By Miles Layton

EDENTON — State Rep. Ed Goodwin made his campaign pitch to members of the Chowan County Republican Party on Thursday night for another term in Raleigh after seven years representing District 1, highlighting state funding he helped secure for local projects and stressing his commitment to his home county.

“Chowan County and Edenton are rich in history, and that’s North Carolina history. I’m humbled and honored to serve my home county. My home county sent me away years ago to serve in another place, and that was in the military, during war,” Goodwin told party faithful.

But while Goodwin’s prepared remarks focused on his record and accomplishments, the meeting at Edenton Town Hall evolved into an extended, sometimes tense exchange over the troubled Harbor Town project. Bonus from the meeting — State Sen. Bobby Hanig, who is also a candidate for Congress, addressed questions from Chowan County Commissioners Bob Kirby and Tony Shaffer about the state’s zeal for unfunded mandates.

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Goodwin said he takes pride in representing his home community in the General Assembly.

“I feel my record speaks for itself about what type of person I am and what type of representative I am for y’all,” he said.

Much of Goodwin’s speech focused on state funding, which he said he helped bring to Chowan County and Edenton.

“I’m especially proud of the funding we have received for several projects here in Chowan County,” he said.

After asking the audience to name some of the projects and getting little response, Goodwin joked, “Well, that tells me I need to do it again.”

He then launched into a list of initiatives, including the county’s new multi-million-dollar wastewater treatment plant, several high-profile projects and preservation efforts.

“Some of you know this, Kadesh Church,” he said. “You know about Hayes. You know about the Cupola House and the historic foundation. You know about Airport.”

Goodwin highlighted the Chowan Farm Heritage site off N.C. 32.

“When you get to Valhalla, if you’ll take a left there, there’s a big red barn there,” he said. “Inside that barn, you got all kind of farm, old farm equipment.”

“They have horse pools out there, tractor pulls,” he added. “And they do a lot of cooking like we used to outside as farmers.”

Goodwin also cited funding for emergency services.

“Funds for the rural fire department — every year, if I can get it, I usually try to get some money for the local fire department,” he said.  

Turning to education, Goodwin praised the new John A Holmes High School building on Main Street. Classes start Monday at the new high school.

“Have y’all slowed down and looked real good at that school building?” he asked. “That doesn’t look like a school building. That looks like something else,” praising the building for its architectural design.  

Although Goodwin said he initially opposed tearing down his alma mater, he acknowledged the project’s success.

“I told them, ‘I don’t want my school to be torn down,’” he said. “But that thing does look good.”

Goodwin also spoke about the demands of serving in Raleigh.

“When you’re in the General Assembly, it’s a different world than what you live in at home,” he said. “Sometimes that’s a struggle.”

He described long drives and late nights.

“It requires a lot of hard work, a lot of driving, a lot of midnight driving,” he said.

Despite that, Goodwin said he enjoys the job.

“I thoroughly love the work I do, especially right in my district,” he said.

After inviting questions, the meeting’s tone shifted, and the discussion that unfolded during the question-and-answer portion became the focal point of the evening.

“Any questions? I’ll answer anything,” Goodwin said.

Chowan County Commissioner Tony Shaffer raised concerns about the state budget, that’s still in limbo, and the budget’s possible impacts on counties.

“What’s the state going to do about its budget?” Shaffer asked. “Do you see what’s coming this next year on costs that we’re going to have to bear regarding hospitals and social services?”

Goodwin said lawmakers had not yet received full details.

“They haven’t let go of any information on that yet,” he said. “But I think there’s a plan in place to try to correct that.”

As of late 2025, the NC General Assembly did not pass a 25% across-the-board cut. Instead, due to a budget impasse, the NCDHHS implemented 3% to 10% Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts on hospitals and providers effective Oct. 1. These cuts were ordered reversed by Dec. 10, following legal action, but the underlying funding gap remains. Say it with me – these “unfunded mandates” may be trickling down to the counties unless the General Assembly takes action. 

To put it in simpler terms — unless this matter is resolved, this is going to bankrupt counties across the state just as it would if your rent increased 25% or gas went up $10 a gallon.  

Shaffer pressed further.  

“They’re talking about cutting back about 25%,” he said. “Are you going to find the money for them to do that?”

As the discussion continued, State Sen. Bobby Hanig asked to respond, who said county leaders’ concerns were well-founded.

“We sat in on the Health and Human Services Committee about two weeks ago, and he’s exactly right,” he said. “And that’s what we’re fighting against. HR1 is going to kill us.”

Hanig said the proposal would impose major costs on counties.

“It’s going to cost the state about $70 million,” he said. “And it’s going to cost counties. It varies from county to county, but it’s extensive.”

“The only thing we can do is for the state to pony up,” he added. “It’ll kill counties. It’s horrific what’s going to happen.”

Hanig called it “probably the largest unfunded mandate” he had seen in his political career.

“At minimum, we have to stop it until next year,” he said. “But we’re going to have to fund it at the state level.”

Commissioner Bob Kirby then raised a constitutional question.

“There’s a mandate in the state constitution that the General Assembly needs to provide a balanced budget,” Kirby said. “And they didn’t do it.”

