Pender Commissioner voices frustration regarding comment about clean water; EMS merger update given
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Tensions erupted during Monday night’s Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting after Commissioner Jimmy Tate was angered by remarks that were allegedly made during a separate meeting involving a fellow commissioner and county staff and a discussion about access to clean water.
The issue surfaced during the public comment portion of the meeting when a resident, Cheryl Highsmith, addressed commissioners about ongoing concerns related to clean water. During the discussion, Commissioner Jerry Groves referenced a separate meeting he attended with the county’s interim utilities director, James Proctor, and County Manager Colby Sawyer.
According to Groves, a comment was made during that meeting suggesting that “three to four people do not matter” when considering the need for clean water.
The statement prompted an emotional response from both Highsmith and Tate.
“Yes, you have and we appreciate it and my heart is very distraught, actually, I could cry right now,” Highsmith told commissioners. “I am in tears just to hear that we have hired a county manager and Mr. Proctor was a part of all of this and now for me to hear those kind of comments is very disturbing to me.”
“I am very upset with you,” Tate said towards her.
Following the meeting, Tate continued to condemn the reported remarks.
“Those comments should not have been said or should not have been said by anyone in my opinion,” Tate said. “This is a disgrace to the people out our district who want clean water. These people are suffering from health issues, and I thought we were working towards a solution.”
Tate said he hopes county leadership also publicly condemns the comment referenced by Groves.
Earlier in the meeting, commissioners also received an update on the planned consolidation of Pender County Emergency Medical Services and fire operations. This merger, county officials say, remains on schedule.
Officials told commissioners the merger between Pender EMS, county fire services, and the Penderlea Fire Department is expected to take effect July 5. County leaders stated that the implementation date was chosen to avoid a split payroll period and ensure that employees continue to receive uninterrupted benefits during the transition.
According to county staff, an emergency services director has already been hired and onboarded. Applications for the new fire division chief position are still under review.
Officials also reported that a fire academy began in May to help address staffing vacancies ahead of the consolidation.
The consolidation plan, approved in June 2025, will create a single county-operated emergency services agency. The final financial agreement associated with the merger is expected to be presented to commissioners at their next meeting.
Tate said he felt the merger had been rushed and there are still a lot of unanswered questions, like how
Tate also expressed disappointment with the county’s proposed budget, which includes a suggested property tax rate increase. He said he and several other commissioners remain opposed to raising taxes.
