seem like it’s getting any less. They’re just moving, and we’ve just got to stay after it, unfortunately,” he said. “It’s the same ones who don’t seem to be interested in taking any of the help. It’s just a cat and mouse game at this point. It’s frustrating. It’s requiring a lot of resources. But we’re committed to trying to help.”
District 5 representative Beverly Weeks still has hope.
“By forcing Tent City to shut down, a lot of these people were relocated into rehabs or into safe houses,” she said. “And resources? We are a city that has great resources for the unhoused community. They just have to want to want the resources.”
Jones agrees, but still believes the council can do more.
“There are so many houses sitting here that we can redevelop and make (them) for the unhoused,” she said. “So, I think that’s something we need to look at as a council. (The homeless) belong to us and we need to do all that we can to help them.” n
... and get ready, because the Sept. 6, 2025 version is sure to be our best festival yet!
Pikeville ends recycling program
Town Manager Tim Biggerstaff said the decision was made after residents began questioning if they were getting the services they were paying for.
BY KEN FINE
Town Manager Tim Biggerstaff said “the trust had been broken” with the public — that when local residents began questioning why they were being charged for recycling when they allege their recyclables were being lumped in with their trash at pickup, a change needed to be made.
So, this week, he decided to end Pikeville’s recycling program — a move he said would save those who live in the town a few dollars a month on their bill and put an end to unnecessary drama.
“There were questions from the get-go about whether they were recycling — the contractor we are using,” Biggerstaff said. “They said there was a divider in the truck — that, you know, they were putting trash on one side and recycling in the other — but we’re not real sure.”
truck) out of town. I’ll take them at their word. But there were questions, so we did what we felt we needed to do.”
Fortunately though, he added, the Wayne County government operates a convenience center a short drive from downtown Pikeville — a facility that offers residents the ability to dump everything from appliances and household garbage to a variety of recyclables.
That uncertainty was a result both of reports from concerned residents who said they never witnessed “sorting” occurring and periodic calls received by Town Hall from the contractor that they had “sent out the wrong truck” and would be “lumping everything together for today.”
And while the town’s three-year contract with N.C. Waste and Recycling remains intact — and Biggerstaff said he likes the people who run the company — the “back and forth” was growing old and creating a situation where some residents felt they were paying for services they were not actually receiving.
“I think we lost the public’s trust, so I just said, ‘Let’s cancel recycling. We’ll take it off the bill and keep it clean,’” he said. “They have claimed they were recycling the whole time and like I said, they are good folks and I’m not trying to press them too much. So, I don’t know. I don’t follow (the
“So, if people want to recycle, they can go use the convenience center right outside of town,” Biggerstaff said. “We’re already paying for (use of the convenience center) with our tax dollars, so we might as well utilize it.”
Until the change was made, Pikeville residents paid $21.50 per month for trash and recycling services. Moving forward, they will see that charge reduced to $18.
And while, immediately after the announcement, he received blowback from a few town residents, Biggerstaff said he stands behind the decision — one that was made in the interest of protecting taxpayers.
“We just wanted to make sure we’re not paying for something we’re not getting,” Biggerstaff said.
Particularly in a climate where other towns are doing the same. (As of last summer, Gastonia, Shelby, Kings Mountain, Bessemer City, and Mount Holly had all ended their curbside recycling programs, citing an increase in costs associated with those efforts.)
“From what I’ve been told, a lot of towns are moving away from recycling programs for this very same reason,” he said. “Apparently, there’s no money in recycling these days. So, I don’t know that any of the companies are out there recycling like they say they are.” n
Tim Biggerstaff
Who wants to buy a school?
Wayne County Public Schools has offered to sell the former Fremont Elementary School and School Street School — and the land they sit on — to the Wayne County government.
Monday, the Wayne County Board of Education made official what has been in the works for months — starting the ball rolling on selling the buildings that housed the former Fremont Elementary School and School Street School, and the land both sit upon.
The move marks another step in what Wayne County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard called a top priority when he first took the job — ensuring the district was doing right by taxpayers as it relates to WCPS facilities.
