January 31, 2025 Special Call Meeting The Martin County Board ofCommissioners for a Special Call Meeting at 6: 00 p.m. to discuss Open Session matters in the Superior Courtroom, Martin County Governmental Center/Courthouse, 305 East Main Street, Williamston, N.C. Those attending the meeting were Chairman Joe R. Ayers, Vice Chairman David "Skip" Gurganus, Commissioner Dempsey Bond Jr, Commissioner Jeremiah Taylor, and Commissioner Ronnie Smith (via phone call). Interim County Manager/ County Attorney Benjamin R. Eisner, Clerk to the Board Julia S. Rease, Finance Officer Angela Raynor, and Human Resources Director Donna Zube. Others in attendance: There was a large attendance from the public, elected and appointed officials, and retirees from Martin County and other counties in North Carolina. Chairman Ayers welcomed all in attendance and called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Commissioner Bond Jr. led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice Chairman Gurganus provided the invocation. Chairman Ayers asked that all elected officials stand to be recognized as well as appointed officials, and current law enforcement. Chairman Ayers called newly appointed and former Martin County District Attorney Seth Edwards to the podium to address the audience. Judge Seth Edwards commented on Deputy Sheriff Drew Robinson' S character positively. AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Taylor made the Motion to Approve of the Agenda with a Second by Commissioner Bond Jr. The Motion was Carried by raise of hands (4-0). REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICIAL BOND Vice Chairman Gurganus made the Motion to Approve of the Register of Deeds Bond for Ms. Kim Griffin with a Second by Commissioner Taylor. The Motion was Carried by a raise of hands (4-0). REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF SHERIFF'S CANDIDATE 1. Disclosure Statement N.C.G.S. $ 162-5 (c) states: 44 The board of county commissioners shall not make any appointment under this section without first being presented with a valid disclosure statement of no felony convictions or expungements, issued within 90 days prior to the appointment, prepared by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 17E ofthe General Statutes with respect to the individual being appointed." Commissioner Bond Jr. made the Motion to Approve ofthe Disclosure Statement, with a Second by Vice Chairman Gurganus. The Motion was Carried by a raise of hands (4-0). 2. Public Oftice Bond N.C.G.S.S 162-9 states: "The board of county commissioners in every county shall take and approve the official bond of the sheriffs, which they shall cause to be registered with the register of deeds and filed with the clerk of superior court. The bond shall be taken on or before the first Monday of December next after the election." Vice Chairman Gurganus made the Motion to Approve of the Public Office Bond for Maurice LeDrew Robinson, with a Second by Commissioner Taylor. The Motion was Carried by a raise of hands (4-0). 3. Voters Registration According to N.C.G.S. $ 162-2: "(a) No person shall be eligible for the office of sheriffi if any of the following apply: (1) The person is not of the age of21 years. (2) The person has been convicted ofa felony in this State, the United States, or any other state, whether or not that person has been restored to the rights of citizenship or granted an expunction. This subdivision shall not include an unconditional pardon ofinnocence. (3) The person is not a qualified voter in the county in which the candidate is chosen. (b) Notwithstanding Article 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes, any person filing a notice of candidacy, or any appointee selected to fill a vacancy, to the office of sheriff shall provide a statement of disclosure prepared by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 17E ofthe General Statutes. (c) No person shall engage in the practice of law or serve as a member of the General Assembly while serving as sheriff." Commissioner Taylor made the Motion to Approve of the Voters Registration for Maurice LeDrew Robinson, with a Second by Commissioner Bond Jr. The Motion was Carried by a raise ofhands (4-0). APPOINTMENT OF SHERIFF In pursuant to N.C.G.S.S 162.5, Chairman Ayers asked for a motion regarding Chief Deputy Sheriff Maurice LeDrew Robinson to be appointed Sheriff of Martin County to fill the vacancy created for the position of High Sheriff of Martin County by the retirement of Sheriff Tim Manning. This appointment shall be effective immediately and shall continue for the unexpired term of said Sheriff Tim Manning Vice Chairman Gurganus made the Motion to Appoint Maurice LeDrew Robinson as Martin County Sheriff, with a Second by Commissioner Taylor. The Motion was Carried by a raise of hands (4-0). SWEARING IN CEREMONY - SHERIFF'S OFFICE The Honorable Chief District Judge Regina Parker made comments regarding Sheriff Robinsons' great character and personality, fairness, his abilities to balance compassion and law enforcement, and his deservedness in being appointed as Sheriff. Chief District Judge Parker expressed how proud and honored she was to have had the opportunity to watch Sheriff Robinson grow in all of his endeavors. ChiefDistrict Court Judge Parker also thanked tormer Sheriff, Mr. Tim Manning, for his long years of service and dedication. ChiefDistrict Judge Regina Parker conducted the swearing in ceremony, wherein newly appointed Sheriff Maurice LeDrew Robinson was administered the Oath of Office. Sheriff Robinson was joined by his wife and children. Former Sheriff, Tim Manning, presented Sheriff Robinson with a pen from the North Carolina Sheriff's Association Swearing in ofChief Depuly Sheriff Brent Council Chief District Court Judge Parker conducted the searing in ceremony for the new Chief Deputy Sheriff, Brent Council, who was joined by his family. Swearing in ofthe Sheriff's Office Deputies, Civilian Staff and Chaplin's Chief District Court Judge Parker conducted the searing in ceremony for the Sheriff Office's Deputies, Civilian Staff, and Chaplin's. Newly appointed Sheriff Robinson thanked the Board, Sheriff's Office, and the public before addressing the Sheriff's S Office, Presentation ofthe Long Leaf Pine Award to Mr. Tim Manning, former Sheriff Sheriff Robinson presented the Long Leaf Pine Award to former Sheriff, Mr. Tim Manning, which is the highest honor to be received in North Carolina. Sheriff Robinson read the official "toast" to the State of North Carolina engraved onto the Long Leaf Pine Award plaque. Former Sheriff Manning thanked the audience, Sheriff's Office, and audience for their support and allowing him to serve for more than 30 years as Sheriff. Former Sheriff Manning also thanked his wife, Mrs. Vickey Manning, who recently retired from the Marin-lyel-Washingion Health Department after many years of service. Mr. Manning made positive comments regarding Sheriff Robinson and wished him the best in his new endeavor as Sheriff. Before the meeting adjourned, it had been tradition for Law Enforcement to sign off on their radio before retiring. Former Sheriff Manning was given a radio and signed off for the last time as Sheriff. Before adjourning, each member of the Board of Commissioners made comments towards former SheriffTim Manning and newly appointed Sheriff Drew Robinson. Commissioner Smith attended the meeting via phone call and was also given the opportunity to make comments. Adjournment: At 3:45 p.m. Vice Chairman Gurganus made the Motion to adjourn the meeting, with a Second by Commissioner Taylor. The Motion was Carried unanimously. feRls Joe R/Ayers, Chairman Martin County Board of Commissioners fuli L - Julia S. Rease Clerk to the Board