Unfortunately, Sampson County usually only gains statewide attention when there is a major crime, tragedy or monumental agricultural spill. In other words, when our county gets regional or statewide press coverage, it’s often for all the wrong reasons.
However, this week, State Superintendent of Schools Maurice “Mo” Green visited the county Monday, and observed classes at Union Middle School to see how educators are putting Golden LEAF Foundation grants to work.
To add the exclamation point, on Wednesday, the governor has Sampson County on his schedule as the next stop for his rural listening tour.
That stop hasn’t been confirmed nor announced, but hopes are high he does show up here.
During Stein’s first stop on his tour, McDowell County, a press release stated, “He met with business leaders, local elected officials, and other leaders to hear their concerns and discuss priorities for strengthening their communities.”
Having the governor’s ear to talk about issues affecting us locally is a wonderful opportunity, one that we would be very fortunate to have. In a state with 100 counties, it’s so easy to get lost in the shuffle, especially among all the other rural counties, not to mention the urban areas, which often have the loudest voices due to having the largest population.
Rural counties’ tendency to get left out when state funding rolls around is part of the reason why the Sampson County Board of Commissioners retained a Raleigh lobbying firm to advocate for the county’s interests in the General Assembly.
While the governor, himself, can’t create legislation, unless it’s by executive order, being able to talk directly with the state’s top official can only be a good thing. We’re hopeful that through his rural listening tour, Stein, who has mostly lived and worked in more urban areas of the state, will grow to understand the needs that rural counties like Sampson have. It’s commendable that his administration has implemented this program, to help ensure that rural counties no longer feel ignored in the state capital.
For Sampson County Schools, it’s also encouraging to have the state superintendent walk the halls and observe our local teachers and students in action.
Green told The Sampson Independent he was impressed with the student engagement he saw Monday morning. It was a wonderful thing to hear, especially coming from the top voice for education in the state.
All too often, counties like ours only hear from state leaders when we’re being reprimanded for some violation or another, or have experienced a natural disaster. To have Green in Sampson County this week, and possibly the governor, is truly an honor and a privilege.
Let’s hope it wakes up the folks in Raleigh to both the struggles Sampson County is facing, and the triumphs we are celebrating.