Members | Eastern NC Now

ConservativeBetrayalNC
(joined: April 17th, 2026 @ 1:29 pm as GC1776447055)
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(commented on April 17th, 2026 @ 1:29 pm)
Let's call this what it is. Max Perreault didn't just flip on his voters — he is now actively participating in the systematic erasure of a duly elected council member. Removing Davis from two committees in one meeting, using procedural points of order to cut off his microphone, hiring a city manager without a public vote as required by law — and Perreault sits right there and votes yes to every single one of these power plays. The Beaufort County Republican Party knocked on doors for this man. Conservative voters turned out for him. He has repaid every single one of them with betrayal so complete it almost requires admiration for its thoroughness. Benedict Arnold at least had the decency to do it once.

MakeWashGreat
(joined: April 16th, 2026 @ 9:36 pm as GC1776427514)
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(commented on April 16th, 2026 @ 9:36 pm)
Rino, you are so right! Joe Davis needs some seasoning but at least he did not deceive the voters the way Max has, a true democrat who lied to the voters and said he was a Republican!

Real Conservative
(joined: April 15th, 2026 @ 8:29 pm as GC1776303152)
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(commented on April 15th, 2026 @ 8:29 pm)
Rational is spot on in his/her analysis of this situation.

Hood exists only to rile up about 20 percent of the electorate. That’s the only way he stays anywhere near elected office other than limited voting.

Hood disrupts any and everything with regards to the BCGOP. He does so to stay in office. And we need to go back and look at how much he has pocketed by being a Commissioner all these years. And at no time or point in all those years has he truly advanced Conservatism here. Not once.

He grandstands to get elected but is the most ineffective Republican ever elected here. But I’m certain he cashes that check every month for the past three decades.

And Stan is just along for the ride. Because in his mind “The Hood” is always right. And Stan runs in years “The Hood” doesn’t just to get that small segment of votes in limited voting to cash their taxpayers check.

I think the people are waking up to their self serving BS.

Truth Be Told
(joined: April 14th, 2026 @ 11:05 am as GC1776179990)
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(commented on April 14th, 2026 @ 11:05 am)
Van Zant and Hood Richardson. Get off the soap box. Your goal is to cause discord and disagreement. Stan, you rarely come to any meeting. Now you decide to come because you are running for reelection. You don’t support the Republican Party, only your friend Hood Richardson. Hood, you only come to meetings to argue and throw insults. Neither one of you do anything to support the local or state party. The Republican Party has work to do. Why do you even attend? It’s all about you trying to control Beaufort County. Too bad! You’ve held Beaufort County back long enough. It’s time for new leadership on the board of commissioners. TIME FOR CHANGE!!!

Facebook Comment
(joined: April 10th, 2026 @ 4:25 pm as GC1775853105)
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(commented on April 10th, 2026 @ 4:25 pm)
NC Statutes & Public Action Requirements:

Appointment Power [NCGS § 160A-147]: The council has the sole authority to appoint, suspend, or remove the city manager. The appointment must be done in a public meeting.

Public Record of Employment: While the manager’s performance evaluations are confidential, the employment contract, salary, and termination are public information, typically handled through official council minutes and public personnel records.

Manager Powers [NCGS § 160A-148]: Once appointed, the manager is responsible for hiring/firing other city staff, while the council focuses on hiring and managing the manager.

Public Meetings Law: Final votes to hire, fire, or approve contracts for the city manager must take place in open sessions, though preliminary discussions regarding candidates are often held in closed session.

JohnSS
(joined: April 10th, 2026 @ 3:45 pm as GC1775850371)
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(commented on April 10th, 2026 @ 3:45 pm)
re: Washington being broken — you asked why Washington's government isn't the topic of every conversation every day. Honestly? Because people are tired. Tired of showing up, tired of being ignored, tired of watching the same cycle repeat itself. But I'll tell you what wakes people back up — moments exactly like this one. A rushed hire, a humiliated public servant, a police chief vacancy held open like a chess piece, and two council members who apparently believe accountability only flows downward. Washington isn't broken beyond repair. But it will be if Monday's vote goes through unchallenged and nobody says a word.

