Wayne Week — May 19, 2024

WEEK Wayne

Made in America

When Guillermo Estrada heard an American flag on the UNC campus was under attack April 30, he took action — not to make a political statement, but to honor a piece of fabric that means something to his family and his community.

BY KEN FINE p.12

MAY 19, 202 4

CONTENTS

4

State auditors excoriate Fremont Former Town Administrator — and current Wayne County Commissioner — Barbara Aycock is among those implicated by state auditors in a scathing investigation report published Wednesday by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor.

EDITORIAL

EDITOR Ken Fine

EDITOR Renee Carey

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10 Our take

When a group of fraternity brothers ensured an American flag did not touch the ground on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus April 30 — despite protestor's best efforts to ensure it was destroyed — they demonstrated a level of courage and respect that should make all of us proud, particularly because one of them is a son of Wayne County who said there was no way he was going to stand for the desecration of something that will forever be a part of his family's — and his community's — story.

12 Cover story

When Wayne School of Engineering graduate turned Morehead Scholar Guillermo Estrada heard an American flag was under attack on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus, he took action — not to make a political statement, but to honor a piece of fabric that means something to his family and the community that raised him.

19 The May 12, 2024 edition

Our print subscribers did not get a physical copy of Wayne Week last weekend because a severe thunderstorm knocked out power at our printing facility in Central North Carolina — and damaged several pieces of equipment. So, we have included the stories that ran in that edition for those who have trouble reading their newspaper online.

NEWS + VIEWS

Auditors excoriate former Fremont leaders

According to an investigative report released by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor, the town was not being governed according to state, federal law.

BY KEN FINE

Editor’s Note: The identities of the individuals implicated by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor were not revealed. However, based on the identifying information provided below by auditors, “Former Town Administrator” is current Wayne County Commissioner Barbara Aycock, and “Former Town Mayor” is W. Darron Flowers.

The report identifies them as follows:

· Former Payroll Clerk:

July 2015 – September 2021

· Former Town Administrator:

November 2013 – October 2020

· Former Town Mayor:

November 2011 – November 2023

· Former Town Clerk:

August 2017 – September 2023

· Former Finance Officer:

November 2017 – January 2019

· Previous Finance Officer:

July 2021 – June 2023

· Current Finance Officer:

September 2023 – Current

Allowing individuals and their pets to live in Town Hall — and using taxpayer dollars to install a shower and water heater in the building so those people could bathe.

Failing to report more than $235,000 of compensation paid to “the former Town Administrator” and “former Payroll Clerk” to the Internal Revenue Service, in violation of federal law.

Falsifying town records so the “former Payroll Clerk” could overpay herself by more than $14,000, the “former Public Works Director” by more than $9,000, and the “former Town Administrator” by more than $380.

Paying the “former Town Administrator” more than $32,000 of unearned vacation leave.

Charging more than $37,000 to town credit cards without documenting that the charges were, in fact, for “valid business” purposes.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg Fremont’s ship crashed into when the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor published a scathing Investigative Audit report chalked full of damning allegations Wednesday.

The sprawling document, which was publicly released, comes several years after nine allegations of misconduct were levied against the town government and its board — claims that prompted the NCOSA to launch a formal investigation that ultimately uncovered alleged misdeeds spanning from 2014 to 2021.

Here are the findings, as presented by the state.

Note: The following are, word-for-word, the allegations levied by the NCOSA:

FINDING NO. 1

Former Town Administrator and Former Mayor Allowed Individuals to Reside in Town Hall

The former Town Administrator and former Mayor improperly used Town of Fremont property by allowing two individuals to reside in Town Hall for approximately six months. As a result, the occupants had unrestricted access to documents with personally identifiable information. Also, the former Town

Administrator authorized $3,450 of Town funds to renovate Town Hall for the benefit of the two individuals, and as a result the funds were not available for valid Town purposes. The former Town Administrator and former Mayor exceeded their authority by allowing the individuals to reside in Town Hall. The Board of Aldermen was unaware of the individuals living in Town Hall until three months after they moved in.

The Town’s Personnel Policy prohibits improper use of Town property.

The occupants were seen in Town Hall by employees, including in areas of restricted public access during business hours. Also, a citizen saw the occupants leaving the building at night with their pets and reported the incident to a Board of Aldermen member.

The purpose of Town Hall is to have a place where the business of the town is conducted. Instead, the former Town Administrator and former Mayor allowed the property to be used for non-business activities including sleeping, preparing food, bathing, and housing pets.

According to minutes of the March 17, 2020, closed session Board of Aldermen meeting, the former Mayor allowed the individuals to live in Town Hall as an incentive for bringing a new business to the Town.

Further, the former Town Administrator approved for a shower and hot water heater to be installed for the benefit of the individuals living in Town Hall.

The occupants lived in an area of Town Hall with unrestricted access to documents

Continued on page 6

Barbara Aycock

Darron Flowers

with personally identifiable information. This included personnel files, bank statements, credit card statements, and other sensitive documents.

While the occupants were living in Town Hall, $3,743 of Town funds were spent related to their improper residency and were not available for valid Town business.

The former Town Administrator authorized the use of $3,450 in Town funds to install a shower and water heater for the sole use of the two individuals that resided in Town Hall. The purpose and distribution of funds was not approved by the Board of Aldermen. This included:

• $2,800 spent on the purchase and installation of a shower.

• $650 spent on plumbing supplies, the removal of a water heater, and the installation of a new water heater.

According to the former Finance Officer, the shower and water heater have not been used since the occupants left Town Hall.

An average of 2,433 gallons of water were used during the six months of the occupant’s stay in Town Hall. This is 1,983 more than the average 450 gallons used in the six months following their eviction.

While Town Hall does not receive a bill for utility usage because it is a public building, the utility usage during the

occupant’s stay for water, sewer, and garbage would have been billed at $351, which is $293 more than the bill for the six months following their eviction.

The Town could not provide any documentation showing the occupants paid the Town for the utility usage.

CAUSE

The former Town Administrator and former Mayor exceeded their authority by allowing the Town Hall to be used as a residence for two individuals and their pets.

In the March 17, 2020, Board of Aldermen meeting, in response to a Board member questioning if allowing individuals to live in Town Hall was an appropriate business incentive, the former Mayor replied that he did not care, as he was going to start taking certain liberties granted to him as Mayor.

FINDING NO. 2

Town Did Not Report $235,012

of Employee Compensation

The Town of Fremont did not report to the Internal Revenue Service $235,012 of compensation paid to the former Town Administrator and former Payroll Clerk for services performed from 2014 through 2021.

The compensation should have been reported to the IRS on a Form W-2 or Form 1099. As a

result, the Town may be assessed penalties and fees for not properly reporting the compensation. The compensation was not reported because the Town did not have procedures in place to ensure that the appropriate tax forms were issued to those receiving the payments.

However, federal tax law requires employers to report the compensation paid over $600 in a tax year to all employees to the IRS.

The Town did not report all compensation paid to the former Town Administrator and former Payroll Clerk to the IRS for services performed.

Investigators reviewed the amounts paid to the two former employees from 2014 through 2021 for services performed. During these years, both employees were paid through the payroll process and also via check as contractors.

CAUSE

The Town did not have procedures in place to ensure that all compensation paid was reported to the IRS.

According to the previous Finance Officer from July 2021 – June 2023, 1099 forms are issued by the Finance Officer.

However, during the time the payments were made, the former Finance Officer did not have procedures in place to ensure all compensation was reported.

FINDING NO. 3

Former Payroll Clerk Falsified Payroll Records to Benefit Herself and Others

The Town of Fremont’s former Payroll Clerk paid herself and two other employees for more holiday time than they earned. The total overpayment was $14,268 during the period January 2014 – December 2021.

This violated the Town Personnel Policy prohibiting employees from falsifying Town records for personal profit.

As a result, these funds were not available for valid Town purposes.

The former Payroll Clerk and former Town Administrator overrode the process intended to safeguard assets.

The former Payroll Clerk falsified Town payroll records to profit herself and two other employees. Specifically, the former Payroll Clerk paid herself and the two employees for more holiday hours than could be earned by manually adding additional time to the payroll records.

Each full-time Town employee is paid eight hours for each approved holiday at their hourly rate. The former Public Works Director and the former Town Administrator were full-time employees. The former Payroll Clerk was a part-time employee.

