County Commissioners Appoint Rev. Cayton to Board of Trustees and Approve Driving Pad | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, NC     The signature piece of the proposed capital projects funded by the Connect NC bond was approved by the Beaufort County Commissioners on Monday, November 7. Development had stalled on the project while the commissioners studied the implications of the project. While planning, design and construction will all be paid for with bond funds, Beaufort County will be responsible for future maintenance of the new development.

    The driving pad will be used to train emergency personnel to drive firetrucks, ambulances and police cars. It will also be used during commercial driver's license classes and future motorcycle safety classes. Currently, students must drive to over an hour to Edenton to use a training facility. The driving pad will also help volunteer fire fighters from across BCCC's service area and beyond to receive mandatory annual training locally.

    The Connect NC bond passed with a 30 point margin, a landslide by all accounts, during March 2016. The $2 billion package funds capital improvements to community colleges, universities and parks across the state. BCCC was allocated $6.5 million for accessibility upgrades, including the replacement of broken elevators, and the development of the driving pad, along with a storage facility for emergency training vehicles, additional infrastructure for the fire training facility, several additional classrooms and a minor parking lot expansion.

    "We are so happy that the commissioners see the benefit of the driving pad," said BCCC President Barbara Tansey. "We have many firefighters and first responders in this area who are excited about the state-of-the-art training facilities we are building. Our fire training building has been a hit with the firefighter community. The driving pad continues our commitment to the needs of local emergency personnel."

    The commissioners also appointed Rev. Robert Cayton to the Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees. Board Chair Laura Staton had suggested Rev. Cayton for appointment. He will fill the position left open by resignation of Cynthia Davis, who was appointed in 2014 and whose term expires in 2018. As the board searches for a new president, Rev. Cayton will help guide the process, as he has helped with searches for both BCCC and Barton College.

    "When making business, financial, strategic planning and personnel decisions for the college, such seasoned experience is critical," wrote Staton in her letter of recommendation to Chairman Jerry Langley.

    The Beaufort County Commissioners had previously appointed Rev. Cayton to the BCCC Board of Trustees in 1991 where he served until 2003. In 2003, he was appointed by the Governor to continue serving on the board until 2014. He served as board chair from 2002- 2007.

• Contact: Attila Nemecz
•     (252)-940-6387