ThinkingItThroughNC
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 8:25 pm as GC1775787936)
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(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 8:25 pm)
I have real concerns about Rorie's record and I think the behavior described toward Mr. Roberson is inexcusable if accurate. But I'd also want to hear Perreault and Tyre's side before drawing final conclusions. Public officials deserve the chance to respond to allegations this serious, even when the allegations are from highly credible sources.

QuietObserverWNC
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 8:20 pm as GC1775787964)
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(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 8:20 pm)
What strikes me most is how preventable all of this was. Bobby Roberson stepped up in a difficult moment for this city and has been treated like an obstacle rather than an asset. Whether Rorie gets hired or not, somebody needs to stand up publicly for what was done to that man. The silence from the rest of the council including the Tax Team has been just as loud as Perreault's outbursts.

AngryOnAguila
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 8:11 pm as GC1775780064)
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(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 8:11 pm)
If even HALF of what this article describes about Perreault screaming at Bobby Roberson through walls is true, he needs to resign. Full stop. I don't care what party you are or what you think about city management philosophy. You don't treat a 40-year public servant like that. This isn't politics anymore. It's basic human decency and he failed it miserably.

JustALocalTaxpayer
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 8:10 pm as GC1775779984)
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(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 8:10 pm)
I don't have a strong opinion on Rorie one way or the other — I just want the process to be fair and transparent. Rushing a vote on a permanent city manager when serious questions are still unanswered is exactly the kind of governance that got us into state fiscal oversight in the first place. Slow down. Get it right.

Jeffery Williamson
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 11:20 am as Conservator)
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(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 11:25 am)
WHY would this individual have ANY opportunity to be hired? Anywhere? Red flag after red flag after red flag. Seems City Council is struggling mightily. I'm also certain I saw Max at the BC GOP Convention? WHY is he there and who is his support/supporters w/in the Party?

OldNorthMarket
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 10:04 am as GC1775744223)
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(commented on April 10th, 2026 @ 3:44 pm)
ThinkingItThroughNC — I respect the instinct to be fair, I do. But at some point "let's hear both sides" becomes a shield for people who are counting on the public's reasonableness to run out the clock. The vote is Monday I thought? Perreault and Tyre have had months to address the Roberson situation publicly and they have said exactly nothing to fire him. That silence IS their response. Waiting for an accounting that these two have shown zero intention of giving is how this kind of thing gets waved through while good people are still deliberating.

(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 10:04 am)
Max Perreault moved here what, a year ago? Ran as a Republican. Now he's governing like a man with a personal score to settle. The people who stuffed envelopes/made calls for him feel completely betrayed. I was one of them. Never again.

RiverCityRealist
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 10:03 am as GC1775744251)
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(commented on April 10th, 2026 @ 10:36 am)
Replying to Washingtonian re: Mayor Brabo's B&B on Market Street — now THAT is an interesting development worth watching. So let me understand the full picture: we have a council coalition that halted a police chief search to manufacture leverage for their city manager pick, and simultaneously the Mayor's own property is heading before the Board of Adjustments? Washington's governance soap opera just added another episode. I'm not saying these things are connected. I'm saying when you've already watched this council operate the way it has, you don't take coincidences at face value anymore.

(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 10:03 am)
Decent article but I'd push back on one thing — framing the police chief hire as a conspiracy feels like a stretch without harder documentation. The Peachtree City stuff, though? That should have disqualified Rorie from the jump. A city manager who thinks taxpayer money should fund lawsuits against critics has no business running Washington.

Disgusting Our son is a Washington City
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 9:58 am as GC1775744288)
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(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 9:58 am)
Truly disgusting! Our son, Himself a W City Councilman, strongly opposes this candidate. Your article was spot-on!

