ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County is expected to soon join 97 other counties in no longer having a coroner.
Commissioners on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to be sent to the state legislature requesting the change. Chairman Charles Ray Peterson said the change is expected to happen “soon.”
Kenneth Clark is the coroner. Trish Force, a representative from the state Medical Examiner’s Office, gave a presentation and answered questions from commissioners relative to abolishing the position and moving the county to the medical examiner system prior to the resolution’s passage.
Clark, at the first opportunity near the conclusion of the meeting, told commissioners he met with Greg Martin, the county manager, on Friday and was informed of the pending change.
“I’d like to thank everybody for serving the county of Bladen for 17 years,” Clark said, his voice filled with emotion. “I’ve done it with my heart. I sure haven’t done it with the $26 a week.”
The resolution goes to Rep. William Brisson and Sen. Bill Rabon, Peterson said. In North Carolina, Bladen is one of just three counties that still have the position.
“It’s not something everybody wants to do for $5,600 a year,” Clark said. “I always thought I saved the county more than that.
“My heart is in this county. My question to the state, who will respond to natural deaths? The county needs to be covered. The hospital doesn’t know what to do with it. Just so you know, they don’t.”
Peterson replied, “I understand, and thank you for your service. The state is changing direction, and the medical examiners will take care of it. If that’s not the case, Miss Trish can come back and explain it.”
In an earlier segment for the public to speak, Horace Munn came forward with concerns about a building owned by East Arcadia and used for a lengthy period of time by Bladen Community College. He was before the commissioners Feb. 7 with similar concerns.
In the course of conversation between Munn and the board, it was acknowledged the building has repair issues to be addressed, some have already been fixed, and it was once the property of the county and given to the town.
The college used it through a lease agreement and has in the past helped with repairs. Ray Britt, a college trustee and commissioner, told Munn and the audience the college has met obligations as set forth in the lease.
Munn, a councilman and the fire chief in the town, said $15,000 in siding repairs are needed and he was under the impression the college would handle it. College trustees, so far, have not and both sides have turned to their respective legal counsel.
Munn doesn’t feel the town should have to pay. He more than once said the college had “pulled a ruse” on the town.
Before departing, he said the town “will fix it” but his intent was not clear. In his February visit, he offered veiled threats on behalf of the Bladen County Improvement Association.
Dr. Amanda Lee, president of the college, was in attendance to make a budget request presentation later alongside Jay Stanley, vice president for finance and administration. When finished and while still seated up front, she was questioned about the East Arcadia building — which was not mentioned in the college’s presentation — by Dr. Ophelia Munn-Goins, the commissioner representing the East Arcadia area of the county. She’s also the sister of Horace Munn.
Lee politely declined, citing Munn and the college each having legal representation.
Dr. Robert Taylor, superintendent of Bladen County Schools, followed with his budget request proposal and a short break was called by Peterson. Munn-Goins took that opportunity to step to the front row of the audience and further press the college, addressing the trustees’ board chairman, Dennis Troy, about the East Arcadia building as he and Lee talked.
The subject wasn’t broached again after resumption of the agenda.
Earlier in the meeting, commissioners took time for a proclamation for National Nurses Week, recognized Sherry Dowless upon her retirement, and recognized Bradley Kinlaw for his nearly decade of service as director of Emergency Services.
Grant Pait and Marianne Valentiner shared a report on the Healthy Bladen Kids Summer Program.
The board set a budget meeting for Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Bradley Kinlaw (front right) is congratulated by Charles Ray Peterson for his nearly 10 years of service to Bladen County as director of Emergency Services. Kinlaw has resigned to take a position with Harnett County. Greg Martin, county manager, is at right. Commissioners standing behind Kinlaw (from left) are Russell Priest, Ray Britt, Ashley Trivette, David Gooden, Arthur Bullock, Daniel Dowless and Dr. Ophelia Munn-Goins. Commissioner Michael Cogdell was present but not pictured here.