Table Talk Episode 21: A Conversation on Faith, Local Politics, and Truth | Eastern NC Now

    In this episode of Table Talk, host Stan Deatherage and co-host Dave Hudson sit down with Washington, North Carolina City Councilman Joe Davis for a wide-ranging, unscripted conversation. Originally planned as a joint discussion with fellow councilman Max Perreault, Davis appears solo after scheduling conflicts. The conversation spans topics including the spiritual dimensions of public service, the challenges of local governance, taxation and fiscal responsibility, media transparency, the role of faith in politics, and the cultural issues facing the city of Washington and Beaufort County.

Participants

• Stan Deatherage:
  Host of Table Talk; long-serving Beaufort County Commissioner (26 years); publisher of a local alternative media outlet.
• Dave Hudson:
  Co-host; retired U.S. Army veteran with 17 years of civilian experience in affirmative action and DEI programs; family roots dating to the founding of Washington, NC.
• Joe Davis:
  Washington, NC City Councilman; businessman and registered unaffiliated voter who ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and faith-based values.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Faith & Public Service

    A central theme of the episode is the intersection of Christian faith and political leadership. Davis describes his service on the city council as both "interesting and difficult," grounding his outlook in scripture, particularly Genesis 50:20 — "What you meant for evil, God meant for good." He emphasizes that he was open about his faith throughout his campaign and refuses to set it aside once in office.

    All three participants discuss the biblical mandate to love one's enemies, the nature of truth as embodied in Christ, and the importance of leaders standing firm in their convictions. Davis references Romans 10:9, Ezekiel 36:26, and James 2:9 (on partiality as sin), arguing that all people are made in the image of God and should be treated equally regardless of race.

"When you trust completely on Jesus' blood and righteousness... if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, Romans 10:9, you will be saved. It doesn't say you may be saved. You will be saved."

~ Joe Davis

2. Political Hostility & the Rise of Political Violence

    Davis describes hostile behavior from a neighbor who has publicly celebrated violence against conservative figures such as Charlie Kirk and Ashli Babbitt, self-identifying as a "progressive far-left liberal" who hates evangelicals. Davis says he has reported the behavior to the FBI and Secret Service while also praying for the individual.

    The group discusses a broader cultural trend: a growing acceptance of political violence, particularly on the political left. Deatherage states that more than half of Democratic Socialists now reportedly consider political violence acceptable. Hudson draws historical parallels to totalitarian regimes — Stalin, Mao, Hitler — noting that evil governance begins when leaders remove God, usurp power, and eliminate accountability. He stresses that political violence and attempts to coerce government officials are tantamount to treason.

    The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the death of Charlie Kirk are cited as examples of what happens when principled leaders threaten the status quo.

3. Truth, Transparency & the Role of Media

    Deatherage positions his publication as "alternative media" committed to truth and transparency. He criticizes mainstream Democratic Socialist–aligned media for giving themselves "a get-out-of-jail-free card" after Trump's 2016 election and for projecting their own failings onto opponents. He argues that a free press is not necessarily a fair press and that he feels called to hold media accountable.

    He notes that most publications have stopped allowing reader comments on their websites, whereas his outlet continues to permit moderated commentary — fostering a better, more honest public discourse.

"A free press is different from a fair press. They can be free, but if they're not fair, I'm going to call them out on it on a regular basis."

~ Stan Deatherage

4. Local Governance: Taxation & Fiscal Responsibility in Washington, NC

    Davis, along with former councilman Nick Fritz, campaigned on a promise of a 28% property tax cut for the city of Washington. Upon taking office, city staff offered only a 4% reduction, with a proposed 6% cut to be directed toward infrastructure. Davis expresses frustration that the people's money is not being returned to them.

    Deatherage offers practical fiscal advice: implement a 12% reduction in the first year — 6% returned directly to taxpayers and 6% deposited into the city's governing fund balance to shore up financial stability and keep the state from intervening. He suggests a phased approach over two to three years to reach the full reduction, while the growing tax base provides additional revenue.

    The discussion also touches on how rising property values — driven by developments like Moss Landing where lots sell for $325,000 per sixteenth of an acre — are pricing out long-time residents. Davis shares that his own parents were forced to leave Washington because they could no longer afford taxes and utilities on their home.

"My dad's born and raised North Carolina, loves North Carolina. And the taxes and the utilities pushed them out. That hits home for me."

~ Joe Davis

5. Bureaucracy as Economic Development — A Structural Problem

    Deatherage identifies a core issue in Beaufort County and Washington: the tendency to treat government employment and social services as a form of economic development. He argues that this inflates the bureaucracy, increases costs, and ultimately hurts taxpayers while providing little genuine benefit to the community.

    He estimates the city of Washington has approximately 20% more employees than it needs. The group discusses how entrenched bureaucratic interests resist reform and how reducing government bloat — while necessary — generates intense political pushback. Deatherage emphasizes that sustained change requires multiple election cycles and a strong governing majority committed to fiscal discipline.

6. DEI Positions in the Washington Police Department

    Davis recounts asking whether two community outreach positions within the Washington Police Department — one apparently serving the Hispanic community and another the African American community — constitute DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) hires. He says he was labeled a racist simply for asking the question.

    Hudson, drawing on his 17-year career in affirmative action and DEI, provides context. He explains that existing civil rights laws already protect individuals from discrimination and that affirmative action was never intended as a quota system. DEI programs, he argues, have "bastardized" those original protections by creating mechanisms to hire less-qualified individuals for political purposes, leading to poor decision-making across government and the military.

    Davis grounds his opposition in scripture, citing James 2:9 ("partiality is a sin") and Genesis 1:26 (humanity made in the image of God). Deatherage argues that politicians — not outreach employees — should serve as the connective tissue between government and the people, and calls for both positions to be eliminated.

"There's nothing wrong with asking, 'Is this a DEI hire?' To bring the question up, to provide the transparency — that's what you were elected to do."

~ Dave Hudson