And the sales could bring a windfall of money to coffers that are seemingly always in need of a cash injection. (Both properties will cost north of $1 million.)
As is legal protocol due to the relationship between the Wayne County government and the school district, WCPS has given the option for purchase to the county exclusively.
But should the county decline to take the properties off the district’s hands, they would hit the open market. - Renee Carey
Mr. Chip Crumpler
Wayne County Manager
224 E. Walnut Street
( FROM E-MAIL )
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530
RE: Disposition of Properties owned by Wayne County Board of Education
Dear Mr. Crumpler:
The Wayne County Board of Education has determined that multiple pieces of real property it owns are no longer necessary or desirable for school purposes and will be sold. The first property contains approximately 8.5 acres and a building formerly housed Fremont Elementary School, and is located at 101 North Pine Street, Fremont, NC 23830 at the following PINs: 3605441986, 3605358293, 3605357258, 3605356361, 3605356129, 3605356104, 3605355088, 3605356099, 3605358049 and 3605348909. The second property contains approximately 12.81 acres and a building which formerly housed the School Street School which is located at 426 West Pine Street, Goldsboro, NC 27533 at PIN 2599646863. As required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-518, the Wayne Board of County Commissioners shall be afforded the first opportunity to purchase each property.
I would appreciate your confirmation in writing whether Wayne County is interested in purchasing either property. Both are being offered at fair market value. Given the amount of different lots comprising the property, the Fremont Elementary School is being offered at $1,230,000, which was the price given in a 2024 appraisal. The School Street property is being offered at $1,388,710, which is its current tax assessed value. If the County chooses not to purchase either property, the Board of Education intends to dispose of the properties according to the procedures prescribed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-268, consistent with the resolutions the Board passed earlier tonight.
Additionally, in preparing for this sale, we became aware that Wayne County Tax Department had erroneously listed the former Fremont Elementary School (at Pin# 3605441986) as owned by the Town of Fremont. After a thorough investigation of the title, the property is clearly owned by the Wayne County Board of Education. We are requesting that the Tax Office update this error to avoid any potential confusion for bidders on the property. We are happy to send any documentation the Tax Office may need to correct this error.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there are any questions.
Sincerly yours,
Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard
GPD, council members under fire
An arrest that was caught on video has some local residents calling for the termination of a city police officer.
It started with a 911 call.
A man wearing a black hoodie and red sweatpants was on private property he had been removed from by Goldsboro police officers once before because he was, allegedly, threatening employees.
“He has previously threatened employees,” the caller said to the 911 operator. “The last time that we asked for him to be banned, the cops actually, like, scared him off the property instead of formally banning him.”
And when the GPD arrived at the scene on Day Circle, lawmen claim the 27-yearold refused to identify himself, resisted being put into handcuffs, and assaulted an officer during the ensuing struggle.
He also, according to the GPD, was found in possession of a concealed knife.
But when video of portions of the incident began circulating on social media, some cried foul — characterizing the way officers used force to execute the arrest as “brutality,” and noting that the man ended up in the hospital as a result.
sage on her Facebook page.
She wrote:
Part of that investigation saw members of the council spend several hours Monday during a closed session viewing “every angle” of the body camera footage.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I believe in treating everyone equally — regardless of race, the color of their skin, abilities, differences, past mistakes, or social status. This belief is one of the key reasons I chose to run for City Council: to ensure that every resident is treated fairly, no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or their financial situation. Fair treatment should never be conditional I also believe in due process. Rules and procedures exist for a reason, and as a rule follower, I respect that process. Recently, some have questioned why I haven’t publicly spoken about a particular issue in our community. The reason is simple: I was advised not to comment while the matter is under internal investigation. As a city official, I represent both the City of Goldsboro and the residents of District 3, and I want to ensure this process unfolds properly, without interference or assumptions.
Pikeville still pursuing charter change, recall election
Despite the fact that an election for the town’s next mayor is this November, town officials are looking to send a message.
Pikeville officials have reached out to State Rep. John Bell to begin discussions about whether he might be willing to sponsor legislation that would support a charter change in the wake of a scandal involving Mayor Garrett Johnston.
