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Overcoming through faith: One woman’s journey to leading Wallace’s ministry

Overcoming through faith: One woman’s journey to leading Wallace’s ministry

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WALLACE — Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries (DCOM) has a new executive director — Tomme Maier. She succeeds Jeralene Merritt, who retired after serving DCOM for 18 years, including four years as director.

“Stepping into my new role as the executive director for Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries is a huge honor and I am humbled how God is working in my life as well as those around me,” Maier told Duplin Journal.

Maier brings a profound sense of humility, faith, and purpose to her position. Her vision for DCOM highlights the importance of community, connection and conversation — essential elements for building meaningful and transformative relationships both within the ministry and in the broader community.

“We are here to serve our neighbors in need,” said Maier. “It is vitally important that we engage others to join our mission promoting long-lasting and impactful relationships.”

With a strong focus on service, Maier envisions DCOM as a vessel of hope that invites others to participate in God’s work through partnerships and a shared commitment to serving the people of Duplin. Her immediate goals include expanding volunteer involvement, supporting partner pantries, increasing funding for daily ministries, and church engagement.

“We have a wonderful testimony to share of God’s faithfulness to DCOM and the county we serve,” said Maier. “We will soon be celebrating 20 successful years of ministry to Duplin County residents (Open House is planned for Aug. 3).”

With a background in social services, education, and experience at the American Red Cross, the Duplin County native has long been in the trenches with individuals facing crisis.

“Many of our residents come to us vulnerable, broken and desperate for help. They desire a safe and welcoming place to find solutions to everyday problems,” Maier explained.

Having served vulnerable populations through case management and crisis intervention, she brings problem-solving and a trauma-informed perspective to her new role.

She recognizes that many individuals who turn to DCOM are in distress, not just seeking assistance but also healing. Her aim is to provide practical support, offering immediate help alongside long-term hope.

“We are here to wrap God’s love, hope and faith around those we serve and we are here to encourage, equip and enable our clients to overcome the crisis they find themselves in,” Maier said.

Her leadership is shaped by her personal experiences with hardship and healing, giving her the ability to connect with those in crisis.

“My return to Duplin County was a difficult situation. My family experienced a horrific trauma,” Maier told Duplin Journal. “Within a three-month period, I was facing separation, loss of my career and home, and sitting in Lacks Cancer Treatment Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After my surgery, it was decided that my youngest children and I would return and live here in Duplin County in order to begin the healing process.”

Though Maier’s journey back to Duplin was filled with personal loss, including health struggles and the need to uproot her children, she found strength through her faith and family farm.

“We joined our Pathway Church family in 2012. I was blessed to serve here in teaching and the food pantry. My family farm was my healing sanctuary — I shared much grief with many turkeys while washing those waters and I took precious time away from my public career to help my girls finish high school and college,” Maier recalled. “Today, they are both teachers and also pouring into hearts and minds in Eastern North Carolina.”

Reflecting on her experiences, Maier acknowledges that this difficult period in her life prepared her to serve others with compassion and resilience, forming the foundation of her leadership approach.

“This time prepared me to understand a grieving and broken heart regardless of how a trauma occurs. So many are hurting around us and they need us to surround them in love and support,” said Maier.

For her, faith has been the cornerstone of both her personal and professional journey.

Tomme Maier is the new Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries executive director. Photo K.D. Beard / Duplin Journal

“I have witnessed God’s hand at work in my life many times,” she shared. She recounted an experience from college, when she survived an armed robbery while working weekends at a Speedy Mart. Years later, she endured 52 days in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit with her daughter, Avry.

“They had told us to plan a funeral, but I watched God gather a church together here in Duplin County, and they prayed. The pastors and a family friend drove 19 hours to Michigan and came into that NICU with an anointed prayer cloth. Within 24 hours, our girl began breathing on her own,” she recounted.

Later, another tragedy struck when her daughter Becky lost her right arm in an accident, yet faith continued to guide them. Today, Becky is a mother of three, mentoring at-risk youth with the same hope that sustained their family.

“God has worked here as well. He has placed me here at DCOM — I was broken and shattered at the hand and heart of someone who vowed to love me and respect me,” said Maier. “This new role for me is a great opportunity to be a servant leader and to relate with those who will have unexpected experiences like these.”

