Comments by John Heermann | Eastern NC Now

Mr. Fucito you seem to have spent a lot of effort explaining why things talked about in a recess dont go into a set of minutes. That all seems logical. What I dont see you explaining is why there was so much effort involved to avoid a meeting or reconvening one. Seems like that WOULD require minutes and nobody wanted the ouster of Unca Hood and the other two ladies to be on record much less that the police were called. If something isnt rotten enough to pass the smell test there usually isnt a need to try to keep it in the dark.

Commented: Monday, January 26th, 2026 @ 3:36 pm By: John Heermann

Wasn't our nation started because We the People opposed an actual King? Were we not opposed to taxation without representation? Did we not fight back when those who would oppress us came for our firearms, the AR-15s of the day, at Lexington and Concord? Don't our founding documents lay out a limited federal government so that the sovereign states could represent their people according to what they believed best? People shouldn't fear their government, governments should fear their people. They do work for us after all, not the other way around. Its sad to many people don't realize this or remember it. Its a travesty the bureaucrats and seemingly more often the judiciary don't understand this either.

Commented: Thursday, June 19th, 2025 @ 2:55 pm By: John Heermann

Ignorance is bliss. Willful ignorance is downright disgraceful and disgusting. These commissioners obviously are only concerned with what will benefit them. They are no friend to the Beaufort County citizen as has been repeatedly proven time after time. The new megaschool debacle, the willingness to close Snowden, the backroom deals, secrecy, and overall condescension to WE THE PEOPLE, disregard for true economic development, and an inability to conduct proper research, planning and administrating...the list goes on and continues to grow. Unfortunately, we are stuck with Booth, Langley and Walker for the next few years. We can get rid of Waters this next election cycle and he must go! If you disagree, VOTE FRANKIE WATERS FOR HIGHER TAXES, MORE INCOMPETENCE AND CORRUPTION. It's that simple folks.

Commented: Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 @ 9:13 am By: John Heermann

Conservative Voter: Sounds like a case of "Hello pot, I'm kettle" to me. Seems like this Jody has been doing this on a regular basis. Aren't Democrats the ones who traditionally refer to name calling when facts can't support their position.

Commented: Monday, March 31st, 2025 @ 12:50 pm By: John Heermann

It's that time of year again. The Superintendent should receive a performance review from the school board and it should be sent on to NC DPI as required by state statute. It will be interesting to see if the weak school board grows a spine this year and actually does its job. Cheeseman would be right to worry given his abysmal job performance but it is highly doubtful the board will give him a poor review, if indeed, they give him one at all. Special attention should be paid to how the new, supposedly "conservative" school board members, Daniel Hudson and Stacey Davis approach the issue.

Commented: Monday, March 17th, 2025 @ 8:19 pm By: John Heermann

South Carolina mandated use of E-Verify for all employers in the state more than a decade ago. Other states such as Florida have also done this. All federal contractors are required to use E-Verify. This system, although imperfect, does a good job in helping employers curb the number of illegals being employed in their respective states and nationwide.

Commented: Friday, March 14th, 2025 @ 3:31 pm By: John Heermann

Van Zant: It will take a concentrated effort to bring to light the sins committed by the Superintendent and Board to the public at large. These people work for us, the constituents, and we need to remind them of it by showing up to meetings, speaking out against what is happening, and electing individuals who actually realize they represent the people who placed them in their positions. The last time I read the Constitution it said that our system of government is based upon the free and unfettered consent of the governed. Elected officials serve the public, not the other way around. Their power is derived from the people who elected them. At least that's how it is supposed to work in our free society as opposed to an empire or dictatorship. We must elect strong individuals of high moral character who understand this and have the fortitude and courage to do what is right and not operate like those currently filling these seats as discussed in previous comments below. The hypocrisy continues with these elected officials paying lip service to the public while pursuing their own personal agendas which place their own personal interests above those of the people they are meant to represent. The same can be said for most of our County Commissioners as well. We went to war with England over taxes and lack of representation. Carlo Cipolla, an economic historian, noted that absolute monarchs never drew more than 5-8% of their nation’s income in taxes but today our federal government extorts between 40-60% in direct and indirect taxes. IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!

Commented: Saturday, March 8th, 2025 @ 11:49 am By: John Heermann

This would-be oligarch has established himself as Supreme Leader of Beaufort County Schools subverting the weak school board to his will. He completely botched the response to COVID setting our students back by years and yet has the audacity to still blame COVID for the failing scores that our schools receive. More than half (50%) of our county schools are still considered underperforming receiving grades of "D and F". It is time to remove him and find a competent leader who is not a California liberal and get rid of the spineless school board members who bow to his every whim. The latest debacle regarding the construction of a new school in Washington costing our county's taxpayers an additional half million dollars should be all the proof that is necessary to pursue this course of action. And the county commissioners have increased taxes this year and see no issue with the current spend and tax culture they use to benefit themselves and their cronies.

Commented: Thursday, March 6th, 2025 @ 8:19 pm By: John Heermann

This is a good move on the part of the administration. Destroying the cartels will not only be good for America but for Mexico and countless people throughout South America. Elevating them to the status of terrorist organizations and not just criminal ones will make it easier to bring other agencies and assets into the effort to end the criminal activities perpetrated by the cartels. We should look at them in the same light as Al Qaeda, ISIS and the pirates operating in Middle Eastern waters. Members of these organizations are not entitled to the rights, privileges and protections of U.S. citizens, nor should they be. Armed drone strikes and special operations forces can have major impact when properly utilized. Maybe the war on drugs will finally see results.

Commented: Friday, February 28th, 2025 @ 12:36 pm By: John Heermann

Individuals with security clearances are required to go through in depth background investigations. These investigations become more involved and expansive the higher the level of clearance being required. There are also requirements for people holding security clearances to receive periodic recertification investigations. These are at the 10 year mark for SECRET and 5 year mark for TOP SECRET clearance levels. These reviews and processes are in place to prevent individuals receiving clearances who may be at risk for compromise. Although the system is effective in the majority of cases, human behavior and an individual's personal circumstances change with the passage of time. Someone who is not a threat to national security today could always become one in the future for any number of reasons. The decision to terminate and revoke the clearance of personnel who may be compromised is the right decision. Furthermore, anyone who holds a security clearance has a moral obligation to remain beyond reproach in their conduct and it is a matter of personal responsibility to do so.

Commented: Friday, February 28th, 2025 @ 12:09 pm By: John Heermann