PENDER COUNTY — Last week, Pender County commissioners appointed members to multiple county boards, with discussion revolving around a vacancy on the Pender EMS and Fire Board of Directors amid the ongoing emergency services merger.
READ MORE: Pender commissioners vote on EMS and Fire merger, exclude Rocky Point FD
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Having convened on July 14, commissioners finalized multiple appointments to the Beautification Committee, Fire Commission, the Pender Housing Initiative, and the Veterans’ Commission. They also deliberated on the path forward for the EMS and Fire merger, particularly concerning county staffing and board representation.
Pender EMS/Fire Board vacancy unfilled; Springer reappointment not pursued
A vacancy on the Pender EMS and Fire Board was created by Vice Chair Brent Springer’s resignation in June. Springer, along with commissioners Jerry Groves and Chair Randy Burton, had been appointed as interim members to the EMS and Fire Board in March, specifically to oversee and facilitate the transition of EMS and fire services under county operation.
Commissioners initiated the merger in March to transition all services from the nonprofit Pender EMS and Fire to direct county operation. According to Chair Burton, the move aims to enhance transparency, improve accountability, and provide better benefits for emergency personnel. The merger is scheduled to be completed by July 1, 2026.
Springer resigned from the Pender EMS and Fire Board to avoid a conflict of interest regarding Pender EMS and Fire-related budget items during fiscal year 2025-26 budget discussion and consideration.
Commissioner Brad George moved to appoint a citizen to the vacancy left behind from Springer’s exit. It was seconded by Groves and the motion passed 3-1, with Springer casting the lone dissent. Springer told Port City Daily he wanted to continue serving on the board to help make decisions going forward with the merger, calling it a “great board” to serve on.
Groves also voiced concerns about how to effectively execute the merger. He particularly pointed out a lack of county personnel.
“The county manager was fired, the county attorney was fired, the assistant county manager left, the clerk has left,” Groves said. “So fact is, we probably don’t have enough help in that office to do this merger, and I will be assessing that in a few weeks to come.”
Former county manager Michael Silverman was fired on April 22, with commissioners citing a need for new leadership and direction. Former staff attorney Andre Hogan was released on May 2, due to previous issues with his North Carolina State Bar license, including misconduct related to managing client funds in previous work.
The county is also looking to hire a new assistant county manager and county clerk after they left their positions last month. The board will consider a contract with Developmental Associates, LLC for assistance finding and hiring the next county manager at a special meeting July 28.
Commissioners also advocated for additional town hall meetings on the merger to engage the community, address public concerns, and provide information regarding the transition. Town halls are set for February and May next year, but dates have not yet been set.
“There’s no sense of why we as commissioners should be failing our citizens and not being able to answer these questions,” Springer stated at the meeting. “I don’t have all the answers. I know Brad don’t have them all, or Chief Grafius, he might not have them all, but we can at least all come together and come up with some kind of mutual agreement as commissioners to what we think is best for the county citizens.”
Fire Commission
The Pender County Fire Commission serves as an advisory board to commissioners and the Fire Marshal’s Office, guiding county-wide fire service matters, inter-departmental coordination, and setting standards for fire protection. There were two at-large vacancies.
Out of five applicants, only Sherry Reeves was appointed after a 3-1 vote, Groves dissenting. He advocated for another applicant, Herbert Richardson, who served as chief for the Rocky Point Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years, but the motion failed. Commissioner Jimmy Tate nominated Timothy Jasper and Ashley Morrison, which also failed.
The county will fill the remaining vacancy at a future meeting, though no date has been set.
Pender Housing Initiative
The Pender Housing Initiative is tasked with identifying and recommending strategies to enhance homeownership opportunities, housing affordability, and sustainability across the county. The committee consists of nine members with specific representation requirements: three county employees, three individuals representing low-income communities, and three individuals from the private sector.
Three positions were open for the low-income communities, two private sector positions, and two county employee spots.
The county received four applicants for seven total vacancies (three for private sector, one for low-income). Commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of LaCretia Keith (low-income), Shardonnay Langley (private sector), Charles Stanfield (private sector), and Justin May (private sector) to the committee.
Applications will remain open and advertised to fill the other three.
Veterans’ Commission
The newly established Veterans’ Commission, created on May 5, will advise commissioners on matters relating to veterans’ affairs in the county. The Veterans’ Commission was started to connect veterans and their families with essential services, benefits, and support. Qualifications included residing in Pender County and being a veteran.
Receiving 13 applications, commissioners approved appointments for all six vacancies. Jason Simas, David Everett, and Dorian Cromartie for two-year terms, and Justin May, Kenneth Ramsey, and Sam Guidry for three-year terms. All appointments made it through a single unanimous vote, following commissioner nominations.
Beautification Committee
The Beautification Committee, which works to improve Pender County’s aesthetic appeal and foster volunteer efforts, had five openings. Commissioners appointed Heidi Mysiuk and Fred Skipper, the only two applications received. The appointments were unanimously approved, and the county confirmed it would continue advertising to fill the remaining three vacancies.
Ed. note: The article was updated to include Commissioner Brent Springer’s comment on his decision to vote against appointing a citizen to the Pender EMS and Fire Board of Directors.
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