Maier said she is grateful to have the opportunity to support the needs in Duplin County. Her message to the community is a call to action; recognizing that DCOM cannot fulfill its mission alone, she invites the community to join hands in serving Duplin County.

Volunteers and donors are seen not just as supporters but as vital participants in God’s work. Every contribution — whether time, resources, or prayer — enables DCOM to continue being a place of refuge and transformation.

“If you have the desire, passion and availability to serve others, then we need you here with us,” said Maier, adding that any monetary gift to DCOM helps fill empty plates, keep lights on, provides clothes to families in crisis, supports those starting over and offers hope to those escaping abuse.

To contact the DCOM crisis center, call 910-285-6000 or visit duplinchristian.org for more information.

Warsaw approves $4.1M budget amid public pushback on rate hikes

WARSAW — The town of Warsaw held a contentious two-hour long meeting on Monday to approve its $4.1 million FY 2025–26 budget, drawing sharp criticism from residents over fiscal priorities.

While the budget includes funding for police and administrative services topping the town’s expenditures, only $2,500 is designated for the library, prompting outrage after $258,250 was earmarked for DreamWorks, a recreation facility.

Water and sewer rate hikes, cost-of-living raises for town staff, and a stipend increase for town leaders have further fueled debate. Although the property tax rate has decreased from 57 to 50 cents per $100 valuation, many believe the budget overlooks essential infrastructure and community needs.

The budget outlines a total General Fund appropriation of $4,127,500, which includes $1.6 million for the Police Department, $600,575 for administration, $557,100 for streets, $323,700 for sanitation, $317,550 for recreation, $168,456 for the Fire Department, $268,394 for special appropriations, $25,000 for police separation allowance and $257,750 for both the library and DreamWorks combined.

Estimated revenues are expected to balance this amount largely from property and sales taxes. The new tax rate is based on an estimated taxable property valuation of $306,361,034 and a collection rate of 97%. Also a 5% fee increase is applied to water services.

Angela B. Mainor questioned the annual water rate increases. Town Manager Lea Turner explained that rising operational demands and aging infrastructure necessitated the 5% increase this year to prevent steeper hikes in the future. She also highlighted the link between rates and eligibility for grants.

The Powell Bill Fund outlines $112,700 in expenditures with an equal amount in anticipated revenue to support it. The Utility Fund expects total expenditures of $2.77 million, covering water and sewer operations at $2.49 million and debt service obligations of $276,075. Funding will come from water and sewer sales, penalties, interest income, surcharge fees, and reserves.

Marzella Morrisey, raised deeper concerns about water and sewer rates, pointing out that despite a 10% increase last year the town is still dealing with infrastructure failures, particularly the stormwater system.

She challenged the effectiveness of the stormwater fees alleging that no visible improvements exist as street flooding remains a chronic issue during heavy rains.

“The stormwater fund expenditures. It’s the same as it was in the last three years — $63,000,” said Morrisey, adding that there is frequent flooding during heavy rains and a lack of visible maintenance in their areas.

Residents expressed frustration over the budget process, many voicing the budget failed to address real public needs. Although some officials responded by acknowledging these concerns and indicating that the budget could be revisited in a special meeting, the overall feedback from residents was one of frustration — particularly over the need for more transparency, and a failure to adequately involve the public in decisions that directly impact their lives.

Commissioner Jack Hawes aimed to clarify misconceptions regarding industrial users and infrastructure responsibilities, explaining that many agreements were made before the current board’s tenure. He pushed back against a citizen’s claim that the town is shouldering all fines related to wastewater violations. He explained that not all penalties fall on the town itself, and that industrial surcharges — paid by companies using the system — help cover the cost of violations.

Calls were made for modernized software that could provide itemized financial data, similar to systems used by neighboring towns such as Wallace.

Commissioner Ebony Wills-Wells addressed the need for transparency, noting that the lack of detailed itemization in the budget documentation likely contributed to public confusion. She recommended breaking down expenses and revenues so that citizens can easily track where funds are allocated—especially regarding special appropriations, fines and infrastructure costs.

She echoed the sentiment that while surcharges and industrial fines exist, it’s unclear if or how consistently they are being enforced.

A discussion around stipend increases for elected officials and 5% cost-of-living adjustment employee raises was another contentious aspect of the public hearing. Public feedback at its core, it reflected deeper concerns about fairness, and whether the town’s leadership is prioritizing its resources appropriately during a period of financial and infrastructure strain.

