ALBERT KIRBY - NC House Republicans



Albert KirbyInternet & Social Media ReviewJuly 8, 2020Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u ALBERT KIRBY PAGEREF _Toc45277897 \h 4Summary of Findings from Internet & Social Media PAGEREF _Toc45277898 \h 4Social Media: PAGEREF _Toc45277899 \h 6Facebook: PAGEREF _Toc45277900 \h 6Twitter: PAGEREF _Toc45277901 \h 8LinkedIn: PAGEREF _Toc45277902 \h 11Campaign Website: PAGEREF _Toc45277903 \h 12Bladen Journal: PAGEREF _Toc45277904 \h 15Kyle Cashwell honored for county service (10/7/2015) PAGEREF _Toc45277905 \h 15Baldwin Branch honors two mothers, graduates (6/12/2018) PAGEREF _Toc45277906 \h 17County commissioner races attract 15 (12/20/2019) PAGEREF _Toc45277907 \h 18Project Vote Smart: PAGEREF _Toc45277908 \h 19Bio (Undated) PAGEREF _Toc45277909 \h 19Funding (Undated) PAGEREF _Toc45277910 \h 20Ratings & Endorsements (Undated) PAGEREF _Toc45277911 \h 21Sampson Independent: PAGEREF _Toc45277912 \h 23Kirby seeks NC House Dist. 22 seat (12/14/2019) PAGEREF _Toc45277913 \h 23Other Internet Hits: PAGEREF _Toc45277914 \h 25Ballotpedia: Albert Kirby Jr. (Undated) PAGEREF _Toc45277915 \h : Albert Kirby (Undated) PAGEREF _Toc45277916 \h 26Voter : Albert David Kirby (Undated) PAGEREF _Toc45277917 \h : N.C. Sheriff Says Drug Team Funds in Jeopardy (7/16/2012) PAGEREF _Toc45277918 \h 28North Carolina's Southeast: COUNTY OKS ECONOMIC INITIATIVE THAT COULD SECURE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SAMPSON, OTHERS (2/13/2013) PAGEREF _Toc45277919 \h 31NOVI Energy: Sampson County OKs incentives package for 2 hog waste power plants (1/9/2016) PAGEREF _Toc45277920 \h 34Redistricting.edu: Covington v State of North Carolina (2016) PAGEREF _Toc45277921 \h 36Brennan : Dickson v. Rucho (6/30/2016) PAGEREF _Toc45277922 \h 39North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper: Gov. Cooper Announces Judicial Appointments in Three Districts (12/22/2017) PAGEREF _Toc45277923 \h 43Sun Journal: Albert Kirby named judge in District 4A (2/13/2018) PAGEREF _Toc45277924 \h 44Campbell Magazine: Sampson County's first black superior court judge 'fought for everything he has' (Winter 2018) PAGEREF _Toc45277925 \h 46WNCT: Man pleads guilty to 2014 fatal shooting in Duplin County (3/23/2018) PAGEREF _Toc45277926 \h 48JD News: Candidates speak, mingle in Richlands (10/25/2018) PAGEREF _Toc45277927 \h 49NC State AFL-CIO: NC Labor 2020 Voter Guide (2/13/2020) PAGEREF _Toc45277928 \h 50ALBERT KIRBYSummary of Findings from Internet & Social MediaThe following is a summary of findings based on a review of Albert Kirby, Democrat candidate for North Carolina House District 22:"Liked" Tweets Criticizing Trump over McCain Tweets: In March 2019, Kirby "liked" several tweets criticizing President Trump's tweets attacking the deceased Senator John McCain over his role in the Steele Dossier and vote against repealing Obamacare, and complaint that he didn't get a thank you from the McCain family after he gave his "approval" for the type of funeral the Senator would have wanted.“Liked” Tweet about Pence Having to Meet with Gay Irish Politician: Kirby liked a tweet from comedienne Ellen DeGeneres in which she snarkily remarked that she was “very happy” to hear that Vice President Mike Pence had to meet with Ireland’s openly gay prime minister and his boyfriend.Claims to be Conservative; Constitutionalist: In a news article after he was appointed to his judgeship, Kirby stated he was a strong Christian, a "very conservative" Democrat, and a "constitutionalist" who does not believe you should create law from the bench.Opposed Incentives for Hog Waste Plants: In January 2016, the Sampson County Board of Supervisors approved a package of performance-based business incentive payments to NOVI Energy to build two hog waste power plants in the County. It was projected that the plants would bring at least 36 jobs to the county. Kirby was the sole dissenting vote to provide the company with the business incentive payments.Voted Against Cutting Sheriff's Budget: As a member of the Sampson County Board of Commissioners in 2012, Kirby voted against a proposal to cut funds from the Governor's Highway Safety Program and reassign the personnel to courtroom security duties. This would have eliminated the Sheriff Office's Criminal Interdiction Team, a five deputy and two-canine unit that patrols the county's roadways. Kirby said he would "never propose to tell the sheriff how to run his department".Endorsed by Big Labor: Kirby has been endorsed by the North Carolina chapter of the labor union giant AFL-CIO.Zero Score from NRA: Kirby has a 0% score from the National Rifle Association