99th Annual Conference
Columbus’ Godwin named Outstanding County Commissioner

By Todd McGee
Director of Communications

During her tenure as NCACC president in 2005-06, Catawba County Chair Kitty Barnes made it a priority to get county commissioners more involved with the Association’s legislative efforts. Commissioners around the state answered the call, so when it came time for Barnes to decide on a winner for the 2006 M.H. “Jack” Brock Award, she admitted it was one of the toughest decisions of her presidency.

2006 M.H. “Jack” Brock Award winner Kip Godwin of Columbus County (Photo by Jason King)

“This was really a tough decision, because so many of you responded to our requests,” she said. “But one commissioner really distinguished himself throughout the year.”

Kipling Godwin, chair of the Columbus County Board of Commissioners, was named the Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year for 2005-06 for his tireless work on behalf of all 100 North Carolina counties. Barnes said Godwin was particularly involved in lobbying his local delegation to include $27.4 million of Medicaid relief for counties in the 2006-07 budget.

Godwin was also was successful in engaging the media. His efforts resulted in several editorials advocating county causes in The News Reporter of Columbus County and the Fayetteville Observer. He was also active in promoting National County Government Week, a public awareness campaign from the National Association of Counties to inform and educate citizens about county government.

“Whenever we put out the call for assistance, Kip was on the phone with his legislators,” said Barnes, who presented the award to Godwin during the annual President’s Banquet on Sept. 9. “He was a tireless advocate for his county and for the Association.”

The Outstanding County Commissioner Award has been presented annually since 1964. It was renamed the M.H. “Jack” Brock Award in honor of Brock, a former Harnett County commissioner who served as NCACC president in 1973-74 and won the award in 1981.

The award is presented each year at the NCACC Annual Conference to recognize a commissioner for outstanding work on behalf of every North Carolina county. Godwin is the first Columbus County commissioner to receive the award.

The Association also recognized two state legislators – Reps. Bill Owens (Pasquotank) and Wilma Sherrill (Buncombe) – during the conference by presenting them with the 2006 “Friend of the Counties” awards.

Retiring Forsyth County Manager Graham Pervier was joined by Board of Commissioners Chair Gloria Whisenhunt (far left) and a host of family members during the presentation of the Ayers-Hauser Award. Pervier is the sixth recipient of the award.

Rep. Owens is in his sixth term as a member of the state House of Representatives. He is a former Pasquotank County commissioner and served as NCACC president in 1991-92. He was recognized for his tireless work on behalf of counties in the General Assembly and for his role in securing a one-year cap on county Medicaid costs for 2006-07.

Rep. Sherrill is also in her sixth term as a member of the N.C. House. She was nominated for the award by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for her work on numerous issues of importance to counties throughout her time in the General Assembly.

“It is my privilege to bestow this honor upon these two legislators,” Barnes said. “Both of them have represented the needs of counties throughout their time in the General Assembly. It’s nice to have friends in high places.”

Nominations for the award were solicited from county commissioners around the state. The NCACC’s executive officers for 2005-06 (Barnes, First Vice President Terry Garrison of Vance County, Second Vice President David Young of Buncombe County, Third Vice President George Brown of Craven County and Past President Breeden Blackwell of Cumberland County) chose the winner after reviewing nominations.

Kay Blanchard of Harnett County was recognized as the 2006 Outstanding County Clerk, and Eugene Russell of Rockingham County was honored as 2006 County Attorney of the Year.

Graham Pervier, now retired as Forsyth County manager after 19 years, was presented the Ayers-Hauser Award for Sustained Exemplary Service in County Government.

Henderson County Assistant Manager Selena Coffey was recognized for being named the outstanding graduate for the 2005-06 County Administration Course offered by the School of Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.