Garrison, Carney among NCABCO honorees

Black county officials’ organization honors four, hears from Cumberland judge on ethics, expectations

By Jason King
Assistant Communications Director

The N.C. Association of Black County Officials honored four individuals, including NCACC Past President Terry Garrison and former commissioner and current legislator Rep. Becky Carney, on Aug. 18 during the group’s annual awards luncheon.

NCABCO President Viola Harris of Edgecombe County honors Rep. Alma Adams (Guilford) with the Frederick Douglas Award. Adams was a primary sponsor of legislation that sought to increase the minimum wage in North Carolina. (Photos by Jason King)

Vance County Commissioner Garrison was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award for his tireless work to relieve counties of their Medicaid burden. Rep. Carney, a former Mecklenburg County commissioner and member of the NCACC Board of Directors, was presented with the Outstanding Service Award.

In addition, NCABCO honored Rep. Alma Adams with the Frederick Douglas Award for her efforts to increase the state minimum wage. Denise Giles, executive director of Cumberland Interfaith Hospitality Network, received the Humanitarian Award for her work in assisting homeless families and individuals find shelter.

Cumberland County District Court Judge Cheri Beasley addressed banquet attendees, urging them to adhere to an ethical code of conduct in their everyday personal and professional dealings. Beasley said African-American elected officials, in particular, have a higher level of expectations placed on them to adhere by this code.

“You’re obligated to be a voice for the voiceless,” she said, adding that county commissioners have the closest relationship with the public of any elected official and therefore should be the people’s most trusted leaders.

Beasley said that public officials are obligated to disclose conflicts of interest, and that disclosure guidelines are an attempt to restore trust in government.

She added that county officials are to be congratulated on their collaborative efforts on achieving county Medicaid relief.

“When people see you fighting so hard for them, it instills their confidence in you,” she said.

NCABCO also announced three Youth Leadership Scholarship winners: Irese Robinson, a Tarboro High School graduate attending UNC-Chapel Hill; John Campbell, a Lumberton High School graduate attending N.C. State; and Dexter Peele, a Bertie High School graduate attending Elizabeth City State.

During the group’s business session on Aug. 17, members heard from N. Carnell Robinson, chair of the N.C. Black Leadership Caucus. Robinson, who won NCABCO’s Outstanding Leadership Award in 2006, said he sees too many black county officials becoming advocates of county positions in the black community, rather than advocating for the black community at the county level and making sure the community’s needs are met in the budget.

Harris presents a President’s Award to James Bennett of Energy Systems Group for partnering with NCABCO in reaching its goals and mission. ESG, an NCACC Associate Member, sponsored the awards luncheon.

“You were elected to represent the black community at the county level – not the other way around,” he said. “There is no agreed definition of politics, but you need a working definition. Politics is the science of distribution. This is important – because you are a distribution point.

“If you can’t put black people in the budget, vote against it.”

Robinson also encouraged black commissioners to cultivate their relationships with the press and do their homework to be prepared for each meeting.

“Don’t ever come to a table where everybody knows more about the issue than you do,” he said.

NCABCO elects new officers in each even-numbered year. Officers, elected in September 2006, are as follows: President Viola Harris of Edgecombe County; First Vice President Walter Marshall of Forsyth County; Second Vice President Howard Hunter of Hertford County; Secretary Jackie Brown of Lenoir County; Treasurer Valerie Foushee of Orange County; Assistant Secretary Fannie Greene of Northampton County; Parliamentarian Billy King of Cumberland County; Membership Co-Chairs Pearl Burris-Floyd of Gaston County and Ronnie Smith of Martin County.