Bill
(joined: April 9th, 2026 @ 8:38 am as GC1775738441)
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(commented on April 9th, 2026 @ 8:38 am)
I don't understand the big issue with waiting for a new city manager to hire the next police chief. As I understand it, the city manager works for city council and everyone else (except city attorney and clerk) in the organization works for the city manager. The new manager should get to hire his own staff, not someone hired by an interim city manager. He builds his own team and if the council doesn't like how things are going, they fire the city manager. It is like a new coach getting stuck with the old coach's assistants or the city manager hiring the assistant police chief instead of the police chief hiring them.

PamlicoPatriot1776
(joined: April 8th, 2026 @ 9:11 pm as GC1775705252)
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(commented on April 8th, 2026 @ 9:11 pm)
Strong piece. I've lived here my whole life and I've never seen a council member treat a city employee the way Perreault/TYRE has treated Mr. Roberson in those meetings. Whatever your politics, that man deserves respect. Forty-plus years of service and this is what he gets? We can do better.

Concerned resident
(joined: April 8th, 2026 @ 7:58 pm as GC1775693415)
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(commented on April 8th, 2026 @ 7:58 pm)
This is egregious that the conservative city council would hire a far left loonie toon for the city’s top position and likely a dei hire ensuing from his first police chief hire

Katrina
(joined: March 31st, 2026 @ 10:47 am as GC1774977733)
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(commented on April 10th, 2026 @ 8:56 am)
2/2 In fact, Robert’s Rules of Order is very clear on this point. Guests and nonmembers have no inherent right to attend, participate, or speak in a meeting. Their presence is permitted only by the courtesy of the assembly. That is standard parliamentary procedure, not suppression of speech.

You also misrepresent what occurred with your resolutions. They were not arbitrarily dismissed. They were ruled out of order by the parliamentarian because they were in direct conflict with the State Plan of Organization. Under Robert’s Rules, that is not only allowed, it is required. A body cannot consider motions that violate its governing documents.

Before making broad accusations about corruption, secrecy, and violations of rights, you should take the time to actually read and understand the Plan of Organization and basic parliamentary authority. What you are presenting is not a defense of free speech. It is a collection of inaccuracies presented as fact.

(commented on April 10th, 2026 @ 8:55 am)
1/2 Hood, your entire argument rests on a fundamental misrepresentation of what the First Amendment actually does.

The First Amendment prevents Congress from creating laws that prohibit free speech. It does not apply to internal rules of private organizations, including political parties. There is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits an organization from setting reasonable limits on conduct during its meetings, especially when those limits are necessary to maintain order and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Your claim that this was a “secret meeting” is simply false. The meeting in question was open to all Executive Committee members. That is exactly how Executive Committee meetings are structured. There is nothing in the State Plan of Organization that requires these meetings to be open to the general public, nor is there any requirement that nonmembers be given the floor to speak.

(commented on March 31st, 2026 @ 2:54 pm)
Regardless, "Van Zant," the members of the committee were made known to Executive Committee. There is nothing in the State, District, or County Plans that requires committee member information, to include executive committee members, to be publicly disclosed. The Republican Party is not subject to open meeting laws, so there is no obligation to make that information public. The requirement is simply to maintain a list, which must be made available upon request by a registered Republican in the county. Even then, the requestor should be required to sign a Confidentiality and Use Agreement.

What is evident, however, is not a lack of transparency, but a lack of understanding. The rules are not ambiguous, and the process is not new. Continually misrepresenting how the Party operates doesn't expose wrongdoing, it just exposes a willingness to manufacture division where none exists.

Jack S
(joined: March 27th, 2026 @ 12:06 am as GC1774618092)
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(commented on March 27th, 2026 @ 12:06 am)
Do you know anything about Claude Howell's relationship with Henry Jay Macmillan? Do you know what they would have been doing in 1950? Would love to connect to discuss!

Jessica Van Essendelft
(joined: March 17th, 2026 @ 11:36 pm as GC1773839817)
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(commented on March 17th, 2026 @ 11:36 pm)
Obviously looking forward to buyer’s remorse as the electorate has traded an icon of truth and selfless service for a future of the unknown- we lost, people- not only the election, but a future of true representation of our beliefs. The debate tried to make it obvious, but the voters didn’t take heed. How sad!

