Wayne Week — March 2, 2025

N E W OL D NORT H M E DI A P R E SE N T S A W E E K LY N E WS M AG A Z I N E

Wayne

WEEK

M A RCH 2 , 2 02 5

N E WOL DNORT H .C OM

A TOWN ' S BEST FRIEND

Pikeville Police Chief Rodney Jarman had faith town residents would finance a K-9 officer for his department. He was right.

BY KEN FINE / p. 14

SPE CI A L R E P ORT : LIVINGSTON RESPONDS TO REPORT GOLDSBORO INTERIM CITY MANAGER SHARES HIS VIEWS ON CONSULTANT'S PLAN / p. 4

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. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

CONTENTS MARCH 3, 2025 Volume 2, Issue 26

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

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Hallie Hulse Evans ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE McKayla Alves ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Lara Landers

PUBLISHER

New Old North Media LLC

CONTACTS EDITORS

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4 City Hall shakeup?

A paid consultant made several recommendations that have ruffled some feathers inside Goldsboro City Hall. The city’s interim city manager has responded.

7 Bell to Mount Olive: ‘It’s time.’

State Rep. John Bell said mismanagement of millions of dollars has kept Mount Olive under a moratorium for far too long — and with the state’s latest offering of more than $7 million, it is time to get back on track.

9 WCPS students face makeup days The Wayne County Board of Education must soon decide how and when the district’s students will get three days of missed instruction back.

10 Our take

In our view, the fact that Pikeville residents and businesses are funding the Police Department’s K-9 program is a much-needed feel good story — and one that provides a valuable lesson for the rest of Wayne County.

14 Cover story

Pikeville Police Chief Rodney Jarman had faith that he could convince town residents and businesses to finance a K-9 unit for the department. He was right.

20 Spectator

A unique event in downtown Goldsboro brought gamers and those who enjoy a little cosplay to the city’s core.

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.

COVER PHOTO

BY CHRISTINA IVEY (WILD HEARTS PHOTOGRAPHY)

newoldnorth.com

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NEWS +VIEWS

P

CITY SHAKE UP? More than a month after a consultant ruffled some feathers inside City Hall, Goldsboro’s City Council has seen the two sprawling reports he compiled.

BY KEN FINE AND RENEE CAREY

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ay increases — and a “vehicle” stipend — for Goldsboro’s mayor and members of the City Council.

New positions — including a deputy police chief and a second assistant city manager.

Moving the Paramount Theatre under the Parks and Recreation umbrella and combining Travel & Tourism and the Downtown Development Department.

And those recommendations reflect only a fraction of those made by Management Advisory Group International Senior Advisor Dr. Russell Campbell — a consultant hired to take a deep dive into the city’s salary schedule and organizational structure.

Back in early January, when he unwrapped the executive summary of what he told the council would ultimately be a 200-page report, Campbell quipped that he was not expecting to receive “Christmas cards” from certain city staff members once the complete analysis was published.

But he added that their “bruised egos” were necessary to ensure Goldsboro stopped functioning like it was “in the 1980s.”

Council members have, since Campbell first addressed them, received a copy of both the “Classification and Compensation Study Draft Report” and the “Organization and Management Structure Review” he prepared.

Wayne Week, as a result of a fulfilled Freedom of Information Act records request, did, too.

And the paper also obtained Interim City Manager Matthew Livingston’s response to many of Campbell’s recommendations.

The following reflect some of the highlights from the report.

• The “most significant” finding “in terms of organizational structure” was that the city manager’s “span of control” was “too broad,” as 19 department heads and top staff report directly to the person holding that position.

Campbell recommended reducing that number to eight by “consolidating a few departments,” and adding a second assistant city manager. “Having 19 direct reports is above the norm for a municipal organization that includes over 300 employees in complex and diverse functions,” Campbell wrote. “This number is at an extreme end of a span of control range and is not sustainable.”

• The Human Resources Department should, he said, create an employee advisory group to “improve productivity and climate.” He also said that while HR is “meeting all the basic demands of city departments, it is a transactional department that is paper driven.”

• Campbell panned the Community Relations and Development Department, writing that current staff “appears to lack the knowledge and technical expertise to manage the programs within HUD guidelines,” which he said, “puts the city in a precarious position and some degree of legal liability.” He recommended that the current department head be “reassigned to community outreach.” Not long after council members received copies of the report, that department head, Felecia Williams, resigned.