According to the allegation, the

Continued on page 8

former Payroll Clerk, the former Public Works Director, and the former Town Administrator were paid for more holiday hours than could be earned.

Investigators reviewed payroll records and found that these three employees were paid $14,268 for more holiday hours than could be earned during the period January 2014 – December 2021, an eightyear period.

Specifically,

• The former Payroll Clerk received $4,710 more than earned.

• The former Public Works Director received $9,174 more than earned.

• The former Town Administrator received $384 more than earned.

CAUSE

The former Payroll Clerk and former Town Administrator did not follow the processes intended to safeguard assets.

FINDING NO. 4

No Assurance That Over $500,000 in Compensation Was Accurate

The Town of Fremont did not ensure that the compensation for the former Town Administrator and the former Payroll Clerk was authorized and accurate. As a result, there is no assurance that over $500,000 in compensation over a seven-year period was accurate.

The Town did not ensure that compensation for the former Town Administrator and former Payroll Clerk was accurate and properly authorized because the Board of Aldermen was not involved with the operations of the Town.

The Town’s Standard Operating Procedures requires that payments be accompanied by supporting documentation, including a hiring authorization, salary history, and hours worked.

CAUSE

The Town did not ensure that compensation for the former Town Administrator and former Payroll Clerk was accurate and properly authorized because the Board of Aldermen was not involved with the operations of the Town.

Specifically, the Board did not ensure that the two former employees had valid employment contracts stating their approved salary, benefits, or working hours scheduled.

According to the former Town Administrator, the Town had a very “lenient” Board. The Board did not require written contracts or annual adjustments in pay to be formally approved.

She stated that the Board “knew she was working.”

The Town of Fremont paid $32,424 to the former Town Administrator for vacation leave hours that she did not earn.

As a result, these funds were not available for valid Town purposes."

FINDING NO. 5

Town Paid $32,424 to Former Town Administrator for Unearned Vacation Leave Hours

The Town of Fremont paid $32,424 to the former Town Administrator for vacation leave hours that she did not earn. As a result, these funds were not available for valid Town purposes.

The former Town Administrator herself, former Payroll Clerk, former Mayor, and a former Board Member approved two of the payments for unearned vacation leave without any documentation to support the payments.

CAUSE

The former Town Administrator herself, former Payroll Clerk, former Mayor, and a former Board Member approved two payments to the former Town Administrator without any supporting documentation to ensure that the amounts were correct.

Two additional payments were made to the Town Administrator with no documentation as to who approved the payments. The payments were made based on requests for funds that were handwritten or manual entries into the system, with no documentation to support that the amounts were actually owed to the former Town Administrator.

FINDING NO. 6

No Town Purpose for Credit Card Purchases

The Town of Fremont did not ensure that charges made to the Town’s credit cards were for a valid Town purpose.

As a result, there were over $37,000 in credit card charges with no documented business purpose.

The Board of Aldermen did not ensure that procedures were followed that would

Administrator approved the former Finance Officer to be paid $3,000 reimbursement for tuition without being given the authority to do so by the Board of Alderman and without reviewing documentation to support that validity of the reimbursement.

The tuition reimbursement payments were made because the former Town Administrator assumed the authority to approve the tuition reimbursement.

North Carolina General Statutes § 160A-155 states that all expenditures must be included in the Town budget approved by the Board.

CAUSE

Although she had not been explicitly granted authority by the Board, the former Town Administrator assumed she had authority to reimburse the tuition payments to the former Finance Officer.

prevent or detect credit cards purchases that were not for a valid business purpose.

From January 2017 through December 2020, there were 982 transactions totaling $107,328 charged to the three credit cards. However, the Town did not ensure that all purchases were accompanied by supporting documentation.

A review of 538 charges showed that 344 charges (64%) totaling $37,123 were not accompanied by supporting documentation.

Further, the Town did not safeguard the credit cards. According to the former Town Administrator, all Town employees had access to use the credit cards assigned to her.

The following purchases were made on the Town’s three credit cards:

• $5,376 in purchases for food without supporting documentation.

• $454 in purchases that were shipped directly to the former Finance Officer’s home.

• Purchases included an air mattress, Roku smart TV device, popcorn maker, mini fridge, table lamp, iPhone case, seven YETI tumbler cups, and other items. According to the former Town Administrator, these items were for the Town’s Christmas party.

• $447 in purchases made on the former Finance Officer’s assigned card after her resignation.

• $354 purchase to a vacation rental home company on the card assigned to the former Town Administrator.

CAUSE

According to the former Town Administrator, the Board were not involved in the operations of the Town.

FINDING No. 7

Reimbursement Paid Without Authority and Supporting Documentation

The Town of Fremont’s former Town

However, there is no record that the Board passed a resolution authorizing the former Town Administrator to provide tuition reimbursements.

FINDING No. 8

Former Board of Aldermen Violated Public Works Ordinance

The Town of Fremont Board of Aldermen reduced the utility payment for a relative of a Board member (customer).

As a result, $876 of uncollected funds were not available for valid Town purposes.

The Board of Aldermen knowingly ignored legal advice from the Town Attorney and reduced the customer’s utility balance.

In March 2023, auditors reviewed the unpaid utility services due between March 2017 and September 2022, and found $4,211 was owed by the customer and not paid.

The Board was notified by the former Town Clerk of the unpaid utility services at the November 15, 2022, meeting. The Board voted unanimously, including the Board member related to the customer, to reduce the amount owed by the customer to $1,952, less than half of the original balance.

CAUSE

The Board violated the Town Public Works Ordinance in full knowledge that they did not have the authority to reduce or forgive a customer’s utility balance.

In June 2021, the former Town Administrator requested legal advice regarding the Board’s ability to forgive the customer’s balance. The Town Attorney informed the former Town Administrator that a local government cannot forgive a debt, the customer is responsible for the true amount, and the Town is legally required to collect.

On November 15, 2022, the Board unanimously voted to reduce the amount owed by the customer. n

Aycock responds to audit report

Wayne County Commissioner and former Fremont Town Administrator Barbara Aycock provided the following response, in writing, to Wayne Week about what she characterized as the “terrible things being said regarding my time in Fremont.”

In the interest of ensuring her words remain her own, the comments have not been modified to correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar errors:

1) the shower was put in after having the town experienced a hurricane that put utilities out for several days.  The town hall has a generator which can operate during times like this.  The town has several citizens on oxygen.  The meeting room could provide safety for people in need Of electricity. The town has fema cots if needed for such occasions.  Certain facilities are required by fema to provide services if it is to be used. During the storm the police chief , town clerk, and other officers stayed at town hall during this time for emergency.  The shower was not put in for those people from FLA.  The finance officer working with FEMA ask the question if we need to what was necessary to do this to open town hall in case of emergencies.

2) my contract was for 32 hrs and paid hospital insurance.  The board who hired me approved my pay of $33,000 with paid insurance.  If for any reason I was there late for meetings, etc. hours were put in comp time.  By payroll. Most all employees time was put in comp time, when they left they were paid comp time or used for other days off.  When I was paid out after 7 years built up the payroll clerk coded it vacation. Not comp.  When I went to Fremont it was going to be until they hired someone but due to limited funds when I went the funds were not there to pay someone around 70,000 to 80,000. So I was asked to stay.  The board who hired me were very satisfied with me and continually ask me to work longer, so I did because I had the knowledge to get grants for the town which I did, I think around 7 million.  They needed all the help they could get with the sewer issues they had.  It was unbelievable at the rate of I & I the town was experiencing.  Sewer is basically what put the

town in red for years.  When police chief retired he was paid his comp time, as others were. Overtime was needed because of the problems the town had, so if this occurred it was put in comp time because of limited funds, this was the way it was done when I arrived. I had an approved contract for my work when hired.