Both Bell and Town Manager Tim Biggerstaff confirmed this week that a preliminary conversation has been had, but Bell cautioned that the process — even if he were to sponsor a bill and gain support from the House and Senate — would likely not result in Pikeville residents being given the chance to remove Johnston from office before municipal elections unfold in November.
a 13-year-old boy.
He attacked Jarman and other town law enforcement officers — calling the chief a “manipulator,” who, despite having worked in law enforcement since 2009, was not fit for the position.
“There’s not another agency in Wayne County that will hire him,” the mayor said. “That should say something to you.”
And he made disparaging remarks about the law enforcement community as a whole.
Councilwoman Brandi Matthews, Councilman Roderick White, and Mayor Pro Tem Hiawatha Jones all addressed what unfolded Jan. 28 in Day Circle — expressing concern while committing to allow the “process” to play out. (The GPD is, according to City Hall officials, conducting an internal investigation and the officer involved has been placed on “administrative duty” while it runs its course.)
But when the other members of the City Council declined to comment about the incident, citing instructions from City Attorney Ron Lawrence to not publicly discuss an ongoing investigation, many of those same people who characterized the arrest as “brutality,” labeled them “racist.”
Councilwoman Jamie Taylor, who was among those who decided to not comment during Monday’s open session, took exception to what she felt was an unjust attack on her character — posting a sprawling mes-
Let me be clear: My decision to remain silent at this time has nothing to do with the color of my skin. Anyone who truly knows me understands that I have always stood for equal treatment. Unfortunately, some have misinterpreted my silence, but I will not engage in discussions that could compromise the integrity of an ongoing investigation.”
Part of that investigation saw members of the council spend several hours Monday during a closed session viewing “every angle” of the body camera footage. And while none of the council members would confirm that they, indeed, did so, multiple city sources confirmed it happened — even noting that the meeting ended well after midnight because of how long viewing the footage took.
Wayne Week is currently in the process of requesting the body camera footage and more complete coverage of the incident, and the fallout from it, will appear in the Feb. 16 edition of the paper.- Ken Fine
Biggerstaff and members of the town’s Board of Commissioners have been outspoken about their desire to “send a message” after a secretly recorded conversation between Johnston and two town residents went public last summer — a several-hour chat that drew the ire of hundreds of Pikeville town residents and nearly every town employee.
Their issues with the mayor included everything from disparaging remarks he made about Biggerstaff, Police Chief Rodney Jarman, and other town employees to his plan to change the town’s form of government so he could initiate what he called “Operation Clean Sweep” and fire them all.
Johnston made fun of an employee he said was “dyslexic” and therefore could not be trusted to “read meters,” and claimed another, who was recovering from cancer, was “basically just here for the benefits.”
He lambasted Biggerstaff — calling him names and inferring there was something inappropriate about the fact that he adopted
“The law enforcement crowd, you’re gettin’ guys with daddy issues that need a badge to feel powerful. Knowing that we’re going to be dealing with those kinds of personalities, we just need strong leadership over them to keep them in line,” Johnston said. “We know they’re coming with issues. … If we leave Jarman too long, he’s going to create a whole lot of trouble. So, he’s gotta go quick.”
But Biggerstaff insists that he broached the subject of a charter change that would allow for recall elections not simply as a means by which to, perhaps, get rid of the embattled mayor.
For him, it is about protecting the town’s future should another scandal emerge.
“This has very little to do with him,” Biggerstaff said. “It’s a message to him, but this is about a lot more than that.”
But Bell said as discussions continue, whatever unfolds needs to be done “carefully.”
“What you don’t want to do is put yourself in a situation where a majority of the board could secure enough votes to get a recall election simply because they don’t like somebody,” he told Wayne Week Thursday. “So, we’re gonna look at it. But we do need to move forward with potential future implications in mind.”- Ken Fine
TAKE }
MOUNT OLIVE’S BROKEN BRANCHES { our
The good news is that it is going to come out — every dirty detail of the mess that seems to have become the way business is done in the town of Mount Olive.
That’s right.
Thanks to the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor and the State Bureau of Investigation, we will know soon the who, what, where, and when as it relates to not only how decisions have been made, but also how the money has been spent.
