Governor’s selection of poet laureate draws fire

MARTHA WAGGONER
Associated Press

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina writers are unhappy that the governor chose the next poet laureate on his own without going through the typical vetting process of receiving recommendations from a committee.

Last week, Gov. Pat McCrory named Valerie Macon of Fuquay-Varina as the state poet laureate. Macon has self-published two books and is a disability examiner for the state.

The governor didn’t seek recommendations from the NC Arts Council, which has been the process for the past several poet laureates.

Previous poet laureate Joseph Bathanti says he’s disappointed that McCrory ignored the usual process. A McCrory spokesman says the governor had the right to select someone on his own, and he chose to do that.

Macon says she’s staying above the fray and believes she’ll do a good job.

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