Roughly one year ago, Governor Cooper declared a state of emergency regarding COVID-19, and while an emergency is typically seen as a momentary crisis, this has been harnessed into the “new normal”, expanding bureaucratic control over citizens’ lives for an alarming period of time. Regardless of the continued state of emergency, our local officials are holding themselves to a different standard. The Kinston City Council and Lenoir County School Board continue to meet outside of their chambers and only through Facebook or Zoom. Are they afraid for their safety while asking their staff to be dismissive of their own? Are they worried about facing parents and the community in a real public forum again?

blogBJ MurphyFebruary 25, 2021roy cooper, bj murphy, city of kinston, city council, lenoir county public schools, covid-19, state of emergency, leadership, servant leadership, constitution

Mutual respect and communication

Councilman Sammy Aiken and I served together for 6 years. We probably disagreed on only about 5% of matters before our board. I'd attest it was largely because we rarely got caught up in national politics on a local level.

blogBJ MurphyOctober 12, 2020bj murphy, sammy aiken, city of kinston, mayor, city council, servant leadership, leadership, communication, respect, neuse news, studio