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I think every 1 here is being a little hard on Austin Garrison. Tho I think Hickman has earned reelection. No question abt it.
However Austin is a young person naive person. I'm impressed that he wants to participate in govt & has the courage to run 4 office. Kudos! He really cant hardly b blamed if the Chairman of the GOP Executive committee has tried to use him as a puppet. I mean, what young person wouldnt be flattered & grateful if he really were being promoted by a person of such influence & power. My advice to Austin is that Hickman has this job sewn up & there4 Austin should seek election in some other position, then I might possibly cheer him on. Let's find another spot for Austin, maybe an appointed Govt committee job where he can gain experience. Hey Austin, always try to see both sides of any issue before u judge. My complaint w elected pple today is that most of them hav come to think of themselves a "trustees" of WethePeople, rather than "Representatives" of WeThePpl.
Commented: Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 @ 12:38 pm
By: Washingtonian
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In addition to Mr. Garrison's deafening silence at all the meetings on Snowden, there is another "tell" on his real position. During the school board meetings, he sat with a group of Cheeseman allies, and Cheeseman was the one driving the train to close Snowden. There is an old saying about "birds of a feather."
Commented: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 @ 9:45 pm
By: Victoria
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Well......another "conspiracy theory" has been proven to be true: Garrison and others are being groomed and told what to say in an effort to create a County Cabal where common sense conservatives are non-existent and blind obedience is required.
The current regime doesn't like strong personalities and out of the box thinking....which is a far detachment from the Trump-era of Conservatism....ideals of Conservatism that they, the County GOP, CLAIM to support. Intelligent people, such as Mr. Hickman and Mrs. Stacey Davis, are seen as "troublemakers" because they DO NOT follow the mob mentality; they ask hard questions AND have "boots on the ground" experience. They didn't come from the GOP "Belk ad" test tube like so many in the GOP seem to come from.
Commented: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 @ 12:47 pm
By: John Valley
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Mr. Garrison also essentially admits he was recruited to run by the Forest woman. When it was brought up by someone that Forest had recruited a candidate south of the river, Mr. Garrison responded almost immediately to that description. While he denied another aspect of that post, he has never denied that he is the Forest woman's candidate. The post he responded to did not name a candidate or a district, but Mr. Garrison, who I do not recall ever posting on the BO before immediately came forward and essentially said "that's me". The Forest woman is VERY tight with Superintendent Cheeseman.
Commented: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 @ 9:56 am
By: Conservative Voter
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Since Snowden has been well discussed, I will make this one salient observation: The willy nilly closing of Snowden will be a major campaign issue going forward, at least it will be for me, since, if re-elected within the structure of a new board of Beaufort County Commissioners that is majority Conservative, I will be able to lead to make the difference to keep the Snowden facility for the Aurora community, and, or continue this excellent learning plant as an outstanding educational resource.
This one thought provoking idea was one of my extemporaneous talking points at the so-called public hearing at Snowden before the Beaufort County Schools abject misadventure is closing down this important Beaufort County /Aurora landmark. If re-elected, Beaufort County will find a way to do what is right, as best we can at this point, to rectify a completely ignorant move in the administration of Beaufort County Schools toward the people of Aurora and Beaufort County regarding the Snowden Debacle.
Commented: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 @ 8:14 am
By: Stan Deatherage
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Hey, Garrison. Dude, YOU were the one who failed to engage. Hickman fought for Snowden. You didn't.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 9:41 pm
By: Bubba
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Additionally: CT & CV have identified the fundamental misconception Garrison has been operating under. It's mighty telling that he did not even know about the great academic success going on at Snowden over the last three school years and most especially this past school year. Mr. Hickman told me they were very likely going up an entire letter grade well before the end of school last year. Then again, Mr. Hickman was there, Mr. Garrison was not.
Commented: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 @ 7:14 am
By: Van Zant
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Mr. Garrison's reasoning is rather faulty. He is working on his degrees. Mr. Hickman has his degrees. He's working on getting to know area people. Mr. Hickman was born and raised here. Mr. Hickman is already a professional teacher with certifications and experience. As a former service member myself with some intimate knowledge, I know and can appreciate that Mr. Hickman has worked on sensitive projects and information that most are not trusted with. Mr. Hickman has created and run his own successful business. Again, a lot of people have not done that either.