Mayor A.J. Connors defended the stipend increase for elected officials — from $300 per month to $500 for board members, to $600 for the mayor. He noted that the increase aligns with the workload and responsibilities associated with holding office in a small but growing town.

However, critics in the audience questioned the timing and optics of such an increase, given ongoing issues with DEQ fines, and rising utility rates.

The meeting also highlighted the growing gap between the town’s infrastructure needs and available funding.

Public Works Director Craig Armstrong told the board that current funding is insufficient to maintain Warsaw’s roads. Armstrong emphasized that long-term financial constraints necessitate early interventions on roads before they deteriorate further. He illustrated this point with a recent paving invoice totaling nearly $50,000 for less than 3,000 square yards of asphalt. He highlighted that the town’s current funding, particularly from Powell Bill allocations, is far from sufficient to maintain Warsaw’s 20 miles of roads.

“Y’all got a job to do that I wouldn’t dare try to tackle. But when we’re budgeting $100,000 with asphalt prices the way they are, that’s just a two-inch overlay. That’s not any prep work or having to mill that road to get it back down to a suitable surface to lay asphalt on,” said Armstrong.

He noted that although it may seem logical to focus on the worst roads first, the long-term costs are often better managed by addressing roads that are beginning to show signs of deterioration.

Armstrong explained that Warsaw receives about $112,000 annually from the Powell Bill, along with an additional $50,000 to $60,000 from other street maintenance budget sources. In contrast, paving a standard-width mile of road costs approximately $150,000. This means that a realistic plan to repave the town’s 20 miles of roads over the next 10 years would require an investment of roughly $300,000 per year. Complicating the situation further, emergency repairs, issues with the water and sewer systems, and patchwork maintenance already strain these limited resources.

Small, isolated patch jobs—often requested by residents—tend to be particularly costly on a per-unit basis due to the mobilization and setup requirements, making them the least efficient use of funds. While Armstrong did not ask for additional funding, he strongly urged the board to consider the long-term implications of underinvestment. He emphasized the need for long-range planning and prioritization of projects, warning that deferred maintenance would only lead to increased costs and deteriorating road conditions for residents.

Duplin County’s proposed budget cuts tax rate by 15.5 cents

Duplin County’s proposed budget cuts tax rate by 15.5 cents

KENANSVILLE — Employee raises and school support highlight Duplin’s proposed 2025-26 fiscal plan presented by County Manager Bryan Miller last week at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. The plan totals $112,251,651 and allocates $76.48 million to the general fund, which supports the county’s essential services.

A key focus of the presentation was fiscal responsibility, driven by the Board of County Commissioners’ directive to avoid unnecessary changes to ad valorem taxes while continuing to sustain and improve county services.

“The Board remains dedicated to strengthening and sustaining existing services, ensuring a competitive compensation framework, exploring initiatives to enhance employee retention, refining principal financial policies, and advancing the development of a comprehensive capital improvement plan,” said Miller. “Duplin County department leaders have responded to these priorities with thoughtful consideration. They’ve done an excellent job.”

Despite initial projections showing a $16 million general fund deficit, the shortfall was resolved without resulting in a major tax increase. The property tax rate is set at 58 cents per $100 valuation, which is 15.5 cents lower than last year’s rate of 73.5 cents. Though higher than the revenue-neutral rate of 56.67 cents, it reflects the increased property values after revaluation and will according to Miller is expected to generate around $34 million in annual revenues, with each penny on the tax rate yielding $662,081.

The proposed budget prioritizes employee compensation and public services. It includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees that would become effective as of July 1 if approved. It also allocates funds for a 2.5% merit raise for eligible staff, and absorbs the increased costs in retirement contributions and health insurance premiums without passing these expenses onto employees. Duplin County currently trails similar counties by about 16% in compensation according to Miller.

The Duplin County Board of Education requested a 6.4% increase in operating funds, totalling $820,294 while James Sprunt Community College sought a 5.11% increase totalling $107,445. Both will maintain capital funding despite a $2.4 million cut in state low-wealth education support.

“We see the school capital [funds] coming at $1,485,068. The net service is $3,996,900. Revenues: we have an estimated sales tax of $3,974,500. School capital fund balance appropriated $1,227,512, and our interest on investments are $280,000,” Miller explained.