• The Finance Department “appears to have overlapping responsibilities for office support” and Campbell told the council he believed several employees should be moved to other departments now that the city is caught up on its late audits.

• The Paramount Theatre should be placed under the Parks and Recreation Department and its name should be changed to “Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts.”

• The Police Department should reclassify a vacant major position to deputy chief.

Campbell also noted that the GPD’s fleet was aging and recommended consistently replacing vehicles “over the next several years.”

• Campbell lauded the Fire Department for achieving an excellent rating from the Insurance Services Office. “Very few fire departments are able to achieve this rating, which reflects the city’s commitment to public safety,” he wrote. But with anticipated population growth, he said the city will likely need to consider building another fire station and noted that the average age of the frontline fleet is 10.3 years, a situation that should be “monitored.”

• Travel and Tourism and Downtown Development should merge. The new department, he said, should be called “Visitors Bureau and Business Development.”

When it came to salaries, Campbell told council members that Goldsboro’s numbers were compared with a statistical model that included information from surrounding communities like Greenville, Rocky Mount, and Fayetteville — as well as Raleigh and Durham — and county information from Johnston, Pitt, Wake, Nash, Duplin and Onslow.

Also factored into the equation was regional data from the private sector.

The idea, Campbell said, was to compare Goldsboro’s numbers with an average of those of larger- and similar-size cities to see where the city’s compensation ranked.

Campbell said he was surprised that those numbers were not “in the double digits,” adding that Goldsboro’s salaries are anywhere

from 8.5 percent for entry level to 11.9 percent of market maximum below the statistical average of the areas studied.

And while the numbers came in better than he expected, Campbell said he is not surprised that the city is having trouble filling positions.

Anything at or above 5 percent “is a cause for concern in terms of recruitment and retention,” he said.

And the reason major cities like Raleigh and Durham were included in the mix is because employees would consider driving a distance to take positions that offer competitive salaries.

According to the preliminary report, Goldsboro has 308 positions, with 185 different job titles.

To get those numbers within competitive range, the firm recommends an adjustment of $1,471,271 to get salaries in line.

Those numbers included: • 3 percent cost of living wage increases — $467,339.

• Rectifying the fact that 168 employees are not at the minimum expected for their positions — $756,422.

• Equity adjustments for the 192 employees that are below target salaries at the higher end of the experience scale — $247, 511.

But Campbell said those numbers reflected only “raw salaries” and did not include any benefits changes or other costs associated with compensation increases, meaning the cost would actually be much higher.

And while he seemed, at times, to matter-of-factly call out the city for its antiquated way of doing business, he noted that his firm has “worked with cities that were in much worse shape.”

During the council’s annual retreat a few weeks after Campbell first addressed the board, Councilwoman Beverly Weeks said she had “a lot of questions” and Councilwoman Jamie Taylor advocated for amending the retreat agenda to allow for a more robust discussion of Management Advisory Group International’s recommendations.

But the majority of the board agreed to, instead, hold a special-called meeting to ensure the reports were given the attention they deserved.

Livingston, though, felt the need to respond before that meeting was scheduled.

He sent an email to council members —

addressing some of the aforementioned recommendations.

His responses included: • While he noted that adding a second city manager — and changing the organizational structure of the city — would be “ideal and a solid way ahead,” Livingston said “funding is not currently in place to make this transition.”

• Livingston does not “fully agree” with moving the Paramount Theatre under the umbrella of Parks and Recreation. “There is very little, if anything, to be gained by the merging of departments. This does not move the needle in terms of improving efficiency or effectiveness,” he wrote. “There are specific benefits to Paramount staying as a stand-alone entity with a non-profit foundation. The Paramount is very well managed and continues to operate at a high level, offering entertainment services to all community members in new and innovative ways.”

• Adding a deputy police chief was, he wrote, a “solid recommendation,” because “there needs to be a clear second in command for a department the size of Goldsboro.”

• Livingston said he “mostly” disagrees with the recommendation to merge Travel & Tourism and the Downtown Development Department — that while “benefit would be had by having greater coordination between the two departments, especially regarding events,” the departments “have very different missions with different boards they report to.”

It is unclear when the council will hold its special-called meeting to go through both reports — and determine what, if any, of Campbell’s recommendations it would explore further or adopt outright.

But Councilman Chris Boyette told Wayne Week that it “doesn’t make any sense” to make any decisions until the search for a permanent city manager is complete.

