The panel elected the two at its May 31 meeting, when members considered a Level 1 Minor Subdivision flag lot review for the heirs of Carl Horner.
Hawthorne, planning and development director for the Moore County school system, succeeds Steadman Meares, who chaired the board until his retirement as the county’s public safety director several weeks ago. Jones is the N.C. Department of Transportation representative.
The panel includes professionals from such fields as highways, public health, public utilities, education, planning and emergency services. It studies subdivision plans and issues rulings. The general public is also represented.
DEMOCRATS —The Moore County Democratic Party will hold its regular meeting Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m. in Van Dusen Hall on the campus of Sandhills Community College.
County Democratic Party Chairwoman Katharine McLeod said all registered Democrats are invited.
CAMERON — Democrats in Cameron Precinct will meet Wednesday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at the home of Earl and Juanita Harbour.
Mary Alice Wicker, precinct chairwoman said all Democrats in Cameron Precinct are urged to attend and discuss a number of important issues. “Come and bring a friend,” she added.
TOBACCO TAX— The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is asking the state legislature to use part of a proposed tobacco tax increase to relieve counties of the Medicaid burden.
“It is time that North Carolina legislators raise the cigarette tax beyond its current 5 cents per pack, which is the lowest rate in the country,” said association President Breeden Blackwell. “A significant increase would discourage more children from taking up a deadly habit, which would in turn help curb the state’s drastically rising health care costs. Using some of the proceeds generated by an increased cigarette tax to relieve counties of the Medicaid burden would be appropriate because health problems caused by cigarette smoking are a driving factor of Medicaid costs.”
Blackwell is a member of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
“Instead of cutting Medicaid services, as the Senate budget proposes, the state should be looking for ways to reduce future Medicaid expenses,” Blackwell said. “An increased cigarette tax would accomplish that objective. Directing some of the proceeds to ease the county share of the state’s Medicaid expenses would also enable counties to better meet their mandated duty to build and maintain adequate school facilities. This would result in healthier, better-educated children.”
The association has repeatedly lobbied the General Assembly to remove the Medicaid burden from counties. With recent action by the New York state legislature, North Carolina is now the only state that requires counties to shoulder part of the Medicaid expense.