So, while there were a whole lot of promises made and frustration on display by public officials at the most recent meeting of the town board, the truth is that the words mean nothing.
The proof will be in the records, the details, the audits, and the investigation reports.
Based on conversations we have had with state sources, things are going to get ugly.
But there is still a reason for hope.
Something happened at that Monday meeting that should make every single Mount Olive resident feel pretty good about the future of their community.
People showed up — by the dozens — and said what they thought, stood up for their town, and made sure their elected representatives knew that they were not going to just sit back and take it anymore.
And no, that does not happen everywhere.
So, bravo.
Watching democracy in action truly was a joy.
And, knowing the quality of the people who live in the town — and its history as a by-the-bootstraps, hard-work, and friendly-neighbor kind of place — we would have expected no less.
But it did get us thinking about something we have said every time a major scandal is on the horizon — or has already boiled over into the public domain.
It is time that more people stand up and demand better instead of leaving their futures and their community’s future in the hands of public officials who have no one looking over their shoulder as they make decisions that in some cases seem to be more about money and power than what is best for their neighbors.
Goldsboro can tell that story.
So can Fremont and Pikeville.
And don’t forget about the Wayne County Board of Education.
Accountability has, at long last, been served in all of those places, thanks to a handful of people who blew the whistle — who stood up and said, “Enough.”
Mount Olive residents will soon have
that story to share, too — if they stick to their guns and demand better for their community.
They certainly did both Monday evening.
They pointed to the lack of action and shocking amount of money that seemed to be languishing instead of being spent on finding a solution to the state-mandated moratorium that has plagued the town for a decade — a delay that has meant dozens and dozens of missed development opportunities.
Think of the jobs that could have been created to make that community richer if town leaders had been doing their job.
They talked about how calls to their elected representatives about concerns in the community and the need for action — particularly in the southern end of town — seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Some, including the mayor, said it felt like racism to them — and it was a moniker they did not want for their town.
And then there were the recent scandals involving members of the board as they end-ran the mayor to hold a special meeting to oust the town manager.
It was an unforced error that sent a horrible message to residents — whether Jammie Royall was “qualified” for the job or not.
And, of course, there were the usual calls for unity, for working together, and for making sure that the officials, town employees, and residents kept the future of Mount Olive as their primary priority.
About that …
We have heard it before — many times from public officials who have been “outed” for not doing their job or serving their community.
Usually, it’s a smokescreen — a distraction to make sure that no one is looking directly at them.
We think Mount Olive residents are smarter than that.
We feel fairly confident that when the SBI and NCOSA are finished with their respective investigations, voters will deliver a major shakeup on that board.
And we know that on that day, a new beginning full of possibilities will show itself on the horizon.
Mount Olive is a great community with heart, soul, and faith.
It has weathered storms before.
And, as many people said at Monday’s meeting, this is not the time to let distractions like black vs. white or one side of the community vs. another stop progress.
But that doesn’t mean that anyone should just let the past slide right by.
To turn a community around, you have to learn
from your mistakes.
You have to look straight at the facts that might not be the easiest to swallow and know that moving forward means demanding better.
And here’s some advice:
Beware of those who will lob accusations to distract community members from their own misdeeds.
Watch out for those who will become scapegoats for those above them who really pulled the strings.
And be prepared to demand that a full accounting is made — publicly — and that those who made the mess are sent packing.
Yes, there needs to be a full audit of the town’s finances and who has bought what and how much money went where.
Questions about the airport need to be answered.
Staffing concerns and blatant conflicts of interest need to be addressed.
And you can rest assured that the SBI and NCOSA will deliver all of the above.
These are the kind of investigators who will not let anyone slide through the influence door — and who will get results for residents.
That’s how Mount Olive starts its path back. Don’t believe us?
Ask Fremont, Pikeville, Eureka, and Goldsboro how their respective brushes with the state government worked out.
And here’s another warning.
There will be those who will use the anger and distrust to create a stir to boost their own power base.
Don’t let them do it.
The mayor is right when he said the town of Mount Olive is stronger when it is united in its efforts to expect better.