“I don’t see any benefit to moving forward with an organizational overhaul before we know who is going to be sitting in that chair,” he said. “And frankly, whatever decisions we make should be a reflection of the recommendations of the person we select to be the leader of our organization. So, while I appreciate the hard work that was done and I am grateful that we have this information, formal votes on any of this would be, in my opinion, incredibly premature and irresponsible.” n

CURRENT CITY OF GOLDSBORO ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE City Manager

Assistant City Manager

City Clerk

Formal votes on any of this would be, in my opinion, incredibly premature.

Assistant to the City Manager

Building Code Admininstrator

Finance Director

Police Chief

Engineering Service Mgr.

Fire Chief

Public Information Officer

Community Develeopment and Relations Mgr.

Human Resources Director

Public Utilities Director

Director, Paramount Theatre

Information Technology

Public Work Director

Downtown Goldsboro Dev. Director

Park and Recreation Director

Travel and Tourism Director

Planning Director

PROPOSED CITY OF GOLDSBORO ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE City CITYCouncil COUNCIL

Public Communications

Ass. City Manager Operations

Human Resources

Fire

City Manager

City Clerk

Police

Ass. City Manager Community Services

Finance

Strategic Planning

Public Utilities

Development Services

Public Works

Parks, Recreation Culture

Engineering Services

Visitors Bureau and Biz. Development

Information Technology

Community Outreach newoldnorth.com

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Bell to Mount Olive board: “It’s time.”

After the town was awarded more than $7 million from the state for water and sewer projects, State Rep. John Bell said mismanagement of funds — and moratorium — must come to an end.

I

BY KEN FINE

t might not be enough money to solve the And in 2013, four sewer lift stations were town’s moratorium problem, but Mount rehabilitated thanks to an additional $1.5 milOlive was notified by the North Carolina lion in CDBG funding.

Department of Environmental Quality’s DiviBut Mount Olive is not the only Wayne Counsion of Water Infrastructure that it would receive ty municipality with water and sewer woes. $7,363,920 from the State Water Infrastructure Goldsboro leaders were recently informed Authority for a sewer line rehabilitation project that they will likely need to come up with and a “find and fix” effort that could put a dent nearly $500 million over the next 10 years to in inflow and infiltration issues. fund expansion of the city’s water reclamaThe SWIA announced it had approved the tion facility and to design and build a new wafunding assistance Feb. 19. ter plant — and council members could soon The town has been under a sewer extension be forced to dramatically increase rates to moratorium since May 2015 when NCDEQ be- help foot the bill. gan enforcing the restrictions And Eureka, six years after it because of repeated spills at the was notified by the North Carolina wastewater treatment plant — a Department of State Treasurer that measure that prohibited the inthe state intended to take over the stallation of new sewer taps and town’s finances — a move justified sewer extensions and, in turn, has by then-Treasurer Dale Folwell as meant no new homes and busibeing necessary over concern about nesses could be constructed there. how the town was managing its The topic came to the fore, sewer system funds — was just inagain, at a town Board of Comformed by Fremont that the town is missioners’ February meeting, terminating it as a customer at the when, during the public comment State Rep. John Bell end of March for Eureka’s failure to period, several residents said they pay its bills. were growing impatient by what But State Rep. John Bell said they perceived as inaction from elected officials. the Mount Olive situation is different beDavid Kornegay was among those who cause Eureka’s issue — and likely Goldsspoke out — telling the board that the mora- boro’s — are on the path to resolution. torium was preventing him from selling com“My biggest concern is, here it is, once mercial real estate. again we’re helping Mount Olive. They have He said he had been contacted by nearly received millions upon millions of dollars to a dozen “national franchise companies,” but fix their issue, but it’s up to the Town Board has not been able to sell his land because the to get it done,” he said. “We have helped town has not made any progress toward get- Mount Olive numerous times. It’s time for ting the state’s ban on development lifted.

Mount Olive to fix its issues. And it’s time “Every single time when they find out we for everyone in the town to hold that board have no sewer and they have to put in a sep- accountable. No more excuses.” tic tank, they turn around and go away,” he And no more “mismanagement” of tax dollars. said. “They go on to another town and forget “Their issues are a direct result of mismanagement. They have mismanaged millions of about us.” dollars. It’s been going on for years,” Bell said.

“Well, now they have additional funds that • • • they can use to fix their issues. It’s time. It’s The state’s most recent allocation of funding time to get off the moratorium.”

