ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Commissioners met Monday to discuss and approve a short agenda. The meeting lasted just 45 minutes. 

First on the agenda was to recognize Bladen County employees for their years of service.

Latishia Flemings and Amanda Sykes each were recoginized for their service of five years at Social Services; Patricia Wagner has been at the Health Department for five years; and Debra Nelson has been at the sheriff’s departmnet for five years. All of these were present to receive their plaques. 

Others celebrating service years are: Faye Collins with 10 years at the Health Department and Teresa Hester with 15 years at the Health Department. Joseph Hatcher was recoginized for his 15 years of service with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Department.

In other business:

— The Rev. Bill Young spoke in the place of Ralph Sasser concerning the Southeastern Crossroads, Inc. He updated the County Commissioners on the proposed rehab center for drug and alchol treatment. The 75-acre center is located at 6092 Airport Road beyond the Elizabethtown Airport. Young introduced Dawn Madden as the center’s director of outreach and public relations. Maddden is currently writing grants and receiving contributions from indivuals for the center.

The Southeastern Crossroads, Inc. is a Christian-based organization. When complete, it will serve 11 counties.

“We are in hopes to have the first building complete within the next year, and many others will follow to help aid the folks with drug additions,” Young said.

— Alisha Evans, the county Geographic Information System supervisor, asked the commissioners to approve the next GEN Software, a new online tax data service. The service will allow residents to see their tax card and bills online. They will also be able to pay taxes online and numerous other services.  

The commissioners approved the proposal by a 7-2 vote, with Lewis Tatum and Charles Ray Peterson opposing. 

— Ted Carter, supervisior of Animal Control, updated the county commissioners with the status of the Animal Shelter and the progress made during the first few weeks of the year.