PJ Jaynes
(joined: March 12th, 2026 @ 6:28 pm as GC1773396764)
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(commented on March 12th, 2026 @ 6:28 pm)
Hi - will you be writing another article after the March meeting. Very informative vs the Facebook nonsense from the naysayers.

Peggy
(joined: March 6th, 2026 @ 1:53 am as GC1772784926)
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(commented on March 6th, 2026 @ 1:53 am)
It is a relief to see local law enforcement finally taking a stand and restoring order in Minnesota; Homan’s approach to de-escalation through firm enforcement is exactly what’s been missing. As we see these federal shifts, a few of us in my business circle are discussing the long-term implications for international mobility and securing legal status abroad as a contingency. Does anyone here have experience with European residency requirements, specifically regarding the speed of bureaucratic processing? I was looking at this resource for obtaining a Spanish tax ID remotely e-residence.com to see if it's a viable way to bypass the usual government delays, or do you think these types of digital legal services are becoming the new standard for international compliance in this chaotic climate?

Todd
(joined: March 5th, 2026 @ 6:05 pm as GC1772752275)
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(commented on March 5th, 2026 @ 6:05 pm)
It is encouraging to see local authorities finally stepping up to support ICE, especially with the de-escalation tactics Tom Homan is implementing. As we watch these targeted operations unfold in Minnesota, many of us are trying to track the statistical likelihood of these protests spreading to other regions or affecting local stability. Does anyone know if there are reliable analytical platforms or predictive models that cover these kinds of civic trends? I was recently looking at some data tools over at guiadeBetfairbrasil.com to see how they handle complex odds and situational forecasting, but I'm curious if our community here has a preferred source for more political or security-based projections?

piratefan
(joined: March 4th, 2026 @ 8:49 pm as GC1772675657)
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(commented on March 18th, 2026 @ 8:10 am)
There is too much focus on this site of the "inside baseball" of what is going on in the local Republican Party. Voters care about who is going to reduce our taxes and how they are going to get a county commission majority to do that.

(commented on March 15th, 2026 @ 8:05 am)
That explains what I saw from Carolyn Walker and her husband on primary election day at Chocowinity Fire Station, Conservative Voter. My guess was right. Carolyn Walker was very busy running around smearing her board colleague Rader while her husband Randy was doing the same thing on her board colleague Hickman I concluded that there was something that had them worked up into a tizzy. Do the Walkers have an LGBTQ person in their family or as a close friend? ?

(commented on March 14th, 2026 @ 1:20 pm)
Out of curiosity, who were the local school board members involved? I'll bet I can guess one of them.

Terry
(joined: March 1st, 2026 @ 6:45 am as GC1772370396)
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(commented on March 1st, 2026 @ 6:45 am)
Folks ive known Keith for 10 years now and did yall ever stop to think maybe he got this one wrong? Trump just ordered phosphorus and glyphosate support both on the ground and legally. This is the same battle in our farm act last session, where lawmakers argued regulatory flexibility was necessary to protect farmers and food production, while critics warned about environmental and public health tradeoffs. In both cases, the core clash isn’t simply about chemicals... it’s about whether economic resilience and national security should outweigh precautionary regulation when vital agricultural inputs are at stake. www.whitehouse.gov

Pastor Daimon
(joined: February 28th, 2026 @ 7:24 am as GC1772289158)
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(commented on March 17th, 2026 @ 11:23 pm)
Congratulations to Mr. Kidwell for being recognized in being true to God and true to the people of North Carolina. This is fantabulous! Thank you Kieth!

(commented on February 28th, 2026 @ 7:24 am)
It's past-time to dump dirty dogs like Dixon, Troxler, and Armstrong. After being at the live debate in Washington earlier this month, it was obvious that Armstrong is working for the power of darkness. Any discerning Christian could easily see that truth! Vote Kidwell, people. Kidwell's love for people far exceeds the other candidate.

