New Hanover Co. commissioners, including lame duck, attend conference

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Some New Hanover County commissioners are attending the National Association of Counties Annual Conference in California this week.

Last month, some questions surfaced after New Hanover County commissioner Beth Dawson, who will not get another term, planned to attend the conference in California.

Commissioner Rob Zapple, and County Manager Chris Coudriet are with her at the conference right now.

“As Commissioner Zapple and I attended different topic meetings, my session topics focused on those issues that are important and relevant to the NHC committees that I currently, and have been serving on, for the past several years -such as Economic Development, the Continuum of Care and the Southern Regional Advisory Board for Trillium Health Resources, of which I serve as chairman,” Dawson said. “National issues such as job creation, homelessness, affordable housing, permanent transitional housing, and mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use were the session topics nationally and issues that we are working on and making progress toward locally.”

Zapple said they are dividing and covering as much info as they can to bring back. He said the four big topics they are focusing on are decreasing county jail population, different ways counties can get a handle on the herion and opioid abuse concerns, addressing mental and behavorial issues, and technology.

“We’re trying to be the best,” Coudriet said. “Being here allows us to talk to other counties, other administrators about what they’re doing as best practice.”

Dawson also said that the county has received 10 national achievement awards. She said that they are working on a thorough legislative priority list including public safety, promoting local economies, and public health.

Zapple said the benefit of having three of them there is spreading out and getting the most information to bring back.

“We make a conscience effort to gain as much info as possible,” Zapple said.

Dawson said the county will still be able to benefit from her attending the conference even though her term ends this year.

“I have always dedicated myself to the citizens for being an informed and engaged commissioner,” Dawson said. “I will work as hard as I can until the very last day. What I’m learning here will continue to serve the citizens.”

The conference ends today.