Comments | Eastern NC Now

Bureaucrats only get real power when elected officials allow them to do so. Bureaucrats are supposed to carry out policy, not make it. There is no question that our city council is a pathetic rubber stamp. Heck, Councilman Richard Brooks is even illiterate, unable to read or write. Our present city council are nothing but yes-men. The real question is who is behind the scenes pulling the strings. Is it the mayor or the city manager, or some of both. The mayor has his fingerprints on the police surveillance of his political opponent, although the city manager was probably involved, too. It was the city manager who was lying through his teeth to try to justify the massive tax increase the city just gave us, so that would suggest he may have been the prime mover in that, but the mayor was likely a very willing accomplice.

The main thing we need to straighten out Washington is at least three competent council members who can think for themselves and not dance on the puppet strings of the mayor or city manager.

Commented: Friday, August 29th, 2025 @ 5:32 pm By: Conservative Voter

BCCitizen; As we've discussed, when you state things as they are...very plainly but with knowledge of the audience....fact has a way of shutting down any intelligent opposition.

Peace through strength😎

youtu.be

Commented: Friday, August 29th, 2025 @ 10:22 am By: John Valley

John, FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT. I have seen so many talk about the rate decrease and blame the county for their tax increase. The average taxpayer does not understand what you just put in plain English. Well done sir. Now get on Facebook and shut down the misinformation coming from all directions on how this works, lol. The City increased taxes without providing more services. It is about like when they increased the rate .02 to save for the police station. They were supposed to give it back once it was built. Did they do that? NO! So that's an extra .02 that was diverted to fund their other pet projects and misuse of tax dollars.

Commented: Friday, August 29th, 2025 @ 8:48 am By: BCCitizen

Unfortunately, there seem to be too many Michaels in the general population. They just don't know what they don't know. It kind of makes me want to rethink the poll test route.

Commented: Friday, August 29th, 2025 @ 8:45 am By: Van Zant

This Michael dude is totally clueless about tax rates after a revaluation. To keep taxes the same, OF COURSE the rate would go down. The state calculates a "revenue neutral" rate that would generate the same amount of taxes. If a local government adopts a rate higher than the revenue neutral rate, it is a tax INCREASE even though the rate is still less than the previous year. To determine if there is a tax increase or not, the point of reference after a revaluation is NOT the previous year's rate but the revenue neutral rate.

The county taxed this year at the revenue netural rate. The city of Washington taxed 28% OVER the revenue neutral rate. That is a 28% tax INCREASE and it is outrageous.

Maybe this lack of knowlege by Michael indicates that there needs to be more voter / taxpayer education on this subject.

Commented: Friday, August 29th, 2025 @ 7:56 am By: John Steed

The only way to put an end to riots like this is to arrest all the rioters and deport them immediately.

Commented: Thursday, August 28th, 2025 @ 8:22 am By: borderhawk

When we get back to people over party, we can do a better job of rebuilding our Nation.

Commented: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 @ 11:26 pm By: Buzz Cayton

This young girl should be given a medal. It is the illegal aliens who were sexually harassing the two young girls who should have all been arrested and immediately deported.

Commented: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 @ 3:48 pm By: Rino Hunter

Children of Illegals are cared for through WIC and Medicaid here in Beaufort County, as reported by Beaufort County Social Services to this Beaufort County Commissioner in open general meetings.

Commented: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 @ 2:59 am By: Stan Deatherage

Our taxpayers should NOT be having to subsidize those in our county illegally through welfare. All we should give them is a plane ticket home. I hope President Trump will audit those states with these waivers and try to claw back the American taxpayer dollars they have squandered on illegal welfare for illegal aliens.

Commented: Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 @ 4:49 pm By: Concerned Taxpayer

Any good fisherman knows that when you get two jerks on the line, you are supposed to reel them in.

Commented: Monday, August 25th, 2025 @ 11:28 am By: Buzz Cayton

I am so sorry for Beaufort County's loss of former county clerk, JoJo Singleton. JoJo was a lioness, who commanded and deserved the friendship and respect of every county employee, who came into contact with County Clerk Singleton, or needed her services; i.e., the county commissioners.

Simply stated, JoJo Singleton, Clerk to the Board of Beaufort County Commissioners, was one of the small handful of the easiest appointments I have ever made, and I did my good part in that appointment many times.

Knowing JoJo enriched my county commissioner life when she was Clerk to the Board, and I remember her in such kindness now.

Commented: Monday, August 25th, 2025 @ 7:15 am By: Stan Deatherage