Currently, the town is working with the for water and sewer projects is not the first time Mount Olive has been on the receiving Eastern Carolina Council to find a new manager after commissioners voted to fire Jamend of grants and loans for comparable work. mie Royall earlier this year.

In 2022, the town was awarded $1 million.

Board members have said, publicly, that they Eight years earlier, another $1 million-plus in water line replacement projects were funded hope to find a candidate who has experience through Community Development Block Grants. akin to the town’s water and sewer issues. n newoldnorth.com

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Snow days will likely force WCPS schedule change

Wayne County Public Schools had enough “banked” time built into its calendar to avoid having to make up January closures, but then, another storm hit.

BY RENEE CAREY

W

ayne County Public Schools students will not have to make up the three days they missed in January when the first of two recent winter storms prompted officials to close its campuses, but without an act of the North Carolina Legislature, the Board of Education will soon have to determine when instruction missed because of last week’s closures will be delivered.

Under state law, students are required to have at least 185 days of classes — or 1,025 hours of instruction — each academic year.

We want our kids in classrooms. That is where we feel the most meaningful learning is happening.

But as this year’s storms approached, some districts, including the one in neighboring Johnston County, foresaw the potential for extended closures and designated the time off as remote instruction days to avoid having to change their calendar to meet those guidelines.

WCPS did not.

The district did, however, have some “banked” instructional time built into its schedule — which, according to WCPS spokesman Ken Derksen, means the three days students stayed home in January will not have to be made up.

And while Gov. Josh Stein declared a “State of Emergency” ahead of the latest storm because of an anticipated widespread impact of snow and ice across North Carolina, that does not, Derksen said, have an impact on G.S. 115C-84.2.

“The governor’s declaration does not override a school district’s requirements to adhere to school calendar law,” he said. “Only N.C. legislators can amend school calendar legislation and waive missed days due to severe weather, as occurred after past hurricanes such as Florence and Matthew.”

As of today, no decision has been made by the School

Board related to when schools will make up days missed in February.

But Wake County, which is in the same situation, recently announced it was, among other things, taking a Spring Break day away from students, and other districts are requiring schools to open on select Saturdays.

The WCPS 2024-25 calendar does offer some insight into what board members could choose to do to avoid having to take the same measures.

March 17 and May 26 — both Mondays — are designated as teacher workdays and the Friday before Spring Break, April 18, is the “Good Friday” holiday. WCPS also retains the option to extend school days by a few minutes for the remainder of the year to make up the lost time.

And while some have questioned why WCPS did not simply declare the days off remote instruction days, Derksen said despite the district’s ability to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to go that route, the board would have had to submit a remote learning

plan to the state before the school year began.

“And remote instruction has not been a discussion point in recent years, so that (was not done),” he said. “Because we feel strongly that the best instruction is face-toface instruction.”

Derksen also said that in a rural county like Wayne that contains certain areas that do not have high-speed Internet access, the quality of remote instruction would have been jeopardized for some students — and that “paper packets” that were, in the past, utilized by some teachers to combat that issue were not seen as effective.

“We want our kids in classrooms,” he said. “That is where we feel the most meaningful learning is happening and … it’s also more in line with the spirit of the law.”

Once Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard makes a decision on how to make up the lost time — and the School Board approves it — that information will appear in a future edition of Wayne Week. n newoldnorth.com

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{ our TAKE }

A COMMUNITY EFFORT T

he town of Pikeville has a new community member — well, fairly new, anyway.

He has four legs, a high protection drive, and is kind of a big deal.

Narco is a K-9 officer — a key part of the community’s police force and a weapon in its efforts to keep drugs and crime out of the northern end of the county.

And he was expensive, as K-9 officers are.

Most communities cannot manage the costs associated with getting one, let alone the expenses required to keep one.

Pikeville couldn’t either.

That is until police Chief Rodney Jarman decided that the right thing to do in a community as close-knit as the one he calls home was to ask his neighbors for help.

So, he did.

He found a grant to help bring the Sable German Shepherd to town and then he told his community and his town manager and commissioners about his plans.

Everybody knew town residents would have to be involved in such a big endeavor.

And Jarman knew he would need their support — financial and otherwise — so, he 10

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asked them.

And the Back the Blue community got to work.

And now, Narco is not only a crime fighter, he is an ambassador — and a symbol of sorts of what can be accomplished when a town doesn’t just think it can, but knows it can.

Sure, this is a good news story in an age when there just haven’t been that many.

More tales of strife and differences and less and less about the magic that happens when people see beyond their disagreements and look for common ground are what we see in the news more often these days.

