[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] The meeting to order for September 8, 2026, and he's already standing, so I'll ask Commissioner Tucker to ask him, in case he didn't play it.
[0:11] That's right. The Russia's Heavenly Father, we want to thank you again for all the many mercies and miracles, the grace that he stood upon each and every one I was.
[0:22] or you know our need before we even ask it and you know our struggles, you know our challenges.
[0:29] And we thank you, Lord, we can come to you with those issues and that you're already there even before we ask.
[0:36] And always ask that you be with this meeting, this gathering tonight that all we do be in your honor and your will and your glory.
[0:43] And that we take these things, these issues, seriously and we do the best we can, that the outcome would be.
[0:51] Please and your people and in your will watch overslead God directives protect us, but with us and all we do and say
[0:59] And thank you for all your blessings again in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
[1:08] I'm glad to leave
[1:09] to the flag of the United States for America, and to the Republic for which it can be
[1:16] one nation, and there are individuals with liberty and justice.
[1:27] Look in for approval of this thing, Zagenda.
[1:32] Question to approve.
[1:34] Before we approve that agenda, can we add in under boards and committees, conversation
[1:40] about data center steering committee?
[1:47] Yes. I have a motion from Commissioner Harris, a second from Commissioner Marion. He
[1:54] discussion.
[1:57] I'll in favor please say aye. Aye. Aye. And I said it. Next is our
[2:01] consent agenda. I'll turn this portion over to Chris Konoffir County. Thank you,
[2:05] Mr. Chairman. First item is a professional services request for data network solutions to assist
[2:10] MIS to excuse me. MIS Department over a 10 day period. Next is the long distance service
[2:16] provider adjustment for three county to move from the state of North Carolina over the
[2:20] story communications. Next item is health nutrition center purchase requests for a
[2:25] ultrasonic ceiling machine and specialty tips. Next is the Constitution Week
[2:31] Proclamation. Next item is budget amendment number two, which covers invest in
[2:36] three, carry $4, the old chill removal and temporary chill are used at the
[2:46] veterans grant and ambulance purchase school capital project ordinance for elk and high school.
[2:53] Next is the strap grant application and acceptance.
[2:56] Now this is an ordinance for elk and high school.
[2:59] And finally, school capital project ordinances is one for elk and elementary, one for the E-story high school.
[3:05] Excuse me, the elk and high school auditorium lighting project elk and high school roof.
[3:10] And these are all lottery funded.
[3:12] And that's all Mr. Chairman.
[3:14] Thank you.
[3:15] to have a motion for the Senate agenda.
[3:17] I just need to have a prayer for the consent.
[3:19] Motion by Commissioner Hype, do I have a second?
[3:23] Second.
[3:23] Second by Commissioner Tucker, any discussion on a favor please say aye.
[3:28] Aye.
[3:28] And I said it.
[3:30] Next is Amber Umberister, Deputy Kenny Manjo.
[3:36] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[3:37] We prepared a resolution for the Board's consideration tonight, and I'd like to take a moment to read that.
[3:41] That's okay with the Board.
[3:42] A resolution to NCDOT regarding design alternatives for NC-89 modernization project, whereas
[3:49] in C-89 West Pond Street is a major thoroughfare that is heavily utilized by Suri County
[3:54] residents, schools, businesses, and tourists.
[3:57] And whereas the North Carolina Department of Transportation in CDOT maintains this highway
[4:02] and has authority over state-operated road projects, which includes project management,
[4:06] design and engineering, and whereas in CDOT is proposing modernization of NC89, West Palm Street
[4:12] from Toast Road, State Road, 1387 to Pine Road, Red Road, SR1396, and Improvement of the Pine
[4:20] Road intersection, and whereas in CDOT's proposal is part of the State Transportation Improvement
[4:25] Program, which is reference this project number R5905, and whereas project number R5905 is
[4:33] for the purpose of improving mobility and safety through the NC-89 corridor for existing traffic demand
[4:39] and future growth. And whereas a public input meeting was held by NCDOT at North
[4:44] Surrey Haskell on July 16, 26, to share the project design and receive public feedback.
[4:50] And whereas citizens conveyed project concerns directly to NCDOT at the public and put meeting
[4:55] and during the comment period through August 6, 26, and whereas the Surrey County Board
[5:01] commissioners, provides governing authority and representation for the people of the County
[5:05] of Surrey in North Carolina, and we're as citizens have shared comments and expressed concerns
[5:09] to members of the Board of Commissioners through written and verbal communication and most recently
[5:14] during the August 17th, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting.
