Low turnout at Pender County town hall highlights some residents’ concerns over leadership

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — A Pender County town hall intended to allow residents to speak with county commissioners drew only five residents Tuesday night, with one outspoken homeowner using the meeting to raise concerns about property reappraisals, government accountability, and public trust.

County commissioners are scheduled to hold another town hall Thursday evening at the Hampstead Annex, but Tuesday’s sparse attendance underscored what some residents say is growing frustration with county leadership.

Among those attending was Burgaw resident Regina Fennell, who said she was shocked after receiving her 2026 property reappraisal notice. She said her double-wide mobile home and the land it sits on had previously been assessed at about $18,000 before its value increased to more than $120,000 following the countywide revaluation.

“When the letter did come in, I said, ‘I’m gonna appeal mine, I’m gonna appeal yours, and I’mma help everybody else who wants help with appeals,'” Fennell said.

Fennell said she has since helped several residents navigate the appeals process, including her sister, Gennetta Corbett, whose home’s assessed value more than doubled despite what Fennell described as significant damage, including portions of the roof being covered with tarps after multiple cave-ins.

Fennell believes public frustration about the reappraisals and other issues explains why so few residents attended Tuesday’s meeting.

“The people is tired,” she said. “They’re tired of the lip service. That is it: the lip service, the lies from Mr. Burton. I want him to know, I don’t believe a word he says. He was trying to appease me. I am not the one.”

Only Commissioners Randy Burton and Jerry Groves addressed residents during the town hall, despite several major issues facing the county this year. Those include the county’s property reappraisals, a financial fraud scheme that resulted in the loss of more than $650,000, and the recently completed merger of the county’s emergency medical services.

Commissioner Jimmy Tate, who was not among those speaking during the meeting, said he is concerned the low turnout may reflect declining public confidence in county government.

“I wonder, have they lost trust in our county government?” Tate said. “I wonder how they believe that we’re not approachable or listening to them. I believe that when we have a town hall meeting, we should have way more people showing up to meetings. And I encourage people to come out to future meetings that we have and just show and voice their concerns.”

Fennell said county leaders should prioritize residents when making decisions and be willing to correct mistakes when they occur.

The Board of Commissioners is also expected to undergo significant changes in the coming weeks and months. Commissioner Brad George is scheduled to resign at the beginning of next month, Commissioner Jerry Groves is not seeking reelection, and Commissioner Randy Burton was defeated in the March primary election.