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East Carolina Community Development, Inc. held a Ground Breaking ceremony for Glenstal Apartments, a 56-unit affordable senior housing development in Jacksonville.

The development of Glenstal will be possible through the aid and support of many community focused organizations including Stearns Bank N.A., Community Affordable Housing Equity Corporation, North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, and the City of Jacksonville. 

The general contractor for this development is Quadrant Construction, the architect is Boisseau Design Group Architects, the project engineer and landscape architect is H. Burkert & Co. and the project surveyor is John L. Pierce and Associates. Legal counsel is Amy Currin of Stubbs & Perdue.

This community and regional effort has made possible a safe and new environment for disadvantaged seniors in Southeastern North Carolina. It was an honor to represent Governor Perdue at the Ground Breaking Ceremony. “Your tireless efforts to provide assistance to citizens in need make each of you a pillar to your community,” Gov. Perdue told the project participants in a letter. 

For additional information please contact Sarah Bulla at (252) 504-3996 ext 21 or sbulla@eccdi.com. 

From left: Keith Walker; President ECCD, Tate Johnson, U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones, Onslow County Commissioner Paul Buchanan, & N.C. Rep.Phil Shepard participate in the ground breaking.

The City of Goldsboro is fortunate to have had an outstanding employee and current Mayor in Alfonzo ‘Al’ King.

Mayor King set the bar high with his 32-year career with the city. He served as Director of Personnel and Safety from February 1979 until his retirement in April 2000. During his tenure with the City, he was a member of the North Carolina Chapter of the International Personnel Management Association, served as President of the Wayne County Personnel Association and the North Carolina Organization of Municipal Personnel Officers, was a member of the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Trustees for eleven years and also served on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors for two years. Mayor King received formal training through the North Carolina Institute of Government in the fields of Personnel, Purchasing and Municipal Administration.

In January 2002, Mr. King was appointed by the Goldsboro City Council to serve as Mayor for the remainder of the term of Hal Plonk. In November 2003, he was elected to his first full four-year term as mayor of the City of Goldsboro and in November 2007, he was elected to his second four-year term. 

Mayor King serves as chairman on the Governor’s Military Advisory Council. He also serves on the Wayne Community College Board of Trustees, the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation Board of Directors, United Way of Wayne County Board of Directors, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the North Carolina League of Municipalities Risk Management Board of Trustees and the North Carolina League of Municipalities Future Directions Steering Committee.

I had the honor of bestowing Mayor King an award that many dignitaries throughout North Carolina’s history have received on behalf of Gov. Bev Perdue and the State of North Carolina at a surprise reception for the Mayor. Mayor King is now an Ambassador Extraordinary of the exalted order of the Long Leaf Pine. 

Congratulations Al and thank you for your service to Goldsboro and North Carolina.  

Gov. Bev Perdue held a roundtable discussion at East Carolina University on Monday to solicit ideas on rules and regulations that just aren’t working.

Gov. Perdue previously launched a rule reform initiative that seeks to eliminate cumbersome or outdated rules, particularly ones that hamper business and job growth.

At a meeting room in the campus football stadium Monday, Gov. Perdue told Pitt County officials and business owners that she needs their feedback on rules and regulations they perceive as barriers to business.

Some rules have simply become killers of small business, she said. Perdue asked members of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce for their honest feedback on her Regulatory Review initiative.

If you would like to express your opinion or give feedback please visit: http://www.setgovernmentstraight.nc.gov/

On Thursday, September 16, 2010 Robeson Community College will host a Jobs Summit at the A.D. Lewis Auditorium. The summit is free of charge and no pre-registration is required. Unemployment in Robeson County is the highest it has been since July 1992. The county has lost more than 365 jobs in the last six months and more than 2,070 jobs since 2002. County leaders are identifying and taking action to keep, create and attract jobs. You can help! Attend the summit and share with them what you think.

Co-Sponsors:

Lumberton Chamber of Commerce
Pembroke Chamber of Commerce
Red Springs Chamber of Commerce
St. Pauls Chamber of Commerce
Rowland Chamber of Commerce
Fairmont Chamber of Commerce
North Carolina Employment Security Commission (Job Link Center)
Lumber River Workforce Development Board
Robeson County Committee of 100
The Robesonian
The University of North Carolina – Pembroke

For more information phone: 910-272-3231

In Fayetteville on Thursday, August 27, 2010 a statue was unveiled for one of North Carolina’s most respected public servants. Those associated with the military have heard of General Shelton, for those who have not you will be surprised what a small town boy from Tarboro accomplished over a lifetime. General Shelton spent 38 years in a variety of command and staff positions in the United States and Vietnam. He moved up over that career to become the 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and served two terms.

General Shelton has been decorated by 16 foreign governments and, in 2001, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. The statue dedication was attended by dignitaries from Fayetteville and way beyond the borders of North Carolina. Ross Perot spoke highly of his longtime friend for his service and for protecting the freedoms we hold dear.

Governor Perdue stated, “North Carolina is proud to be the home of General Shelton. He served our state and nation with honor and distinction in two wars and was awarded many honors for his valor. General Shelton has earned the admiration of comrades, as well as the citizens whose freedom he protected as a member of the United States Army.”