[5:18] And we're as the Board of Commissioners appreciates the work of NCDOT and understands the necessity
[5:23] of safety improvements and modernization for NCD-89, and we're as alternative approaches
[5:28] could achieve similar safety in my ability goals with reduced cost and or fewer impacts.
[5:34] And whereas it is in the best interest of all parties, public and private to ensure
[5:37] that the selected project design delivers the intended benefits while minimizing adverse
[5:42] impacts on private property and local traffic.
[5:45] Now therefore, be it resolved, the South County Board of Commissioners requests in CDAT, fully
[5:49] consider community feedback and consider review and evaluate all possible project designs
[5:55] to modernize and approve the safety of NC89,
[5:59] while minimizing negative impacts to effective citizens,
[6:02] adopted this the eight safe September 26th.
[6:05] Thank you for allowing me to read that, Mr. Chairman,
[6:08] and I'll turn it back over to you for a really good discussion.
[6:13] Any discussion on this?
[6:16] I will say that I had a privilege of sitting with Dan Cocker,
[6:21] Saturday at a football game in Beijing,
[6:23] And your state representatives are listening as well.
[6:27] And so I feel really, really good about that.
[6:32] He had talked to several people in the DOT.
[6:36] And I'm sure that Senator Settle has been the same,
[6:39] but I do know that Dan Calger, you know,
[6:41] had a conversation about 89 sitting at a football game and being so.
[6:45] I feel like they are on it.
[6:47] And I feel like, you know, your concerns are being heard.
[6:53] by the folks at DOT. So that's what we're at right now.
[6:59] Any other comments?
[7:00] I'll also say that I've said all along that the DOT does what the DOT will do
[7:10] and to some extent I believe that's true. We don't have jurisdiction over some of the state agencies
[7:16] like the forester service or the state highway patrol or other things. We do have a seat at
[7:22] the table. We do hear kind of what's going on at times from time to time on this board.
[7:27] But with that said, we do not respond.
[7:30] And we said we would hear what your concerns are. Look at the people that are going to suffer catastrophic in their opinion. If no one else is, and I believe it would be catastrophic if I live there. So I was going to move in the porch.
[7:46] But we have heard you, and we have said we will pass that on. And I believe everybody on this board has done that. I know I have personally. I have spoken with our state representatives individually about this.
[7:59] We have passed your concerns along, and we said, look, we're not engineers, we didn't draw up this design, we never saw this design, do you presented it?
[8:10] And we can't create a design, but give these people your best attention and give these people your best focus.
[8:18] And if we need to improve the plan and everybody, no one disagrees with that, I think everybody's sitting in this room and everybody we've heard from,
[8:25] there needs to be appropriate brands on how we're 89 projects.
[8:29] But we've asked them to do the very, come over the very best projects that can as little
[8:33] and truce of into the communities it can be. And I have also had that conversation with Michael
[8:39] Poe, our division, 11 director from the North Carolina DOT, and what we have done for you
[8:47] is we've helped pass your message along to the people that we know to pass it along to.
[8:52] And my opinion is they will hear you.
[8:57] I'm not going to predict what kind of plan they'll come up with, but I believe it will
[9:00] rest during their final outcome.
[9:03] I would advise you people to continue to chime in with them.
[9:07] These numbers and contact information links you have.
[9:12] I'm told, even though they gave a deadline, they still get your messages.
[9:17] They still hear your concerns.
[9:18] I would ask you continue to go and follow yourself in the meetings if they make them available.
[9:24] I do believe there will be other opportunities for you to express your concerns.
[9:29] And we have passed that along.
[9:30] So with that Mr. Chairman, I believe everybody on this board has done what we can do.
[9:39] Any other discussion?
[9:42] Motion to a pretty good resolution.
[9:44] Make a motion. We approve the resolution starting how we're 89.
[9:51] Have a motion by Commissioner Merin to have a second.
[9:53] Second by Commissioner High any discussion on favor please say aye.
[10:05] Andrew Wright, boards and committees.
[10:10] Thank you, Mr Chairman.
[10:11] We have five separate boards and committees with seats expiring or vacancies.
[10:17] So I'll just read through these.
[10:19] The first is the fire commission is a three year term with one seat set to expire, currently
[10:26] held by Pepper Gallion, we have new applications on file and continue to receive applications
[10:32] there.
