LUMBERTON — Pauline Campbell became the first African-American female to sit on the Robeson County Board of Commissioners on Monday.
The board’s chambers were filled at the start of the meeting by people there to witness the historic swearing-in event, , most of them Campbell’s family and friends, Campbell will represent District 2, the same district her husband, Berlester Campbell, represented before he died on Sept. 28.
She was selected by the Robeson County Democratic Party to receive the votes her husban won in the Nov. 6 general election. He was unopposed after winning a three-person Democratic primary.
“I learned a lot from my husband over the years,” Campbell said, as she read from a statement. “He left a legacy of service and I worked along and beside him, but I am my own person. I am dedicated to serving all of the citizens. I will try to make decisions that are in the best interest of the county. I believe we can work together to help Robeson County to continue to grow and prosper.”
She cited education funding, jobs, quality healthcare, drainage issues as some of her top priorities.
Commissioner Faline Locklear Dial said she is looking forward to working with another female board member.
“I anticipate great things to come with this board and with the new perspectives from the females,” she said. “I’m looking forward to a great year.”
The commissioners recessed for a short reception in Campbell’s honor.
After coming back into open session, the board members held a public hearing and approved a conditional-use permit from Gess International, headquartered in Raleigh. The permit allows for the establishment of a bio-gas facility on a 48-acre tract of land near Orrum currently zoned as Residential Agricultural District.
Seth Daughety, company grant coordinator, told board members the business that would convert chicken, hog and agricultural waste from area farms into natural gas.
The company would make a $40 million investment into the county, employ 16 people and contract with area businesses as well and create a new revenue stream for farmers, he said. The facility would be self-sufficient through the use of solar power.
Daughety said that if all goes well the business should be up and running next year.
There were five more public hearings during Monday’s meeting.
The first was a conditional-use permit request from David Nance, of Orrum, who wants to establish a used-car dealership on a 1.38-acre tract in a Residential Agricultural District. It was approved.
Holly Swamp Solar LLC was granted a conditional-use permit to allow for the establishment of a solar farm on 20 acres of a 102.50-acre tract in Raft Swamp. The land is in a Residential Agricultural District.
Teresa Locklear, of Smiths Township, received a conditional-use permit to allow the establishment of a family cemetery on a 3.55-acre tract in a Residential Agricultural District.
Shawn Roy, of Britts Township, was granted a conditional-use permit to allow for the establishment of a sign and car vinyl business on a 5.36-acre tract in a Residential Agricultural District.
Robin Oxendine, of Philadelphus, requested a conditional-use permit to allow for the establishment of a family cemetery on a single-acre tract in a Residential Agricultural District. That request was tabled until the March meeting because of a lack of information.
Also on Monday, Kathy Cummings, CEO of KV Consultants and Associates Inc, told commissioners the organization that deals in various forms of opioids and drug rehabilitation is opening up facilities that provide services to Robeson and other counties. Cummings asked the board for $5,000 to help get the 70-bed site up and running. The board took no action.
Rogena Deese, of the Robeson County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, asked the board to appoint Rodney Oxendine as a designee on the board and approve a resolution asking the state to provide more funding. The request was approved.
The board members reappointed Channing Jones, Robeson County Economic Development director, and Kimberly Gold, president of Robeson Community College, to the Workforce Development Board.
In other matters, Commissioner Raymond Cummings talked about the Clean and Green Program and how a lot of good ideas came out of the committee’s last meeting. Commissioner David Edge said retirees should be recruited to take the message of keeping highways and roads free of trash and debris to the schools to educate the children.
Edge also said he is starting up the Jail Committee, and there will be a tour of the jail at 11 a.m. Friday, followed by lunch and a committee meeting.