3) the finance officer was working on her degree At Wesley College, during her last class to graduate were in finance, accounting.  She had been in school for over a yr.  The town has a policy to pay for school if job related, this was.  That was the only time she was pay for classes.  The other employees get sewer license, water license, lineman license, town clerk license to school of government. So if was job related the employee puts in a request to manager for her accounting classes. Her request was so noted as a valid request. She graduated with honors in accounting.

on the floor where they slept.  It was a small room.  There was no conspiracy, the board who hired me gave the mayor a lot of authority to operate the town’s decisions because of previous years of operation problems. They were satisfied with him and Mooring making decisions for day to day operations. The room in back was empty and not used. With a side entrance. Town hall is a big building.  It also has an upstairs with rooms in it that was used as a dental office when it was a bank, it has a side entrance as well.

given.  All agreed on by town policy. And to my knowledge the previous board did not ask her for any changes she had with original board. She attended board meetings, help with board meetings, so the board was aware of her work.

4) The Mayor, Alderman Mooring, Lewis and public works director were aware of the Fla couple.  The town hall has a room in the back with a side entrance to that room, it is locked off from town hall area, and the town hall has cameras in the town hall and monitored by police dept.  Next door. The mayor and others were trying to help couple because the building they bought across street was worst than they thought.  The time they stayed happened to be longer than anticipated.  It was not a big secret they were there, most of the staff knew and some board members.  They had mats

5) the retired payroll clerk had worked for town over 30 years in payroll and town clerk.  When she retired part of her compensation was her insurance paid by town.  Her insurance was around $1600 a month, and the other person was as well until they were eligible for Medicare. Because town was on state insurance retired people could not be on that insurance.  She was around 53 when she retired after 30 yrs. There was 2 other retired people receiving insurance and in personnel policy after so many years you retire with insurance.  This was a policy I tried for several times to get board to change.  When she retired she negotiated with the board verbally what she wanted to come back to work.  This was with the original board that hired me.  The clerk is a well respected lady who work with the town for over 30 years, the board respected her and wanted her to stay on parttime because of her knowledge of the town.  If she made mistakes it was not intentional.  The town has direct deposit for payroll. So yes compensation was

This had been unbelievable how things was given incorrectly on my part.  I went there to assist town and help with grants, etc. which I did.  I had meetings everyday with mayor and other board members to keep them updated on the progress of the town.  Alderman mooring and the mayor were in town hall everyday.  They were very active in the day to day operations.  There was a cpa there in the last year I was there monthly to work with finance officer to help her.  Before that an accounting firm was hired to come in before audit to go over journal entries, reconcile bank statements, etc.  because it was needed to help finance officers who were lacking in some knowledge of governmental accounting, this was at my request to have them there with board approval.

I have always tried to help, I value my reputation and would never do anything intentionally do anything like this, yes there was mistakes, staffing in small towns do not most times have the knowledge base of larger towns, most are trained on the job and don’t have opportunities to go to school for these jobs. I was confident if there was any problems the accounting firms hired would find them, and the town had good audits by Petway and Mills accounting.

Editor’s note: An offer made to Aycock for a follow-up discussion to clarify some of the above was declined.

Barbara Aycock

{ our TAKE }

More than a piece of fabric

If hearing Guillermo Estrada’s story did not make you swell up with pride that a young man with that much courage and maturity came from this county, you have lost your way.

If his actions and those of some of his fellow classmates did not make you think that, perhaps, all might not be lost, you need to re-examine who you are and what you really believe in and focus on.

And if you just tossed off what has been happening across our nation’s campuses as “what college students do,” and did not understand why that young man standing up to his peers in such a public way was a true act of light amidst a whole lot of darkness, you are part of the problem.

But if the reason you might have caught yourself feeling a bit of emotion was that you think that Guillermo made a “political statement” that you agree with, you only got part of why this story has resonated with so many across this country — and did not understand why this Morehead Scholar felt compelled to act that day.

Because when the Wayne School of Engineering graduate and his fraternity brothers from Pi Kappa Phi (and others) leapt forward to make sure the American flag did not touch the ground during protests at the University of North Carolina — when they withstood the rocks and water bottles thrown at them to make them give up and stand back, they were making a statement of another kind.

Respect.

Those young men understood that those stars and stripes represent something more than just a few pieces of cloth stitched together or even a government.

They knew that flag symbolized not only hundreds of years of history, but also the lives of thousands of Americans who died to protect it — and others who are still fighting for the principles it espouses.

In other words, it was not just a piece of cloth. Not to them. Not to Guillermo.

There were likely others who felt that way, who were disgusted by the behavior of those who gathered to protest that day on campuses across the country — their vandalism, their lack of respect, their treatment of those who disagreed with their position.

But they did not step up — anywhere — at first.

Perhaps they were frightened of how those who gathered would react.

Perhaps they were worried about being “canceled” or what consequences or reaction they might face from fellow students or university personnel.

Maybe they were worried about their safety or what an out-of-control crowd might do.

Maybe the intense coverage and the possibility of showing their faces on national television was too much. It certainly was for the largely masked protestors.

But for those who did act, for those who did stand up, it was because one young man led the way. It was because someone felt that there was a principle here that was too important to ignore that necessitated action.

It is because Guillermo — and his fellow students — took that first step and spoke up and then inspired others to follow.

And that action sparked more response, and more push back across the country.

There were more counter-protests and others who stood up to those who felt that their beliefs triumphed law and order.

There were more flags protected, positions challenged, and those who did not simply stand back and wait to see if someone else would stand up.

That is courage — and it is contagious.

Guillermo couldn’t sit back and watch what took place that day — and he could not walk away — because to that young man and his family, those stars and stripes do mean more. So much more.

They signify freedom — and the achievement of a dream — to come to this country, to work hard and to finally hear the words, “You are now an American citizen.”

And why Guillermo understands that — and why he was a leader when so many others who should have stepped up did not — goes back to his mom and dad.

Both of them came to this country to find something, to create a better life for their children and grandchildren, and they have seen firsthand why what that flag represents — the spirit and story of this country — is so special.

And they taught Guillermo why that is something you stand up for.

Well done, Mom and Dad. Well done.

But Guillermo and his family are not alone.

There are thousands of local families who have taught their children those very same principles — and others whose flag holds a place of honor in their homes.

They understand the sacrifices that have been made to protect it and the country it represents because they see it every single day when Seymour Johnson Air Force Base F-15Es streak overhead and “Welcome Home” banners and

yellow ribbons appear in their neighborhoods.

Or they are the spouses and families of those who have sworn an oath to protect their communities and have pledged to put their lives on the line to be that thin blue line that stands between good and evil.

And there are others among us who learned, at their parents' and grandparents’ knees, what true oppression is, and why the chance to be free was worth the risk of leaving your family and friends to seek a new life thousands of miles from home — and why earning that title of “citizen” and saluting that flag and singing the national anthem, why those are moments of intense pride.

They get it.

But even so, until now, many of them might have been afraid to speak up and to show it.

Because sometimes, it takes a moment to remind all of us why stepping up matters — why courage is so important.

Sometimes, it takes an image of a group of young men surrounding a flag.

That is why we think we need to talk about what happened at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that day — and the reverberation across the country.

What Guillermo and others did is a lesson for the rest of us.

There are too many of us who have been silent for too long.

We have lived with the fear of cancel culture and the tyranny of those who think that what they believe is the only way.

We have witnessed our friends, neighbors, and children get sucked into social media vortexes and spout “facts” from so-called “experts” on every subject imaginable.

We have watched as conversations that used to take place between those who disagree that ended in, perhaps not a changed mind, but at least a new perspective, bitter feuds that ended friendships and divided families.

And we have listened to the deafening silence of cowardice.

We did not speak up when we should have because we were afraid.

We did not challenge those who disrespected us and our belief systems because we had families to feed.

We did not call B.S. when it was necessary.

And look what it got us.

This nation has lost its compass — and those who should question, who should stand up and offer opposing views, they have gone silent.

It is not how we got here.

And we can’t afford to stay here.

Those who have watched us for generations, who have admired the country we are so blessed to call home, they get it.

They understand just how special it is to be an American citizen.

But they also marvel at the fact that so

many of us don’t.

So, no, Guillermo’s lesson to this community is not about a position on the conflict raging in the Middle East.

And it is not about a group of teenagers protecting a flag.

It is about having the backbone to stand up and to do the right thing when the opposition is overpowering.

It is about speaking up for what is right, no matter the cost.

It is about pointing out hypocritical privilege and “group think” when it is staring you in the face.

And it is about having the courage and the maturity to understand that many have sacrificed to give you the opportunity to behave like an unprincipled and entitled mob.

There, we said it.