And no one should be allowed a pass for stupid statements and actions that suggest prejudice and ignorance.
Mount Olive residents deserve better.
Here’s some more good news: This community has strong, capable leaders who know what it takes to move forward.
They just need to throw their hats into the ring.
Just ask Goldsboro what happens when those who seek attention and power rather than what’s best for the community get the spotlight.
And ask Wayne County and Pikeville how hard it is to get rid of unqualified officeholders when no one steps up to lead. (Spoiler alert: Sometimes you have to wait until the next election — and when you do, the damage has already been done.)
So, the only way to really hold community leaders accountable is to ask questions, to demand to see the books, and to make sure that they know that the voters and the community
they serve are not going to just sit back and shake their collective head anymore.
Fortunately for Mount Olive, there are community members who have been refusing to just sit back and accept business as usual in their community.
They have stood up and spoken up when they saw actions or decisions that concerned them.
They ignored the naysayers and those who attacked them — who questioned their motives and who tried to dismiss their questions and demands for transparency.
They are the ones who started this ball rolling.
And they did not give up.
Because, you see, it was never really about them.
It was about keeping a promise to the generations of Mount Olive residents who came before them and built a community to be proud of — and to their children and grandchildren who will carry the torch forward.
They promised to take care of their community, so they did.
And we think they really are “golden” in every sense of the word — and that the nickname they were given to degrade them is, in reality, a badge they should wear proudly.
So, keep fighting.
Keep those records requests flying because they belong to you, the public.
And don’t worry.
We are with you — and have every intention of covering your community with the same energy we have given to the county seat since our journey began.
Keep talking to us about your concerns — and sharing information about the real “goings on.”
Together, we can make some real change.
All it takes is hutzpah, curiosity, and a determination that the same old, same old is just not good enough anymore.
It’s been a while since someone has asked the tough questions and demanded the real answers.
Those days are over.
And your mayor is right about another thing, too.
There is nothing you can’t do to improve your town if you are in this for the right reasons — together.
So, don’t ever forget that it is up to Mount Olive residents what their town becomes, not a few select powerbrokers.
The time has come to ensure that becomes a reality.
And once it does, and the dust settles from what we anticipate will be a pair of loaded state investigation reports, we can think of no better position for such a wonderful community to be in.
A fresh start.
Sounds pretty good to us. n
PROVIDING QUALITY, AFFORDABLE INSURANCE SINCE
IT’S TIME FOR
BOLDER BONDING
John D. Lewis Gaston Lewis
A BIG MESS
Local residents and town commissioners are frustrated with a number of issues they say are embarrassing Mount Olive — and could lead to people and businesses steering clear of their town.
By KEN FINE and RENEE CAREY
There were residents who, after a decade of living in a community that has remained under a state-mandated moratorium since 2015, sounded off about the lack of progress on the issue.
There were others who said they felt disrespected by elected officials and town staff.
Some had thoughts about the recently announced State Bureau of Investigation probe into Town Hall employees. And that was only the beginning.
There was a heated back and forth between a commissioner and the town clerk.
Allegations flew about backdoor deals and “good old boy” backscratching.
And the mayor expressed frustration about the fact that the town he was elected to lead is being labeled racist because of recent events he said have left the community with a “dark cover over it.”
So many people showed up to the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners Feb. 3 meeting that more than 30 stood outside the chambers — watching, on their smart phones, a live feed provided by Commissioner Delreese Simmons so they could hear the drama unfold.
Here is what transpired:
PUBLIC COMMENTS
After making a series of public records requests, Billy Wilkins said he was left “dumbfounded” by the town’s relationship with McGill Associates — that he found the town’s “approximately $1 million contract” with the firm “astounding.”
“I noted the contract had no timeline mentioned, no date for any of their work … or the subsequent contractor,” he said. “And from the files I received, I can only surmise there has been no contact with McGill in two years.”
Furthermore, the town, Wilkins claimed, had given “no directions” to the engineering firm “at all.”
“Nothing. I can’t believe there’s not an email — not anything — in two years. If I was given all the correspondences between the town and McGill, something is very wrong,” he said. “It has been over two years since the signing of the contract, and we don’t have a contract for bidding or, of course, no work is being done. … I stood before you a year ago and asked you to get the best bang for our bucks. You have failed your job and it’s very disappointing and embarrassing.”
