Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Assistant Bryan Hanks, left, facilitates the questionnaire being given to N.C. Rep. Chris Humphrey, center and N.C. Sen. Jim Perry during Friday’s Wake Up Lenoir event at the Kinston Country Club. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Friday had a candid legislative forum for the early risers in Lenoir County.

The Wake Up Lenoir legislative breakfast took place at the Kinston County Club with N.C. Sen. Jim Perry and N.C. Rep. Chris Humphrey on hand fielding questions from those in attendance, along with the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce and local leaders. Humphrey and Perry fielded about 20 questions dealing with legislation, Lenoir County issues and progress in the General Assembly.

Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Interim President Brenda Canup said it was the highest turnout, as more than 100 showed up for the event with the legislators speaking for more than an hour starting around 8 a.m.

“It was a great response from the community and wonderful support,” Canup said. “Sen. Perry and Rep. Humphrey responded to a variety of questions and you could tell they did their homework on subjects. They’re very knowledgeable and I’m proud to see two people who are products of Lenoir County representing us.”

Humphrey said fielding the questions Friday will be helpful for future sessions in Raleigh.

“This forum helps me to become a better leader,” Humphrey said. “I’m sincere when I say that I appreciate the business leaders, local politicians, education leaders and other members of the community coming together to something like this. It allows me to get a pulse of the community and I’m certainly here for it.”

Perry shared similar sentiments, encouraging the community to continue to deliver their opinions.

“It’s great to come here and have face-to-face communication with the people in the district,” Perry said. “It really is an honor to serve and honor the community, and try to help. I value feedback and learn from people who take the time to give me a different perspective. We represent four different communities, so we have to take a different approach than others — please reach out and make us aware of what’s going on because we may not always know.

“I can promise you while I’m there (in the General Assembly) I want to be as effective as I can for the area.”