“If we get a mandate like you’re talking about, can we just ignore it?” he asked.

Hanig responded, “No.”

Kirby continued, “Can’t we just ignore it?”

“You could try,” Hanig said.

He then clarified, “The constitution does not state we have to provide a balanced budget every year. We provide a continuing resolution.”

Kirby asked whether counties could do the same.

“Can a county say, ‘We’re not going to do a budget, we’re going to do a continuing resolution’?” he said.

Hanig dismissed the idea.

“That’s more garbage to me,” he said. “We should have a damn budget.”

Shaffer joked, “Bobby, you ought to run for Congress.”

“I should,” Hanig said, laughing – yes, he is a candidate for congress, District 1.  

The Albemarle Observer raised questions about Harbor Town, a regional waterfront initiative aimed at boosting tourism across five northeastern North Carolina towns. Harbor Towns is responsible for managing a state grant to enhance waterfront infrastructure across all five participating towns. In Edenton, this includes repairs to the breakwater, upgrades to restrooms and docking facilities, and potentially constructing a two-story harbor master pavilion.

“Where are we at with Harbor Town?” The Albemarle Observer asked. “Did you sell the boats?”

The fast ferry boats are no longer at Scotty’s Marina — not sure where they went. 

Last fall, Goodwin said the challenges with the two fast ferries, however, have led to discussions about their future. 

“Two boats (fast ferries) sitting in the marina, they haven’t been moved since they got put out there,” Goodwin said, noting that the vessels were purchased western North Carolina. “They were… built by people who basically didn’t know what they were doing. And you can’t find somebody locally who knows about boats like that.”

While there have been offers to buy the two boats, no sale has been finalized.

“They’ve been trying too, but they haven’t sold them yet,” Goodwin said. “Some people are coming up wanting to buy them, but they won’t sell them for that price.”

When asked whether the boats could be repaired instead of sold, Goodwin said, “Yeah, that’s been discussed. Probably the best thing to do is fix them so they’d be right, period.” He emphasized that when operating properly, the boats can travel at high speeds safely, a point that has impressed local residents and visitors alike.

Flash forward to the present — Goodwin said he’s distanced himself from the project that’s managed by the Harbor Towns Board of Directors, not the state.

“I stuck my hand in the water and washed my hands, and I was out of it,” he said.

“My job was to try to get them money (as a member of the General Assembly) to do that, and I did that,” he said. “Then it’s (project’s management) up to them.”

Joe Hollowell asked a follow-up question.

So that our readers know some context, Hollowell’s line of questioning didn’t magically appear like those seemingly “non-rehearsed” questions that always seem to get asked by the audience questioning presidential candidates. Hollowell is associated with Republican candidate John Spruill’s campaign to unseat Goodwin for House District 1. Hollowell has been critical of Goodwin, particularly regarding the Harbor Town project that appears to be taking on water.

Hollowell asked, “Do you have anything to do with the management of Harbor Town?” 

“No,” Goodwin replied.

Hollowell challenged Goodwin about his name appearing on filings.

“So why are you listed as a director, which is a violation?” he asked.

“Well, if you’re accusing me of a violation,” Goodwin said.

“Are you a director?” Hollowell asked.

“No,” Goodwin said. “The only thing I did was give them money,” referring to the state appropriation.  

“They may have written my name in a book, but I am not a director,” he said. “I don’t go to meetings.”

When Hollowell said Goodwin was still listed, Goodwin replied, “Not anymore, after everything changed.”

“If it’s a matter of breaking the law,” Hollowell said.

“If you’re trying to accuse me of breaking the law, I’m sorry for you,” Goodwin said.

The exchange grew more tense as Hollowell questioned Goodwin’s role in securing water project funding.

“You took credit for funding the water project,” Hollowell said.

“I wasn’t the main character in that,” Goodwin replied. “I represented this county to help them get that.”

Hollowell asked whether Goodwin had met with project leaders.

“Yes,” Goodwin said. “I’ve had several meetings with them.”

“They asked me to come, and I did,” he said.

Returning to Harbor Town, Goodwin said, “I was responsible to get the money. I got the money.”

“I don’t get any money from Harbor Town,” he added. “I don’t do anything with Harbor Town now.”

Hollowell questioned the state’s $15 million investment.

“The state paid $15 million when teachers and law enforcement are not paid decent salaries,” he said.

“You’re accusing me of something — I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Goodwin replied.

“You really don’t know what we’re talking about,” Hollowell said.

“You’re exactly right,” Goodwin responded.

Hollowell urged Goodwin to have his name removed.

“You need to get the people to remove your name because that’s illegal,” he said.

“All right,” Goodwin replied, firmly ending the discussion. “Thank you.”

The back-and-forth underscored tensions between state lawmakers, county officials and residents over funding responsibilities, development projects and transparency.

While Goodwin emphasized his legislative record, much of the evening centered on accountability and financial pressures facing local governments.

“I thoroughly love the work I do,” Goodwin said.

As the meeting concluded, he reiterated his desire to continue serving.

Thursday’s exchange showed that as Goodwin seeks re-election, he faces pointed questions from local leaders and residents about budgets, mandates and Harbor Town — and how state decisions affect Chowan County.