Government - Randolph Record

09 Jan

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has COVID

Associated PressGovernment, Nation, NewsAOC, COVID

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has tested positive for COVID-19 and “is experiencing symptoms and recovering at home,” her office said in a statement Sunday evening. The Democratic congresswoman’s office said Ocasio-Cortez received a booster shot last fall. With the nation dealing with another surge of the virus since the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant, numerous members of Congress have reported breakthrough cases despite being fully vaccinated and boosted.

15 Dec

Board of Elections meeting nixed for December

Randolph RecordGovernment, PoliticsAsheboro, board of elections, Melissa Johnson, N.C. Supreme Court

ASHEBORO — This week’s meeting of the Randolph County Board of Elections was canceled after the recent rescheduling of 2022 primaries in the state. Melissa Johnson, who’s director of the Randolph County Board of Elections, sent a notice announcing the cancellation of Tuesday’s meeting. The next meeting of the board is set for 5 p.m. Jan. 11. Last week, the North Carolina Supreme Court suspended candidate filing for all offices for the 2022 primary election. This included municipal contests. In doing so, the North Carolina Supreme Court pushed back the date of the primary from March 8 to May 17.…

15 Dec

McNeill won’t run for re-election

Randolph RecordGovernment, News, PoliticsAllen McNeill, government, Neal Jackson, politics

ASHEBORO — Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph) announced last week that he won’t seek re-election for another term in N.C. House in 2022. McNeill is in his fifth full term in the House after replacing long-time Randolph County representative and former Speaker of the House, Harold Brubaker. Neal Jackson, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennet, announced last week that he would run as a Republican to replace McNeill.

01 Dec

General Assembly wraps up long session

Randolph RecordGovernment, News, PoliticsGeneral Assembly, long session, NCGA, wrap up

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up late Monday nearly all of its work for the calendar year, although vetoes, redistricting rulings or other items could bring lawmakers back to Raleigh for more activity within weeks. The session, which began the session in January, ended with votes on more than a dozen measures before members of the House and Senate left Raleigh. One bill heading for Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk — that sources say he is likely to veto — would prohibit election boards and officials in counties from accepting private money to run elections, which happened…

24 Nov

State budget includes county projects

Randolph RecordGovernmentrandolph county, Roy Cooper, state budget

RALEIGH — The recently passed state budget was the first to be enacted in a span of over three years and marked the only budget bill signed by Gov. Roy Cooper. The two-year state budget passed the state House with a vote of 104-10 and in the State Senate 41-7. Both of those vote totals would have been more than enough to overcome a gubernatorial veto. The Randolph County’s three primary representatives in Raleigh — Rep. Pat Hurley, Rep. Allen McNeill, and Sen. David Craven — all have seats on budgetary committees in the legislature. Hurley and McNeill both serve…

20 Nov

County seeks to fill spot on planning board

Randolph RecordGovernmentplanning board, randolph county, zoning board

ASHEBORO — There’s an opening on Randolph County’s planning board and zoning board of adjustment after the passing of Ralph Modlin. Modlin, 69, was an Archdale man. He died Oct. 26. Commissioners praised his dedication to the planning and zoning board along with his impact. Commissioners chairman Darrell Frye said suggestions regarding a replacement for Modlin on the board should be submitted to county manager Hal Johnson. “He was always very diligent and had a great personality,” county attorney Ben Morgan said of Modlin. Frye said funeral services for Modlin were among the highest attended that he could recall at…

18 Nov

Franklinville’s tight races lead to mayoral change

Bob SuttonGovernmentelection, Franklinville, mayor

A.C. Hurley FRANKLINVILLE — A.C. Hurley has spent more than two decades in municipal government as a town commissioner in Franklinville. He’s moving to another seat after an incredibly close election earlier this month. “I want to get more for the people in the town,” Hurley said. Hurley received 50 votes. Incumbent Perry Conner, who was seeking a fifth term as mayor, received 49 votes. Hurley, who has been on the town board for about 28 years, didn’t file for the mayor’s seat until the final day of the filing period in the summer. He said he weighed the pros…

03 Nov

Staffing shortages, increase in calls strain emergency services

Bob SuttonGovernment, Newsambulances, emrgency services, EMS

ASHEBORO -- A staff shortage is a concern for Randolph County’s emergency services, department director Donovan Davis said. In a report to the county commissioners at the October meeting, Davis provided details on the challenges facing his department, particularly with call loads increasing. EMS staffing has become a concern, with Davis telling the commissioners that staff members are often frustrated and / or exhausted. There are 18 vacancies throughout the department. That includes eight paramedic positions. Because of that, some vacation requests have been denied, adding to declining morale. “The reason is because of our staffing,” he said. At times,…

03 Nov

County schools use federal COVID education funds for bonuses

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, PoliticsCOVID, Education

Randolph County Schools employees will receive $5,000 RALEIGH — Some North Carolina school boards have announced they will use federal COVID-19 relief funds to give bonuses to educators. The Randolph County Public School System will pay every employee a $5,000 bonus, according to a resolution adopted by the school board on Oct. 25. The resolution described the bonuses as “retention” and “premium pay.” Alamance County schools are giving full and part-time employees a $3,000 bonus while Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools employees will get a $1,400 bonus. According to the American Rescue Plan’s ESSER "FAQ," a district can use federal Elementary and…

02 Nov

High turnout, GOP ground game impacts contested municipal races

Randolph RecordGovernment, News, PoliticsAsheboro, Education, local, schools

Hailey Lee, left, and current Asheboro School board member Gidget Kidd react to Lee winning a seat on the Asheboro City School board Tuesday, November 2, 2021 (The North State Journal) ASHEBORO — Municipal races in Randolph County are technically non-partisan races but the presence of partisan poll workers and field operations in this year's Asheboro races proved that politics is rarely without partisan influence. In this year's race for Asheboro City School board, the county Republican Party endorsed four candidates and sent mailers on behalf of their preferred candidates. Those four candidates — incumbents Baxter Hammer and Beth Knott…