Controversial speech, reception cost taxpayers hundreds

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Monday evening New Hanover County Commission Chairman Jonathan Barfield delivered the State of the County address. The speech focused on bigger picture ideas like job growth in our area and our local economy.

With all it included, it is just as likely to be remembered, though, for what it didn’t include.

It has been two years since there was a State of the County address in New Hanover County.

“I’m restoring that tradition to county government, and as you can see, it is important to have our citizens here to witness the leadership in county government,” Barfield said.

Dozens of elected officials were on hand for the speech. Before that, though, Barfield and Commissioner Woody White had a very public back and forth about the issue of county spending. We asked Barfield if he thought the county had a spending problem.

“No, I don’t,” he said.

“I guess his spending philosophy is different than other commissioners; certainly different than mine, and I think different from what this community is looking for,” White said.

White said he hoped Barfield would address spending in his speech. Because he didn’t, we asked whether White would indeed deliver a rebuttal.

“In answering your question, I will issue a videotaped statement,” he said.

Barfield meanwhile hopes for unity among the commission.

“Hopefully, moving forward we can speak with one voice, put the partisan stuff aside and make sure we are representing the needs of the citizens of New Hanover County totally,” Barfield said.

After Monday’s speech there was a reception, where guests ate and drank on the taxpayer dime. It cost you more than $1,000.

“Somewhere in this county many families worked hard to pay $1,000 on their property taxes last year, and we just spent it on a banquet,” White said.

White did not attend the post-speech reception. All other members of the county commission did.