TJ
(joined: February 28th, 2026 @ 6:55 am as GC1772289023)
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(commented on February 28th, 2026 @ 6:55 am)
Great interview! I love Don he is a wonderful person!
He needs to be our next North Carolina Senator!
GO DON GO!!

Sangrail
(joined: February 25th, 2026 @ 10:43 pm as GC1772096594)
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(commented on February 25th, 2026 @ 10:43 pm)
They are spending an obscene amount of money in an attempt to defeat Keith Kidwell. Amounts almost unheard of in a race like this. Imagine the amount of money these companies stand to gain if Kidwell were to lose.

Keg
(joined: February 23rd, 2026 @ 11:53 am as GC1771866646)
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(commented on February 23rd, 2026 @ 11:53 am)
Glad both Rep. Kidwell and Sen.Hanig stood up to politics when it came to shrimping. However, very disappointed that they both went along with politics when the District One Congressional district was redrawn. They certainly didn’t stand up for my interests and in that case just went along with what their party told them to do.

Bill
(joined: February 23rd, 2026 @ 7:27 am as GC1771850140)
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(commented on February 23rd, 2026 @ 7:27 am)
The Marine and Estuary “Foundation” is a lobbying group started by Chuck Fuller, longtime Raleigh proponent of banning shrimping. The “foundation” pays lobbyists out of another shell org call NC Sound Economy, and BOTH receive funds from the CCA! The CCA said the bill was “not their idea” but in reality they were the ones funding these shell “foundations” to kill sprinkling and defeat Keith Kidwell and fund opposition to Destin Hall’s NC House Caucus that voted to stop the ban. It’s clear that this is an effort to flip the NC House blue, kill Keith Kidwell and Destin Hall’s agenda that PROTECTS OUR FISHERIES. We need someone to take a hard look at this Raleigh based group that creates shell orgs to destroy coastal communities

Blinson
(joined: February 20th, 2026 @ 4:22 pm as GC1771624056)
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(commented on February 20th, 2026 @ 4:22 pm)
Excellent piece Dave and Stan. Nothing more need be said. I just hope EVERY conservative, be they with a "D", "R" or "U" beside their name on the voting rolls will read every word of this and share it with as many like-minded voters as possible. Beaufort County has suffered to long and too much from these RINO's among us. For too many years we have been afflicted with those who see county government solely as a means to transfer wealth from those who have to those who neither care nor know better. It is high time that conservative governance be given a chance to show what it can do. If Stan is re-elected and one more conservative wins it will be a new day in Beaufort County. The Lord knows we need it.

Pat
(joined: February 5th, 2026 @ 6:24 pm as GC1770334171)
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(commented on February 5th, 2026 @ 6:24 pm)
I am so honored to have you the father of our son.You were a great dad to Bobby Jr.and there is no doubt in my mind you loved him as much as he loved you..I am so glad he got to stay with you at the hospital from beginning til the end..you will be loved and missed ..till we meet again and may you rest in peace.

Gail Breed
(joined: January 27th, 2026 @ 3:59 pm as GailB123)
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(commented on January 31st, 2026 @ 12:32 pm)
It is difficult in the age of multimedia to discern truth within an opinion piece. Sometimes the author will leave out accurate information or twist the circumstances to provide a narrative that sounds believable but is in fact unbelievable.

First the Beaufort County (BC) Republican Party does not stand outside of the Plan of Organization (POO). The content of the document is reviewed and edited to remain accurate with the State Republican POO. The BC Republican members working within the Party are first identified at the grass roots level in a Precinct meeting. All BC Republicans are encouraged to attend to select Precinct Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. They also will select delegates and alternates to the BC County Convention and the District and State Conventions. The number of delegates and alternates is based on the total number of Republicans in each precinct. This is the way our US Constitutional Republic works at all levels of the Republican Party. A nation of the people, by the people and for the people.

Removal from the Republican Party happens for either of two reasons. First unexcused absences, or second party disloyalty. Party disloyalty was the reason Hood Richardson, a precinct secretary, and two other Executive Committee members were immediately dismissed from the BC Republican Party. What they did during the City Council elections, knowingly or not, was to create a handout and held a meet & greet encouraging voting for non-republican candidates over Republican candidates. How did this happen? Hood Richardson has chaired for several years a Republican club. The members, some who are BC Executive Committee members, voted to approve the content of the handout and organize a Meet & Greet. During their meeting they were advised this could be party disloyalty.

