Two state legislators honored with inaugural ‘Friend of the Counties’ award

Two former county commissioners turned state legislators – Reps. Becky Carney (Mecklenburg) and Carolyn Justice (Pender) – received the inaugural “Friend of the Counties” award for 2004-05 from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC). The award was presented Aug. 26 during the Opening General Session of the NCACC’s 98th Annual Conference, which was held at The Westin Charlotte in Mecklenburg County.

Both Carney, a former member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, and Justice, a former member of the Pender County Board of Commissioners, are in their second terms as members of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Carney and Justice were honored for their work on behalf of North Carolina counties. The two served as co-chairs of the County Coalition, a group of all former county commissioners in the General Assembly that was formed this year to help advance county causes.

“It is my privilege to bestow this honor upon these two legislators and former commissioners,” said 2004-05 NCACC President Breeden Blackwell of Cumberland County. “Over the past three years, they have been tireless advocates for county issues in the General Assembly.

“Local officials like to joke that all state elected officials should be required to serve at the local level before running for state office. Becky and Carolyn are a prime example of why that local perspective is important. It’s easy for state officials to forget where they came from when they reach Raleigh. Becky and Carolyn have remained steadfast in their understanding of and support of county government interests is critical.”

Nominations for the inaugural award were solicited from county commissioners around the state. The NCACC’s executive officers for 2004-05 (Blackwell, First Vice President Kitty Barnes of Catawba County, Second Vice President Terry Garrison of Vance County, Third Vice President David Young of Buncombe County and Past President Noah Woods of Robeson County) chose the winner after reviewing nominations.