Some rundown homes in Beulaville and Rose Hill will get a facelift, thanks to $950,000 community development block grants for neighborhood revitalization, which the towns have been awarded from the NC Department of Commerce. Duplin County also received $950,000 in CDBG-NR funding.
The grants, $950,000 each, will go toward housing improvements for low- and moderate-income individuals.
“We’ve continued to make major investments in North Carolina communities that need support with affordable housing,” former Governor Roy Cooper stated in a press release issued Dec. 31. “These neighborhood revitalization grants will help rural communities improve economic prosperity for all of their residents.”
In October, both town boards unanimously approved their applications for the grant funding.
During a public hearing at the Beulaville Board of Commissioners October meeting, Tammy Daniels with The Adams Company explained that the funding will be used to rehabilitate or completely reconstruct homes owned by low- to moderate-income individuals. Seven homeowners were selected to be part of the town’s application for the grant, with four homeowners chosen, as well as three alternates.
Four homes will be refurbished with the grant. Three alternates are chosen since sometimes, people drop out of the program because their circumstances may have changed or they may have sold the homes in question.
“It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” said Beulaville Mayor Hutch Jones. “The intent of the grant is to help the greater community maintain property value. Its focus is to target distressed properties through an identification, application, interview, and engineer-led inspection process. Once properties are vetted through these stringent steps, work is approved by the town and completed by vetted contractors who bid on the necessary construction. At the end, the town participates as a conduit and partner in the program, along with the homeowner and vetted contractors.”
Rose Hill Mayor Davy Buckner said that the grant funding will help rebuild four homes within the town. “We had 16 applications, and out of those 16, we have four homes that will be reconstructed,” he explained. “My understanding is that they will be torn down and rebuilt.”
Both towns’ application process included eligibility requirements and a site visit from a committee.
At the Rose Hill Board of Commissioners October meeting, Kevin Amory with Insight Planning and Development, who’s assisting the town with the process, stated that the homes were in such a state of disrepair, reconstruction would be the best option, rather than renovation.
“So when we reconstruct the house, we try to give them a similar house, the same size house,” Amory explained to the town board. “If somebody’s got a two-bedroom, we rebuild them a two-bedroom. The only exception is all of our houses have two bathrooms, which is normal. A lot of times, we may be tearing down a house with three bedrooms and one bath; we’re not taking out a bathroom, we’ll build a new bath.”
A portion of the grant funding would also go to help temporarily relocate residents of the homes being demolished and reconstructed, and another portion goes toward administrative costs.
Amory also explained that the program is “a self-forgiving loan” for the homeowners. “It forgives one-eighth per year, so 12.5%. If they sell the house before the full eight-year term is up, then whatever loan amount is there upon sale, that money will revert to the town. At the end of the eight years, the deed of trust is vacated and it’s 100% their house.”
KENANSVILLE — During their meeting on Monday night, the Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of a $430,000 parcel located on Limestone Road in Kenansville. The building will support Water Department operations.
“This will facilitate ease of use for residents. It will provide a better working location and conditions for employees. It will provide drive-through payment options and capabilities. And this option is far less expensive than erecting a new facility,” said County Manager Bryan Miller regarding the planned expenditure, noting that the building will house administrative operations. “The field operations will remain in their current location along with the SCADA equipment that we’ve recently updated.”
Also, at the meeting, the board approved a resolution for the expenditure of opioid settlement funds for the period from Jan. 6 to June 30.
Miller reported that the Early Intervention Program has reached approximately 3,700 school-aged children in Duplin County.
According to the resolution, the allocations are as follows: $38,037.20 for collaborative strategic planning, $127,889.91 for early intervention, $60,855.92 for Naloxone distribution, and $25,400 for addiction treatment for incarcerated individuals. The total planned expenditures for this six-month period amount to $252,183.03.
The resolution includes the addition of two new part-time positions, while one full-time position has been eliminated. Miller also noted an increase in Naloxone expenditures due to a reduction in grant-funded supplies from East Pointe and other agencies. “We currently pay about $16.50 per dose for Naloxone,” said Miller.
In other business:
The board approved a request to extend the tax listing period until Feb. 14.
Miller conducted a public hearing on behalf of the county planning director to propose an amendment to the Duplin County Unified Development Ordinance, which has a setback requirement of 20 feet for all property lines. The proposed amendment would change the setback requirements for accessory structures from 20 feet to 5 feet on all sides and rear property lines. However, the commissioners decided not to take any action on this proposal.
The board approved a motion to name the two new lanes at Cypher Green RV Park: Queen Kate Lane and Cipher Lane.
During the County Manager updates portion of the meeting, Miller presented the idea of contracting a legislative liaison, similar to what other counties are doing, and sought the board’s opinion.
“With the long session essentially beginning this week for our legislature and considering the recent natural disaster in the western part of the state along with the leadership changes in the legislature, both the Deputy County Manager and I think it best that we, Duplin County, engage a legislative liaison on a contractual basis,” said Miller, adding that this would ensure that Duplin County does not get overlooked as the legislature’s major focus shifts westward.