Other residents said they were disappointed, too.
David Kornegay told the board that the moratorium was thwarting his ability to sell commercial real estate — that he has been contacted by nearly a dozen “national franchise companies” but has not been able to sell his land because the town has not made any progress toward getting the state’s ban on development lifted.
“Every single time when they find out we have no sewer and they have to put in a septic tank, they turn around and go away,” he said. “They go on to another town and forget about us.”
Annette Kirby said she, too, was concerned about the moratorium.
But she also offered a warning to board members about potential conflicts of interest as it relates to the potential hiring of a “forensic auditor” to assist in the SBI investigation into Town Hall that was announced Monday.
“Our board is under a state audit. There are certain people who are being monitored very closely on that state audit. You know who you are,” Kirby said. “You do not need to be involved in selecting an auditor who is going to forensically evaluate this town.”
Linda Boykin suggested that the southern side of Mount Olive was being neglected — a refrain repeated by Simmons, who implied it was because the majority of the board is white and the people who populate the south side are black.
“When we come up here, we voice our opinions and voice our concerns and we don’t get any feedback,” Boykin said. “It’s just, you come up here and tell what’s wrong and they forget about you. … I would like to see some results.”
And James Carlton said he was “disappointed” that there was so much drama unfolding in the town that raised him.
“I want to challenge each and every one of you to look at this,” he said, pointing to the packed house. “This is who you represent. It’s very disappointing for me to be riding around town and hearing all this mess that’s going on. You need to represent us. Not one district, two district, three, four, five, six. All of us. Throw all this trash out and bring in something new. … Come on. Put your pride down. Put your agendas down. I don’t have a personal agenda for Mount Olive, North Carolina. I have a community agenda. Look up the word. It’s when people come together on one accord.”
Members of the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners.
Continued from page 13
MANAGER SEARCH
Simmons accused a member of the board he would not name of having a “list” of potential replacements for former Town Manager Jammie Royall, who was fired earlier this month during a special-called meeting Mayor Dr. Jerome Newton objected to and could not attend.
“I want this board right here to understand that there are five commissioners and there was a list … that I had to receive from a citizen,” he said. “A list of people who they wanted. I shouldn’t have had to get that list from a citizen. How do you guys sit here and act like you don’t know what’s going on with this search right now when you do?”
But Simmons’ ire did not stop the board from listening to a presentation from Eastern Carolina Council — an organization that, for $5,000, would assist in a search for a new leader for Town Hall.
Executive Director David Bone said his organization has, during past searches, “gotten a lot of applications — very qualified applications,” and that his team would help the board come up with an advertisement for the position, ensure
that ad is placed on the right websites, create a timeline for the hiring process, help with questions for candidates, collect the applications, and make recommendations.
“This is one of the most important decisions the town can make,” Bone said. “We would be very honored to assist the town with its search.”
And while a majority of the board seemed, at first, to be willing to sign the contract, the issue was tabled until Thursday evening at Newton’s request to allow for more thoughtful discussion and to “make sure we’re on one accord.”
“It is very important that we get a town manager. We need this moratorium lifted, without a doubt,” the mayor said. “But if we’re ever going to become … one town, one community, one Mount Olive, we have got to find some kind of way to at least compromise and work together. At this point, (the vote is) going to be three to two.”
Simmons said whatever happens, he just wants the process “to be fair.”
“I just want every commissioner to be included,” he said. “I want every side of town to be included.”
THE SBI INVESTIGATION
Newton confirmed Monday that the State Bureau of Investigation was probing “possible misconduct” among town employees.
And a source with knowledge of the investigation said the two employees under scrutiny are Tia Best and Rashonte Pettit, both of whom work for the Water Department.
The notification means that two state agencies are now looking into the town’s affairs, as the N.C. Office of the State Auditor continues its inquiry that began at the end of 2023.
The idea of hiring a forensic auditor to assist the SBI was tabled until Thursday — the meeting was held after Wayne Week went to press — but Kirby suggested the board proceed with caution should it decide to go in that direction.
