BY MILES LAYTON
Though Tuesday’s Edenton Town Council meeting was quick and smooth going, some important topics were discussed.
Let’s start this story with news from the public comment portion before moving onto the meat of the meeting.
Deborah Miller, brought up the Confederate Memorial — again – see previous story. Miller is one of the plaintiffs in a pending lawsuit that does not approve of moving the monument to Veterans Park or support the memorial to the 47 soldiers from Chowan County who died in the Civil War.
Before getting to Miller’s criticism of Edenton, Mayor Hackney High gets the first word – a response to her remarks of the Town Hall regarding the monument’s fate.
As to moving the monument, “We’ve not backed away from that. As you well know, we are under a (judicial) order not to move it back. We have a court hearing on April 21 to hopefully dismiss the injunction and hopefully dismiss that lawsuit. To suggest that we have done anything on purpose not to move it is disingenuous at best. We are going to move it and remain committed to that.”
Mayor High was responding to Miller’s 3-minute speech condemning the town because of the statue and support for white supremacy. Miller declared that the statue symbolizes discrimination that undermines the harmony of Edenton.
“I’m trying to wrap my head around the town and county’s attitude regarding the co Confederate Statute. It was the Edenton Town Council in 2020 that created the Human Relations Commission with a mission, a philosophy, and objectives,” she said. “From all I’ve heard, the removal of the Confederate statute was the first recommendation and was approved in 2020. Does that mean the new mayors and new members of council disrespect previous decisions? Following our few notes from the HRC mission to strengthen our community by promoting racial equality through activities and policies that foster mutual respect, inclusiveness, and harmony among all of our citizens.”
Miller continued, “Please tell me, has our community been strengthened? Is there really inclusiveness and harmony among all of our citizens? Does that statute do anything at all to reach those goals? That part of the philosophy in part reads, acknowledge that discrimination undermines the growth of Edenton by limiting individual’s potential and by preventing residents from contributing fully to our community.”
Miller said discrimination frustrates, degrades and embitters people by creating a lack of trust and further lack of involvement.
“Has discrimination ended or improved? And now the county wants to place the statute by the courthouse where equal justice should be happening and towering over our country’s true veterans Memorial,” she said. “Their objectives in part reads studying problems and concerns related to local relationships, including ways to create better communication between races, promoting interpretations of history, the value contributions of African Americans, and encourage recognition of such contributions.”
Miller continued, “What’s been done regarding racial relationships by our leaders. I don’t know and wouldn’t mind an answer to that. To ignore the HRC, a group organized by the town has this shown contributions of African Americans with the statute standing there. How can anyone move forward in a positive way with the statue still standing there? Please tell me what this statute represents to all of you that you’re so willing to disrespect the majority population.”
Speaking to the council, which includes longtime Councilman Elton Bond and Councilman Aaron Coston, both African-Americans who are active in the community, Miller said white supremacy is ever present in Edenton.
“I just see the white supremacy that still exists in this town. Just listen to the counter protestors as many seem to do. A 2020 vision statement in part reads, ‘the mayor and town council recognize the importance of its citizenry and believe that the future prosperity is rooted in relationships of equality, respect, and inclusiveness that encourage preservation and celebration of Edenton’s unique and diverse heritage.’ How’s that one going? You have options on the statute and I wish you to please make a true effort to look into them unless you want to keep white supremacy going.”
Miller continued, “Ending with a quote from Edenton’s Town Council statement on solidarity. This was June 9th, 2020 as Dr. Martin Luther King, so eloquently stated, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’ And just so you know, I went back to 2020 because this is kind of when the whole ball got rolling.’”
Let’s take a quick moment to return to Councilman Bond – he mentioned that he’s received complaints about the folks speeding, particularly on East Church Street. He worries that someone, perhaps a pedestrian, might get hurt and he’d like to see speeding addressed. Also, Bond said large trucks are still flowing through town when they shouldn’t be.
Thank you Councilman Bond, who is running for re-election, for noting these concerns. On that note, this editor saw some poor truck driver, directed by GPS, trying to navigate the circle around that statue that Deborah Miller despises. And when those large trucks travel up and down East Church – windows on that street rattle as these vehicles speed to and from town. Wish Town Hall could do something about that deep pothole/manhole area at the corner of East Church and Broad streets.
Back to the meeting, Larry Mulderig of South Moseley gave our town a gold star – even his family from up North approves of Edenton’s appearance.
