Residents press county on Rebuild NC delays and urge revisiting noise ordinance; commissioners do not respond during comment period

Three members of the public addressed the Board of Commissioners during the petition/citizen comment period on Feb. 16.

Ray Griffin delivered a religious-themed comment urging community standards and expressing hope for moral renewal.

David French presented a lengthy and emotional complaint about Hurricane Florence recovery and the state's Rebuild NC program. He alleged mismanagement of federal and state rebuilding funds, criticized state and local elected officials by name in the transcript, and demanded action to help survivors he described as still displaced years after the storm. French said, among other charged allegations, that "Roy Cooper has committed crimes against humanity," and asked the board, "What do you have to say?" The chair interrupted and reminded speakers that the board does not respond during the public-comment period.

Tom Glasgow urged the county to revisit its noise ordinance to include barking dogs. He said research shows the majority of counties in Eastern North Carolina include barking dogs in their ordinances and argued that Craven County's exclusion leaves neighbors without adequate remedies for chronic animal noise.

Board protocol: the chair stated, "We don't respond to speakers at this time," and limited follow-up during the public-comment portion.

What happens next: these comments were recorded in the meeting minutes; any requested follow-up (e.g., ordinance review) would require staff or a commissioner to add the matter to a future agenda for formal consideration.