“I would recommend that we make sure that we are not hiring a forensic accountant who has a conflict of interest with any member of our board,” she said, triggering thunderous applause from those in attendance.
And while it remains unclear when the NCOSA and SBI investigations will come to an end — or just what the probes will reveal — some of the residents who showed up Monday said they were “getting tired” of “the town being embarrassed.”
LEAD LETTERS
Interim Town Manager Glenn Holland acknowledged that letters had been sent to town residents — and more were on the way — informing them about potential lead contamination in their water.
But he stressed that the town was working on “upgrading the lines” and that the letters were required by the federal government and not necessarily indicative of a lead problem.
“There are some lines that have been identified that are still galvanized and we’re working to get those corrected,” Holland said. “But that does not mean that there’s lead in your water. I realize that the letter, it sounds probably a lot worse than it is.”
And he made it clear that the only way for homeowners to know for sure that their water is safe is to take matters into their own hands.
“If you’re concerned about lead inside the foundations, under the house, and inside the house, that would be up to the owner,” Holland said. “We are not allowed to go inside and do anything inside the home.”
KEEL’S HEADACHE
Commissioner Danny Keel raised eyebrows when he characterized serving as an elected official as a “headache.”
The comments came after an impassioned speech where he talked about everything from the town manager search and a call for racial unity to his desire to see the moratorium lifted.
“I want to get that tax base back up so we can pay our employees a good salary and we can make this town grow. That’s what we need to do. That’s what I want to see happen,” Keel said. “And I don’t want to see no north end and south end. That is not in my agenda. … I’ve lived in Mount Olive all my life. I never knew that being on this board was gonna be such a headache. It has been such a headache. I was talked into getting on this board and I did it, but I’m telling you guys, I was raised in this town … and I want to see this town grow. But the only way this town is gonna grow is for all of us to come together and work together. Quit with this north end, south end, black, white thing. This has totally got to stop and I’m ready to see it stop.”
SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS
Continued from page 17
MAYOR CALLS FOR UNITY
In what was, perhaps, the most dramatic moment that unfolded during the two-hour meeting, Newton expressed concern about what he characterized as major hits to the town’s reputation because of the behavior of members of the board.
He said “distrust among the board members” was leading to distrust among residents — and that he, himself, had been treated unfairly.
“Our town has had some dark cover over it, for lack of better words. Decisions have been made without proper insight, foresight, and proper counsel. Some decisions have been made without the mayor’s input,” Newton said. “The majority of citizens voted for (me) to be the mayor. That being the case, any time that the mayor is left out, the citizens are left out. The citizens are not being heard. Some of these decisions have caused some embarrassment and some unnecessary press.”
And from a comment made by Commissioner Barbara Kornegay that enflamed racial tensions to the firing, shortly after that issue came to the fore, of the black town manager during a meeting the black mayor did not sanction or support, he said he was concerned that “the word was getting out” that Mount Olive was a racist community.
“I have gotten too many calls — some I’ve avoided
— from media about statements that have been made and decisions that have been made. Many of these decisions were made without the mayor’s input,” Newton said. “We don’t need Mount Olive to be a place of racism. We don’t need that, but that’s what we’re getting. What happens if parents decide to not send their children to the University of Mount Olive because Mount Olive is a racist place? What happens when people go into the supermarket to buy pickles and they see Mt. Olive pickles and say, ‘That’s that place?’ What happens if businesses decide not to move here … because they see this place not as a place they want to be because of the climate? If we want the town to move forward, we’ve got to understand how to make decisions that are not going to reflect negatively on us. We could lose a lot. People could decide to boycott the Pickle Festival because they thought this was a racist place?”
And then, he asked for a reset.
“We have to come together,” Newton said. “How do we bring this town together? How do we bring this board together? I think we’ve had enough of this. … Just maybe, we need to come together … and see if we can work it out so we can move our town forward. We need to work as one and we’re not and we’re never gonna do that unless we can find or make amends between each other.”n
Mayor J. Jerome Newton
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Durwood Ray Grimes, deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of April, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This the 21st day of January, 2025.