So, what are the consequences of party disloyalty? Hood Richardson and the other two, remain Republicans. Like the public they can attend the Executive Committee meetings as “Guests. They will sign in to be admitted. While they can listen to the proceeding, they no longer can vote or be recognized to speak.

Hood Richardson’s Pac dissolved, based on public record by the Board of Elections for irregular campaign finance. In contrast the funding acquired and used by the BC Republican Party is monitored by the NC State Republican Party.

But there is more to consider regarding the content of “ANTICIPATION”. The last two BC Republican meetings (Dec and Jan) were disrupted by Hood Richardson and some members of the defunct Pac. Robert’s Rule of Order is the standard for conducting meetings. Robert’s Rule of Order is used at the County Convention, the District and State conventions. The guidelines include requirements for the development of the agenda, reporting of meeting minutes and how the body interacts with the Chair. Motions, discussion and voting are the bedrock actions needed to complete the work of the BC Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee have varying levels of experience participating in meetings using these rules. However, common sense dictates there is no place for fingerprinting or attacking individuals, in general issues are to be discussed after a motion is made and seconded.

Some supporters of Hood Richardson’s defunct Pac are also BC executive committee members. To my knowledge very few if any, participate in fundraising efforts or volunteer at other BC Republican events. They seem to follow the lead of Hood Richardson and will verbally attack individuals while misusing Robert’s Rule of Order to create chaos. Stopping a meeting and having to call the police is a perfect example of the level of chaos Hood Richardson created.

Just as BC County Commissioners meet for closed-door sessions, there is nothing preventing the BC Executive meeting from having closed-door sessions. Especially when in response to the chaos created by Hood Richardson and company.

At the January meeting the agenda was followed with the public hearing about the upcoming events for the Republican Q & A Forum and the annual Reagan Republican Rally dinner. Everyone listened to the Republicans running in the primary. There was a ten-minute break so all could speak one-on-one with candidates and then the closed-door session was to begin. Chaos began once the public and candidates left the building. Hood Richardson and company refused to leave, a shouting match began, police were called, and the meeting was adjourned. Mr. Richarson and company were escorted out to the sidewalk yet continued to complain to exiting Executive Committee members. The Chair was escorted by two police officers to provide her with a safe exit.

In short, when anyone points a belligerent finger at the BC Republican Executive Committee, there are three fingers pointing back to them. What is the real goal of Hood Richardson? Well, it maybe he wants to separate grassroot Republican voters from the political structure supporting all Republican voters, at the precinct, district, state and national level. Or now that his Pac is defunct, he is planning to become the chair of the BC Republican Party- oh no it can’t be that because of his party disloyalty. Or could it be he is simply not good at reporting and generates biased opinion articles to influence voters? After all, remember he has been a registered Democrat or Unaffiliated only to become a registered Republican to run as a County Commissioner. Whatever his reasons, please consider exercising discernment if you are reading his articles.

Government Man
(joined: January 27th, 2026 @ 8:19 am as gman)
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(commented on March 5th, 2026 @ 10:45 am)
Mr. Van Zant, from what I know about politics, with this county GOP, this is no way to stock a government with the best elected leaders available.

They truly disgust me from what I read here on this publication.

(commented on March 1st, 2026 @ 8:16 am)
Mr. Brown knows something about the law side of government, and I do as well, and I am voting on election day (as I always do) for Mr. Don Brown to better serve our public.

(commented on February 27th, 2026 @ 7:13 pm)
As someone who knows how government works at all levels, let me tell you the essence of what I learned from the business I retired from: Government is interlinked and connected.

After moving to Beaufort County, I essentially wanted to know how the local governments operated, especially the county government, which is by far biggest gorilla in a small room, so to speak. What I learned from that evaluation is that Stan Deatherage, along with that Hood fella, stands head and shoulders above all the rest, therefore, Commissioner Deatherage, you have my non elected endorsement similar to the one Mr. Fritz so generously awarded you in the last few days.