[10:33] Next, we have the Northern Regional Hospital Board of Trustees with one seat set to expire.
[10:39] That's currently held by Ms. Ann Bond.
[10:43] Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is a three-year term with one current vacancy,
[10:50] a man-aary district, previously held by Donny Johnson and we receive a new application
[10:55] from Mr. Daniel Poindester, a story-counting Board of Health.
[11:00] We receive a memo that's included in your packet from the Health Director, Samantha Ange,
[11:06] with a recommendation and for one vacancy there, and that's for a pharmacist member.
[11:11] received an application from Ruth Latamore, Ruth and Latamore. And then finally, as Commissioner
[11:18] Hiamitch, and we have new appointments to make on the Data Center Steering Committee.
[11:29] Yeah, I'll make a motion to re-appoint Pepper Gallion to the Fire Commission.
[11:34] Motion by Commissioner Hiot. I'll second that. Any discussion?
[11:40] I'm on a favor, please say aye.
[11:45] I'll make a motion that we appoint and bond to the Northern Regional Board of Trustees.
[11:52] Do I have a second?
[11:53] Second, back Commissioner Tucker.
[11:55] He'd a discussion on a favor, please say aye.
[12:00] Parks and Rec and Advisory Committee.
[12:03] And then your point actually is in silence.
[12:05] So he's, we kind of want that.
[12:07] Tony with Donna Johnson was a manager representative and Larry Johnson was representing
[12:14] East District and so we'll put Larry Johnson back in the manager district where he's
[12:21] supposed to be and then your Johnson will represent the East then your point to extra
[12:26] will represent the East District. Now I'll make that much have a motion back. Commissioner
[12:35] All in favour please say aye.
[12:38] Aye.
[12:38] Aye.
[12:40] Surrey County Board of Health.
[12:42] Mrs. Ruthie and Latable.
[12:45] I make that motion.
[12:47] Commissioner, I make some motion. I'll second that any discussion.
[12:51] All in favour please say aye. Aye.
[12:53] Aye. And I say that.
[12:56] Data Center steering committee.
[12:59] All right, since we passed the moratorium,
[13:01] we were to form a steering committee.
[13:03] Well, the data center and so I would like to, I'd like to read these names and y'all can agree or have any comments later.
[13:16] Janet Ferris, Greg Casteavans, Kelly Cummins, Amber Armbrister, Adrian Gardner, 80 Harris and Melissa Hayat.
[13:25] I have mostly about commissioner Mary and do I have a second. Second, by commissioner Tucker, any discussion?
[13:31] on if all in favor please say hi.
[13:38] Now it's time for open for anyone
[13:40] wishing to come for to discuss county business.
[13:42] Please do so so that you'd aim and you tell a phone number.
[13:48] I have a little packet I'd like to give you guys first.
[13:50] That's okay.
[13:53] Very well, I'm a little raspy today.
[14:15] And you said name and phone number.
[14:18] Okay, my name is Deborah Colour and my phone number is 336-71-0-0-0-0-0-0.
[14:26] I did not make that up. It is real. Most people will get me like you're crazy. Okay, so I'd like to take a few minutes to enlighten the community on the use of flop cameras in Surrey County.
[14:38] I truly believe that most people in this county are not aware that they're being continuously tracked.
[14:45] My decision to speak tonight is the result of what happened after my son who was with me tonight,
[14:50] Request the information on flop camera usage from the Sheriff's Department back in July.
[14:57] All of the commissioners, the county manager and the...
[15:00] The matter in use were copied on everything, and there was complete silence. He got no response whatsoever.
[15:07] He did receive information from the sheriff's department that part of it was inaccurate. I will elaborate on that.
[15:15] We became more concerned when the matter in use published an article that stated,
[15:20] Mount Ares does not use block cameras.
[15:23] We contact the Mount Ares news several times
[15:26] and ask them via phone and email multiple times
[15:30] to clarify that Siri County does indeed have those cameras.
[15:34] We got no response from them either.
[15:37] Also contact the WXI as a matter of fact,
[15:39] and I'm still waiting to hear back from them.
[15:42] So the silence is deafening.
[15:44] I would also like to share that our current mayor of Mount Ares
[15:49] said that we should all be living our lives such that we wouldn't care if we were being monitored.
[15:55] I do not believe that that and that was in the paper.