Don’t think that what Guillermo and others like him did came without consequences. Those mobs are still there — and their utter disdain for and disrespect of anyone who might disagree with their position remains.

They are not going to make his life easy. You can bet on that.

They will continue to condemn anyone who dares to speak against them or the shaky ground of hypocrisy they stand on.

They don’t want to have a discussion because their world view does not allow

the possibility that they might not have the whole story — or that they, God forbid, might be wrong.

And it is not easy fighting forces like this, no matter how sound your argument is or how determined you are to respect the right of someone else to believe differently.

So, we need to keep our eyes open and to make sure Guillermo and others like him are treated with respect.

And if their universities don’t make sure that happens, we should demand it — especially those universities that are funded by us, the taxpayers of this state.

But we also need to recognize that it is time for the rest of us to be brave, to not let the forces that seem to be laser-focused on destroying this country divide us.

We know better.

We know why what we have is so important, and why it is worth fighting for.

We know we can agree to disagree without condemning those who believe differently. And we know when it is time — well past time — to stand up and speak, to refuse to let fear silence us.

We can do it. We can.

It took a brave young man and a family with principles to remind us of that.

And we, for one, are proud that they call our community home. n

Made in America

When Guillermo Estrada heard an American flag on the UNC campus was under attack April 30, he took action — not to make a political statement, but to honor a piece of fabric that means something to his family and his community.

BY KEN FINE

He could feel the weight of his saturated T-shirt on his shoulders.

He could see, out of the corner of his eye, people his own age hurling plates of food, water bottles, and debris toward him and his fraternity brothers.

He could sense the unpredictability of the “chaos” and hear the expletives being hurled his way.

But there was no way Guillermo Estrada was going to let an American flag touch the ground.

Not that day. Not any day.

For the Wayne School of Engineering graduate turned Morehead Scholar, the stars and stripes are more than symbols stitched onto a piece of cloth.

They are a part of his family’s — and his hometown’s — legacy.

So, when, April 30, a son of Wayne County ran to protect a flag on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus, it was not about the conflict raging in the Middle East.

It had nothing to do with a political position.

It was about a second-grader who heard a talk about patriotism delivered by the 4th Fighter Wing commander.

It was about a fourth-grader who wrote a letter to the Wayne County Public Schools superintendent because the flagpole at Meadow Lane Elementary was broken.

It was about growing up with children who were forced to cope when a parent was deployed to a war zone.

It was about a high school senior who watched a community wrap its arms around the family of a lawman who was shot to death in the line of duty.

And, perhaps most importantly, it was about being the son of immigrants who realized the American dream.

That is why Guillermo has declined repeated interview requests since his actions went viral on X (formerly known as Twitter). Those media outlets that have requested them could never understand the real story, he said, and he had no interest in being the poster child for a “side” of a debate he isn’t well-versed in.

But he agreed to talk to Wayne Week because he believes his neighbors — the village that raised him and those he learned from and grew up alongside — will understand why a teenager growing up in the “cancel culture” era would put himself on the line and take off running when he heard an American flag was being “disrespected.”

The story of what unfolded on the UNC campus April 30 began before Guillermo was born.

It started with a young woman from Mexico who traveled to Wayne County for a “quick visit” with her sister that turned into the pursuit of American citizenship and a career spent advocating for the Latino community.

It continued when that same woman loaded her infant son into a stroller each and every time she attended the various community events she volunteered to assist with.

The seeds of the importance of service to a community were planted when, as a little boy, her son was expected to give his time everywhere from the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair to play groups organized by the county Cooperative Extension.

And the responsibility of leadership was a lesson Michelle Estrada taught Guillermo over and over again — not by showing him the latest viral video on social media, but by setting an example of the kind of person those less fortunate could look to for guidance and an outstretched hand.

“I think it’s been part of our lives since my parents got (to this country) and since I was born,” Guillermo said. “But we don’t see it as service. We see it as what we have always done.”

So, it came as no surprise to those teachers and community leaders who watched Michelle’s son come of age that he would become the first Latino to hold the state’s 4-H presidency.

Nobody was shocked when he advocated for non-English-speaking voters during election cycles.

And when he received UNC’s prestigious Morehead Scholarship, that, too, made perfect sense.

But then, after that same young man posted about what he experienced April 30, something happened that no one who knows Guillermo could ever have imagined.

He was called a “fascist,” a “pig,” a “Zionist,” and other words he declined to share.

“I honestly don’t think you would be able to print them in your newspaper,” Guillermo said.

He could hear the chanting from Franklin Street and knew that the protests erupting on college campuses across the country had found their way to Chapel Hill.

And when his fraternity group chat “started blowing up” — and someone said one of UNC’s American flags had been replaced with a Palestinian one — Guillermo knew he had to take action.

“I was like, ‘There is no way. I have to go see this,’” he said.

When he arrived, he found that the claim was, in fact, true.

“All the barricades they had tried to put up were completely torn down,” Guillermo said.

“People were all chanting around the flagpole.”

Moments later, he and his friends saw Chancellor Lee Roberts walking toward them.

He was flanked by campus security officers — one of them, holding an American flag.

So, Guillermo and other members of the Greek community decided to give them an escort.

That is when the crowd turned.

“A lot of people will tell you that the protest was mostly peaceful and when the officers came, it started out that way,” Guillermo said.

“But then, people started throwing water at them, shoving officers, coming up to them and yelling in their faces. They were screaming at the chancellor. Everything just turned into chaos at that point.”

And when Roberts took down the Palestinian flag and replaced it with Old Glory, the violence escalated.

“There was a point where I saw multiple officers have food thrown at them. I mean, anything that they could find, they threw,” Guillermo said. “You know, the way I was raised, there is a certain amount of respect that you have for authority figures — no matter what. People can get upset with law enforcement and administration. It happens all the time.

But I don’t think I have ever, in my life, felt compelled to hurt someone on purpose. That’s what (the protestors) were doing.”

Just then, a wave of emotion hit the young man.

“It was such a weird feeling,” Guillermo said. “I’ve been upset before. I’ve been scared before. But never to the point where I was physically shaking. It was so infuriating.”

Infuriating because he remembered how, earlier that year, campus police had calmed the fears of the UNC student body during a school shooting.

Infuriating because he comes from a community where a deputy was gunned down in the line of duty.

“All that and now, when they are just trying to put up a flag, people are abusing these officers,” Guillermo said. “I think coming from Goldsboro, you know, we have seen officers shot and killed in the line of duty. I remember very vividly my senior year when (Sgt. Matthew Fishman) passed away and how the community came together to make sure his family was supported. And to just see the campus officers who were first on the line of duty when we had that school shooting be abused like that, I mean, it makes

you mad. It makes you really mad.”

And when, moments after the American flag was flying again, he saw the “hate and anger” on the faces of some of his peers, he thought about his experiences at Meadow Lane Elementary and being raised in the community that houses Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

He remembered the letter he and his fourth-grade classmates wrote to the WCPS superintendent when his school’s flagpole broke and sat, unused, for more than a month.

“And it wasn’t just, ‘Oh, you know, we’re a military school so we need to put our flag up again.’ We wrote why we were so passionate about the flag,” Guillermo said. “So, when you grow up in a military community — when you watch your best friends in middle school who are basically all military children sacrifice — that’s when you realize what that flag means.”

And that is why, moments after the chancellor left the scene and the protestors took aim, again, at the flagpole, Guillermo took a stand.

“I looked at my fraternity brother and just said, ‘Run,’ and we ran all the way to the flagpole and other members of Greek life, we

Continued on page 14

Screen grab from X. Photo courtesy of The Daily Tar Heel/Parker Ali

Continued from page 13

all started getting under the flag to hold it back up. That’s when the chaos started again,” he said. “I was completely drenched. I’m holding the flag and at the same time, I’m trying to email my teacher because I had, at this point, missed class. It was crazy. But I looked at my fraternity brother and said, ‘How long are we staying here?’ He said, ‘The whole time.’ I said, ‘Damn straight.’”

The flagpole would end up being destroyed by the protestors, but thanks to Guillermo and other members of UNC’s Greek community, that American flag never touched the ground.

And after they took it inside a building to ensure it remained unscathed, the “chaos died down” and the young men left the scene.

But Guillermo would find this chapter of his story was just beginning.

