On Friday, Governor Roy Cooper, Secretary Mandy K. Cohen and Secretary Erik Hooks wrote a letter to local elected officials imploring them to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in their communities by considering additional enforcement measures.
All in Politics
Governor Cooper: Help is on the way. But first we have to dig deep
When I announced North Carolina had its first known COVID case on March 3rd, most of us didn’t expect to be living like this in December. Instead of preparing for beloved holiday traditions, we’re making virtual gathering plans and mourning the loss of more than 290,000 Americans from COVID-19.
State and local leaders are not in agreement with Governor Cooper’s latest mandate
Governor Roy Cooper announced a modified Stay-At-Home order as of 5:00 pm on Friday to slow the spread of COVID-19. US Congressman Dr. Greg Murphy, NC Senator Jim Perry and NC Representative Chris Humphrey all react to Governor Cooper’s curfew. The order requires businesses to remain closed from 10:00 pm until 5:00 am. and shortens the timeframe on-site alcohol can be sold to 9:00 pm, from the previous order of 11:00 pm.
Additional vacation days for county employees passes unanimously, Chad Rouse sworn in
The County Commissioners met Monday morning and elected Linda Rouse Sutton as the Chair, and Eric Rouse as the Vice-Chairman. After swearing-in for new terms, including new Commissioner Chad Rouse, the board voted on the additional three days of vacation for county employees.
County cites "burnout" in request for three additional vacation days
In the upcoming Lenoir County Commissioners meeting on Monday, there is a resolution to approve three additional days of vacation for county employees in 2021. The proposal in the agenda cites employee burnout as a real prospect in which they hope to avoid by approval of the resolution. The average daily payroll for county employees is $66,612.24. In 2020 the Board of Commissioners currently provides 14 paid holidays for county employees.
Court of Appeals overturns Voter ID decision
On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed a lower-court decision to enjoin North Carolina’s voter ID law and constitutional amendment. "Now that a federal appeals court has approved North Carolina's voter ID law and constitutional amendment, they must be implemented for the next election cycle in our state," NC House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said.
State Auditor releases finding of COVID spending by NC Dept. Of Public Instruction
On Wednesday State Auditor Beth Wood released the results of a performance audit at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The audit was of Coronavirus Relief Funds allocated to the DPI from the 2020 COVID-19 Recover Act. The objectives were to ensure that Coronavirus Relief Funds were spent in accordance with the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act and subsequent amendments as well as that the programs that received Coronavirus Relief Funds accomplished their intended purpose.
State leaders at odds with Governor over broadband funds
North Carolina General Assembly and the Cooper Administration are at odds over whether the Growing Rural Economies through Access to Technology (GREAT) Program is an eligible use of federal CARES Act money. Governor Cooper’s Press Secretary, US Rep. Greg Murphy and NC Senator Jim Perry all share their thoughts on the matter.
State Rep. John Bell will serve a fourth term as House majority leader
When the General Assembly reconvenes next year, State Rep. John Bell will serve a fourth term as House majority leader. The majority leader since 2016, Mount Olive native Bell resides in Goldsboro and represents portions of Wayne, Johnston, and Greene counties in House District 10. He defeated opponent Carl Martin in the 2020 November election.
Local county boards of election to recount ballots for Chief Justice race
A statewide recount is being held to determine the winner of the race for NC Supreme Court Chief Justice, after the initial count found only 406 votes separating the two candidates. Lenoir County will recount its votes Friday, while Jones and Greene Counties will hold recounts on Monday.
Lenoir County Board of Elections Director Steve Hines also provided Neuse News with the final numbers for the write-in campaign for the Lenoir County Board of Education. Michelle Cash received 6,485 votes, and Nancy Gilmore received 6,088 votes.
Letter to the editor: The North Carolina Federation of Republican Men (NCFRM) stands behind President Trump
The North Carolina Federation of Republican Men (NCFRM) stands behind President Trump in holding the individual States accountable for a fair and just election. Voter integrity should be the top priority without compromise.
How to know your vote counted in North Carolina
North Carolina elections officials wish to remind Election Day voters that it may take a few weeks before their “voter history” is updated to reflect their recent vote in their voter record available through the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool. The State Board of Elections and county boards of elections are inundated with questions from voters about whether their ballot was counted in the 2020 general election. In almost every single case, the answer will be yes.
Letter to the editor: Nancy Gilmore - Thank you, Lenoir County
From Nancy Gilmore, Write-in Candidate for Lenoir County Board of Education:
Thank you Lenoir County! I was overwhelmed with the response to the Write-In candidate campaign for Board of Education. Knowing that being a Write-In would be an uphill battle, I spent the 91 days (yes, that’s how long I had from filing for office until Election Day) in overdrive to get my name out. For a first time candidate, this was quite an undertaking and many would have never attempted it because of the obvious difficulty. But as I have always told my students, you never know if you don’t try!
Unofficial winners for Lenoir County
Lenoir County Board of Commissioners (At Large): Chad (CJ) Rouse (R) and Linda Rouse Sutton (D)
Lenoir County Board of Commissioners District 3: June Cummings (D)
Lenoir County Board of Education: Bruce E. Hill (D), Merwyn K. Smith (D)
NC State House District 12: Chris Humphrey (R)
NC State Senate District 7: Jim Perry (R)
NC District Judge District 8 Seat 6: Annette W. Turik (R)
Unofficial winners for Greene County
NC Senate, District 5: Don Davis (D)
NC House, District 10: John Bell (R)
NC District Court Judge, District 8, Seat 6: Annette Turik
Greene County Board of Education: Joey Rackley (R) and Brandon Johnson (R)
Greene County Board of Commissioners, District 2: Derek Burress (R)
Greene County Board of Commissioners, District 1: Buddy Shackleford (D)
Unofficial winners for Jones County
Jones County Board of Education: Billy Griffin (R), Schumata Brown (R)
NC District Court Judge District 4 Seat 5: Robert H. Gilmore (R)
NC State Senate District 6: Michael A. Lazzara (R)
NC State House District 13: Patricia (Pat) McElraft (R)
ICYMI: November General Election Day information by County
Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd. Any voter in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote. Following are the list of voting sites in Lenoir, Greene and Jones Counties.
Be sure to tune in to Facebook LIVE on Tuesday at 7:30 for our annual Election Night Results Show. www.facebook.com/neusenews
BJ Murphy: So, about last month...again
At the October 5th Kinston City Council meeting, the elected members unanimously approved two motions allowing city employees new vacation days for June 19 and Election Day. With roughly less than five minutes of discussion, both motions passed.
The City of Kinston has 378 positions on payroll and have about 350 positions filled at this time. Let’s assume all 350 are eligible to vote. If 70% take the time to vote, that will equate to approximately 245 employees exercising that right. Since 61.2% have already cast their ballots in our area, it would mean about 214 employees have already done so.
Based on historical numbers, the cost per vote on Election Day (31) is roughly $1,729, plus time and a half for our police, fire and other essential employees.
November General Election Day information by County
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. On this day, registered voters in North Carolina may vote at their assigned polling place. This is different than early voting, where eligible individuals may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county.
US Supreme Court rules NC absentee ballots can be received and counted up to 9 days after Election Day
The US Supreme Court refused Republicans' request to overturn a decision by the State Board of Elections to extend the period from three to nine days because of the coronavirus pandemic, with a deadline of November 12. An absentee ballot received after 5 p.m. on Election Day will be counted only if they are postmarked on or before Election Day and received by mail no later than 5 p.m. November 12.