USDA rejects lending the County money to build a jail without a referendum | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    In a major development in the ongoing debate about building a new jail, the County received a letter today that advised the USDA staff of the Rural Development department of the USDA's state office that the USDA would not fund a loan to build the jail without a vote of the people.

    Click here to read the letter.

    Harold Smith, the Chairman of the Stop The Jail Committee said:

    "We are pleased with the USDA decision to deny any funding for the jail without a referendum of the people of Beaufort County. The Stop The Jail Committee sees this as very positive turn of events in what has been a long battle. The rights of the people of Beaufort County should not be trampled on by any agency. USDA has recognized this. The people of Beaufort County deserve a vote.

    We also know it is not the time for complacency. In addition to pursuing the current lawsuit against the Town of Chocowinity, we understand there will be more hurdles as the process continues. We are prepared to continue our efforts should the Commissioners pursue alternative funding sources. Other lending agencies will obviously face the same precarious exposure that the USDA just turned down. And we firmly believe that other potential lenders will view this project in the same manner as did the USDA, the folly of four inept County Commissioners."


    The group of local citizens has been raising money to use in support of legal action to prevent the building of the project without a vote of the people. They have already filed one law suit against the re-zoning ordinance changed approved by the Town of Chocowinity and were working on filing one against the County to force a vote. As will be noted in the USDA letter this threat had obvious impact on their decision.

    The USDA action does not preclude the County from seeking funding from other sources but it is anticipated that do so would cost more and other lenders are expected to take cognizance to the USDA's refusal to proceed in the face of potential litigation.

poll#52
Which was a better expense for Beaufort County taxpayers' 2 million dollars?
91.07%   Loan it to Belhaven government, as a first mortgage, to help them keep their hospital open.
6.43%   Give it to consultants to plan a Southwest County jail with no financing in place.
2.5%   Find another overpaid Economic Developer, who won't move to Beaufort County after he gets the job.
280 total vote(s)     Voting has Ended!

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( July 16th, 2014 @ 6:32 am )
 
Now the question remains: What about the 2 million dollars obligated by the 'Gang of Four' to consultants without a firm commitment for the funds to build this unwise public project?

Can Beaufort County get part of their money back if the funding can not be put into place?

Will local political consultants, the Washington Strategic Group - Greg Dority, Ashley Woolard, Bill Tarpening - still tacitly support the funding of that project, and continue to oppose all who worked to defeat the project?



What impact will a jail have on the Choco Industrial Park? County Commissioners, Government, Governing Beaufort County AFPNC Asks Lawmakers To Shift Film Subsidy Spending To Vouchers


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Latest Governing Beaufort County

North Carolina's Rate Bureau has requested for 2024 an annual increase of 42.2%, whereby North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has exhibited a great willingness to take a firm stand against such an exorbitant increase.
I reckon one could always argue that ignorance rests in the eyes of the beholder, but, I'm not taking that bet ... not in these Orwellian times, when so few of our fellow travelers know so little of what is real, and far too much of what otherwise might be terminally fake.
There were numerous local professional and educational opportunities showcased on Wednesday at the Beaufort County Job and Resource Fair.
Please click on the link to access the agenda for the Monday, February 12, 2024 City Council meeting
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting with the Beaufort County Board of Education on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 3:30 PM at the Professional Development Center located at 845 Pierce St, Washington, NC.
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will meet at 121 W. 3rd St, Washington, during the following times for their annual Planning Retreat:
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the boardroom located at 136 W. 2nd St, Washington, NC
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This afternoon’s update from the National Weather Service (NWS) included another increase in the forecasted wind conditions for Beaufort County.

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This morning’s update from the National Weather Service (NWS) included an elevated threat of severe weather, to include the possibility of tornados, as well as an increase in the forecasted wind conditions.
Our office is continuing to monitor an approaching cold front that is expected to bring high winds, elevated water levels, rain and the potential for severe storms to our area Tuesday and Wednesday. Forecast details for Beaufort County can be found below.
Please click on the link to access the agenda for the Monday, January 8, 2024 City Council meeting.
Our office is currently monitoring the forecast of an approaching cold front that is expected to bring windy conditions, rain and the possibility of severe storms to eastern NC on Tuesday.
The Beaufort County Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 3:00 PM in the conference room located at 136 W. 2nd St.
This afternoon’s update continues to trend towards a strengthening storm system for our area Sunday and Monday.
This morning’s update continues to trend towards a strengthening storm system for our area Sunday and Monday.
The Beaufort County Commissioners meet each month for one general meeting to do most of the People's business here in Beaufort County, and we present that meeting in full review here on ENC NOW.
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Commissioners boardroom located at 136 W. 2nd Street.

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