“Over 50% of the counties in North Carolina currently contract with some kind of legislative liaison; and without constant representation in this cycle — and this is an incredibly important cycle — we may not receive the attention we as a county deserve and need,” said Miller. He added that they have negotiated a fee of $4,000 per month for a liaison for the remainder of the calendar year. He emphasized that having someone involved in every discussion related to Duplin County would be advantageous.
“And when something comes up that affects Duplin County, they can speak to the needs of Duplin County when those arise when that conversation begins. Many times, what happens in these conversations is the counties with somebody there get the appropriations from the beginning. Then there’s no money left for the smaller counties,” said Miller.
All the commissioners agreed that it was worth considering, but they wanted to ensure that their legislators were on board. They asked Miller to find out if the legislators would welcome having a liaison or if they felt it was unnecessary.
“What I’ve heard is the board doesn’t have a problem with it if our representatives would take it as something that can help them help us,” said Chairman Dexter Edwards. “If they feel like it’s not needed, then we don’t want the waste of money… Money spent is money gone.”
Miller also highlighted the necessity of rewriting the personnel policy, which would cost $7,000.
“Our current personnel policy seems to have been constructed by taking different policies from different counties and just putting them into one policy, which has caused us significant issues in the past. Our policies will say conflicting things in different areas,” said Miller explaining that the policy has not been revised in the last decade.
The board expressed no objections, adding that he did not require their approval but had their support for his decision. The revised policy will be presented to the board for approval once it is completed. Additionally, Duplin County offices will be closed on Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
KENANSVILLE — District Attorney Ernie Lee is among four distinguished individuals honored with the prestigious Attorney General’s Dogwood Award, the announcement was made on Dec. 27 by former attorney general, Governor Josh Stein.
“The fentanyl crisis in our state is devastating our communities,” said Stein. “District Attorney Lee has been a leader in the state’s efforts to combat fentanyl by shaping state policy and by holding those who peddle this poison accountable.”
The Dogwood Award celebrates individuals making significant strides toward improving the health, safety, and welfare of North Carolinians.
“I am very appreciative to receive the Dogwood Award from Governor-elect Josh Stein but I’m even more appreciative of his strong and unwavering stand as Attorney General in addressing the opioid epidemic facing our state,” said Lee. “Governor-elect Stein has always been a strong voice with prosecutors in dealing with opioid abuse and addiction. As a career prosecutor, I appreciate this award.”
The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced that five intersections in Duplin County will be converted into all-way stops this month.
According to the announcement, NCDOT crews will start installing pavement markings and stop signs on N.C. 41 at the intersection with Jackson Store Road in Beulaville, on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Similar work will be conducted at the intersections of N.C. 50/N.C. 403 with Warren Road and Solomon Street, between Warsaw and Faison, on Monday, Jan. 13. Drivers are advised to remain alert in these areas while crews work to implement the new traffic patterns.
NCDOT determined that all-way stops would be the most cost-effective solution to improve safety at both intersections after conducting safety reviews that assessed traffic volumes and crash patterns.
CHINQUAPIN — Authorities have identified Brandon Kelly, 33, of Jacksonville, as the suspect who tried to evade law enforcement at a checkpoint resulting in a high-speed chase on New Year’s Eve.
The dramatic pursuit began on Wilmington Highway in Jacksonville at 11:45 p.m., when Kelly fled from a police checkpoint and sped away, reaching dangerous speeds up to 120 mph. This reckless behavior prompted the intervention from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, who, along with the Onslow and Duplin County Sheriff’s offices and the Beulaville Police Department, assisted in the pursuit.
Kelly’s reckless behavior ended in a motorcycle crash near Chinquapin. He was thrown from his motorcycle after crashing at the intersection of Deep Bottom Road and George Dunn Sholar Road. He was airlifted to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center for treatment.
As he faces multiple charges for his actions, the incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving.
More information will follow as it becomes available.
KENANSVILLE — Approximately 45 people gathered at the Monk Auditorium in Kenansville on Dec. 17 to participate in the NC Department of Environmental Quality public comment session.
The meeting addressed Lear Corporation’s latest draft permit regulating PFAS compounds — a dangerous class of toxic chemicals — discharges into the Northeast Cape Fear River.
Christine Goldsmith speaks to members of Lear Corporation about her concern for her grandchildren’s health, as she no longer feels safe to fish in the Northeast Cape Fear River. She also expressed her disappointment that no leadership from Duplin County was present. Photo by Ena Sellers | Duplin Journal
Speakers like Jessica Thomas and Christine Goldsmith expressed concern for their families who live, swim, and fish downstream of the facility.
Recent tests on samples collected from Thomas’ backyard revealed alarmingly high toxicity levels in the largemouth bass and bluegill near the Sarecta Bridge. Thomas shared that for several months now, she has reached out to county officials and area representatives to make them aware. Thomas shared that meaningful responses have been disappointingly absent despite her persistent efforts, leaving the community at risk.