for 2020, meaning he either opposed all of the gun rights group's positions, or he declined to participate in their candidate survey.Listed as Potential Witness in Redistricting Lawsuit: In court papers filed in 2016, Kirby was listed as a potential witness in Covington v. North Carolina, a lawsuit brought by several voters who claimed that 28 majority-black districts in the new redistricting plan were unconstitutional racial gerrymandered districts. He was also listed as a plaintiff in a similar suit that year.Campaign in the Red: According to Project Vote Smart, Kirby's campaign appears to have done no fundraising, with its sole $1,800 contribution - from Kirby - apparently returned to himself. It is unclear when Project Vote Smart last updated their figures.Unsure how to Pay for Employee Benefit Plan: Echoing concerns of small businesses, Kirby tweeted in March 2013 that he was thinking about a “pay plan” for his employees but didn’t know how they were going to pay for it.Social Media:Facebook: Kirby only appears to have a Facebook page, which hasn’t been updated – at least publicly – since April 2019.A review of the little content that is posted on the page revealed nothing problematic or controversial:Campaign Page: Kirby has a campaign Facebook page, which was created in January, but only has 12 “likes” as of 7/6/2020, and only one post of any substance – announcing his endorsement by the state AFL-CIO:lefttop00Twitter: None of Kirby's tweets appear to be controversial. However in 2019, he "liked" several tweets criticizing President Trump's tweets attacking the deceased Senator John McCain over his role in the Steele Dossier and vote against repealing Obamacare, and complaint that he didn't get a thank you from the McCain family after he gave his "approval" for the type of funeral the Senator would have wanted.Kirby liked this tweet from comedienne Ellen DeGeneres that noted she was “very happy” to hear that Vice President Mike Pence had to meet with Ireland’s openly gay prime minister and his boyfriend:Echoing concerns of small businesses, Kirby tweeted in March 2013 that he was thinking about a “pay plan” for his employees but didn’t know how they were going to pay for it:LinkedIn: Campaign Website: About: Priorities: Bladen Journal:Kyle Cashwell honored for county service (10/7/2015) Kyle Cashwell is presented an award acknowledging his years of county service during a Monday meeting. Commissioners Sue Lee and Harry Parker made the presentation. Kyle Cashwell is presented an award acknowledging his years of county service during a Monday meeting. Commissioners Sue Lee and Harry Parker made the presentation. -Nearly a year ago, Kyle Cashwell was in a farming accident that changed his life and those of his loved ones forever, taking his leg and one of the arms he used to help countless others as a Sampson County paramedic. While his life and body have been transformed, Cashwell said, it is for the better.What happened since that near-death incident on Oct. 20, 2014 has been nothing short of a miracle. The community rallied around the Cashwell family — Kyle, wife Kristy and their three children — and on Monday night, Kyle, with Kristy by his side, was honored for his years of service to the county.A county paramedic from Feb. 13, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2015, Kyle thanked county officials and county commissioners, who reciprocated their gratitude. Sampson Board of Commissioners vice-chairman Sue Lee, the presiding chair for the night, presented Cashwell with a plaque “in acknowledgment and grateful appreciation of your dedicated service to the citizens of Sampson County,” she noted, reading from the plaque.Cashwell said it was his honor.“I would like to thank the county for allowing me to work with you, to learn and be able to serve the people of Sampson County while living in the county as a resident,” he attested.Cashwell offered specific thanks to Emergency Management director Ronald Bass and the EMS staff for “doing an excellent job protecting me, from the time they picked me up from my accident … they have been a great blessing to me and my family.”He also called his EMS supervisor Kevin Hairr “a great leader.”