News

A Balanced Approach to Managing Growth Without Turning County Government into an HOA

February 19, 2024 | Comments Off on A Balanced Approach to Managing Growth Without Turning County Government into an HOA

Brunswick County Commissioner Frank Williams released the following statement regarding the “Tree Standard Overview and Unified Development Ordinance Update” on the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners’ February 19, 2024 agenda: “Managing growth is a major concern among citizens, and as a Brunswick County native who grew up in a very rural part of our County I understand and share their concerns. We can address some pressing issues in the short-term, and then complete a comprehensive…

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A Conversation With an Uber Driver

February 19, 2024 | Comments Off on A Conversation With an Uber Driver

by Frank Williams When I was in Washington, D.C. last week, I had an Uber driver who was obviously not originally from the United States. As I often do, I asked him where he was from, how long he has been here, and why he chose to immigrate to the U.S. He moved here from Ethiopia about 19 years ago and is now a naturalized U.S. citizen. He moved here because of opportunity, and eloquently…

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Brunswick County’s Rotary Clubs hold successful Mental Health Summit, screening of “The Veteran’s Battlefield”

February 6, 2024 | Comments Off on Brunswick County’s Rotary Clubs hold successful Mental Health Summit, screening of “The Veteran’s Battlefield”

SUPPLY, N.C. – The meeting room at Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation in Supply, N.C. was packed for the February 2 Brunswick County Mental Health Summit, which was organized by the county’s five Rotary clubs. Speakers at the event provided an overview of mental health issues in Brunswick County, information on resources available, a screening of “The Veteran’s Battlefield,” and an opportunity to network with resource providers. “Mental health is an important issue that affects every…

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Statement on Exploring All Options for replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in NCDOT’s Prioritization Process

January 24, 2024 | Comments Off on Statement on Exploring All Options for replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in NCDOT’s Prioritization Process

[January 24, 2024] – No one wants a toll, myself included, and tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge should be a last resort. The WMPO has already submitted the bridge replacement as a project without tolling, and I would like to see that as the eventual outcome.  However, NCDOT officials have suggested adding a second project submission that includes a toll to see how it scores in NCDOT’s prioritization process, with no obligation to construct the bridge…

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FEMA Administrator Announces Sweeping Changes to Disaster Assistance Program to Make it Easier for Survivors to Receive Assistance

January 24, 2024 | Comments Off on FEMA Administrator Announces Sweeping Changes to Disaster Assistance Program to Make it Easier for Survivors to Receive Assistance

[January 24, 2024] – According to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), last week FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the most comprehensive updates to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program in the past 20 years. Commissioner Frank Williams, who has advocated for simplification of FEMA’s individual assistance programs, said, “This is long overdue. I am cautiously optimistic that it is a step in the right direction, but the devil will be in the…

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