[15:58] I do not have for verbatim.
[16:00] I don't think that's any way to show support for the freedom that our country has worked so hard to protect.
[16:08] So on July 29, my son opened a request for six items from the Sheriff's Department.
[16:13] He asks for contracts, policies, operating procedures, and or training manuals,
[16:20] a list of outside agencies with whom we're sharing our data,
[16:24] and audit reports on the searches being conducted by the sheriff's department
[16:28] and by searches from outside agencies.
[16:32] Three of those six requests were fulfilled,
[16:35] but we were dumbfounded by the responses on the other three requests.
[16:39] We were instructed to contact flock directly for data that is maintained internally by the
[16:46] Sheriff's Department per their own policy.
[16:50] Request for audits on searches were flat out denied.
[16:54] The response on that was that that is protected data that is totally not correct.
[17:00] We were asking for who is accessing the data and why not the data itself.
[17:05] That is not protected information and I have to say when he went back and explained all this and provided
[17:13] statutes and everything regulations.
[17:17] The data was eventually provided.
[17:19] We received responses on August the 14th and August the 24th.
[17:23] So it took about three and a half weeks to get all of the data.
[17:26] I understand sometimes that's just the way the the wheels turn.
[17:30] But here's what we know and what the data shows.
[17:33] We have two cameras, one facing each direction that are located at the I-74 connector with US-52.
[17:42] We have one on Westville Road on the east side of the county, right at the border with Stokes.
[17:47] We have one on East Pine Street in front of flat rock elementary, and that we're unclear if that one's county owned or private.
[17:55] 2 on West Pine Street, 1 close to Mount Mary and 1 where the western, near the western border
[18:01] of Surrey, 1-6-01 near the southern border of Surrey, 1-2-6-8 near the southern border of
[18:08] Surrey, and 1-9-74 at the northern border of Surrey.
[18:13] So, if you heard all that, you realize the cat's sheriff's office is purchased nine cameras.
[18:18] 8 of them are standard ones fixed on a pole.
[18:20] One is flex, it can be moved around, but basically every major route out of this county has a camera.
[18:29] So we're being watched.
[18:30] As for the data, the sheriff's office owns their own record shown issues.
[18:36] There were searches for 102 traffic violations,
[18:40] and two of those were even labeled as confirming driver's travel plans.
[18:46] North Carolina law expressly states that this data cannot be used to enforce traffic violations and doing so is a class one misdemeanor.
[18:57] The packets we provided include the North Carolina statute on how this technology can and cannot be used to enforce these traffic violations.
[19:05] This data is supposed to be audited, so we're questioning why hasn't this activity been detected, stopped and explained.
[19:15] This was a real eye opener.
[19:18] Surrey is plugged into a much larger surveillance network.
[19:23] That entire network has access to Surrey County data.
[19:27] Countless law enforcement agencies can search our cameras anytime they want to.
[19:32] In five months, five months of data, there were over six million searches from other agencies.
[19:40] And based on the sheriff's own audit report, less than 6,000 of those searches were done by them.
[19:47] Also in that five months of data, nearly a half a million were labeled as traffic infraction.
[19:54] It's not supposed to be used for that.
[19:56] I also want to point out that the sheriff's office policies need to be revised.
[20:00] They revised this policy all this 24th of this year, but it still refers to cameras being
[20:08] useful for criminal justice purposes.
[20:11] North Carolina General statute 20-131 no longer uses that raw term.
[20:17] So the shares policy actually allows has a broader scope than the law allows.
[20:23] That same policy also refers to a North Carolina statute that was repealed and replaced
[20:28] January 24th.
[20:30] So that needs to be some attention given to that.
[20:34] We're all hearing about the media coverage with the privacy concerns, with
[20:39] lock cameras throughout the U.S. all around us, of course.
[20:43] And I believe we should all be concerned.
[20:46] Why should the citizens of Surrey County accept the warrantless routine
[20:51] tracking of law abiding citizens?
[20:54] As I stated before, basically, every route out of this
[20:58] County has a camera. There should not be a nationwide surveillance network capable of searching the movement of millions of innocent people.
[21:08] Our request. So we're requesting that this board review the data and consider ending the sheriff's contract with the flood company.
[21:17] We spend about $30,000 a year on these cameras.
[21:21] The county actually committed to roughly another $55,000 last month without any discussion
[21:27] as far as I know.
[21:29] There was an automatic tune to your renewal that took effect.