But the story of how Narco got to Pikeville is about a town that has made a decision — to stick together no matter what, to not wait for someone to do it for them, and to stand strong to demand a better future for their community.

It is both an uplifting message and a reminder. Those who join together get things done — no matter how small their town or how dire their circumstances.

It is one more step forward for a community that has faced — and is facing — everything from a crisis in leadership and the need to move

forward to take advantage of the possibilities that are coming and the ones that are just down the road.

It is going to be an important chapter in history not just for Pikeville, but all Wayne County communities.

There really is a future just down the road — expansion of investment and jobs in Raleigh and its environs that are sending residents and businesses down the highway looking for available properties.

And there is very likely passenger rail around the corner that could actually be the catalyst to make the term “bedroom community” a real possibility for many parts of the county.

Sure, we could sit around and wait.

We could bicker amongst ourselves about who gets the resources.

Or we could think about how much stronger we would be if we joined forces — one upgraded, determined, and well-managed and marketed community of small towns and neighborly communities who are ready for the big time.

That’s right.

It is definitely about thinking outside of the box — and deciding that there is nothing to

stop this community.

No way. No how.

We don’t need a gift.

We have the smarts, the support, and the leadership in place to think bigger.

And as a gathering of people who care about this county, we really can move this area forward — and attract the attention and the respect we deserve.

But back to Pikeville.

Of course, it would have been easier to sit back and complain about how dangerous it was for the small town’s police officers — to just brush off the need to deal with everything from drug-trafficking that moves along I-795, to the police chases that start in Raleigh or other locations and speed through town.

It would be easy to say a little town can’t possibly gather the resources necessary to take on that kind of responsibility — that there should be a grant, a gift, or another bigger, and more wealthy, community taking on the expense.

But Pikeville residents decided they were going to get the job done — that their Continued from page 13

2025 PROPERTY REVALUATION Wayne County is conducting a property revaluation to ensure tax assessments reflect current market values, as required by North Carolina law.

Revaluation does NOT determine your tax bill. The Board of Commissioners will set the tax rate later.

Property values are assessed fairly based on real market conditions.

You have the right to appeal if you believe your assessed value is incorrect.

Revaluation notices will be mailed in late February - early March.

LEARN MORE AT WAYNEGOV.COM/REVALUATION

SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS Want to sound off on the issues we’re covering?

Send your thoughts to letters@newoldnorth.com and we just might publish them in a future edition of Wayne Week. Word count is not overly important, but please identify yourself by name and the city or town you reside in. newoldnorth.com

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Continued from page 10

police officers deserved their respect and their support.

And now that Narco is home, he has been embraced, both as a furry celebrity, but also as an important addition to the town’s police force.

He is a fierce partner for the officers who risk their lives every day.

But he has another job, too — one that Chief Jarman says is a responsibility of every member of the town’s police force.

He is part of the town’s community policing initiative.

You see, Jarman does not want his officers to only know the town from behind the blinking lights of a police cruiser or when they are in trouble or facing the worst moments of their lives.

He wants them to know their neighbors and to build the trust necessary to make — and to keep — a community safe.

Residents who trust their police force are more likely to help with everything from tips to support for investigations and operations.

All that stuff is expensive — both in political capital and in dollars and cents.

Jarman says he is lucky. His community gets it.

So, Narco and the other officers who serve in the Pikeville PD, meet the public — often.

And it has paid big dividends.

Narco is always getting gifts from his neighbors — from practical items like a safety vest to splurges like toys, food, and treats.

After all, he is the community’s dog. The residents even chose his name.

It really is a heartwarming story.

But that brings us to another lesson, one we often forget as we go about our day.

Good leaders — people who understand that they serve their community, and don’t own it — build coalitions and create initiatives that make where they live a better place.

Chief Jarman is one of those rainmakers.

He worked hard to gain the community’s trust, and he aims to keep it.

And no, there would be no Narco without him.

Goldsboro has one of those police chiefs, too — and there are other officials across this county with the same dedication and commitment.

They aren’t about attention and photo ops.

They are about the community.

And if we could harness all of them, across boundaries and communities, we could create a county that is unstoppable from the northern edge to the southern border.

And they are not the only ones who are changing this place we all love.

There are more and more citizens across this county — in communities big and small

— who want more and who are not going to stand for those who think public service is a cash register or a power grab.

They are demanding better, and becoming an active part of creating that better future they believe in for their county and their hometowns.

