GARLAND — With Attorney Alan Maynard sitting at the table, commissioners now have the help they need for legal matters and to accommodate his schedule, their meeting date changed.

Prior to a recent recessed session, the board of commissioners met on the second Tuesday of each month. With the appointment of Maynard, who was recently picked to fill a void, a unanimous vote was made to hold meetings on the first Tuesday.

Maynard was welcomed by Mayor Winifred Murphy and commissioners.

“We’re very pleased that we were able to hire a local attorney with municipal experience and we have close ties to you,” Murphy said.

Maynard, a law professional with 35 years of experience, is a native of Elizabethtown and graduated from East Bladen High School. He earned degrees in political science and law from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Some of his experience with local governments include Bladenboro and East Arcadia. He also provided legal services to the Bladen County Housing Authority and the Bladenboro Housing Authority.

Maynard began his duties with Garland, Thursday June 21. Micheal Porter, a lawyer from Fayetteville submitted a letter of resignation in April becuase of a heavy caseload and court schedule, which limited his time on the board. Porter said it was a pleasure to work with the board.

In the upcoming months, Maynard will assist commissioners on personnel polices and other legal matters.

“Once we appointed Attorney Maynard, which was effective immediately on the twenty-first, he did mention his availability to us and he started right away with helping us with our policies in our ordinance book,” Murphy said. “However, he indicated that he would not be available on the second Tuesday of the month, which is our regular meeting date.”

A resolution was later adopted to amend the town’s charter for a new date. Murphy mentioned that meetings started at later times, but changed to 6:30 p.m.

“(The time) seems to work for us,” Murphy said.

The change will take effect in August, which means the next meeting date is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday July 10, at Town Hall, 190 S. Church Ave. Next month, commissioners will meet at the same time on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Garland Commissioners and Mayor Winfred Murphy discuss town matters with Attorney Alan Maynard.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Garland_1.jpgGarland Commissioners and Mayor Winfred Murphy discuss town matters with Attorney Alan Maynard.
Attorney Maynard welcomed to town

By Chase Jordan

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