[21:33] You guys were contacted prior to the 30-day period that we had to cancel the contract
[21:41] with Flock, but no action was taken unless I'm incorrect.
[21:45] Please correct me if I'm wrong.
[21:48] At the very least, I'm asking that you stop any support, any additional support until the county
[21:54] attorney reviews the records and requires continuous audit on how the data is being used and who has access to it.
[22:02] And most importantly, stop using the cameras until the public is told exactly how the data is being used and shared.
[22:11] Thank you.
[22:16] He wanted us for open four.
[22:27] Yeah, we're gonna get tired of me.
[23:00] Salih Adams, 336, 455, 0962. Good evening. I hope you remember me from last month. I came before you
[23:10] then because I'm concerned about the number of cats being euthanized at the County Animal Shelter. I told you
[23:17] about four perfectly adoptable kittens who spent nearly a month at Pet Sandsome Report were turned to the
[23:27] all four made it out through rescue. And last month I asked you to put our animal shelter on your
[23:32] radar and to consider whether that $200 option fee could be reduced. I hope you've had an opportunity
[23:39] since then to talk with shelter staff. And I asked some questions about the veterinary costs that
[23:45] drive the fee. Since then, I've done a little homework of my own and I just want to share with you
[23:52] adoption fees for our surrounding counties. To adopt the cat in Stokes County is $125.
[23:59] Yet, can his $85, willks $75, Davey is $80, our Dale $65,
[24:09] Allegheny lists in the adoption fee of $50, and precise standard adoption rate is $125 or
[24:15] less, with the shelter also using promotional adoption pricing. And every bit of that is on
[24:20] online, you can double check it and I could be wrong, but that's what the websites are
[24:24] stating.
[24:26] Surrey County adoption rate is $200.
[24:30] And I understand why I was told approximately $40 goes towards vaccines and $160 goes
[24:37] towards spay and neuter.
[24:40] I absolutely support animals being spayed or neutered before adoption.
[24:43] What I'm questioning is not the service, it's the price that we're paying for it.
[24:47] Our deal, for example, charge a $65, including vaccinations, rabies, deworming,
[24:54] fleet treatment, testing a microchip and spacer newter, Wilkes charge a 75 and works
[24:59] with multiple veterinary practices.
[25:03] So other counties have found ways to provide these services without passing a $200 cost
[25:07] onto the adopter, and that brings me to the pictures I've given you tonight.
[25:21] Well, something has changed.
[25:23] These are the three cats that are sitting at pets since right now, waiting for homes.
[25:26] One is a kitten, and one is a teenager, and one is a senior.
[25:31] Each one calls $200 to adopt.
[25:34] What's the realistic chance that someone walked into pet scents?
[25:39] And it's prepared to spend $200 to take one home.
[25:43] And more importantly, what happens when nobody does?
[25:46] These cats are running out of time.
[25:48] I'm not asking you to give the animals away.
[25:50] I'm asking you to find out what other counties are doing differently.
[25:55] Call them.
[25:56] Ask them.
[25:57] How are they contracting veterinary services and could we do something similar here?
[26:02] Lowering adoption fees won't solve our animal overpopulation problems,
[26:05] spay and neuter is still the bigger battle.
[26:08] This is one piece of the problem that looks very fixable.
[26:11] Last month, I asked you to look at numbers tonight.
[26:13] I'm asking you to look at faces.
[26:27] You want to look at numbers tonight?
[26:39] Tracy Hawks.
[26:41] I'm going to keep this short tonight.
[26:43] The last time I said before you, I asked you to listen to the concerns of the people
[26:47] along Highway 89 and then more than 1,800 people who have now signed our
[26:51] petition tonight.
[26:53] I still feel want to say thank you for doing that and I'm so sorry that
[26:56] I wasn't here to hear it or hear it.
[26:58] Did hear the resolution and how we go.
[27:02] We know that this resolution doesn't mean the work is finished and we still don't
[27:06] know exactly what the final plan for Highway 89 will look like.
[27:09] But it does mean that our community was heard.
[27:12] That's important.
[27:14] We've been heard, the people who work there live there and own businesses and travel along
[27:18] this road also have a voice in what's next.
[27:21] Thank you for listening to us.
[27:23] Thank you for taking our concerns seriously and for standing with the people that you represent
[27:26] with the Labor Party.
[27:28] Thank you, Chris.
[27:29] Thank you.