They are standing up at meetings, paying attention to information, and contributing tips when they see something rather than just sitting back and waiting for someone else to act.

There is a new courage and a new determination. And we are here for it — every minute of it.

There are achievements like the Pikeville K-9 “Friends of the Fur” initiative unfolding across this county every day.

And they make us proud.

But we also hope they show you that it really is the “little engine that could” who gets things done.

It is how you get a K-9 that, on paper, no one says you can get.

It is how you, Julie Metz, get a grant to save your historic train depot, and keep the plan for passenger rail running through your community alive.

It is how you, Goldsboro City Council members, decide that safety is Job 1 in your community and then do what is necessary to fund it.

It is also how you, Councilwoman Jamie Taylor, make keeping a neighborhood free of the blight a priority — even when everyone says there is no money to do so.

It is how you, Congressman Don Davis, Sen. Ted Budd, State Rep. John Bell, and Friends of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base members, take advantage of a second chance at creating a stronger and more secure relationship with the military installation that has been in your community for decades.

And it is how you, Dr. Marc Whichard and members of the Wayne County Board of Education, take a school district that has gotten a failing report card and decide that the next measurement is going to set a new standard.

Yes, out-of-the-box thinking is what will take this county to the level necessary to be the next North Carolina success story.

Our state is on the move — and attracting more and more investment and interest every single day.

Wayne County has the heart and the bones to be a key player in that mix.

All it takes is a community united and focused on getting and expecting more and then doing what it takes to get the job done — no matter what the naysayers say.

Still not convinced?

Just ask Pikeville — while you’re scratching Narco behind the ear. n

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. Wayne WEEK . 13

A TOWN ' S BEST FRIEND

Pikeville Police Chief Rodney Jarman had faith town residents and businesses would help him fund a K-9 unit for his department. He was right.

BY KEN FINE

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA IVEY (WILD HEARTS PHOTOGRAPHY)

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H

is oversized tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, Narco waits — his long, pointy ears stretching skyward as a curious little girl walks in his direction.

The excitement builds as she extends a hand, but he remains seated.

Discipline is not a problem for this dog.

With every pet he welcomes — and giggle he evokes — bystanders might be fooled into thinking the Sable German Shepherd is always a “good boy.”

But what they — and that little girl — don’t know is that in an instant, when given the command to “work,” he becomes a nightmare for those who seek to harm the town that makes sure his toy box, and food dish, are always stocked.

“You could, I mean, eat him up,” Pikeville Police Chief Rodney Jarman said.

“But when it’s time to work, look out.”

And if they don’t live inside the Pikeville town limits, they have no idea that he, in a way, belongs to everyone who calls the Wayne County municipality home.

J

arman remembers what it was like to respond to calls without the comfort of having a K-9 officer to back him up.

“There have been times when I have been in knockdown, drag out fights in the snow in a Food Lion parking lot,” he said. “I wish I could have popped the door and deployed a dog and had a partner readily available.”

And he understands what can happen when a smalltown police officer is “all alone” during the nightshift and comes across a dangerous suspect.

“I have worked for this town since 2015, and I have worked those shifts by myself,” Jarman said. “It can be tough.”

So, when he took on the leadership role, he decided to look for a way, within the department’s means, to prioritize both his officers’ safety and the town’s.

“That’s where the canine idea came from. I’ve had it since about (2017) when I was a lieutenant. That dog is a force multiplier. And, you know, it’s an immediate deterrent,” Jarman said. “It was like whenever the taser first came out. All (suspects) had to do was see that taser. We didn’t even have to threaten to utilize it. Man, folks were just as compliant as can be.”

He knew adding a K-9 officer to the PPD ranks would accomplish the same thing — and give the officers under his command a sense of security during their shifts.

“I thought about, you know, how could we help out those officers on the streets?” Jarman said. “The idea was to get two dogs. Then, instead of those nightshift officers being out there at midnight all by themselves, they would have a partner.”

So, he applied for a grant.

Continued on page 16

MEET NARCO Breed: Sable German Shepard Age:

2 years old

Birthplace: Hungary Handler: Officer Frederick Smith Funding Source: AKC Reunite grant; East Coast Canine, Mona Pants Foundation, USPCA, Kinston Police Department, Friends of the Fur

$22,000 Total Cost (Start-Up) 8 Felony Drug Seizures 5 “Tracks,” Including Fleeing Suspects 41 Deployments on Vehicles 423 Training Hours 19 Positive Narcotics Alerts newoldnorth.com

. Wayne WEEK . 15

Others simply stop by Town Hall.