“It was a blessing to work with someone that cared about the people of the county and wanted everything done right,” Cashwell said, who repeatedly thanked others during his brief speech, his voice shaking at points. “I just really would like to thank you to everyone. Thank you.”On that fateful fall day in October 2014, Cashwell was snapping corn in the field as part of his second job as a farmer. His wife Kristy had already left for work at Southwood Nursing Home and their three children were in school. When the snapper got jammed, Cashwell disengaged and dismounted it in an effort to solve the problem. When the equipment jumped back into gear, it entangled Cashwell’s right arm and leg.Cashwell was able to get to his phone and call for help and soon EMS, firefighters and law enforcement officers converged on the scene. Cashwell was whisked away by emergency personnel to Garland, where Duke Life Flight took him directly to the hospital’s intensive care unit. Cashwell had numerous surgeries in the weeks and months that followed and ultimately lost his right arm and leg.But what he gained was far greater.In the wake of Cashwell’s accident, the community threw its full support behind the Cashwells, raising money through the sale of bracelets, signs, T-shirts and baked goods, as well as holding turkey shoots, tractor pulls, dances, cornhole tournaments, silent auctions, barbecue plate sales and raising funds in various other ways.Throughout the whole ordeal, more than 3,000 people followed Cashwell’s condition on the “Praying for Kyle Cashwell” Facebook page, where Kristy posted heartfelt posts day and night about how Kyle and the rest of the family were faring, requesting prayers and sharing her love for everyone’s support.Kristy was by Kyle’s side again Monday night, as commissioner after commissioner offered their immense gratitude to Cashwell for his service, including Lee, Harry Parker, Albert Kirby and Clark Wooten.“It was a pleasure and an honor meeting you,” Lee said.“I have been in the county for about six years, and I have met a lot of interesting people who you can truly admire,” said County manager Ed Causey. “I believe Mr. and Mrs. Cashwell will be the first ones to tell you that a lot of people in the community have come forward, supported them and offered them many lessons.Others have gotten the better part of the deal, he and others said.“This gentleman has the personality, the spirit and the motivation that whatever has been done for him, he has been much more of a blessing to the people that have come into contact with him,” Causey continued. “He is someone that, if your spirits are down, you need to spend a few minutes talking to him and let him show you how to get lifted up and press along.”Parker credited Cashwell with “setting the bar very high” for others at EMS, something to which everyone should aspire.“We are so proud,” Kirby stated. “We got the better of the deal with you working at EMS.”Cashwell modestly accepted the thanks, and said his life has changed for the better — and he has his family and community to thank for that.“It’s been a blessing to me and my family. Everybody in Sampson County has gone above and beyond. They came out and did things they didn’t have to do,” he remarked. “To be in a county that people will come out and help each other … things people didn’t have to do and they did them. The Lord has blessed me and my family. I’ve lost an arm and a leg, but my life’s better now than it’s ever been. I would just like to say thank you again.”Baldwin Branch honors two mothers, graduates (6/12/2018) ELIZABETHTOWN — Baldwin Branch Missoinary Baptist Church recently selected its Mothers-of-the-Year, as well as recognized the graduates in its congregation.Ardenlian “Dean” Jessup and Hilda F. Cromartie were chosen as the church’s Mothers of the Year — Jessup due to her “enthusiasm and effectiveness in all that she does as a member. She is dedicated to the ushers ministry and the United Voices Choir”; and Cromartie because “she is a very committed mother, extremely friendly, outgoing and a friend to all that attend the worship services during her ushering experience. She is known for her magnificent and famous chicken salad.”Baldwin Branch also recognized the 2018 graduates from pre-kindergarten to primary school, primary to middle school, middle to high school, high school to college, college grads and their N.C. Theological Seminary graduates. Jamari Adams-Peterson, Jabari Adams-Peterson and Braylon Cromartie provided the offertory declaration. Members obtaining degrees prior to 2018 participated as the alumni. Albert Kirby, N.C. Superior Court judge for District 4A, was the guest speaker. His message to all assembled was “The Power of Knowledge.”Also recognized was Cadet Kieara Porter, a member of da Branch’s Youth Ministry and the Youth-Teen Choir. She has been recognized by Military Officers Association of America for her demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership. She is a rising senior at West Bladen High School.County commissioner races attract 15 (12/20/2019) ELIZABETHTOWN — Five candidates added their names for Bladen County commissioner positions in the final two days of filing.The period began Dec. 2 and closed Friday at noon. It includes all races in the presidential year cycle for 2020, sans the Bladen County Soil & Water Conservation District. That filing is in the summer.The primary is March 3 and the general election is Nov. 3....For some select races, here’s who filed:? U.S. House District 7: Democrats Mark Judson of Apex, Christopher Ward of Tabor City and Robert Colon of Wilmington, and Republicans David Rouzer and Pete D’Abrosca, both of Wilmington. The filing of D’Abrosca has since been canceled.? N.C. Senate District 8: Democrat David Sink of Leland; Libertarian Anthony Mascolo of Shallotte, and Republican Bill Rabon of Winnabow. Rabon is the incumbent.? N.C. House District 22: Democrats Tony Denning of Elizabethtown and Albert Kirby Jr. of Clinton; Republican William Brisson of Dublin. Brisson is the incumbent.Project Vote Smart:Bio (Undated) Funding (Undated) Ratings & Endorsements (Undated) Sampson Independent: Kirby seeks NC House Dist. 22 seat (12/14/2019) With goals to help the people who call Sampson and Bladen counties home, Albert Kirby Jr. is running for North Carolina House District 22 seat.The local Democrat is seeking an office currently held by incumbent Rep. William Brisson, who underwent a midterm party swap from Democrat to Republican in 2017. Brisson has served seven terms.“I’m excited about about getting involved in an effort to help the people of Sampson and Bladen counties,” Kirby said. “I want to push very hard to get more money in rural areas, specifically our area.”Kirby, a Clinton native, grew up on a tobacco farm and graduated from Clinton High School. He later earned degrees from Wake Forest University and Campbell University School of Law, before opening a private law practice. While studying, he was a clerk for the late Superior Court Judge Doug Parsons and the late Dale Johnson in the mid-1980s as he was finishing at Wake Forest. Johnson later got him into the firm, where he assisted on criminal cases.Kirby has more than 25 years as a public servant and has been an attorney for more than two decades. He was the president of the Sampson County Bar Association. He served as an assistant district attorney in Fayetteville and Pitt County, where he ran for Superior Court judge. For two decades, Kirby served as the board attorney for Clinton City Schools as well. He also served the residents of Sampson as a county commissioner for seven years.“As a county commissioner, I saw how rural counties in eastern North Carolina, a lot of times don’t get much money or their fair share of money that’s needed for our areas,” Kirby stressed. “That’s something that I feel really strongly about. We need money in Sampson and Bladen for schools, roads, and our farmers need help. They badly need assistance. Those are the things that are on my mind.”In 2018, he was appointed as Superior Court Judge for Judicial District 4A at the beginning of 2018 by Gov. Roy Cooper after the passing of Parsons. Kirby was defeated in the 2018 Superior Court Judge District 4A race by challenger Henry L. Stevens IV.After graduating from law school in 1986, Kirby served as an assistant district attorney in Fayetteville and then moved on to a position in Pitt County, at which point he was also an adjunct professor at East Carolina University. He taught a criminal justice class at night and enjoyed it so much he went full-time as an assistant professor, teaching for several years. In the early 1990s, Kirby came back to his hometown of Clinton. Upon his return, he established his own law practice. Through the years, he has focused on civil litigation, including personal injury, worker’s compensation, medical malpractice cases, and criminal cases.A football player during his time at Wake Forest, Kirby was also the recipient of the 2018 Gene Hooks Achievement Award, bestowed at Wake Forest University Sports Hall of Fame’s 45th annual induction ceremony. The award recognizes a former Wake Forest athlete, manager, coach or administrator “who has exhibited traits of integrity, charity, leadership, and who embodies the Pro Humanitate spirit that Dr. Gene Hooks, former director of Athletics, exhibited over his 45 years associated with Wake Forest.”Other Internet Hits:Ballotpedia: Albert Kirby Jr. (Undated). : Albert Kirby (Undated) Voter : Albert David Kirby (Undated) : N.C. Sheriff Says Drug Team Funds in Jeopardy (7/16/2012) One of the Sampson County Sheriff's Office's most effective crime-fighting tools may be in jeopardy, the sheriff says.It's the Criminal Interdiction