Resident proposed free speech zone at Hollowell Park

BY MILES LAYTON

Staff Writer

Rather than write a standard Chowan County Commission story that reads like an unsalted wafer tastes, let’s do this.  

Story will include parts about who will be leading the Board of Commissioners, a tribute to outgoing Commissioner Alex Kehayes, Michael Dean’s suggestion of a free speech zone to allow for civilized discourse about the Confederate memorial, and other timely items.  

When the Commission met Monday, Bob Kirby was elected – re-elected – as chairman for the 2024-2025 term. Larry McLaughlin was elected – re-elected – as vice chairman. 

Because of Kirby and McLaughlin’s leadership, we will soon have a new high school, courthouse renovations and the county has been awarded a $31 million state grant as part of proposed expansion plans for the water treatment plant. 

Clerk to the Board Susanne Stallings administered the oath of office to commissioners who were elected/re-elected in Nov. 5 election. Tony Shaffer, Ron Cummings, Tray Taylor and Chris Evans were sworn-in – their right hands placed on Bibles by each of their chairs at the big Commission table at the Chowan County Public Safety Center on West Freemason Street, Edenton.    

Alex Kehayes gave a quick speech to mark his service to the Board.  

“2012 to 2016 was the era of the wind turbines coming to be approved in Chowan County. We spent many, many hours working on that, and six commissioners got to vote on it. And the vote was 5 to 1, it passed. I was the 1.”

Kehayes continued, “Then in 2020, we had the COVID era in which our country had an experiment with giving up freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech. That was a dark time in our nation’s history. During that time, I offered a resolution that Chowan County would not fire any of its employees because they refused to be vaccinated. And in public comment that evening, I received the most vicious ad hominem attacks I’ve ever received from professionals, well-educated people.” 

“One of them even allowed a man to say, if any of us voted for it, in the next election, that person would vote for Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, or Goofy, rather than any of the people that voted for him. I want you to know I went to the Board of Elections. There were no votes for Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, or Goofy. So the vote also with this group passed by a vote of 5 or 2. I am very pleased to have made that stand for freedom for the people of Chowan County. Thank you.”  

Albemarle Observer says – thanks for your principled service Alex.  

In other news, Dean asked the Board to consider designating an area in Hollowell Park as a free speech zone so folks can voice their views, no matter what they may be, without worry. A free speech zone would protect speakers/protesters from being accosted by folks who may have a different view of an issue such as the placement of the Confederate memorial in Edenton.   Last week, the Commissioners and Edenton Town Council each approved a Memorandum of Understanding which proposes moving the statue from South Broad Street to behind the county courthouse.

Dean continued, “So the county needs to go ahead and move to do something about it before it happens. Edenton Town Council is retroactive, if I can talk them into doing the same thing. Because the Town Council thinks that Hollowell Park is such a great place, then I would suggest that be their free speech zone. They wanted to put the statue there, so let them create their free speech zone in that park. Now what can happen is if they (critics of the Confederate statue) carry on their free speech outside of the free speech zone, they can be arrested. But the town council has to enable the police to do their job. Every week – week after week after week – they (opponents of the Confederate memorial) are in violation of town ordinances.” 

“The town ordinances are not worth the paper they’re written on because they are not enforced. Now my group, Vets for Vets, we go along with every town ordinance. We have complied with everyone, and we don’t get the respect that we should be getting because we follow the law. And the other side tries to antagonize every week. They do something to try to create a confrontation. Our attorney says whatever you do, avoid confrontation. So we have to grit our teeth and go about our business and avoid confrontation. 

“But if I can talk the Town Council into being retroactive and the county into being proactive, then we can eliminate all these problems.” 

In other news, the Board approved a resolution certifying the results of the recreation bond referendum, held Nov. 5. Resolution certifies that the $15 million bond failed.   

Also, the Board approved a request from Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight to create a full-time position to train for 11 months under the Shelia Russell, who will be retiring after a long and distinguished service as the deparment’s office manager. 

Basnight praised Russell saying, “It will be hard to replace her, but we have to start trying.”

Russell will train whoever is hired as office manager. Because the job is so critical to the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office, Basnight thought it best to provide a long runway for the incoming manager to learn the ropes and be ready before takeoff. Salary for the job, pending experience, is to be up to $45,000 per year, plus benefits. 

Speaking of the Sheriff’s Office, the Board approved a $18,936 contract with MaestroVision to provide important video recording equipment that will be used in the interview room – that’s the place where deputies question people. Since this is an annual service, the cost to the county will be around $7,500 starting in 2026-27.  

In other news, the Board agreed to extend the lease into January for temporary courthouse space to allow time for contractors to put the finishing touches for $750,000 in renovations at the county courthouse. County Manager Kevin Howard said because of the upcoming holidays, it is best to extend the lease. He said if the project is completed in early to mid January, the rent payment will be pro-rated to pay to reflect the time the county uses the temporary courthouse space.  

In other matters, the Board approved a request from Chowan County Department of Social Services Director Tyeshia Phelps to hire a part-time position to begin working in the office in February 2025 to assist with training, mentoring and fiscal planning. The position is not a new position, but one that has remained unfilled in recent years. The job has 1,000 hours per year/20 hours per week – $30 an hour. 

Longtime employees were honored at a recognition ceremony.

Employees being honored include:

• 5-year anniversary (hired in 2019): Wendy Burge, EMS; Christopher Elsbree, Land Records; Lashauna McNeil, DSS; Tabitha Martin, EMS; Elisha Nixon, Water; M. “Davis” Todd, Maintenance; Nicholas Tynch, Water; Herman Weiss, Central Communications; and Jennifer Whitehurst, EMS.
• 10-year anniversary (hired in 2014): Carol Copeland, Register of Deeds; Kevin Howard, County Manager; Holly Pierce, Sheriff; Justin Saez, Sheriff; and Sharon Valentine, Tax.
• 15-year anniversary (hired in 2009): Colin Ryan, EMS.
• 20-year anniversary (hired in 2004): Shelia Russell, Sheriff.
• 25-year anniversary (hired in 1999): Brian Chappell, Recreation; Kenneth Pierce, Inspections; and Keri Thrasher, Central Communications.
• Retirement recognition: Sharon Armstead, Recreation; Teresa Johnson, Tax; Terrence Meyers, Elections; and Donald Wheeler, Maintenance.

Lastly, Matt Floyd was reappointed to the Voluntary Ag District Board of Directors.