The County Manager added that 18 fire districts submitted tax rate requests, with some opting for reductions and others maintaining previous rates.

“Fire districts are made up of property tax revenue estimates, and they’ve increased due to the revaluation,” explained Miller.

The proposed budget also plans for capital investments. There are allocations for equipment across multiple departments including equipment for elections, parks and recreation, maintenance and emergency medical services. Key purchases include a transportation van for the water department, a roll-off truck, a wheel loader, and other solid waste equipment. Additionally, the budget accounts for the purchase of ambulances and a lease, which are significant capital items essential for maintaining services. These investments are expected to contribute to long-term operational efficiency and, in certain cases, create new revenue streams, like with crushed concrete sales.

Miller also addressed the budget’s debt service obligations, highlighting major payments such as the $578,270 payment to the USDA for the Commons and the $130,000 animal services loan payment. Funding is also administered across critical sectors such as public safety, human services, cultural programs, environmental protection, and general government functions. Notably, sales tax revenues for this year are expected to exceed the original budget by $586,151.

“We are projected to increase the general fund in the fiscal year 2025 fund balance by approximately $4 million. You can see the estimated revenues are $68,750,259. Recommended expenditures are $76,480,523. Fund balance appropriated $7,730,233,” Miller explained.

Looking ahead, Miller emphasized the importance of maintaining a four-year revaluation cycle for property assessments and flagged several long-term priorities.

“In future budgets, we are going to look for a matching contribution for full-time employees.

We want to have a continued focus on employee benefits and salaries, prioritize fleet and building maintenance, and focus on economic development opportunities and airport development,” said Miller.

Despite the challenges posed by the recent revaluation process, Miller expressed confidence in the proposed budget and anticipated minor refinements leading up to final adoption.

Miller also presented a brief overview of the FY 2025–26 Economic Development Budget. With salary and grants coming in at $205,868, operating at $180,450, incentives at $715,000, for a total of $1,136,018, explained Miller.

“Looking ahead, Duplin County is well equipped to navigate economic fluctuations and evolving community needs with this budget,” said Miller. “It reflects our shared commitment to responsible fiscal management while continuing to invest in the people and infrastructure that support our daily lives.”

After the presentation, Chairman Dexter Edwards called for a public meeting and invited the public to ask questions.

Residents voiced concerns about affordability, especially seniors. Miller addressed the questions and the measures taken to prioritize both growth and affordability.

Representative Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) spoke about a bill he is co-sponsoring that would freeze property taxes for seniors at a certain age.

“I believe that at some reasonable age, 65 or 70, people who have worked all of their life to carve out a really nice homestead shouldn’t be punished by the increased value of the property,” he explained.

Dixon also congratulated the board and everyone involved in crafting the budget.

“I think you folks have done a really great job on your budget this year. Thank you very much for your hard work,” said Dixon. Edwards echoed the sentiment.

In other business

  • Public Health Training iswas scheduled for June 13.

  • A new county website has recently been launched.

  • State funding has been secured for the airport fuel farm.

Warsaw lottery player hits $912K jackpot

Update: Marcella Hooker from Warsaw won a jackpot of $912,326 on a $5 digital play of The Lamp: Dark Arts on June 4. Hooker claimed her prize on Monday at NC Education Lottery headquarters. After required federal and state tax withholdings she took home $654,596.

“I was screaming so much it woke up the kids and grandkids,” said Hooker. “Now we can pay off the house. This is a blessing.”

WARSAW — A lucky player from Warsaw won a jackpot of $912,326 on a $5 digital play online of The Lamp: Dark Arts on June 4.

The NC Education Lottery told Duplin Journal that as of noon on June 6, the winner has not yet come forward to claim the prize.

According to the NC Education Lottery this win is one of the largest prizes since the game was launched in 2023. The progressive jackpot game allows players to win by revealing matching symbols or activating the Wheel of Wishes, which can lead to a jackpot prize.

Beulaville infrastructure project moves ahead

Beulaville infrastructure project moves ahead

BEULAVILLE — At the Beulaville town board meeting on Monday night, officials shared updates on the town’s infrastructure efforts.

Public Works Director Ricky Raynor informed the board that the infrastructure project is progressing smoothly and remains ahead of schedule. Pressure testing is complete, with sampling and floor preparation expected to wrap up this week.

