BY MILES LAYTON

COLUMBIA — Tyrrell County’s November commission meeting began with words of gratitude and ended with an ambitious plan to help save lives. Between those moments, commissioners heard reports of community service, upcoming Veterans Day plans, and several rounds of good financial news for the smallest county in North Carolina.

In keeping with the season of thanks, Karen Clough, speaking on behalf of the Tyrrell County Food Pantry, opened public comment with a heartfelt message to the board.

“It’s the month of Thanksgiving, and we were blessed with a very sweet thank-you note,” Clough told commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. “Because of the County Commissioners and Tyrrell County’s support of the food pantry, we thought we would come and share it with you.”

Clough then read aloud a handwritten note from Patricia Henson, a 62-year-old Tyrrell County resident who described her appreciation for the local food pantry and its volunteers.

“I have been to many different food banks over the past few years, most of them not so nice,” Henson wrote. “They treat you like just a number, not friendly at all. They make you feel like they look down on you. Tyrrell County Food Pantry is the best food pantry I’ve ever been to. All of the staff and every one of the helpers make you feel welcome.”

Henson’s note went on to say that the volunteers “really act like they care,” adding, “To some people that really means a lot. They have really touched my heart with their kindness and compassion for people. All of these people are great. I just wanted to let you know that they all are doing an awesome job.”

Clough said she wanted commissioners to hear the words directly. “On behalf of the food pantry, I just wanted to say thank you all for all the support y’all give us and everything,” she said. “We really are grateful for that, and we’re thankful that our neighbors recognize it.”

Chairman Nathan Everett thanked Clough for her comments and added, “Thank you for what you do.”

Veterans Day Ceremony to Honor “Families in General”

Next to speak was former board chairman and American Legion member Leroy Spivey, who appeared on behalf of the Tyrrell County Veterans Day Committee.

Spivey reminded commissioners that the county’s annual Veterans Day ceremony will take place Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at the Van Horn site. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the county’s observance.

He asked whether commissioners planned to issue their customary resolution honoring veterans. “I didn’t know if you were going to do that again this year,” Spivey said. “If you choose to do so, if you can let me know by the end of the week. I’m hoping to get my program printed up Saturday.”

When asked about the theme, Spivey replied, “Families in general—no particular era or battle or war.” He added that the Legion’s longtime resolution writer, the late Ray McClees, is deeply missed.

Chairman Everett assured Spivey that “we will have one,” and the board unanimously agreed to participate.

Resident Raises Dust Concerns on U.S. 64

Resident Mark Mixon revisited a concern he raised earlier this fall about dust and visual blight from construction pits along U.S. Highway 64 east of Columbia.

“It’s kind of unsightly the way they’re digging that pit,” Mixon said. “It’s getting closer and closer to the road.” He suggested that the county ask the state Department of Transportation to install a fence with privacy slats, similar to ones used near the Alligator River bridge, to “hide the construction that’s going on.”

“The only impression [visitors] are getting is that great big pit of dirt that’s welcoming everybody to town,” Mixon said.

Everett responded that “that is an issue of the Department of Environmental Quality,” and that while the county could not control private excavation, “we can voice that concern to DEQ.”

Superintendent Williams Introduced

Everett then recognized Superintendent Brianna Williams of Tyrrell County Schools, who was attending her first county commission meeting since taking office.

“I am super excited to be a member of the Tyrrell County family and to partner with county commissioners and all of our stakeholders,” Williams said. “We are busy at work.”

Everett thanked her for attending.

To read more about the new Superintendent, click this link.

Bullock Returns as County’s Voice for Seniors

Commissioners next honored Dee Dee Bullock, recently appointed as Tyrrell County’s delegate to the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature, an advocacy group established in 1993 by the state General Assembly.

“For those of you that don’t know, about a year and a half ago, I was appointed,” Bullock explained. “It’s been over 20 years since Tyrrell County has had a voice.”

