New Commissioner

GRIFTON  - Eugene Fleming was appointed to the Grifton Board of Commissioners in the board's regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, April 13.

Asked if he was happy with the appointment, Fleming said in a telephone interview, "At my age, I'm not elated, but I feel like it is something there's a need for. It is something I feel qualified to do. And, I am also honored that they wanted me and asked me. I feel like I can feel a void."

Fleming served the citizens of Grifton as a commissioner for several years before deciding against seeking re-election.

Fleming replaces former Commissioner Ralph Thaxton who resigned on April 6. Thaxton, 75, stands accused of grabbing the arm of a poll worker during the Nov. 4 municipal election. He was charged with assault on an election officer, a Class I felony, on January 16. His initial trial date was April 2, but that date was postponed.

Thaxton apologized in January during a town board meeting, saying he thought he was within his rights to check on the ballots.

"I thought she was denying me of my rights," Thaxton said at the meeting. "It's no excuse for what I did. You do stupid things at stuipd times. I'll have to take what comes to me."

State law gives municipal boards full authority to appoint a replacement upon a vacancy. The Grifton board wasted little time in doing so.

Commissioners put a name on a card stating the name of the person they wanted to see filled. Commissioner Richard Hill named Alton Cannon while Commissioner Johnny Len Craft put forth the name of Ardathy Spikes. Gene Fleming's name was on the cards of Commissioners Billy Smith and Billy Kornegay.

The board then voted unanimously to approve Fleming to fill Thaxton's post until the next municipal election.

In other business the board approved minutes of their previous regular meeting, then heard a presentation by Tim Ware, Executive Director of the Mid-East Commission. Ware told the board what Mid-East does for its member municipalities.

The board also heard a presentation from The Wooten Company about the Contentnea Metropolitan Sewerage District's application for a Standard Order of Consent due to recent sewerage spills. It was much the same presentation the company presented to both Ayden and Winterville last week.

The board approved a contract with Moses Paving for road repairs in the Country Club area. 

A resolution accepting a grant in the amount of $6,015 was approved. The funds, with no town match required, will be used for a checkpoint trailer, signs, cones, flashlights and traffic vests for the Grifton Police Department.

The board also approved a resolution of support of a grant application to Pitt County Medical Society for defibrillators. A $500 match per defibrillator is required.

The board approved awarding the Community Development Block Grant Infrastructure Project Engineer and Administration Contracts to The Wooten Company.

Torres Roofing was okayed for doing roof repairs at the Library, contingent upon approval of the Library Advisory board.

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