But in a town with less than 1,000 resi“We have people come in and just say, dents, he knew that even if he got and trained a dog using grant funds, the tax base could ‘Look. What does the dog need? I want to not support the annual operating expenses of buy it,’” Jarman said. “And you’ll literally have someone just walk in with a Kong. a K-9 program.

“That’s where, ‘Friends of the Fur,’ came We have people drop stuff off all the time. from,” Jarman said. “I said to the board, ‘This They inquire, ‘Hey. What kind of toys does is what I’d like to do. I’ve taken care of this, Narco like?’ Others will be like, ‘Does he have a vest? We want to buy the vest.’ It’s this, and hit all the check boxes.’” been awesome.”

With board members’ Jarman, though, is blessing, he started not surprised. approaching citizens “I’m not shocked by it at and businesses.

This is a great all. This is a great commuFor $350, they could nity, and Pikeville is very sponsor Narco, a name community and pro-law enforcement,” he town residents selected Pikeville is very said. “And since 2022, this via a social media vote department has taken a big conducted by the depro-law enforcement. turn toward the positive. partment.

So, just being able to reAnd it didn’t take long build and reinforce trust, I for him to raise the fundtake great pride in it. And ing for the K-9 program’s having this community’s first year — money that covered everything from food, housing, and support, I think every one of my officers takes pride in knowing that the people we toys to training, equipment, and vet bills. are here to serve know they can trust us and But the town’s giving did not stop there.

“I get emails all the time. People will know that we’re going to do everything we say, ‘Is it cool if I get Narco some new can for them.”

But Narco is not just Pikeville’s protector. toys?’” the chief said. “I always say, ‘Yes,’ The K-9, when available, has assisted the because he wears through those toys like you wouldn’t believe.”

Continued on page 18

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North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Fremont Police Department, and the Wayne County Sheriff ’s Office.

And the work he does — including thwarting drug traffickers — benefits every county citizen, Jarman said.

“Highway 117 is a major travel corridor … and this department has gotten kilos of drugs off that highway. So, that stuff travels through here,” he said. “Remember, 117 runs north to south all the way through this county, so if we don’t catch (those drugs) here, then they’re gonna make it to Goldsboro or Mount Olive. If we don’t apprehend a suspect that’s on the loose and armed — if he makes it past us — then he’s going to Goldsboro. He’s going to Mount Olive. He’s going to Rosewood. He’s going to Saulston. So, we like to think of ourselves as a barrier … to block that stuff so they don’t trickle down into your neighborhoods. Narco is a big part of that effort.”

A

man has evaded officers and is hiding beyond a tree line, but when the lawman on the scene threatens to send in Narco, he walks out “with his hands way up in the air.”

A suspect who “typically would give you a run for your money” when a PPD officer answers a call by themselves, sees the K-9 decal on the car and “immediately complies.”

But Jarman would tell you that for every offender scared straight by Narco, there are dozens more who see his presence as a member of the Pikeville police force as a way to come together with law enforce-

ment for the good of the town they love.

“This community embraces us, and I strive every day to make sure we embrace this community,” Jarman said. “So, we’ll be out at events and Narco will be out there, too. We’ll have a good time with you.

I don’t want the first time you have a conversation with us to be because (of trouble). The ‘Friends of the Fur’ program helps there, too. So, yeah, it’s been really special. It’s about relationships. And when people can trust you, they are willing to be a part of what we do. That’s why any time we do anything here, it’s got to have community buy-in.”

Town Manager Tim Biggerstaff said he is proud of Jarman and his team — and the fact that the town he loves has rallied behind ensuring every Pikeville police officer knows they have a four-legged partner that is always chomping at the bit to keep them safe.

“A small town like Pikeville could never afford a K-9 unit, so the commitment this community has made for us to have this program — especially along 795 with its history of drugs running through the town — and just the town’s general commitment to safety, it’s special,” Biggerstaff said. “It’s a benefit and a blessing that we’re fortunate enough to have this program.”

And that they are fortunate enough to have a police chief who always puts his officers, and community, first.

“This was 100 percent Jarman. He went and ignited the community to get behind him,” Biggerstaff said. “And you don’t just find a chief that has that kind of commitment. So, we’re blessed for sure.” n

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NO T ICE S NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ALMA B. MARTIN

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 10th 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. 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 OF ADMINISTRATION

The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Annie Davis, 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 16th 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 16th day of February, 2025.