Later that evening, while getting ready for a party meant as a celebration of the end of the semester, Guillermo typed out his thoughts on what had transpired hours earlier.

“I sat and thought about it, and I was like, ‘My Twitter feed right now is all about Columbia and UCLA. There is no one that is saying anything positive. There is no one who is defending our country,’” he said.

So, he decided to put his thoughts on social media — with no expectation that “anyone

would really see it.”

“I thought, ‘Surely this is not going to get that much attention,’” Guillermo said. “So, I posted a thread and got dressed for the party.”

Here is what he wrote (Note: Punctuation, spelling, and grammar issues have not been corrected.):

“Today was a sad yet empowering day at Chapel Hill. When I walked to class, I saw the Palestinian flag raised on our quad flag pole, and was immediately upset at the act that these “protestors” had made. I cannot say I am fully educated on the Israel/Palestine conflict but it upset me that my country’s flag was disrespected in order to advocate for another.

Shortly after, Chancellor Roberts came with police officers to hang the flag once again. They were met with profanity, middle fingers, thrown bottles, rocks, and water.

When the flag was raised once again, the greek community began singing the National anthem. As the Chancellor left, the quad erupted into chaos as protestors began removing the flag once again, preparing to destroy it.

My fraternity brother and others ran over to hold it up, in order for it not to touch the ground. People began throwing water bottles at us, rocks, sticks, calling us profane names. We stood for an hour defending the flag so many fight to protect.

Continued on page 16

John D. Lewis Gaston Lewis

Continued from page 14

My parents started a new life in the United States, a country that has helped them flourish and raise two kids. I grew up in a Military community and saw first hand the sacrifices they make. I will not stand for the disrespect these “protestors” cause for the sake of another country.

My LDOC will be memorable in knowing that my fraternity brothers and others fought to keep the flag up. But it was also be memorable in knowing that so many yearn to disrespect it.”

Within an hour, his phone started vibrating. His thoughts had been retweeted by Rep. Richard Hudson and Rep. Lauren Boebert and were on their way to viral status.

“I said, ‘Oh, here we go,’” Guillermo said. And when he looked back at his phone after the party, he had more than 15,000 X notifications.

“I’m like, ‘Oh crap,’” Guillermo said. “But then, I said to myself, this is a problem for tomorrow.”

So, he went to bed — not knowing that he would awake to missed calls from everywhere from Washington D.C. to New York and a steady flow of “hate” from people he thought were his friends.

But the young man found a silver lining. Back in Wayne County, the community that raised him was rallying behind his act of patriotism.

“That’s Wayne County for you. As soon as everything started happening, I had people reaching out. It was, ‘What do you need?’ and, ‘Are you OK?’” Guillermo said. “And it was, ‘Thank you.’” And despite the profanity that has been hurled his way in the weeks since, he has let most of it roll off his back.

But Guillermo felt one incident was worth sharing.

A few days after his actions went viral, he was approached by two girls as he and his friends prepared to leave a restaurant.

They “grilled” him on what was transpiring in the Middle East and why he felt compelled to post his thoughts on social media.

“One of the girls, she started throwing a bunch of questions at me and I tried to be reasonable with her. But then, she said, ‘I just don’t understand how a piece of fabric can symbolize so much to you because it means nothing in this country now,’” Guillermo said. “Well, I told her, ‘You know, that’s where we can agree to disagree. I come from a family of immigrants and yes, it was hard. Yes, there were some tough patches. But no other country would have given my dad, you know, he went from working at Pizza Inn and working at Five Star to owning a house. So, for me, a piece of fabric can symbolize that much. For me, it does.’”

And thanks to his village in Wayne County, he would gladly throw himself back into the same situation were it to unfold again — no matter how many bomb and arson threats are made to his fraternity; no matter how many times he is called a pig or a fascist; no matter how many so-called “friends” try to convince him he is on the wrong side of history.

“You know, Wayne County built me up when I was feeling a little down because some of my peers had turned on me. So, you know, knowing that I could come back home and feel safe and supported, that means the world to me,” Guillermo said. “And it is empowering. But you know, I think that even without that support, I would feel like what we did was worth it. It was simply about doing what we thought was right. Don’t ever tear down my flag.” n

WEEK Wayne

ABOUT THE FOLLOWING

MAY 12th ENCORE SECTION

Late May 8 and early May 9, a severe thunderstorm downed several trees near the property of our printing partner in Central North Carolina.

Power lines went down and the building was without electricity for many, many hours.

That, in and of itself, would have delayed delivery of the May 12, 2024 edition. But then, as the press crew readied to satisfy a backlog of printing jobs, they realized that several pieces of equipment were damaged by an ensuing power surge.

The issue has, as you can see, been corrected and we have been assured that the presses will function normally from here on out.

But we still wanted to take the time to explain, in case you missed the email, what happened — and deliver on what we promised those of you who find it difficult to read on a screen: an expanded Wayne Week that includes last week's content.

We have been in this business long enough to know that from time to time, these things happen.

Sometimes, it will be a hurricane or a snowstorm that makes deliveries impossible.

Other times, something like what happened this past week will force us to find another way to get you your paper.

But two things will never be in doubt.

One, we will always be honest with you — and bust our tails to do everything in our power to get you what we believe is the news this community needs to hear as soon as humanly possible when the inevitable happens.

And two, we will remain humbled by your support of what we do — and work tirelessly to continue working to arm you with the facts you need to help point this community toward a brighter star.

- KEN FINE & RENEE CAREY

THE PROBLEM WITHIN

Two Wayne County public school teachers have been charged with taking indecent liberties with students since Gov. Roy Cooper signed a harsher set of penalties for the crime into law in late 2023. But those two individuals are only part of a problem the local education community has been dealing with for the last several years.

BY KEN FINE p .24

NEWS + VIEWS

Worth gets sixth delay as talks with Feds continue

The former Wayne County Sheriff’s Office major is now set to be arraigned just two weeks before his co-defendant, who pleaded guilty to the charges in March, is scheduled for sentencing.

BY KEN FINE AND RENEE CAREY

According to a court filing obtained by Wayne Week, a man who was, just a few months ago, one of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office’s highest-ranking officials is still working on a potential plea deal with the government that would allow him to avoid standing trial for alleged financial crimes his co-defendant has already pleaded guilty to.

Former WCSO Maj. Christopher Worth, through his attorneys, has asked for — and received — a sixth continuance from Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Myers II and is now set to be arraigned in June, two weeks before former WCSO Drug Unit Chief Michael Cox is scheduled to be sentenced for, among other things, his role in what federal prosecutors say was a bid-rigging scheme that defrauded Wayne County.

(Cox also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone.)

According to the filing, which was submitted by attorney Kelly Greene, Worth continues to “work in good faith with prosecutors for a non-trial resolution” to a saga that began with an FBI investigation and culminated in August 2023 when a grand jury handed down a sprawling 50-plus-page indictment that resulted in Cox and Worth being taken into custody.

And while Worth’s alleged crimes do not include the drug charges his former colleague pleaded guilty to March 27, should he be convicted of the 12 financial crimes-related counts he is up against, he could spend decades behind bars.

According to the indictment, as soon as Worth was promoted to captain in charge of the WCSO’s Support Services division in 2016, he became responsible for “coordinating and vetting” bids from vendors on “various” contracts.

But while he was required to comply with certain procurement requirements “to ensure that county business was conducted with fairness and dignity,” the government alleges he used his position to ensure Cox’s company, Eastern Emergency Equipment, received contract after contract from the

WCSO — acts prosecutors claim enriched both Worth and Cox.

For purchases between $1,000 and $2,500, Worth was required to obtain three independent quotes and award contracts to the lowest bidder.

For anything more expensive than $2,500, he was prohibited from hiring anyone to complete the work until a purchase order was approved and signed by Wayne County finance officers.

He was supposed to prepare a one-page “Memorandum of Award” that provided the identities of the three vendors and a

list of the three quotes.

He was expected to “never discuss one vendor’s pricing and delivery terms with another vendor” to avoid “unfair competition.”

He was supposed to exercise “honesty and integrity.”

But Worth stands accused of failing all of the above.

And Cox, in response to a question from Myers inside a Wilmington courtroom nearly six weeks ago, admitted that the narrative outlined in the indictment was true — that he did, in fact, work with

Worth to ensure EEE was hired for jobs associated with the “upfit” of WCSO vehicles, including Sheriff Larry Pierce’s 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe.

