The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners has a new chairman.
Craig Hill was selected to the position in this week’s meeting, taking over for current chairman Reuben Davis.
Hill took over as chairman after the board agreed on the decision, finishing the rest of the meeting with the gavel. He said he is ready to fill the position for the county.
“I’m happy to serve,” Hill said. “We have strong board members, and for them to give me the vote of confidence to be in this position is the highest possible compliment I can receive from them.”
Davis, who recently said he wasn’t going to serve as chairman in 2014, said he believes Hill was a great choice, but any other commissioner could do a fine job as well.
“Anybody on our board would’ve been extremely qualified,” Davis said. “I didn’t know what would transpire and had no idea who would be appointed to the seat. Craig Hill is very qualified, thorough, has been involved in business administration and he’ll do an outstanding job without a doubt.
“I enjoyed working with the board members this year, but didn’t want to devote as much time to the job. I have no regrets about my decision, and even if the position would’ve been offered to me, I would’ve turned it down.”
Hill said he enjoyed his first meeting as chairman, but did have to make adjustments.
“Any time you have a new seat, there is a little anticipation,” Hill said. “Throughout the year, I’ve tried to stay on top of issues and do my homework. As chairman, you have to study more and be more of a facilitator. You can’t be as vocal; instead, you’re managing the meeting and discussion amongst the other board members.”
Commissioner J. Mac Daughety said he knows Hill will be a good leader.
“Craig will keep things fair and balanced,” Daughety said. “He will be a good listener for all board members and is unbiased. This is what the board needs.”
After Hill was selected as chairman, Jackie Brown was voted to be the vice chairman for the second consecutive year.
“I felt good and glad the board had enough confidence in me to keep my position,” Brown said. “I’ve chaired meetings when Reuben Davis was out, so I can do the job and the other board members think I’m capable enough to do it.”
Commissioner Eric Rouse, a Republican, said he has faith in Brown (a Democrat), but would’ve liked to see equal party representation amongst the chairmen.
“Jackie will do a great job as vice chairman,” Rouse said. “I would’ve liked to have seen a Republican chairman, which would show a good message to the citizens of the two parties working together, but this was still a good decision.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
