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September 23rd, 2020 Newsletter
Dear Friend of Senate District 10,
Earlier this week, the General Assembly officially reconvened to kick-off the 2021 Legislative Session. During the ceremony, I was officially sworn-in and seated on the Senate floor to serve the people of Senate District 10. I am humbled and honored to begin my sixth term in the North Carolina General Assembly.
For the 2021 Session, I have been appointed as co-chair of both the Senate Appropriations and Senate Agriculture Committees. As an appointee to both committees, I will work on issues of importance to the 10th Senate District and all of North Carolina. While co-chairing the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to treat public taxpayer dollars as I would my own. As the co-chair of the Agriculture Committee, I will continue to work to address the needs and concerns of farmers today, as I have worked to do for the last decade in the North Carolina Senate.
I am excited to be appointed to both of these important committees once again. I believe that all of my committee appointments will allow me to ensure that the voices of my constituents are heard and give me the opportunity to continue to work on behalf of the people in Duplin, Johnston, and Sampson counties, as well as the rest of our state. I thank Senator Phil Berger, Senate President Pro Tempore, for the confidence he has in my ability to continue to do the work of the people of North Carolina along with the rest of my senate colleagues.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist you in any way possible.
Sincerely,
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Legislative Recap- Senate Resolution 1
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Session for the 2021-22 biennium has officially begun, and with that come new bills primed for consideration in the General Assembly. The very first bills passed by each chamber, House Resolution 1 and Senate Resolution 1, establish the rules by which each body will operate during the two year period. On the Senate side, the rules layout procedures for Committees, quorums, conduct on the Senate floor, and much more.
It is vital that these procedures be followed so as to maintain an orderly session each time the members meet. At the end of the day, the General Assembly and its members represent the people of North Carolina and the rules established help keep the process tidy, transparent, and respectful.
The full bill listing every rule for the NC Senate can be found on the General Assembly’s website here.
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Sampson DSS receives $371K to aid heating bills
According to the Sampson County Department of Social Services, $371,669 has been allocated this year to their Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), which helps those in need pay their heating bills and is now officially being offered to the public.
DSS has noted that around 576 people were automatically approved due to the fact that they received LIEAP funds last year, were 60 years of age or older in December, or someone in the household received the Department of Aging services.
The one-time payments are either going to be $300, $400, or $500. But it also takes into account the number of individuals in the house, the type of heating they use, and their income.
In December, people were approved for funds based on their heating source. If they used wood, they received $400 and if they used gas they got $300, and those who utilize electronic heating got $500.
For the regular LIEAP, people may be eligible based on the number of people in the home, income, and type of heating source. According to Price, the minimum payment maybe $300 and the max will be $500. On average people get approved for $300.
All households may apply from now until March 31 or until funds are exhausted.
According to DSS, the target population is elderly and disabled. It is too early to have a response rate for how many people have called to fill out the application. However, staff members have steadily gotten phone calls related to LIEAP funding. It is up to them to fill out the rest of the application.
To apply, access, and complete an online application via https://epass.nc.gov/; call the agency to complete the process by phone; fax a paper application; mail a paper application or drop a paper application in the agency’s external dropbox.
Vendors can register with DSS if they aren’t already. DSS looks at unearned and earned income and resources.
Questions about the LIEAP Program can be answered by calling the Sampson County Department of Social Services at 910-592-7131, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The operator will direct callers to the right location.
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The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office is pleased to announce $9,172,500 in federal grant funding to 22 historic preservation projects in 18 counties to provide recovery assistance for historic properties (including archaeological sites) damaged by hurricanes Florence and/or Michael that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
The State Historic Preservation Office has awarded hurricane recovery grants to the following recipients in District 10:
Town of Wallace to repair the Boney Mill - $361,880
TESS of North Carolina to repair the Princeton Graded School - $977,475
Funding from the congressionally appropriated Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF) administered by the National Park Service (NPS) allows the State Historic Preservation Office (HPO) to provide grants tied to historic properties in these counties that FEMA declared eligible for federal disaster funding. The program is designed to address historic property needs unmet through other funding sources (FEMA, insurance, etc.).
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Johnston County Troopers Honored
Several troopers from Johnston County received special recognition for 2020. The troopers were honored for their outstanding work keeping 1,825 miles of roadway in Johnston County safe, investigating collisions, arresting impaired drivers, and conducting enforcement campaigns all while dealing with the pandemic.
Trooper D.K. Douglas was recognized for making the most DWI arrests. He arrested 104 motorists for impaired driving. Trooper Douglas was also recognized for issuing the most charges, 2211 this year.
Trooper D.P. Tucker was recognized for issuing the most warning tickets, 202.
Trooper V.E. Rivera investigated the most collisions, 257.
Trooper C.M. Wilson issued the most Seatbelt charges, 491.
Trooper N.A. Hocutt was named the Trooper of the Year in Johnston County.
Currently, there are 24 state troopers assigned to Troop C6 in Johnston County.
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Volunteers of the Year Honored
In 2020, volunteers Kay Raynor, Debbie Roberts, and Helen Kearns thought of the idea to decorate downtown Clinton with Christmas trees. The idea was a hit and the women, for their diligence, have now been recognized by city officials as Volunteers of the Year.
The three volunteers have presented a certificate at the City Council meeting.
Clinton Planning director/Main Street manager Mary Rose stated that she was appreciative of the three volunteers.
Rose noted that several residents in Clinton sent in letters of appreciation for the Christmas Tree Project.
Richard Carr, Sampson County deputy clerk, noted that he and his wife walked two circles around the courthouse square and looked at every tree, paying special attention to the details of every tree.
Councilman Neal Strickland shared the fact that Council members felt that the Christmas trees made the city look like a Hallmark movie.
Raynor, Roberts, and Kearns stated that residents should just wait to see what’s in store for Christmas 2021. They are planning for next year and hope the businesses will get involved and let volunteers decorate their stores more this year.
Roberts noted that it may not replace Christmas in the City this year but it might change the way things are done from here on out. Raynor hopes that the Christmas Tree Project will coincide with the Christmas in the City event and add to the tradition.
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