White issues statement ahead of Barfield’s State of County

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hours before Chairman Jonathan Barfield is set to give the annual State of the County address, fellow New Hanover County Commissioner Woody White continues to make waves about what likely will not be in the speech.

“I look forward to hearing the address from Chairman Barfield tonight at 6:00,” White said in a statement released by the county this morning. “In drafting his view of the ‘State of the County’ he sought no input from his colleagues about issues such as commissioner spending, the travel policy, growing debt and spending. And while I am sure that some of his comments will be shared by everyone, the issues of commissioner spending, growth of our county budget and borrowing practices are important, and should be given attention. I hope he will address them. But if not, later this week, I will issue a videotaped message that addresses these fiscal issues important to our citizens’ future.”

For weeks White, a Republican, who was commission chair before Barfield won the spot in December, has made it clear he wants Barfield, a Democrat, to address those issues in his speech and has vowed to make his own response if Barfield does not. Friday White said Barfield and Republican Beth Dawson were trying to keep him from using county video equipment to record his response.

Barfield has said he will not use his time tonight to address White’s concerns.

“There is tremendous value in elected officials speaking about issues important to the citizens,” White’s statement continued. “But I do not agree that tax dollars should have been used for private catering services and printed invitations for the chairman’s speech. The costs of this extravagance are likely to be over $1,000. For money to be spent in such a manner is not responsible and reflects a larger disregard of fiscal restraint and good stewardship of the taxpayer’s hard earned money.”