It seems like Mr. Garrison is just starting out. More power to him, but he does not have the qualifications and abilities of Mr. Hickman. Thinking he does is delusional.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 6:46 pm
By: Van Zant
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"plan of Action", Mr. Garrison? If that is what you wanted, maybe you did not take the time to know that the team at Snowden was working very hard to raise their test scores, and they were successful, getting the best improvement of any school in the county. Their plan of action to improve their school was working until the superintendent cut it short with the backing of his allies on the school board. If you are running for the school board, how did you not know this? They did a phenomenal job with what they had, but the superintendent and his allies just did not care.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 5:04 pm
By: Conservative Voter
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Apparently, Mr. Garrison has not kept up with what was happening at Snowden. They made great progress this past year in improving their scores on the state tests, but in spite of this Superintendent Cheeseman in a sudden move put them on the chopping block. While Mr. Garrison was not involved in helping Snowden move forward, Mr. Hickman was. He was in frequent communication with the school and on site to help out. He encouraged other school board members to visit the school to see what was happening there. Mr. Hickman was very engaged in helping Snowden move forward, but Mr. Garrison was not. So how is it that Garrison thinks he can criticize mr. Hickman?
Snowden was lost because we have a faction on the school board that are yes-men or women for the superintendent, and that is what needs to change. Often a superintendent will push for school consolidation because they think it will look good on their resume for their next job. Charles Hickman is a school board member who has stood up for the citizens of Beaufort County. Mr. Garrison was encouraged into this race by a major supporter of the superintendent, so it does not take a rocket scientist to see which side he would be on. That is also likely the reason he did not speak up at the various meetings, because he did not want to challenge Cheeseman's position. Wasn't Garrison present at the first meeting where the closing of Snowden was first initiated? There was no big crowd then. If he cared about Snowden, instead of playing politics, he would have spoken up then. Instead, he is trying to falsely put blame on somebody who was there working for Snowden, Charles Hickman. Beaufort County does NOT need another rubberstamp for the superintendent on our school board. We have too many of those already.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 4:02 pm
By: Concerned Taxpayer
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Mr. Hudson. Thank you for a respectful and pointed critique. This is a comment I can reasonably respond to. I do remember your many remarks you gave in defense of our school and am very grateful for them. My issue arises from what I believe the spirit of many of the comments were, provocative without any plan of action. The issue that I voiced to both members of the school board, the superintendent and those (like me) opposed to closing the was as follows: Why have we let it get to this point? There were rumors about Snowden closing for nearly a decade, we all knew that the standard was dropping and students were leaving, but people did not act until it was too late, and I include myself in the group. A woman at our meeting in Aurora summed it up perfectly, in my opinion, why were we not up in arms sooner? I respect your opinion that I feel below the mark, and I regret to admit you are probably right publicly. However, in private meetings with many people, I asked for any alternatives.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 2:23 pm
By: Austin Garrison
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Sir. As I stated, I am a junior in college, and like many students, I remain a dependent of family. I split my time between my home in Aurora for most of the week and class days in Greenville at school, again as many students do, including Republican State Representative Wyatt Gable and newly elected conservative Greenville city councilman Seth Hardee. I'm also not sure what you mean by a real job. As I said, I worked full-time while attending school, playing sports, and being engaged in my community. I also stated clearly that I did not feel a politically driven stump speech would do people who were angry and grieving any good. You cannot make decisions based on emotion, but on facts alone, and riling up a crowd of people I love and care for would have been counterproductive. It is apparent, sir, that you have no desire to discuss policy or strategy but only degrade me personally. That is disappointing as I think you asked reasonable and genuine questions in your first response. Best.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 2:14 pm
By: Austin Garrison
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Mr. Garrison, I attended those meetings and spoke out myself against the closing of Snowden. Those statements were not political. They were based on doing what was right for the community, which was to keep the local school open and operating in the area from which it's student population was drawn. There were elected officials who spoke out as well against closing the school (Charles Hickman, Stacey Davis, Stan Deatherage, Hood Richardson and the late Mayor Williams). I do not believe their statements were political just because they hold office. In fact, their reasons against closing the school were the same as the many, many other non-elected citizens who spoke out against closing the school. I don't recall ever hearing anyone speak out in support of closing the school at those meetings. Having the courage and fortitude to stand up, speak out, and work for your community is what is required and expected from a leader and an elected official. It's not politics, it's doing what is right. In my opinion, you fell way short of the bar.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 2:13 pm
By: David Hudson
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So you are still living at home and have never held a real job? And you acknowledge you were there at the school board meetings but failing to stand up and speak out for Snowden? Did the cat get your tongue?
School systems are big businesses with budget well into the tens of millions of dollars, often the largest employer in many counties. So comparing a candidate who has not even financially run his own household much less his own business to someone with actual business experience running his own independent business shows a huge difference in qualifications. Teaching school is not a required qualification for the school board, but someone who has been a teacher in the past certainly has a lot more useful knowledge than someone who has merely been a student, something that all of us have been at some time. It is well known that closing Snosden was the superintendent's project. If someone does not have the backbone to stand up to the superintendent to speak out for his community when their local school is in jeopardy, how could anyone believe he would have the backbone to stand up to the superintendent at a school board meeting on other subjects?