[27:37] This has, you want to come forward with the Constitutionary, and I'm going to take a, I'm
[27:47] solution or proclamation of my fault.
[27:52] Proclamation for Constitution Weeks, September 17, to the 23rd, 2026, commemorating the
[27:57] 250th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution, the United States of America.
[28:02] Whereas on September 17, 1787, the framers of the United States Constitution signed a revolutionary
[28:07] framework and tended to form a more perfect union of established justice and secure the blessings
[28:10] of liberty.
[28:12] And we're as the enduring charter establish a government of the people, by the people, and
[28:16] for the people, grounded in the consent of the government, and protected by the system of shared
[28:21] powers and individual rights.
[28:22] And we're asked for 250 years of constitutional experiment, has got it our nation relying
[28:27] on the active participation, vigilance, and civic responsibility of ordinary citizens, and
[28:32] we're as local communities from the bedrock of American democracy, where the daily practice
[28:36] of liberty, local self-government, and mutual respect, bring our founding ideals to life, and
[28:41] as the historic milestone encourages residents of our country, of our county, to reflect upon
[28:47] our shared constitutional history to embrace the principles of freedom and equality.
[28:52] Now, therefore, it will be resolved that I'll be able to go on chairman of the Siric County
[28:55] Water Commissioners do here here by proclaim the observance of the 250th Anniversary of the
[29:00] Frame in the United States Constitution, and call upon residents, schools, and community organizations
[29:04] to celebrate this milestone of reflection, educational programs, and civic engagement. In witness
[29:09] thereof. I have here on to set my hand and calls, the official seal, the County of Surrey
[29:14] to be a fix. This is the eight-day of September, the year of our level of 2026. Dr.
[29:19] This is the eight-day of September 2026 by the Surrey County Board of Commissioners, Bill
[29:23] Goons Chairman, Eddie Harris, Vice Chairman, Melissa Hyatt, Mark Marin in the Han Tucker.
[29:28] Thank you. Thank you for having me again this year. The aims of the Constitution Week
[29:33] celebration are several, as you alluded to.
[29:37] One is to emphasize citizens' responsibilities
[29:39] for protecting, defending the Constitution.
[29:43] Another one is to inform citizens
[29:45] that the Constitution is the basis for America's great heritage
[29:49] and the foundation of our way of life.
[29:51] Third one is to encourage the study of historical events,
[29:55] which led to the framing of the Constitution
[29:58] in September of 17.
[30:00] It is 7. And to celebrate the freedom that the Constitution affords us, all of these years. Constitution
[30:09] week again became law in 1956 and it mandates that any institution of higher learning that
[30:17] receives any federal funding must hold an educational program. So sometime during the week of Constitution
[30:24] week which is September 17th through the 23rd. This designated week is a good time for all of
[30:31] us to reflect on the many people who have defended and promoted the freedoms that our Constitution
[30:36] provides such as those who have sacrificed their lives and their livelihoods to excuse me to form
[30:45] the nation, all men and women who have fought and continue to fight to protect our country and the
[30:52] of citizens who try to uphold the values of this document on a daily basis.
[30:58] What are ways, my chapter, the Jonathan Hunt chapter, draws attention to the Constitution,
[31:04] you may ask, one is by requesting this proclamation from you and from several government areas in our,
[31:22] year, 100 fifth graders in two different schools with a goody bag that includes the booklet that
[31:30] is the entire constitution, an American flag, and documents that they can have some fun,
[31:39] where a slap bracelet that kids love to slap and make noise and other things that are fun
[31:46] to do not just educational. We also give educational material to the teachers and
[31:52] needs to schools and the schools this year are Jonesville Elementary Fifth Griders and Flight
[31:58] Rock Fifth Griders. And that total is 100 students for both schools.
[32:08] We request local radio stations to make community service announcements during daily during
[32:14] this constitution week and we provide snippets of information so they don't have to go searching
[32:20] for information to share. We asked churches, community, and chapter members to ring a bell for two minutes at 4pm on September 17th, which is the time that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776.
[32:39] So we hope you will join us and ring in any kind of bell that you have.
[32:44] And then on another note, to celebrate America 250, my chapter partnered with the Furris and
[32:51] Department of Elkin, to dedicate a bronze marker to honor the over-mountain men who must
[32:57] be close by to where the marker is planted before they went to fight in the Battle of Kings
[33:05] Mountain. And they also followed another battle, but that was the primary one. So as a representative
[33:11] of the Jonathan Hunt chapter, daughters of American Revolution.