“Did you do it?” Myers asked.

“Yes sir,” Cox replied.

It is unclear if the former Drug Unit chief would be called to testify against Worth should he fail to reach a deal with prosecutors and go to trial.

n

Any additional developments in the case will be reported in Wayne Week and potential breaking news involving the Sheriff’s Office will appear on NewOldNorth.com

Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce and former WCSO Maj. Christopher Worth.

Asbestos removal at GHS approved by School Board

It has been 12 years since a report identified the presence of the material inside the school, but “more research” identified “other areas” of concern.

BY RENEE CAREY

Several months after the Wayne County Board of Education approved plans to move Goldsboro High School into the building on campus currently occupied by Wayne School of Engineering, board members voted to remove from the historic facility that will soon be the Cougars’ former home — and the future home of district staff from the Exceptional Children, School Nutrition, Federal Programs, Human Resources, and Testing departments — asbestos that was identified more than a decade ago.

Wayne County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Dr. Tim Harrell told the board that “there was a concern” about “additional asbestos” not identified when an inspection was completed in 2012 — that “more research was done” and “other areas” of note were identified.

And while he acknowledged that the district has “tapped out our ESSER funds,” Harrell said he still believes the $231,000 it will take to mitigate the problem can be covered using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief money.

Given the apparent conflict — that the money was spent but could still, somehow, be used — board member Chris West asked for clarification.

“So, this will be paid from our ESSER funds?” he asked.

“That’s our goal,” Harrell replied.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, public school districts are required to develop, maintain, and update asbestos management plans and keep a copy at each individual school. The plans are “required to document the recommended asbestos response actions, the location of the asbestos within the school, and any action taken to repair and remove the material.”

Harrell told the board that window glazing and calking in the main building and the main tunnel that runs underneath the building have a concern of “being contaminated at this time.”

May 6 was not the first time in recent history that concerns have arisen about the condition of GHS’ nearly-100-year-old “A Building.”

Back in March 2022, a group of students spoke out at a Goldsboro City Council meeting — blowing the whistle on everything from what they characterized as rotting ceilings and floors and leaks to

wasp, flea and roach infestations.

They decried the fact that heat didn’t function properly in the winter and the air conditioning was “always broken” during warmer months.

They showed pictures of exposed wood floors with original tile that was falling apart, active leaks, and paint peeling off the walls.

And they told stories about cleanliness issues they said were so severe that the school’s maintenance staff could not keep up with them, including a bathroom toilet that had been stopped up for four months.

Christopher Smith, who has since graduated, said he and his classmates felt problems inside GHS were not taken seriously because of the population that attends the school.

“We have problems that people look over because they see Goldsboro High School and they think, ‘Oh, that’s just Goldsboro High,’ or, ‘It is so ghetto over there,’” he told the council.

And former student Desiree Thomas said

the building, which used to be a showpiece in the city, had been neglected to the point it was “mocked and looked down upon.”

“And I cannot help but to ask myself a question that you should be asking yourselves,” she said then. “Would this be the case if this school was full of kids of a different color?”

News of the students’ presentation, which broke on NewOldNorth.com, resulted in headlines across the state.

WCPS responded the next day by dispatching several crews to the campus to fix conditions depicted in the photographs shared with the City Council.

But local legislators would visit the school — and residents and GHS alumni sounded off about the fact that the building had been allowed to deteriorate in the first place.

And now that the asbestos is being removed after the decision was made to move the student body and replace them with non-classroom WCPS staff, some of those same people say they find it troubling

that students were ever expected to occupy a building with asbestos concerns bad enough to require nearly a quarter-of-amillion-dollar remediation.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is a known human carcinogen that can cause mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovaries. But it also acknowledges that while there is “no safe level of asbestos exposure,” health complications generally require prolonged exposure to — and inhalation of — fibers.

And the EPA notes that those asbestos fibers are typically only released into the air when asbestos-containing material is disturbed during demolition work like building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling — limiting the concern that older school buildings that contain the material pose a real threat to the health of students and staff.

Former GHS principal and the board member who currently represents the district that populates the school, Patricia Burden, was not present for Harrell’s presentation. n

THE GREAT HALL OF LOST OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunity cost. It is what happens when time better spent somewhere else is wasted.

Once it happens, you can’t get it back.

And if you look at the recent history of the Goldsboro City Council — say, the last decade — it’s been commonplace.

It can take many forms.

There is grandstanding by politicians who are looking for a way to attract attention.

There are so-called “activists” who have an ax to grind and use every opportunity to derail productive discussion into another rant.

And finally, there are representatives who do not really know what they are talking about — who send public bodies on wild goose chases because someone told them they should “look into that.”

The last is the most galling, because it is often on a whim or planted by someone looking to stir up trouble — and it typically ends in embarrassing ignorance that is nothing but a waste of the time it took to “study” the nonsense.

And none of that work, by the way, is ever actually done by the person who calls for it.

Our favorite?

Those who turn every single little thing that comes across a board’s agenda into a conspiracy or chance to lament the unfairness of it all.

People like that are easily identifiable because they only seem to open their mouths when a camera is rolling. And those of us who have followed local boards for decades can tell you that it’s really just a way of looking like they know what they are doing when they are clearly in over their head.

So, when the City Council recently spent several hours, again, discussing downtown parking and the rules for closing city streets — and bickering and jawing about things that should have been “easy ones” — it was a disappointing throwback to something we hoped we had gotten rid of when this new crop of councilmembers was elected.

But it was also revealing — arming local residents with valuable insight into some of the people who will be making decisions on their behalf for the next three-plus years.

Before we go there, it is worth noting that we have been largely impressed with the majority of those who were elected to serve Goldsboro in November.

They have made tough but necessary decisions on everything from much-needed police salary increases and how to begin to resolve the city’s homelessness crisis to who is leading staff inside City Hall.

And because of that — and because many members of the council are newly-elected — we, and the community, have given them some grace.

But now, we are six months into their respective terms.

So, while they will still have to learn as they go to some extent, those living in the Wayne County seat cannot excuse away missed opportunities.

Because when it comes to several of the critical issues facing this community, there is not a single second to waste.

That is why it was so disheartening to watch another marathon discussion about street closures and parking restrictions.

It demonstrated a complete lack of urgency about the things that could actually make or break this city’s future.

So, rather than take the time to delve into the most important thing discussed at the May 6 meeting — the firm hired to lobby on behalf of the county in Washington and what would be expected of it — we just gave it a spit shine and moved on.

No tough questions for Friends of Seymour Johnson about the debacle that was the complete blind side of the decision to shut down a fighter squadron and convert the 4th Fighter Wing into a training unit.

No deep dive into what will be expected of the new lobbyist or pertinent questions about what the game plan actually is this time.

No discussion about why, as House Majority Leader John Bell boldly put it, so many people “fell asleep at the wheel” and jeopardized this community’s future.

There was no time for that.

Just a little bit of song and dance and an acceptance that “we are in front of the right people this time” and while we “won’t know” whether or not we’re doomed until “the votes happen,” people have a “good feeling” about the new firm.

Well, OK.

That should go well.

Sigh.

We understand why none of the above happened.

It really is quite simple.

Our new council gets mired down sometimes — mostly because its members don’t want to make anyone upset.

And that, unfortunately, is not how effective leaders operate.

Being “nice” and walking on eggshells to avoid hurt feelings is part of the reason the 4th Fighter Wing’s mission is in jeopardy in the first place.

It is why city employees monopolize on-street parking downtown — which, many contend, is the main reason there is a “parking problem” in the city’s core to begin with.

It is why the council approved a street

from some of our current council members.

But we need more.

Now.

Because no, Councilman White, there is nothing wrong with the fact that N.C. Freedom Fest booked two country music acts for this year’s event.

And no, that doesn’t mean the event has a “diversity” problem and is not “inclusive.”

First of all, to imply that country music is “white” shows a complete lack of knowledge about the history of the genre.

And whether you meant to or not — and whether they will choose to respond to you or not — making that comment was likely

Our new council gets mired down sometimes — mostly because its members don't want to make anyone upset. And that, unfortunately, is not how effective leaders operate.

closure for a street market against the advice of city staff — and now, after realizing doing so might have set an inconvenient precedent, angered organizers of the market by trying to change the rules on the fly.