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 1:50 pm
By: Conservative Voter
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Cont. from comment 1: Many in my community have reached out to me and were simply not satisfied with Mr. Hickman's leadership. They felt that this was not an overnight problem and that he did not do enough in his first two years on the board to help prevent the eventual result. Now to my youth. We have seen across the country a passing of the torch and an influx of youth into both parties. This should not be feared but celebrated, especially in the conservative movement. Students have been elected to statewide and municipal offices across the state. I would be the closest removed from Primary and Secondary education on the board, able to understand more closely the struggles that students and teachers alike are dealing with. I think this is a very positive trait to have. In further comments or communications, I can go more in-depth on my views and goals. They are simply too much for this thread. God Bless.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 1:32 pm
By: Austin Garrison
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Conservative Voter, thank you for your respectful response. I can admit, I do not have the life experience that Mr. Hickman does, though I do not believe his particular experience is necessary for a school board seat. I am a full-time student at ECU studying Political Science and History, with the goal of attaining my PhD and teaching at the university level. In my early years of college, I also worked full-time for the Town of Aurora, getting to know the people of my community intimately. I am also a dependent of family, as a full time student it would simply not be feasible to live on my own. I have no shame in that. As to your point about my involvement in the protest for the closing of Snowden School, I spoke out vehemently against it to many both in my community and in positions of power. I did not believe at the time that making what would ultimately be a political statement, as some did, at the expense of those I care about was the best course of action. Cont.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 1:26 pm
By: Austin Garrison
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Mr. Garrison, could you explain what life experience you have that would qualify you for the school board. Have you been in the military like Charles Hickman, or run your own business like Mr. Hickman? Do you have experience actually teaching school like Mr. Hickman? What full time jobs have your held? Are you living independently away from your parents or other relatives and for how long?
Charles HIckman did a good job communicating on behalf of Aurora residents and with Aurora residents to stand up for Snowden school. From what I am told, you were in the audience at some of those meetings but did not speak up on behalf of the Richlands township / Aurora community. You were MIA on Snowden. Your silence on Snowden was deafening. We have seen the positive communications from Mr. Hickman and the glaring lack of communication from you on the most important education issue for that community in a long time.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 1:13 pm
By: Conservative Voter
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Good Afternoon, Everyone. I am the so called "unknown" "young homosexual" from the southside of the river. I would like to first put this out there though I do not believe it matters, I am not a homosexual. I'm not sure who would post something like that about me and why, but it is incredibly childish and unhelpful when adults are attempting to have conversations about actual policy. To Commissioners Deatherage and Richardson (those people who ACTUALLY hold elected office in this county, rather than some unknown troll on a web forum) I would be more than happy to sit down and answer questions about why I am running. I have nothing against Mr. Hickman and him and I have had many good conversations, especially in regards to the school closure in my home of Aurora. I simply feel that youth and positive communication ability are sorely needed to make this county as great as I know it can be. I would love to talk at our next BCGOP meeting with those who want to have REAL conersation. Best.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 12:34 pm
By: Austin Garrison
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CV: Then, I reckon the "Forest Woman" considers me and The Hood toast.
Maybe, but I rather doubt it.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 9:33 am
By: Stan Deatherage
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That "Forest woman" is an operative of the Cheeseman faction of the school board, those who kowtow to our all-powerful superintendent. She has infiltrated the Republican Party to try to destroy anyone who would ever question the whims of the Big Cheese.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 8:20 am
By: Conservative Voter
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Van Zant: I knew that there was some unknown "Republican" running against my good friend, and Conservative ally, Charles Hickman, but I was not aware that he was recruited by RINO Whisperers within the Beaufort County GOP.
Well, if the "Unknown 'Republican'" wishes to make himself known, he better speak loud and clear to real Republicans, and this publication is the touchstone of most real Republicans in this county of Beaufort. Maybe he can inform us all why he is better suited to serve as a Beaufort County School Board member rather than Conservative Charles Hickman.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 8:03 am
By: Stan Deatherage
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Her idea of "doing something" about conservative school board members, from what I hear, includes talking a young homosexual into running against one of the incumbent conservative school board members south of the river. She is poison.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 8:02 am
By: Rino Hunter
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RH: As party vice chair that woman has worked against conservative Republicans for years. At the polls in Washington in a previous year's municipal race she was holding forth before the public about having to do something about conservative Republican school board members. She's been spewing poison for a long time with no repercussions from the party.
I'm also hearing that Ms. Forest recruited that guy planning to run against Mr. Hickman in the School Board primary. I don't know, but I do remember that guy said she was a political mentor of his when he was running for the vice chair position she had been in, so it could be true. Also, thank goodness Mrs. Knight won that vice chair race in the convention. Stan: That's the thing. Look for the real conservatives in the primaries. We don't need a choice between Dems and Dem lights in general elections. For a county that votes conservative in state and national elections Beaufort County has a lot of Dem lights elected locally. We end up paying for it too.
Commented: Monday, November 10th, 2025 @ 6:17 am
By: Van Zant
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