Bullock described the organization as “a nonpartisan, unicameral body” that meets in Raleigh to discuss “issues concerning funding on grants and things that affect our local elderly individuals.”

“I am truly honored,” she said. “We strive to give a voice to older North Carolinians who are often in the margins of society—ensuring they can age with choice, the choice of settings, supports, and options to ensure quality of life.”

Commissioners praised Bullock for her service, noting that she returned to volunteer “the day after she retired.”

“When you love what you do, it’s not a job,” Bullock replied. “And now I’m part of that community, so I’m not just looking out for other senior citizens—I’m looking out for me.”

EMS Seeks County’s Support for CPR Record Attempt

The board then heard from Kate Williams, a paramedic with Washington County EMS, who leads the regional Race to Save Hearts program in partnership with Duke University.

For the past four years, Washington and Tyrrell counties have participated in the research-based initiative to improve cardiac arrest outcomes. Williams told commissioners that the program plans to attempt a Guinness World Record in February 2026 for the most people trained in CPR in a single day.

“Just so you guys know, [the record] is 28,015,” Williams said. “It was in India back in 2016. We are planning on having a very huge day in February to beat that Guinness Book of World Record.”

She asked only for the county’s moral support and help spreading the word. “I don’t need money,” she said. “I just need your voice.”

Williams said she has reserved Tyrrell Hall and plans to establish 10 training sites across Tyrrell and Washington counties, including one in Gum Neck. She is also working with local partners to provide instruction in both English and Spanish.

“CPR is very important because for every minute there is not blood pumping to the brain, there’s 10 percent of the brain function that people lose,” Williams said. “The earlier CPR can be started, the better the outcome.”

Everett thanked her and encouraged her to share the program with the school system. “I would hope you would make this presentation to the Board of Education,” he said.

Williams replied that she has already arranged to train all ninth graders in Tyrrell County Schools.

County Manager’s Report: Grants, Recognition, and Fiscal Updates

County Manager David Clegg delivered a series of updates and budget amendments, nearly all of them positive.

Among them:

• Budget Amendments 11 and 12 accepted grants for 4-H special programs, Hyde County Transit, and the Cooperative Extension Health Grant from East Carolina University.
• The county adopted a procurement and assistance policy for its 2027 Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Loan Program, funded by a $182,000 grant from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to repair up to eight homes.
• Commissioners approved updated federal purchasing thresholds to reflect inflation, increasing the county’s micro-purchase limit to $15,000.
• The board celebrated Tyrrell County’s License Plate Agency as the top performer in the region, aided by a $3,015 performance bonus from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.

Clegg credited the county’s staff for handling an influx of customers after the Dare County DMV office closed. “We were absolutely inundated with humanity,” he said. Everett added with a laugh, “We had to keep reminding them, ‘You ain’t in Dare County anymore.’”

Commissioners also approved several tax releases and refunds due to property exemptions, reevaluations, and proration requests.

Clarifying the Tax Bill Date

Before adjourning, Commissioner Rob Thompson raised a question from citizens who noticed their property tax bills were dated September 1 but not received until mid-October.

Clegg explained that state law allows counties to make taxes payable on September 1 even if bills are mailed later. “There is no requirement in the statutes that a county sends a bill,” he said. “After September 1, if someone requests a bill, that bill shall be provided.”

Thompson replied that “most people want a bill within certain days of the bill date,” but Everett said the county must follow state law on the matter.

Closed Session and Adjournment

Following regular business, commissioners voted unanimously to enter closed session to confer with the county attorney regarding pending litigation. Everett thanked attendees for their patience and noted there was “no other business on the agenda” afterward.

As the meeting adjourned, the evening’s tone of gratitude lingered—from the food pantry’s thank-you note to the county’s recognition of volunteers and first responders.

“This is the month of Thanksgiving,” Clough had said at the outset, “and we’re really just thankful that our neighbors recognize that.”

The next regular meeting of the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for December 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Tyrrell County Administration Building.