All in Letters to the Editor
I feel compelled to address recent statements made by Lenoir County Commissioner Keith King and North Carolina House Representative Chris Humphrey regarding the City of Kinston’s proposed FY26 Budget and property tax rate. As the Mayor of Kinston, I believe the public deserves a clearer and more complete understanding of the facts, particularly those that were not fully explained or were presented without proper context.
I would like to personally thank Mr. Keith King, Mr. Lew Blevins, Mrs. Carol Blevins, Mr. Glen Olds and Ms. Glenda Thomas for taking the time to speak out at the recent Kinston City Council public hearing regarding the proposed property tax increase. As your representative in the North Carolina House, I want you to know that I stand with you in your concerns. I have shared my concerns with both Mayor Don Hardy and Mayor Pro Tem "Pearl" Hardy.
As a Greene County Commissioner, I am writing to express my concern about the timeline of the budget process for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year in our county. While neighboring counties like Pitt, Lenoir, and Wilson are well into their budget discussions, holding workshops and making critical decisions, Greene County Commissioners have yet to receive a copy of our proposed budget.
As a third-generation volunteer firefighter and a 19-year member of the fire service, I care deeply about protecting our community and ensuring that local fire departments are equipped to respond to emergencies and protect the citizens they serve. I currently serve as a captain and a member of the Board of Directors for North Lenoir Fire & Rescue, and I am deeply concerned about a proposed reduction in our county’s volunteer fire department tax rates that I believe puts public safety at risk.
I’d like to take this opportunity to respond to a letter to the editor of Neuse News that was written by Jennifer Shrader and published Tuesday.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has, according to its own reports in the last week, arrested two people and put them in jail here just as soon as they were released from their prison sentences elsewhere in the state. Both have drug charges.
Recently, when I embarked on a journey to run errands, I was met with a message informing me that the tire pressure in my tires was remarkably low. I thought to myself, what a fantastic opportunity to showcase my self-sufficiency!
Everyone who knows me knows that I’m Republican to the core. I’ve never voted for a Democrat on the national level in my life. My wife loves to tell the story of how when we were still engaged this summer, and in the midst of wedding planning, I made a point to let her know I had to hang up the phone when President Trump came out to speak at the RNC.
Throughout my years in public school, I’ve noticed a recurring issue in my county: the education system often fails students with physical or cognitive disabilities, particularly those with immigrant parents. One of the most significant challenges these families face is the language barrier that separates them from school staff and teachers.
The first time I had heard of The Lenoir Early College was in 8th grade, and, quite frankly, I wasn't sure what it was initially. My friend explained that her brother had gone to that school, and, basically, one would be able to graduate with both your high school diploma and your associate's degree.
Growing up, I hated school and everything about it. I hated learning and waking up at 7:30 and how I couldn't understand what others could; having ADHD makes learning a lot harder. I needed more help, a slowed-down pace, and smaller class sizes.
I love Christmas; Christmas brings love, joy, peace, and cookies. I believe Christmas isn't just a time of year, season, or holiday but more like a state of mind. Personally, I'm one of those who starts celebrating Christmas at midnight on November 1. I absolutely love Christmas and want to celebrate it as long and as soon as possible.
A short while ago, our dishwasher at home broke. Like many of you, my family and I went to Lowe’s in Kinston to look for a new one. We bought a replacement and had it installed. I didn’t give much thought to where it was made or who built it.
Just four years ago, in the midst of the pandemic, we ran for Lenoir County Board of Education - At Large, in an effort to fill the board seats with some parents. It was important then due to the continued closing of schools, and more important now.
While I have retired from the NC Senate, I have not retired from my love of Lenoir County. I have been thinking about our local elections for months, and I decided to support a group of candidates that covers a range of political backgrounds.
It is the time of year, when the days of Autumn have descended. Leaves are beginning to change colors and are scattered upon the ground. The anticipation of cooler weather is a welcome change. It such a time like this that I have learned to appreciate.
Why am I mindful? It is because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, there is anawareness about the disease, its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. Several years ago, out of the clear blue sky, after getting a routine mammogram I embarked upon a journey that I never imagined that I would ever have to experience.
I grew up in the great town of Kinston! Learned to swim at Emma Webb pool, learned to drive the safe streets of Kinston and spent my elementary years at Northwest School. My church was Queen Street Methodist. It was a wonderful place to grow up.
My name is Cameron Davis, I am a student at East Carolina University majoring in Public Health with a Concentration in Community Health. I am interning at Kinston Community Health Center, in the Community Outreach Department.
Lee Raynor, the storied former editor of The Free Press, could be, let’s just say, taxing to work for. Admittedly sometimes, I was also a challenge, and we didn’t always see eye to eye. Or eye to toe. Or eye to “hey, I think she’s in the back room.”