[33:15] I thank you very much for this proclamation,
[33:18] but you provide for us every year.
[33:21] It helps to educate the community,
[33:23] and we ask that you help spread the word
[33:25] about this document in this week in order that we all
[33:29] may celebrate and ring a bell at four o'clock,
[33:33] on September 17, or any time during that week.
[33:36] So thank you very much. We appreciate it.
[33:38] Thank you for your day.
[33:40] any one else.
[33:54] General County business, I'll start with Vice Chairman Harris, as today.
[34:02] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the citizen input from all directions tonight.
[34:10] I think that's what it's all about in regards to the flat cameras, you know, I'll say that
[34:20] had someone emailed me a couple weeks ago, maybe in three weeks, but I'm not sure.
[34:27] I don't even remember the name, but anyway, I was totally unaware that there was
[34:32] flood cameras in Cere County, and I emailed those folks back, and gave their
[34:41] email to the Sheriff Department to get their questions answered. I do share the concerns about
[34:48] personal freedom and individual liberty. I think that's something we should all take
[34:53] very serious. And I think it speaks to the United States Constitution as well that
[34:59] this house spoke about. I do understand why, you know, that there are some beneficial aspects,
[35:08] you know, that it's major crimes that have solved due to flawed cameras. But nevertheless,
[35:14] You know, giving up our civil liberties and civil rights as a slippery slope in this country,
[35:20] and I think there's probably a bit too much of that over the last couple of decades.
[35:26] So thank you folks for coming tonight.
[35:30] The Highway 89, I appreciate you folks as well coming, and maybe the DOT can get some remediation with you folks
[35:41] and sit down and discuss this and everybody's opinions can be taken into account before
[35:51] a final design is approved for Highway 89. It is a major corridor into Mount Ayrie and so it
[36:01] bears a lot of discernment and thought as this process goes along.
[36:09] I want to thank Ms. Haas for coming tonight as well as the United States Constitution for
[36:19] Constitution Week and picklead its aspirations to 150th Anniversary.
[36:24] And I think that is something that ought to be celebrated in this country, particularly
[36:31] among our public schools.
[36:34] The calls, you know, I remember in 1976 what a big deal that was.
[36:40] I don't know. I think maybe in the ninth or tenth grade or something like that.
[36:46] And we had stickers and all sorts of things that were given out and celebrating the 250th anniversary.
[36:53] I mean the 200th anniversary of our nation at that time.
[36:56] And so I hope our public schools take note.
[37:02] I've actually had some conversations with school board members about what are you folks doing to
[37:09] celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary in the elementary and high schools in the three public schools.
[37:21] And so I'm going to continue to have that conversation with our school board members.
[37:27] and make sure that
[37:30] That our public schools participate in this and obviously as a county commissioner, that's not my area, but we work very closely with our public schools and I think it is so important.
[37:46] So thank you, Miss Hoffs, for coming tonight,
[37:51] and thank you for the marker down there in
[37:54] Elkin, as well, on the Oak Mountain Victory Trail. I was sick when that marker was dedicated,
[38:02] and could not at the end. And I want also publicly thank the Daniel Boone Heritage folks,
[38:09] very well and out of the for the highway, the Ben Trail markers and what they do getting
[38:19] public books and resources into our public schools regarding Daniel Ben. And I think we've
[38:28] lost a lot of our historical markers in our nation and I think our history ought to be preserved
[38:36] and protected, and route routes it up for me, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much.
[38:44] Thank you.
[38:45] Mr. Marie?
[38:46] Yes.
[38:47] Mr. Chairman, I want to say one more thing too.
[38:51] I have received some correspondence in regards to our rural post offices and the preservation
[39:00] of our post offices in our rural communities.
[39:03] and I wanted to say too that I am a big proponent of protecting our rule post offices.
[39:12] I know the last, I think that if I'm not mistaken, the last big change in St. County
[39:18] maybe was in the 60s when a lot of them were closed and consolidated. I know mountain parks
[39:24] was shut down in 66. There was another big closure of post offices in the early 50s.
[39:32] And some of that I understand, but I think that a rule post office is a very important
[39:38] for a rule community.
[39:40] I think it's part of its identity.
[39:42] I know there's some folks about changing some boxes for the solemn post office and I want
[39:52] to make it publicly.