“The contractors say there are places where they don’t really think they need to do the line stops,” said Raynor. “They can do them with the gate valves, which would save a lot of money.”

Raynor shared that by the end of June, patching of asphalt and concrete, as well as door repairs, will be nearly finished. Contractors have also begun installing taps. Raynor explained that the engineering team is reviewing whether costly line stops can be replaced with gate valves, which may free up funds to install additional lines if approved. Currently, this phase of the project remains ahead of schedule.

“If they add to it, the only area that will be affected is where Trey [Gurley with McDavid Associates] decides to put the lines at. So everything else should be mostly done by the end of this month,” said Raynor. He noted that contractors prefer gate valves over line stops due to quicker installation.

The board also revisited a county-led grant project involving site work on Lama Road. The county is handling the project incrementally, paying for each stage as it progresses, without committing the town to ongoing costs. The motion to accept the proposal from the Timmons’ Group / Duplin County was approved unanimously.

In other business

  • Town Manager Lori Williams reported that the wastewater treatment plant operated steadily throughout May, handling an average daily flow of 209,000 gallons. The facility also recorded 12.5 inches of dirt accumulation.

  • Police Chief Karl Mobley reported that operations for the month have gone smoothly overall. The department is working to fill one open position to bring the department back to full staffing capacity.

  • May’s sales tax revenue was reported at $36,000.

  • Bulk trash pickup was delayed due to weather and leaks but will be completed this week. Due to weather disruptions, utility leaks, and the shortened workweek, crews were not able to complete all scheduled pickups.

  • The North Carolina Department of Transportation is upgrading wheelchair ramps on Jackson Street as part of a state-funded improvement project.

  • A town newsletter is planned for late June, with a content deadline of June 13. The newsletter will highlight important ordinances, including yard maintenance, abandoned vehicles, trash placement, and general code enforcement topics.

  • A special meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. to finalize the town’s budget. The board is waiting for final tax figures from the county before moving forward.

Magnolia police arrest key suspect in series of break-ins

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MAGNOLIA — Last week, the Magnolia Police Department announced the arrest of Ronnie Lenel Devane, 43, a suspect in a series of break-ins.

According to authorities, between April 7 and May 10, the town of Magnolia experienced an unsettling wave of break-ins, which included theft and property damage. Among the affected were a motor vehicle at Magnolia Court Apartments, Casa Guerrero Restaurant on Railroad Street, and Taqueria Mi Lupita on Main Street, which experienced three separate incidents.

Magnolia Police stated that the stolen items held little intrinsic value; however, the impact of these crimes led to damage to local businesses, which now bear the costs of repairs.

In an investigation led by Magnolia Police Chief J.T. Wood, Devane emerged as a primary suspect.

“Devane did not have a permanent address but was found to be spending most of his time in Magnolia Court Apartments,” reported Magnolia Police on a social media post.

As the investigation progressed, Wood learned of a break-in at a tanning salon in Wallace. On May 6, after reviewing surveillance footage provided by the Wallace Police Department, he identified Devane as a suspect in the burglary. In light of this development, Wood convened with a Wallace PD detective and law enforcement from neighboring jurisdictions to discuss the recent spate of break-ins.

On May 10, Magnolia PD apprehended Devane for trespassing at Small Town Laundromat on Monk Street. He was charged with trespassing, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Following his arrest, Devane was booked into Duplin County Jail under a $7,000 secured bond.

In the following days, Wallace PD announced additional charges against Devane, resulting in a $7,500 increase to his secured bond.

On May 23, the Magnolia Police served Devane with a series of serious offenses, including three counts of felony breaking and entering, two counts of felony larceny following breaking and entering, one count of breaking and entering a motor vehicle with larceny, and two counts of injury to real property. These new charges resulted in a substantial addition of $70,000 to Devane’s total secured bond, bringing the total to a hefty $84,500.

The Magnolia Police Department extended gratitude to all community members who contributed to the investigation of these cases.

“It takes a community coming together with one voice to deny crime a foothold on the communities and freedoms we hold dear,” wrote Magnolia PD.

Authorities are looking into any potential involvement of other individuals. Magnolia PD stated that no further information can be disclosed at this time to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities are investigating any potential involvement of other individuals. Magnolia PD stated that no further details can be disclosed at this time to uphold the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

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