Truth be Told
(joined: January 26th, 2026 @ 10:43 pm as GC1769514646)
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(commented on April 10th, 2026 @ 3:03 pm)
The Conservative Club is not a recognized affiliate organization of the Republican National Committee or State Party; therefore, it does not have standing within the party structure. The State Plan of Organization and the Beaufort County GOP Plan of Organization grant the Chairman the discretion to call meetings.

(commented on March 19th, 2026 @ 4:42 pm)
Y'all are a hoot. Most of you are responding to yourselves. Many of you have never participated in the local Republican Party. Some of you on the local committee have only attended a few meetings. There is the problem...you are not builders, just destroyers. I know you do not volunteer, help raise money, attend events, or get Republicans elected. Let's face it, you did not support the most conservative candidate on the ballot. You call yourselves the conservative club or citizens for better government? I think not. Quit hating on the Republicans who put in the hours and do the work to get solid Republicans elected. They are not going to stop. Stop the hate and get to work.

(commented on January 29th, 2026 @ 10:59 pm)
You are wrong again Mr Richardson. Your lies continue to reveal themselves.

Anthony L. Fucito
(joined: January 22nd, 2026 @ 9:15 pm as afucito)
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(commented on January 29th, 2026 @ 12:35 am)
Good evening Mr. Hood. I hope this note finds you well.

I find it perplexing that we are engaging in this line of discussion. Whether our previous interaction occurred in a formal session is, in my view, irrelevant to my original post. My concern centered on your characterization of me as "irrelevant." I have never resorted to disparaging language toward those with whom I disagree. My intention was solely to clarify the procedures regarding the taking of minutes in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order and the Republican Party Rules of Organization. Your narrative included inaccuracies that I felt needed addressing. I trust that my insights on these rules were beneficial.

Respectfully

Anthony Fucito

(commented on January 25th, 2026 @ 1:04 am)
Under Robert’s Rules of Order, which governs the North Carolina Republican Party and most similar organizations, a secretary does not have to record anything discussed during a recess.
In fact, official minutes are a record of what was done (actions and motions), not what was said. Here is a breakdown of why recess discussions typically do not belong in the minutes:
• Nature of a Recess: A recess is a short break within a meeting where business is legally suspended. Because the meeting is not "in session," no official business can be transacted, and the Secretary's duty to record the proceedings is also suspended.
• Recording Actions vs. Discussions: The primary purpose of minutes is to provide a permanent record of the motions made and the votes taken. Robert's Rules specifically recommend against including summaries of debates or casual conversations, especially those occurring outside the formal session.
• The Secretary's Authority: A Secretary should refuse requests to include informal discussions or "recess talk" in the official record. The minutes should only reflect the time the recess began and the time the meeting was called back to order.
Relevance in This Context:
The article describes allegations of "secrets," "false pretenses," and "dictatorial" behavior within Beaufort County GOP leadership. In such high-conflict environments:
1. Transparency: While the Secretary does not record recess talk, they are legally required under the NCGOP Plan of Organization to keep "all minutes and records" and make them available to any registered Republican in the county upon request.
2. Accuracy: If a secretary tries to "rewrite history" by adding or omitting formal actions, members have the right to offer corrections before the minutes are approved at the next meeting.
Discussions during a "recess" are not recorded unless later introduced as a formal motion when the meeting resumes. Does the NCGOP Plan of Organization require recording recess talk? No.
The NCGOP Plan of Organization (Article II, Section A and Article III, Section B) simply says that the Secretary "shall keep all minutes and records." Because the Plan does not define what "minutes" are, it defaults to the definition in Robert’s Rules of Order (RONR), which we looked at earlier. Under RONR, "minutes" are strictly a record of actions, not discussions—and certainly not discussions during a recess.
Beaufort County Specifics
The 2025 Beaufort County GOP Plan of Organization (Article III, Section 3.1) mirrors the state rules:
"The Secretary shall keep all minutes and records... unless otherwise provided by the PC [Precinct Committee] or the CEC [County Executive Committee]."