“The stores look great. It’s nice to see it vibrant. The merchandise that are in the stores is fantastic, and I do know it’s because of the efforts of everybody here. It doesn’t happen on its own. There has to be input from behind. So I’m very grateful about that and I’m pleased to see David Myers (Public Works Director) here tonight. They’re doing a wonderful job as well in the town and the streets and everything. I mean, it really does look nice. And even when I have family come from up North down here to visit us, they’re very impressed by how nice the place looks and it really does.”
But… there’s always a but… Mulderig doesn’t like litter bugs, rightly so, particularly on South Moseley Street.
“We have neighbors that just blow trash into the street, geography. I’ve talked to David (Myers) several times, and he’s addressed this issue, and I believe him, but I can’t help but think that his position is not being respected because it happens on a regular basis, and it just keeps going down the street.
Mulderig continued, “I’m not the only one on the street that doesn’t like it that says anything, but I’m the only one that will come public about it. Everybody else comes to me or my wife and says, ‘why is this done?’ But I’m the only one with the mouth, and I’m not afraid to use it. So I would like David’s office to be respected and him to get the support he needs to get this brought under control.”
JD Grant brought up Hotel Hinton which, in theory, is supposed to be poised for renovation. In December, Council unanimously approved a Major Special Use Permit (MSUP) for SAGA to develop the property on East King Street within one of Edenton’s most historic and pretty parts. SAGA signed off on 13 conditions established by Council that the company must abide by when developing the property.
“From what I understand, on most times, the person who’s been called into order has not shown,” Grant said. “I know specifically that SAGA had a recent code violation meeting. They did not appear, and the code officer stated that there’s some kind of plan in place to improve or make some type of improvements.”
Grant continued, “ In January, they signed the conditions for a major special use permit. So I know that next month will be the three months required for them to get an update. So I just want to go ahead and put that out there that next month when the town manager does the meeting, I’d like to see some kind of update on Saga.”
Amelia Bond – she lives at that nice home across from Frog Crossing. She asked the council to do something about the intense bright lights at Frog Crossing.
“We just have a problem with Frog Crossing right now because they put up four big spotlights, you know, and they shine right in our windows. And also when you’re coming down Highway 32 going by Frog Crossing, they’re right. One of them is right in your eyes. So I would like to ask if y’all are able to do that, if they could just — I don’t want ’em removed because I know they need them — but if they could just dent them down just a little bit or put a shade under them in some way, that would be a big help.”
When Karen and Hal Murray spoke to council, she asked about senior housing – making that available – and he asked about the Albemarle Queen as it relates to the Coastal Area Management Act permits – see more about that issue here.
New Business
Council approved borrowing $500,000 – annual interest rate of 5.52% for 15 years – from Southern Bank to finance costs associated with the installation of a second water line from Paradise Road to the Peanut Drive Industrial Park. Mayor Hackney High said that line and those improvements will enhance fire safety and improve water quality, even remove a few deadend lines, in that end of the town that includes the industrial park.
The money to pay for this project comes from a state grant that required Town Hall to provide a 25% match. The loan will be payable in 15 annual principal payments of $33,333.33 each plus accrued interest. The first payment will be due one year from the day of closing, and each subsequent payment will be due the same time each year.
In other news, Councilman Craig Miller, who serves as chairman of the Administrative Committee, put forth two items for council’s approval:
° Council unanimously approved amending the golf cart ordinance so wear seat belts and slow down.
° Also, council approved an update to the fire prevention ordinance.
Council approved a $466,400 bid by Magette Well & Pump Co., Inc. to drill two wells – the money to pay for this project comes from a grant from American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Council approved a nearly $1.5 million bid from Enviro-Tech Unlimited Construction Company of Nags Head for wastewater system improvements. Awarding this bid is contingent upon approval from the funding agency, NC Division of Water Infrastructure.
Cha-ching – NC Department of Revenue provided a sales tax reimbursement of $174,401.
Bill Miller was reappointed to another 5-year term as a member of the Edenton Housing Authority. A longtime member of that board, Miller presently serves as chair.
Lastly, there was a presentation about Carolina Rebuilding Ministries. Group is helping people who may be economically disadvantaged to restore their homes. This program could benefit folks at risk of losing their homes because their property is in disrepair with Edenton Code Enforcement looking to make some headway in getting these homes up to code. To learn more about Carolina Rebuilding Ministries, see crmhome.org
And Ray Turner gave a presentation about Curb Rides proposal – a free service that can help folks get where they need to go.