Coretta Mewborn Administrator for the Estate of Annie Davis, 721 Oliver Street, Mount Olive, North Carolina, 28365 Published Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2024, and March 9, 2025

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of John Norman Hunter, 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 16th 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 16th day of February, 2025.

Robert Neil Hunter III Administrator for the Estate of John Norman Hunter 2401 Buffaloe Road, Garner, North Carolina, 27529 Published Feb. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2024, and March 9, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF RUSSELL ALAN HENNING

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Russell Alan Henning, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16th day of May, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to the es-

tate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 16th day of February, 2025.

David Russell Henning Administrator of the Estate of Russell Alan Henning 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. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, and March 9, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF FRANCES TYNER HINNANT

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Frances Tyner Hinnant, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16th 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 16th day of February, 2025.

Betty F. Waters and Billy R. Farmer, Co-Executors of the Estate of Frances Tyner Hinnant 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. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, and March 9, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF BARBARA ANN MILLER JACKSON

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Barbara Ann Miller Jackson, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16th 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 16th day of February, 2025.

Joseph C. Jackson, Administrator of the Estate of Barbara Ann Miller Jackson 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. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, and March 9, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JANICE HEAD KORNEGAY

Allpersons, firms, and corporations having claims against Janice Head Kornegay deceased, of Duplin County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16th 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 16th day of February, 2025.

Donnell Edwin Kornegay, Jr. Executor of the Estate of Janice Head Kornegay 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. 16, 2025, Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, and March 9, 2025

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Hazel Marie Crowley, 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 24th 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 23rd day of February, 2025.

Elizabeth Sarno Administrator for the Estate of Hazel Marie Crowley, 502 Church Street, Seven Springs, North Carolina, 28578 Published Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF DONALD MONROE SUMMERLIN

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Donald Monroe Summerlin 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 24th 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 23rd day of February, 2025.

Donna Marie Summerlin Hamm Executor for the Estate of Donald Monroe Summerlin111 Long Point Circle, Powells Point, North Carolina, 27966 Published Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025

NOTICE OF PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT

The Town of Pikeville hereby provides notice of a proposed text amendment to bring local ordinances into compliance with North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160D. This amendment updates zoning, subdivision, and land use regulations in accordance with state law. A public hearing will be held before the Town Council on March 10th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall where interested parties may appear and be heard.

Written comments may be submitted to Tim Biggerstaff, Town of Pikeville Manager, at manager@pikevillenc.gov before March 10th, 2025.

For information or to review the proposed amendment, please contact Pikeville Town Hall at 919242-5126 or visit pikevillenc.gov Dated this February25th,2025 Tim Biggerstaff, Town Manager Town of Pikeville Published March 2, 2025, and March 9, 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., March 12, 2025. Late bids will not be accepted and will be returned unopened.

This invitation is extended to all qualified vendors/manufacturers that are specifically 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 March 2, 2025

NOTICE TO PICK UP FILES AND OF THEIR DESTRUCTION NORTH CAROLINA WAYNE COUNTY

The undersigned having been appointed trustee for the Law Office of Janice S. Head, PA or Janice Head Kornegay, Attorney at Law in Wayne County file number 25 R 19, because Janice S. Head/Janice Head Kornegay died on January 3, 2025. This is to notify all people or businesses that may have a file in the custody of Janice S. Head/Janice Head Kornegay that you will have from March 3, 2025 until May 5, 2025 to pick your file up.

You may call 919-736-3076 or 919-635-9007 or email shelby@ bentonfamilylaw.com to arrange a time to pick up your file. You will need a photo ID to pick up your file and the file can only be given to the client in whose name the file is noted. If you do not pick the file up within the time set out above the remaining files will be destroyed in accord with the rules of the North Carolina State Bar. This the 18th day of February 2025.

Shelby Duffy Benton, Trustee Law Office of Janice S. Head, PA Janice Head Kornegay, Attorney at Law Goldsboro, North Carolina Published March 2, 2025, March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025 and March 23, 2025

newoldnorth.com

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the SPECTATOR Fun and games Gamers and cosplay enthusiasts converged on downtown Goldsboro Feb. 22 for Goldsboro FanFest 2025.

PHOTOS by CASEY MOZINGO

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newoldnorth.com

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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!

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Julie Whitfield, Wayne County Clerk of Court

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JERICHO FA R M S

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