As a mother of three boys, aged 8, 10, and 12, she struggled to hold back tears while reflecting on the countless hours they have spent swimming and fishing in waters they, for years, believed to be safe.
“It wasn’t until this summer that I learned that PFAS can be absorbed through the skin. Not only can they be absorbed through the skin, but you get most of the contamination that way,” said Thomas. She thanked DEQ for providing a platform to be heard and asked for the new permit to require the company to remove “forever chemicals” before discharging into the river.
“These companies and agencies have known for decades about the harm they cause, yet it’s allowed to continue. Why is this issue being ignored in Duplin County?” She asked, demanding accountability. “You have in your presentation that Lear claims to have stopped using PFOA and PFAS 16 years ago. But those same chemicals are showing up in my backyard, in the water and in the fish.”
Jessica Thomas, a resident of Sarecta, was one of the speakers who voiced concerns about Lear Corp’s draft permit regulating chemical discharges into the Cape Fear River, asking PFAS to be removed before discharging into the waters where many local families fish and swim. Photo by Ena Sellers | Duplin Journal
Goldsmith, whose family lives on Sarecta Road, also expressed her concerns about why residents living nearby were not directly notified; she only learned about the meeting casually a day prior.
“I’m disgusted that no one from Duplin County is here representing… where are our representatives here at this meeting tonight?” said Goldsmith, adding that a mailer should have been sent out to everyone who lives close to the river to let them know.
“I didn’t know anything about it. This is not a Republican or a Democrat issue. This is a human being issue regarding our children. I’m not comfortable with my grandchildren fishing out of the Cape Fear River. How have we gotten to this point that money is more important than our children… Will they ever know what it’s like to fish out of the Cape Fear River and cook a fish on the fire and not have to be worried about chemicals that might kill them? That’s my question to everyone here tonight,” said Goldsmith. “It shouldn’t take until 2029 or 2027 or whenever to test for these chemicals. Do the right thing now.”
An attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center noted that the revised draft permit does not require Lear to implement best practices to protect the people, emphasizing that there was still time for DEQ to revisit its draft using the tools in the Clean Water Act to control PFAS.
Kasey Moraveck, also an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, expressed that while the studies and monitoring required in Lear’s draft permit sound nice, they don’t safeguard public health.
“You have known for five years that Lear is discharging harmful chemicals every day into the water that downstream communities rely on for fishing and swimming,” said Moraveck, noting that DEQ has been aware of the discharges since 2019. “Instead of acting affirmatively with this draft permit, you are knowingly subjecting these communities to PFAS for at least five more years.”
Moraveck expressed her frustration with the lack of decisive action. “Despite having five years to prepare for this permit renewal, you claim that you need more information to set technology-based effluent limits,” said Moraveck. “DEQ can apply technology’s known removal efficiency to Lear’s PFAS data. From these results, limits can be calculated in accordance with EPA permitting guidelines.”
Moraveck emphasized that the process is straightforward and can be accomplished using basic statistical methods. She also noted that the draft permit’s re-opener does not protect downstream communities from ongoing contamination.
“DEQ has never re-opened a permit to address toxic pollution, we have no reason to trust that you will do it here,” said Moraveck.
Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear River Watch’s Riverkeeper who initially discovered the toxic discharges, was among the speakers.
“Lear has acknowledged that they discharge two especially dangerous PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, at levels 7,550 times and 1,470 times above the EPA health advisory level, respectively. In the last five years, Lear has violated their permit 48 times,” said Burdette, emphasizing that’s only the times they got caught.
He noted that largemouth bass he harvested near the Sarecta bridge had 20 times higher levels of PFAS in their tissue than the fish the state tested in Bladen County and deemed unsafe to consume, adding that bluegill had levels that were 12 times higher.
“I used the same process and the same certified lab that the state used to issue their consumption advisory,” said Burdette.
Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear River Watch’s Riverkeeper who initially discovered the toxic discharges, was among the speakers. He expressed disappointment that despite sharing the lab results about the toxic fish he tested near the Sarecta bridge, no action has been taken to stop the discharges. Photo by Ena Sellers | Duplin Journal
He expressed disappointment that despite sharing the lab results about the toxic fish, no action has been taken to stop the discharges.
“We know that people fish in the river downstream of Lear, and that people should be able to fish downstream of Lear and bring those fish home to put on the table for a healthy meal for their families. But they can’t because Lear discharges PFAS into the river,” said Burdette. “We know the EPA sent a letter to DEQ that said, ‘EPA Region 4 has determined that the draft permit — this draft permit — does not adequately protect the health of the public or aquatic environment affected by these discharges.’”
A final decision about the draft permit will be made in 90 days. Persons who were unable to attend the session can mail comments to Fenton Brown Jr., NPDES Wastewater Permitting, Attn: Lear Corporation Permit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 27699-1617 or via email to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov and should include Lear Corporation Permit in the email subject line. DEQ will accept comments from the public until Friday, Jan. 10.
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