This means:
1. Standard Rule: The Secretary should not include recess discussions.

Joe Davis
(joined: January 14th, 2026 @ 1:48 pm as JoeDavisIV)
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(commented on February 20th, 2026 @ 8:01 pm)
Great story, go Shannon!! A true servant land and mom and lover of the people!

(commented on February 17th, 2026 @ 11:55 am)
Great article!

(commented on February 5th, 2026 @ 3:14 pm)
important data!

Cassandra Darcy
(joined: January 12th, 2026 @ 2:44 pm as FairIsFair)
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(commented on January 12th, 2026 @ 3:51 pm)
David, have you left Anthony Tyre any similar comments on his Facebook posts? Are you only in the business of kissing his butt? If you’ll look at his Facebook post on December 30, you’ll understand that Fritz’s post here is a response to Tyre’s. Tyre has greatly contributed to the divide and lack of teamwork on the council by blaming, shaming, and accusing. If you truly believe they should build upon their teamwork, don’t you think you should equally be addressing this with Tyre? Someone DOES need to grow up, you’re right about that, David.

David Edwards
(joined: January 11th, 2026 @ 7:38 pm as Iluvboco)
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(commented on January 12th, 2026 @ 12:39 pm)
It's pretty clear that the city council is dysfunctional team. Maybe they should consider some team building exercises. Writing articles such as this, that point fingers and cast blame at the mayor, and other council members certainly don't help bring the team together. Someone needs to grow up, and instead of hurling accusations, start asking questions as to what can we do to come together and do the job we were elected to do.

JR
(joined: January 10th, 2026 @ 8:13 am as GC1768058565)
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(commented on January 10th, 2026 @ 8:13 am)
Mr. Fritz,when you write for a publication such as this,it tells all of us exactly who you are and it isn't good.

Auditor
(joined: January 9th, 2026 @ 2:56 pm as GC1767990928)
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(commented on February 20th, 2026 @ 10:47 am)
I have a genuine question - how can we possibly entertain lowering property taxes when the 2023 - 2024 audit report indicated that the General Fund had to take $1.4M from the Electric Fund? Granted, the 2024 - 2025 audit report has not been released to the public, but I don't expect the transfer to be much different.

That is quite a shortfall to overcome while still cutting General Fund revenues. Especially considering the fact that our City already experiences frequent power outages. It seems to me that the Electric Fund could use all the help it can get.

(commented on January 9th, 2026 @ 5:07 pm)
Concerned Taxpayer, it will be interesting to see the audit report if that is truly the case. Reconciling the bank accounts is one of the most basic accounting functions. To not even know how much cash the City has would mean a lot more was done than shredding documents. I am also curious to know who in the Finance Department you think is unqualified. I've always heard good things about Tammy Swindell's abilities. Martin Starnes is also a reputable governmental auditor. Are you suggesting that issues started in FYE25, or do you think there is a continuing "mess" that they have missed or ignored?

If nefarious things are occurring in the Finance Department to the extent that you seem to be suggesting, I would expect to see significant findings in the audit report, as well as criminal charges. The actions that you are suggesting are fraudulent.

(commented on January 9th, 2026 @ 2:56 pm)
I am a citizen who spent years auditing municipalities. You do not have to have a completed audit report to know how much money the City has or spent in the previous fiscal year. The City is required to maintain its books "free of material misstatement". In fact, the state forbids auditors from making substantial changes to a municipality's books without a corresponding "write-up". If a city does not have staff capable of maintaining its books, then they typically hire an outside firm to make sure that balances are reasonable. Either way, the auditor will make minimal changes to the City's financial data, if any.

Everything you need to know is held within the City's accounting system. Including how much money was spent, budget to actual comparisons, cash balances, debt balances, and fund balances. With that information, you can certainly pass a budget.

Either you don't understand governmental accounting or you are purposefully misleading citizens. I'm not sure which worries me more

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