And it’s why nobody called out veiled criticism of the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. and N.C. Freedom Fest by a sitting councilmember.

Being the “bad guy” is not always easy — or politically expedient.

But here’s the problem.

Nothing is ever completely, 100 percent, down the middle “fair” in the minds of all parties.

Ask any parent how often their prudent, “right” decisions are “popular” with those they are charged with acting in the best interest of.

And this community has lost many leaders who understood that.

Think the late Rick Pridgen, Chuck Allen, and Ray Mayo.

We didn’t always agree with them, but they stood up and said “no” when it mattered.

And to be fair, we have seen bursts of that

comment on whether its musical lineup meets the “something for everyone” test?

Of course not.

And there is absolutely nobody who would expect you to because most logical people understand that no event could ever meet that standard.

So, why, when we are facing a gun violence epidemic, homelessness and addiction crises, water safety concerns, and real questions about the future of our Air Force base are we wasting time with yet another red herring?

Why, when Freedom Fest represents an opportunity to stand behind Team Seymour, are we lobbing grenades at its organizers?

And why did nobody on that board call it out?

Well, we’ve already told you.

But fortunately, we don’t have to worry about getting re-elected or protecting a legacy.

And we will not stand by silent while what could become a recurring embarrassment for our city emerges on one of our boards.

Want to be impressive for the cameras? Be bold enough to take on the real challenges facing Goldsboro.

The other might win you a few high-fives from those who seek to divide us, but you will find that those “gotcha” moments could come at a cost this community is no longer willing to stand for.

We believe most Goldsboro residents feel the same way.

They want to focus on the true problems facing this community — crime, poverty, education, homelessness, addiction, and bringing development and jobs right here, right now.

felt by the organizers of the event.

They are volunteers, by the way.

They are black, white, Hispanic, male, female, young, and old.

More importantly, they are giving of themselves to send a message to Washington some of our local leaders seem to have forgotten to send over the last several years.

And a real leader would have called out that statement — immediately — for what it was: absolute nonsense.

Because the music is not what Freedom Fest is about.

Those who come are there to honor our military — all races, ages, and ethnic backgrounds — no matter what is blaring over the speakers.

And no, not every gathering has to get the diversity stamp from those who cannot seem to understand that race does not have to factor into every single decision.

To put it a different way, there are downtown events for everyone in Goldsboro.

What genres will be represented at the Juneteenth event this year?

Will you, Mr. White, feel compelled to

They don’t have time for anything else because the future of the county that raised them is on the line.

It’s time the council follows suit — even if it means having the courage to make someone, including a fellow councilmember, “mad.”

We’ll make it easy for them.

First, there is no parking problem downtown if the council — and Goldsboro’s interim manager — take a hard line on employees who are swallowing up on-street parking on a daily basis.

And as for street closures, you are never going to make everyone happy, so make a decision and stick to it.

But that also means that if you force one street race to end by 10 a.m., you can’t, five minutes later, vote to allow another to operate until 12:30 p.m.

See how easy that was?

Maybe now we can get back to the hard stuff — you know, the stuff like gun violence, opioids, forever chemicals, and homelessness that, quite literally, have lifeand-death implications.n

THE PROBLEM WITHIN

Two Wayne County public school teachers have been charged with taking indecent liberties with students since Gov. Roy Cooper signed a harsher set of penalties for the crime into law in late 2023. But those two individuals are only part of a problem the local education community has been dealing with for the last several years.

BY KEN FINE

EDITOR’S NOTE

Some of the information in the following story could be perceived as graphic in nature and could be upsetting to some readers, including those who might have experienced abuse or sexual assault. Please proceed with that in mind.

ACharles B. Aycock English teacher who allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a sophomore in his classroom after hours.

Another who allegedly had a monthslong relationship with a teenage girl at Southern Wayne.

A history teacher who admitted to, among other things, buying a 15-year-old student a sex toy and being physically intimate with her in his Charles B. Aycock classroom.

A female teacher who resigned after an investigation was launched into her alleged relationship with a male student at Eastern Wayne — one that saw her, in front of coworkers, have him pick her up from a downtown Goldsboro bar when she was intoxicated.

A former Faith Christian teacher who prosecutors say molested two 11-year-old girls.

A University of Mount Olive crosscountry coach who, before he was hired, allegedly had sex with a student he met at a party when he held the same position at Forestview High School in Gastonia.

A principal who, after being charged with the rape of a 12-year-old on the Dillard Academy campus, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound before lawmen could take him into custody.

A high school gym teacher who was accused, on multiple occasions, of having inappropriate contact — and relationships — with teenage girls, but left Wayne County Public Schools before the allegations could result in an arrest.

A high school coach who allegedly had on ongoing relationship with a female student-athlete.

And, most recently, a Charles B. Aycock teacher who was arrested May 3 after a female filed a report alleging that during the 2014-15 school year, the two were in a relationship.

All of the above has unfolded in Wayne County in the last six years.

In 2023, compelled to speak out because of instances like those that have unfolded in Wayne County, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt advocated for harsher penalties for teachers accused of taking indecent liberties with children.

“We know the overwhelming majority of educators will never come anywhere close to violating the rights of students,” Truitt said. “However, I firmly believe that one instance of sexual misconduct is too many.”

According to data she provided at the time — the numbers still reflect the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s most upto-date accounting — there have been 124 reported instances of sexual misconduct by educators involving students that resulted in a license suspension, revocation, or voluntary surrender since 2016.

But to Truitt, a Class F felony seemed lenient.

So, she joined the fight to convince legislators to pass the “Protect Our Students Act,” which would increase penalties both for offenders and those who fail to report misconduct.

By early October, it was signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper after breezing through the state House and Senate.

And today, an indecent liberties charge involving a teacher is now a Class G felony.

Truitt characterized it as a victory.

“This legislation protects and informs students, while outlining and increasing the penalties for offenders,” she said. “We know school safety is top of mind for so many across the state. This is another important step to prioritize student well-being in school.”

A month later, Southern Wayne social studies teacher Hunter Grantham became the first local educator charged under the new penalty structure — the result, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office detectives said, of his participation in an alleged “inappropriate teacher/student relationship” that lawmen

said, “did occur and had been ongoing for several months.”

And six months after Grantham’s arrest, Charles B. Aycock English teacher Andrew Richards was charged after an investigation alleged that he, according to the WCSO, “was engaged in a relationship” with a female student during the 2014-15 school year.

Those two cases reflect 10 percent of the state average of 20 that come to light each year. And they are just the ones that have, to date, resulted in arrests — and do not include

In North Carolina, between January 2016 and October 2022:

124 instances of sexual misconduct by educators involving students resulting in a license suspension, revocation, or voluntary surrender.

20 The average number of suspensions, revocations, or voluntary surrenders per year that are related to sexual misconduct involving students.

SOURCE: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

allegations that have been flying for months on social media sites, YouTube channels, and teachers’ lounges across the county.

Wayne County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard has responded to media outlets both times a WCPS educator was charged this year.

And he, in a statement provided to Wayne Week, said he has “absolutely no tolerance” for crimes against students — and no problem reaching out to NCDPI to recommend suspension or revocation of a teaching license when necessary.

“As superintendent, and a former assistant superintendent of human resources, I have absolutely no tolerance for misconduct by employees, especially if it involves a student,” Whichard said. “The health and safety of our students is paramount and I expect every school campus to be a safe haven for students while they are in our care.”

And while neither he, nor district spokesman Ken Derksen, would comment on specific cases — or put a number on how many, if any, investigations are currently ongoing — WCPS’ official stance was clear.

“WCPS can confirm that if a principal or the Human Resources Department has a report or a suspicion to believe potential inappropriate conduct by a staff member involving a student may have occurred, the matter will be fully investigated,” Derksen said. “Law enforcement will also be notified if suspected misconduct is a criminal offense.”

Twenty years ago, the U.S. Department of Education commissioned a study which aimed to quantify the prevalence of educator sexual misconduct.

It found that nearly 10 percent of the nation’s student body had reported some level of inappropriate behavior.

