By Miles Layton

Christmas Eve…

Wired on coffee with evening Mass ahead in a few hours – I have time to dedicate to an important story I’ve been wanting to write for the last several days since Friday’s filing deadline passed for public office.    

Bob Kirby is not running for reelection to the Chowan County Commission. Let that sink in.  

“This was not an easy decision,” Kirby said, “but I believe this is the right time to step aside and allow new leadership to carry forward the important work we’ve begun.”

Kirby sent me a press release last week — he will remain chair for the remainder of his tenure on the Board of Commissioners.  

Kirby said his decision was guided largely by family considerations.

“Serving this community has been so rewarding,” said Kirby, who was first elected in 2018, reelected in 2022. “But it also comes with long days, late nights, and time away from the people who matter most to me. After a lot of prayer and reflection as well as conversations at the kitchen table, I’ve decided it’s time to slow down a bit and be more present with my wife and my family. Time is something I can’t get back, and I feel at peace with this decision.”

Let me say this about Kirby — I first met Bob in the audience at Chowan County Commission meetings, probably in 2017. I was told to avoid Kirby, likely because he was a Republican and questioned things openly, but that warning made me want to talk to him more.  I think Bob scared certain folks, rightly so.

Kirby made speeches that essentially questioned the commission’s policies – he did his homework, and he came prepared with facts and figures, not political grandstanding. Kirby is definitely a workhorse, not a showhorse. He’s been a strong supporter of building a new high school and making Chowan County a better place to live. Don’t forget Kirby spearheaded the new water treatment plant, too, and high-speed internet in rural parts of the county – that’s something.  

Budget time – Kirby has worked hard to keep taxes low and made some tough decisions to keep Chowan’s financial house in order.    

Over the years, I’ve held my tongue watching elected morons make bad decisions based on popular appeal or personal gain. I loathe politicians who seek election for the title and the applause, and then do nothing when the time comes to speak out and change things.  

Bob — well, he is fearless, a man of character – whether it was leading the charge to find the best solution in a civil war fought over moving the Confederate Memorial or facing criticism from some quarters regarding the controversial decision not to reappoint Sherrone Battle to the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library’s Board of Trustees. 

Try entering Kirby as a search term — many, many stories pop up within the Albemarle Observer’s archives. I’ve written so many stories about Kirby that it’s hard to pinpoint his quotes about him railing against how Raleigh’s unfunded mandates are paid for by Chowan’s taxpayers or his zingers questioning cost overruns in various projects or programs.  

Kirby has served long hours as a member and chairman of the Albemarle Regional Commission – addressing regional needs such as the enhancement of regional infrastructure; industrial recruitment, business development, labor force development, travel and tourism, community reinvestment /rehabilitation, and health and human services.

During Kirby’s tenure as chairman of the Chowan County Republican Party, the commission shifted from Democratic dominance to Republican governance. 

We’ve not always agreed on matters – I would’ve liked to have had a swimming pool built as part of the new high school, though I understand that it would’ve been cost-prohibitive to pursue that project.

However, we’ve always respected each other’s judgment and worked well together because we both want what’s best for Chowan County, especially when it comes to being cost-conscious of the taxpayers’ money.

On a personal note, due to Bob’s praise for his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, my daughter and I made a pilgrimage to explore that fine university. She is now attending her second year at VMI — perfect grades in civil engineering.

Kirby expressed deep gratitude to the citizens of Chowan County for their trust in him and reflected on several major initiatives he advanced during his tenure. These include working with community leaders and educators in planning and funding for construction of the soon to be completed replacement John A. Holmes High School, championing and coordinating delivery of high-speed internet service to unserved areas of the county, spearheading planning and funding efforts for a state-of-the-art regional reverse osmosis water treatment plant, and working with the Sheriff’s Office, the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners on plans for a County Jail.

“I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Kirby said. “These projects will have a lasting impact on our community’s quality of life, economic development, and long-term viability.”

Kirby’s decision not to run for reelection — that’s a huge deal for Chowan County and Northeastern NC. 

Bob, thank you for your service.  

Kirby emphasized that his decision not to seek another term does not reflect a loss of interest in public service.

“I remain deeply committed to Chowan County and Edenton,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to support our community in other ways and to seeing these important projects through to completion.”

Kirby also thanked his fellow commissioners, county staff, and community partners for their collaboration and dedication.

“I note that I have been recently re-elected by the Chowan County Board of Commissioners to serve as Chairman for 2026 as well as re-election to serve as  Chairman of the Albemarle Commission Council of Governments for 2026 and I will continue in these roles until next December.  It has been and will continue to be an honor to serve,” he said.

A few bullet points of achievement:

• Elected to the Chowan County Board of County Commissioners in 2018; reelected in 2022.
• Served as Vice-Chairman (2019) and Chairman (2020-present) of the Chowan County Board of County Commissioners.
• Appointed to the Chowan County Board of Equalization and Review in 2018; elected chairman in 2020 and continues in this role.
• Served on the Chowan County Social Services Board from 2018 to 2020.
• Serving as Secretary of the Edenton-Chowan Partnership Board since 2018, focusing on expanding digital infrastructure in Chowan County.
  • Instrumental in securing a $4 million GREAT Grant in 2022 and an additional grant in 2023 for fiber optic network expansion to serve over 2,380 homes.
• Appointed to the Albemarle Commission Board of Directors in 2018; elected Vice-Chairman in 2023 and re-elected in 2024.
• Serving on the Chowan Children’s Alliance to Realize Educational Success (C.A.R.E.S.) Board since 2018.
• Chairman of the Chowan County Emergency Operations Control Group since 2020.
• Representative to the Town/County Relations Board since 2020, enhancing communication between Chowan County and the Town of Edenton.
• Legislative Liaison to the North Carolina General Assembly for Chowan County since 2020.
  • Instrumental in securing a $30 million grant in 2023 for a new Regional Water Infrastructure Plant.
• Serves as Chowan County Board of Education Liaison and co-chairman of the John A. Holmes High School Replacement Committee since 2020.
  • Helped secure $82 million for the replacement of Chowan County’s high school, with construction expected to complete in June 2026.
• Serving as the Chowan County Commission ABC Board Liaison since 2020.
• Member of the Edenton Historical Commission Board of Directors since 2020.
• Elected District Director for District 1 of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) in 2021; served until 2023.
• Elected Chairman of the Chowan County Republican Party and member of the 3rd District and North Carolina State Republican Party Executive Committees in 2021; reelected in 2023, adjusting for redistricting to the 1st Congressional District in 2022.