[39:53] and I would oppose the closure of any post office in Surrey County for any reason, but I just
[40:04] wanted to address that as well. And thank you very much. Sorry for the interjection there.
[40:10] So yeah. Thank you everyone for coming out tonight and everybody's input.
[40:15] But we said we do what we do, but eighty-nine we have, I talked to Dan Kager also, Tracy,
[40:24] I told you I would, I did and I would and so I believe everybody's been receptive and hopefully
[40:34] they will see that what you're proposing is not good for the community, but thank you all
[40:43] coming out and we'll look into the animal shelter as I don't know. I didn't know that much
[40:51] discrepancy between us and the counties. But thank you all. Have a good week. Mr. Tucker.
[41:00] I'll keep it real short. I know you, Mr. Chairman, you're out here on a short notice to
[41:05] another meeting and so I'm going to urge you. But thank you everyone for all you concerns and
[41:09] coming for involving yourself in county government. We take on a lot of issues here. Some of
[41:16] them we can help fix. Some of them we have to look into a little bit before we know if we even
[41:21] have a role in them. And some of them we can fix probably. Some of them maybe we can address our influence
[41:30] or at least let the citizens thought to be known to those people that can fix them. But anyway,
[41:36] We appreciate you coming. I'll always appreciate your attendance and those watching out in the video land.
[41:45] And we thank you for these folks that we appoint these committees week after month after month after month.
[41:53] You know, these people that are served and say yes to these things, I want to just say I'm a chopper.
[41:59] those folks that at the direction or encouragement of this board and we haven't
[42:04] knows we have a lot of committees that it's just made up of pure volunteer folks
[42:08] in the community. It takes a lot of their time to help us work through some of these
[42:13] issues that you see presented. But we appreciate those folks and sometimes maybe we don't
[42:18] even tell them that enough but I want to say thank you to those folks that are willing to
[42:21] serve in all of these capacities. Thank you for you folks and appreciate you coming. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
[42:27] I'll keep on short. There are a lot of things that land at our feet that are not necessarily hours to deal or make decisions about.
[42:36] But each one of us took a job and I oath to represent the citizens of this county and when you come and share your thoughts and concerns with us, we do the best that we can't listen to you and share those with those who do have that decision making power.
[42:49] so that they know that not only if you can sit a sense or a concern, but that we're concerned
[42:54] for you, that being said, Deborah, when you start speaking, I didn't recall we're saving
[43:00] an email from Adam, and I would have remembered that because I know you're children personally.
[43:07] I don't usually get my phone out during a meeting, but I got it to look, and I'm not sure why
[43:12] this happened, so I'm sure if it happened to me, it happened to these gentleman this out of me,
[43:15] It went to our junk folder. I just found it at search your name because I knew your first name so I apologize for the silence
[43:23] But I want you to know the reason is is because it went to our junk folder
[43:26] And it looks like there's more than one maybe two or three in there
[43:29] So I will read those to not get back in touch with you
[43:32] Sally I'd like to have conversation with you this week also
[43:35] But what I really wanted to say tonight is two weeks ago some of us got to attend the annual economic development
[43:43] annual Maine, that Maine is normally just a history of what has happened during that week,
[43:49] but this year, something very important happened. And that was a member of our staff here at
[43:54] Siri County received from the governor's office, the acknowledgement of the order of the long
[43:58] leaf pine, who has given a great deal of his life in multiple departments in this county. And it was
[44:04] Mr. Chris Knoff, our county manager. So I want to share that publicly so that not just those folks
[44:09] And again, that meeting, and then you how much he is appreciated in the work that he's done in
[44:14] Cere County has been appreciated, but that we appreciate you and all that you've given to Cere County.
[44:25] I just, I just have one thing, and if we could check with animal control and have
[44:31] them do a little research, a little bit of research, and maybe maybe call some clinics and
[44:37] see if we can get that calts down. So I do think it's a, and I understand it. I mean, it's
[44:44] hard to get it appear into the vet. In a month's interrogation day, they close and all,
[44:51] they have never said, they're close and all, they're just so, it's getting harder and harder to
[44:56] get into the vet's office. So if they check on that and...
[45:00] And get back with us kind of with some members.
[45:04] If nothing else, I'm looking for a motion to adjourn.
[45:08] I should go back to Mr. High, to have a second. Second, back to Mr. Mary, any discussion on if I ever please say aye.