Lorrie G. Thomas Administrator for the Estate of Durwood Ray Grimes 611 Watery Branch Church Rd., Stantonsburg, North Carolina, 27883
Published Jan. 26, 2025, and Feb. 2, 2025, Feb. 9, 2025, Feb. 16, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF RALPH RONALD GRIFFIN
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Ralph Ronald Griffin, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of May, 2025, 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 2nd day of February, 2025.
James Patrick Griffin and Laura Elizabeth Meyer, Co-Executors of the Estate of Ralph Ronald Griffin 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 Feb. 2, 2025 and Feb. 9, 2025, Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JENNIFER LEE WILLIAMS KUYKENDALL
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Jennifer Lee Williams Kuykendall, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of May, 2025, 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 2nd day of February, 2025
Judith D. McMillen, Administrator of the Estate of Jennifer Lee
Williams Kuykendall 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 Feb. 2, 2025 and Feb. 9, 2025, Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Debra Ann Mills, deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 3rd day of May, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 25th day of January, 2025.
Tiffany Wheeler Administrator for the Estate of Debra Ann Mills 5271 U.S. Highway 117 North Pikeville, North Carolina, 27863
Published Feb. 2, 2 025 and Feb. 9, 2025, Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025
NOTICES
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Brian Kent Abbott deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of April, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.
All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 29th day of January, 2025.
Rosalyn Abbott Administrator for the Estate of Brian Kent Abbott 1601 East Holly Street, Goldsboro, North Carolina, 27530
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Alma B. Martin, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of May, 2025, 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 9th day of February, 2025.
Pamela B. Minshew Executor of the Estate of Alma B. Martin 300 Princeton Road Princeton, NC 27569
Published Feb. 9, 2025, Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025 and March 2, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF HOWARD FELIX POOLER, JR.
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Howard Felix Pooler, Jr., deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9nd day of May, 2025, 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 9th day of February, 2025
Mark J. Hale, Jr. Administrator CTA of the Estate of Howard Felix Pooler, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for Estate P.O. Box 916
Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275
Published Feb. 9, 2025, Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025 and March 2, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ANTHONY WAYNE WESTBROOK
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Anthony Wayne Westbrook, deceased, of Johnston County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9nd day of May, 2025, 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 9th day of February, 2025
Geneva Westbrook Cox, Executor of the Estate of Anthony Wayne Westbrook c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C.
Published Feb. 9, 2025, Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025 and March 2, 2025
INVITATION TO SUBMIT COMPETITIVE BIDS
(EXAM ROOM TABLES)
Wayne County is soliciting competitive, sealed bids from qualified vendors for the purchase of multiple medical exam room tables/chairs for the Wayne County Health department. Wayne County reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and also reserves the right to accept the bid most advantageous to the County.
Bid proposals shall be returned to: Wayne County Finance at P.O. Box 227, Goldsboro, NC 27533, on or before 2:00 p.m., February 19, 2025.
Late bids will not be accepted and will be returned unopened. This invitation is extended to all qualified vendors manufacturers that are spec-ifically in the business of medical office equipment and supplies.
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFB to Mandy Trujillo, Procurement Specialist for the County of Wayne at amanda.trujillo@waynegov. com. Questions concerning the RFB requirements must be submitted in writing.
For more information as it relates to the RFB or to obtain a copy of the document, please contact Mandy Trujillo, Procurement Specialist at 919-705-1714 or access the County of Wayne’s webpage at https://www.waynegov.com/ Bids.aspx
Published Feb. 9, 2025
the SPECTATOR
Saints fall
The Southern Wayne High School girls and boys basketball teams both fell to East Wake Wednesday evening in Dudley.
PHOTOS BY KEN FINE
Congratulations to the BEST team in NORTH CAROLINA!
The Wayne County Clerk’s Office was one of only six offices in the state to achieve an “Effective” audit opinion for our internal audit — the highest opinion given, which indicates excellence in minimizing potential risks.
I feel so blessed to work with all of you.
Thank you for helping Wayne County shine!
Sending you love and best wishes as we take on this new year together as a community!
Julie Whitfield, Wayne County Clerk of Court
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