KENANSVILLE — In action taken by the Duplin County Commissioners, at the Monday, Nov. 2 meeting, there was a decision to assist the Duplin County Veterans Museum in Warsaw, select a location for the employee health center and comment on the upcoming government audit report.

As a result of a meeting held earlier this year where the Duplin Veterans Museum financial situation was discussed, commission chairman, Cary Turner, brought to the boards attention for consideration that the county had not made any contributions to the county’s veteran’s museum. “I feel that this is something we should do. Not only will it show our support for this most worthy project it also would help the museum in pursuing other revenues if they were able to show they had the county’s support through us,” expressed Turner. “I have great respect for our country and especially the people make it possible for us to do what we are doing here this morning ... freely meeting and governing ourselves. We need to do our part in honoring those who have and are fighting for our freedoms.” Turner then turned the chair over to Commissioner Reginald Wells so he could offer a motion for the county expend $30,000 for repairs on the Duplin Veterans Museum. Following the unanimous voted Turner resumed the chair.

County manager Mike Aldridge reminded the board that Dr. Linda Recio of Evergreen Solutions would be present at the next meeting with the final report of the Duplin County Government audit that the board had requested. As a result of Aldridge’s statement several commissioners expressed concern that the preliminary audit report did not go far enough. “I thought the audit was to address every department and area of the county’s government but I did not see some areas covered in the draft report,” said Wells. “The library operations, Department on Aging, Register of Deeds nor Transportation Department, were covered in the draft. I want to know why and if they could be addressed by Evergreen Solutions before we settle on the final report,” chimed in commissioner David Fussell. “I just want to feel we are getting all we can from this audit. That is what we are paying for. We need to get the best bang for our buck.” Commissioner Frances Parks expressed that although the draft audit was very performance based, it needed to be more financially based. “This way we will be able to see if we can make changes that would save the county money.”

Aldridge presented to the commissioners that an attempt to negotiate with the owners of Liberty Square Shopping Center for space to house the county’s wellness center had fallen through as both parties could not come to terms on the costs. “Although the Liberty Square property did not work, I do have another suggested location,” stated the county manager. “It is my proposal that the county’s employee wellness center be located on the first floor of the Hardison Building located across the street from Duplin General.” Aldridge commented that since the building was a county owned property, the costs for establishing the employee wellness center there would be minimal. According to the manager’s office the only costs involved presently would be to arrange for entrance to the site after regular building hours for the employees to utilize during the evening or early mornings. “We have had several pieces of equipment donated to us. We just now have to get settled on the location and begin.” said Aldridge.

The board approved the location of the wellness center into the first floor of the Hardison Building and expressed that they hope the facility would soon be in operation for the county’s employees.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.