Nearly 7 percent said they had experienced

Continued on page 26

Ryder Webb

Andrew Richards

Hunter Grantham

Continued from page 25

sexual contact and 9 percent reported teachers using suggestive language or showing them sexual images or notes.

That, the report concluded, meant that millions of American children were victims.

Similar studies conducted since have reported similar numbers as recently as 2015.

But state legislators and the governor hope that the “Protect Our Students Act” will have an impact.

And even if harsher penalties do not stop would-be offenders from “grooming” students and committing the crimes, another requirement of the new law might, they hope, embolden students to fight back — and report inappropriate behavior before physical abuse can occur.

Starting next year, schools will be required to show every 6th-through12th-grader in North Carolina a video produced by the Center for Safer Schools, which “serves as a hub of information and technical assistance on school safety to faculty and staff, law enforcement, youthserving community agencies, juvenile justice officials, policymakers, parents/guardians, and students,” according to NCDPI.

Derksen confirmed that all WCPS schools will show the video during the first five days of the 2024-25 school year, as required under the new law.

“

We know the overwhelming majority of educators will never come anywhere close to violating the rights of students. However, I firmly believe that one instance of sexual

misconduct is

too

many.

This legislation

protects

and informs students, while outlining and increasing the penalties for offenders.

“WCPS plans to play the Center for Safer Schools video in homerooms,” he said. “In schools that do not utilize homerooms, the training will be handled by class.”

Of the ten instances that have been reported in Wayne County since 2018, only three have been adjudicated.

And two of the alleged perpetrators pleaded guilty “pursuant to Alford” — a guilty plea that acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict the accused while they are allowed to maintain their innocence.

We know school safety is top of mind

for

so

many

across the state. This is another important

step

to prioritize student well-being in school.”

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION CATHERINE TRUITT

Only Ryder Webb, the history teacher who admitted to, among other things, buying a 15-year-old student a sex toy and being physically intimate with her in his Charles B. Aycock classroom, is currently in prison.

And that was part of the impetus behind the “Protect Our Students Act” — to ensure no adult responsible for the education of children feels emboldened to prey upon those left in their care.

“We need to tighten our restrictions around this incredibly heinous activity that we are seeing more and more occur in our middle and high schools,” Truitt said.

Editor’s note: This is the first of several stories on this issue that will appear in Wayne Week over the next few months.

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CHARGERS EARN HOME(ISH) FIELD ADVANTAGE

The Wayne Country Day baseball team got the 1-seed — and is heavily favored to win an NCISAA state championship this weekend. But the Chargers did not get to play a single game on their campus diamond this season as a lawsuit filed by a property owner looms.

BY KEN FINE

The 23-win Wayne Country Day baseball team began its quest for a state championship last week as the overwhelming favorite to take home a title — earning the No. 1 seed in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A bracket and staring down potential rematches with teams they have already beaten handily this season.

But the Chargers did not get to enjoy the typical homefield advantage that would have, under normal circumstances, seen them play on the WCDS campus until the championship series this weekend — as a judge remains undecided about whether or not to throw out a lawsuit that has left the team paying to play at the Carolina Athletic Park off Buck Swamp Road for the last two years.

And while they did not feel comfortable putting their names on criticism of the school for “backing down” to what they characterized as a “frivolous lawsuit” for fear their children might face repercussions as they chase athletic immortality, several parents of WCDS players told Wayne Week they are not OK with, as one man put it, “letting someone run our boys off their home field.”

That someone, a retired Army brigadier general, claimed in a complaint filed Aug. 9 that homerun balls hit by the Chargers during games and practice have repeatedly damaged his property and triggered combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder — and asked a judge to grant him a restraining order for what he characterized as “trespassing.”

But the school would ultimately fight back against the lawsuit in November — requesting a dismissal while threatening to take legal action of its own.

Nearly six months later, though, the case remains stalled.

Here is the background: Ralph Griffin, whose home is located on a lot beyond WCDS’ baseball diamond’s outfield, filed a lawsuit against the school and asked for five different sets of damages “in excess of $25,000.”

The grievance, which was obtained by

Continued on page 28

Wayne Week, alleges the following:

Griffin and his wife own a home located at 411 Tryon Drive — property that “shares a boundary” with WCDS — and at the time they purchased the property, there was a “mature line of trees” along the boundary. But the trees had to be removed “in order to accommodate drainage equipment necessary for the building permitting process in order to construct the Griffin’s home.”

And with the trees gone, baseballs hit during the Chargers’ practices and games “regularly and repeatedly cross over the property boundary,” and have “caused and continue to cause property damage to the Griffin’s home and property.”

The lawsuit also alleges that Griffin, having served in the Army for nearly 40 years, developed post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that has been exacerbated by the stress caused by his issues with the WCDS baseball team — that since 2018, when balls land in his yard and “collide with his house,” the veteran “begins to experience increased symptoms and interruptions from his PTSD,” including “disrupted sleep, restlessness, increased fear, nightmares, and traumatic flashbacks to service-related memories of explosions.”

His desired resolution to the matter is as follows:

• The first claim for relief is for what the lawsuit alleges is “Trespass to Real Property.” Griffin is seeking damages in the amount of “in excess of $25,000.”

• The second claim for relief is for what the lawsuit alleges is “Negligence.” Griffin is seeking damages in the amount of “in excess of $25,000.”

• The third claim for relief is for what the lawsuit alleges is “Negligent Infliction of Severe Emotional Distress.” Griffin is seeking damages in the amount of “in excess of $25,000.”

• The fourth claim for relief is for what the lawsuit alleges is “Intentional Infliction of Severe Emotional Distress.” Griffin is seeking damages in the amount of “in excess of $25,000.”

• The fifth claim for relief asks for a “Permanent Injunction.” Griffin has asked for a jury trial, damages in the amount of “in excess of $25,000,” and a restraining order that could prevent the Wayne Country Day baseball team from “causing trespass to (the Griffin’s) property from baseball hits from (WCDS) onto (the Griffin’s) property.”

Nearly three months later, the school, through its attorney, Savannah Story, argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed — citing that WCDS believes Griffin’s claims are “barred by the statute of limitations” and factually inaccurate.

And it demanded, among other things, that the retired solider, who the school

'You know, we pay a lot of money to send our kids to this school and the lawsuit itself is pretty disappointing, but the school has really let these boys down.'

claims created the problem by knowingly purchasing a lot behind a 50-year-old baseball field and cutting down trees that would have guarded his home from longballs, pay its legal fees.

The school denied that balls were hit into Griffin’s yard “regularly and repeatedly.”

“(WCDS) has minimal baseball games and practice activities that cause baseballs hit by (its team’s) players and other baseball teams to cross the boundary,” the Defendant’s Motions, Answer & Affirmative Defenses reads.

And it denied that baseballs “currently continue to trespass onto and damage (Griffin’s) property.”

But perhaps the most interesting defense offered by WCDS is that Griffin, himself, was negligent — that when he purchased the property beyond the school’s baseball diamond, he was aware that the ballfield existed and still chose to build a home and to remove the tree barrier that would have protected it from homerun balls.

“(Griffin) purchased the property described in his complaint with full knowledge that (WCDS’s) property was used as a baseball field. Further, (Griffin) includes in his complaint that he removed trees from his property that provided an additional barrier to reduce the number of baseballs that enter his property,” the school’s response reads. “Defendant’s property has been used as a baseball field for over fifty years, the use has been open and notorious, and the substantial identity of the easement has not changed for at least twenty years. Therefore, any allegation off trespass against (WCDS) must fail.”

It is unclear when the judge will rule on the school’s request to dismiss, but the parents who spoke to Wayne Week on background said whatever happens, the “damage has been done.”

They characterized the circumstances as everything from “unfortunate” and “sad” to “complete and utter bull (expletive removed).”

“You know, we pay a lot of money to send our kids to this school and the lawsuit itself is pretty disappointing, but the school has really let these boys down,” one of the parents said. “And mark my words, the way this situation has been handled is going to have consequences for Country Day and this program. So, I want them to focus and go out there and get what they deserve — that state championship. But I, for one, am never gonna forget what went on here. It’s unforgivable.” n

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Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024

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Jammin'

Center Street Jam is officially back — and downtown Goldsboro saw hundreds converge on The Hub May 2 to celebrate and take in some tunes.

Photos by Casey Mozingo

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