General Shelton’s statue is now on display at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC.

The Governor’s Eastern Office was pleased to host this week the third in a series of Community Days for North Carolina’s non-profit sector around the State. 

This particular forum was held through the generous auspices of the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum in the Town of Plymouth, and the Governor’s Office partnered with the N.C. Center for Nonprofits to make for a very successful event.

Thirty individuals, including representatives of a wide variety of non-profits from several counties of the northeast, were part of the event.  Participants discussed the critical issues facing their organizations, communities and service areas, while learning about the Governor’s agenda and how it relates more specifically to their activities.  They were also given the opportunity to learn about the Eastern Office and how it might be of help.

The networking provided by the forum allowed everyone to make new connections and in some cases learn about the Center for the first time.  The day concluded with a series of proposed action items for follow-up by the Center and the Governor’s Office.

The Governor’s Office would like to thank Plymouth Mayor Brian Roth, the Center, and all the participants for making this day very productive and enjoyable.  We look forward to similar days around the State during the remainder of 2010.

Gov. Bev Perdue handed the Marines a letter on June 15th intended for General James Conway supporting the Air Base in Havelock to bring in 11 F-35B Lightning Two Strike Fighter Jets within the next decade.

Residents from all over Eastern North Carolina were able to see Lockheed Martin's new Strike Fighter Jets on display Tuesday night inside the Havelock Tourist and Event Center. The public hearing on the Navy's basing options for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was the first of five hearings on where to base 13 squadrons of aircraft planned to replace all Marine Corps legacy jets.

Governor Perdue took time during the public hearing to visit with over 200 attendees and many of the 7 different stations throughout the open house format that explained different aspects of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Under the Navy’s preferred plan, Cherry Point would receive eight squadrons of the jets, resulting in a net gain of planes and personnel on the base. Governor Perdue stated during the public hearing that, “All of us have a vested interest in the military in this county and this country.”

In October of 2010 Duplin County will experience the end of an era, the retirement of Duplin County Director of Social Services. This retirement is noteworthy as Millie Brown will end a prestigious 53 year career with Social Services.

When Millie started her career she never thought she would leave such a profound footprint on North Carolina’s History! She witnessed the technological changes that we now take for granted every day. Starting in the mid-1970’s when fax machines were being widely used, the internet in the 1980’s and video conferencing today such as Skype! These are just the technical changes throughout her career! 

Duplin County is fortunate to have had an outstanding employee in Millie Brown. On June 3rd family, friends and colleagues all gathered to celebrate a 53 year career in Pine Knoll Shores, one of Millie’s favorite Eastern NC spots. Millie was showered with awards and praise for her many years of service to her community.

Governor Perdue states, “Few, if any, recipients have accrued more years of service than you. Your dedication is an inspiration to your colleagues, and you are a model of excellence. We are fortunate to have you as one of North Carolina’s own.”

Among many awards Millie received at her retirement reception was the State’s highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Millie, you will be missed.

I recently attended an awards ceremony at Monarch in Craven County. Monarch’s volunteers totaled 3500 hours of community service. Monarch is a nonprofit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse issues. Monarch was started back in 1958 and has experienced tremendous growth in the last decade.

Supporting over 3,500 people in 44 counties across North Carolina, the agency offers services for those with residential and vocational needs as well as offering mental health options. They work with individuals and their families to identify and overcome barriers to reaching their dreams. Whatever it is, the folks at Monarch will stop at nothing to help dreams take flight. Everyone is welcome as part of the Monarch Family – they are here to help people of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds.

Region 6, based in New Bern, supports individuals in Craven, Carteret, Jones, Pamlico, Pitt, Edgecombe, Nash and Beaufort counties. They offer 2 day activity programs, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment and residential living in these areas.

Monarch and its volunteers provide an invaluable service to the citizens of North Carolina. They allow the forgotten citizens of our State a chance at life that the rest of us take for granted every day. The services they provide allow dreams to truly take flight.

When every citizen flourishes in life we all produce a better North Carolina.

To find out more please visit www.MONARCHNC.org.

On Wednesday, May 5th nurses, hospital administrators and other CarolinaEast Medical Center staff wore hot pink boas, pink ties, shirts, and hats to a Pinko de Mayo celebration to raise money for breast cancer research and education.

Pinko de Mayo was an informal gathering that took place in the hospital cafeteria with all proceeds benefitting the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Sandra Nichols explained, “That our hope for this community is that we can become part of this affiliate.” “This will allow us to provide greater access to screening for breast cancer as well as treating, and supporting those patients.” “Unfortunately, in these tough times, more people neglect their health to pay for other necessities.”

CarolinaEast health system is hoping to attract the nonprofit to include Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties in its coverage area as part of their expansion efforts.

I enjoyed supporting this effort on behalf of Governor Perdue who added via letter; your efforts are truly making a difference to those touched by this disease and I am proud of the efforts of my hometown team to promote awareness.

Pictured from left: Tate Johnson, Rick Fisher & Sandra Nichols