Pender County commissioners meeting stalled after 2 commissioners fail to appear

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Division among Pender County commissioners was on display Monday night as only two board members attended a scheduled meeting, preventing the board from taking action on a vacant seat and other county business.

Commissioners Jimmy Tate and Brent Springer were the only members present at the Hampstead Annex. Chairman Randy Burton and Commissioner Jerry Groves were absent.

The lack of attendance raised questions about whether the board had a quorum. After consulting with attorneys, the commissioners determined they could not vote to appoint Beth Burns to the vacant District 1 seat.

The lack of a quorum also delayed other county business, including a $28 million water project in western Pender County.

Cheryl Highsmith, a Pender County resident, said the project has been years in the making and expressed frustration over the delay.

“We’ve been waiting for this water for over 28 years now,” Highsmith said. “It makes me feel very upset, disheartening, that the commissioners did not care enough about us to show up to sign this.”

The meeting also came as Tate said he had security with him after facing online racist comments and concerns for his safety over comments made on a local Facebook page last week.

Tate said he still attended the meeting despite those concerns.

“If there was a safety concern for someone, they should do what I have did tonight. I hired my own personal security to be here tonight. I think if someone were really concerned, they could have did the same thing.”

Tate also criticized the board, saying, “I believe this is the worst board that I’ve served with since I first went in public service in 2007.”

Following a recess to address the quorum question, Tate directed the county manager to add the vote to appoint Burns to the agenda for the board’s next meeting.

Moments later, Springer moved to adjourn.

The commissioners’ next regularly scheduled meeting is Oct. 5 at 6 p.m.