Team, a five-deputy and two-canine unit that spends its days and nights patrolling the county's roadways.This crime-busting team does more than look for speeding drivers or expired vehicle registration tags or inspections, although that's part of their job, Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said.These deputies have received specialized training to help them look for signs that someone they've stopped for a traffic violation may be up to something more sinister."Not everybody can do this job," said Sgt. Robert Stroud, the CIT supervisor.But with a tight budget projected for fiscal 2013, which began July 1, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners is looking to cut costs to keep from raising the tax rate.The commissioners have been unable to reach a consensus on a budget and are scheduled to meet Tuesday to try again to come up with a plan.The CIT has been funded through the Governor's Highway Safety Program since it was formed.During a workshop earlier this month, Commissioner Jarvis McLamb made a motion to make financial cuts in several areas. That included a recommendation to do away with the Governor's Highway Safety Program and reassign the personnel to courtroom security duties, according to meeting minutes.The motion didn't pass, the minutes show. But a compromise motion, which called for keeping the CIT intact, deadlocked in a 2-2 vote.McLamb and Commissioner Albert Kirby voted against the measure.In a phone interview last week, McLamb said he was not targeting the CIT, but offering a suggestion.McLamb said his concern is Thornton "is spending too much money.""Anything he asks for, he seems to get," McLamb said. "His employees don't get raises because he spends the money on other things."In fact, McLamb said, he believes that the CIT is acting only on information provided by state and federal authorities."They relay the information and you (the CIT) can pick them up," McLamb said.Kirby, also in a phone interview, said he believes that all department heads need to look at making cuts and reducing their spending.Kirby said he did not agree with any plans to do away with the CIT."I would never propose to tell the sheriff how to run his department," Kirby said."My personal feelings, when it comes to crime, I detest it, I abhor it. It's something I would never, in any way, stand in the way of progress."Kirby said his issue stems from Thornton's request for a data computer system."I requested this to bid out pursuant to state bid laws," he said. "This has not been done, and I take issue to that."Enforcement economyThe same qualities that make Sampson County attractive to business endeavors lure criminal enterprises, law enforcement officials say.The county is centrally located among the military communities of Fayetteville, Goldsboro and Jacksonville, as well as Raleigh, the state's fastest-growing city.It has one interstate, I-40, which offers an easy drive to the port city of Wilmington. And, its north-south highways are more rural and less heavily patrolled than I-95.To the eye of a criminal, it could be 963 square miles of paradise."It's easier to hide in the woods than the city," Stroud said.CIT deputies are trained to look for cues that might not be picked up by regular-duty deputies, he said.Those cues may result in the arrest of people trafficking drugs, stolen property or illegal weapons in or through Sampson County, the sheriff said.It makes sense, Thornton said, when studies have shown that vehicles are used in or linked with 95 percent of crimes.Since its formation in 2005, the team has made more than 1,100 felony and misdemeanor drug arrests, Thornton said.The team has arrested or located 216 fugitives, filed 400 charges for property-related offenses and seized 106 firearms.CIT members have arrested 324 drunken drivers and issued more than 8,000 tickets for driving while license revoked, no operator's license and violations involving alcohol, registration and failing to have insurance.The CIT also has, since 2005, seized 510 pounds of cocaine worth at least $23.1 million; 319 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $1.4 million; and heroin valued at $562,500.Team members have uncovered seven methamphetamine labs and seized $524,745."With this proactive team in place, a strong message is being sent: That the Sampson County Sheriff's Office will not tolerate criminal activity," Thornton said.For now, Thornton and his deputies, especially the CIT, are waiting to see what will happen.Even though the unit appears to be safe for now, that could change."Having these five guys and two dogs are our only means of being proactive," Sheriff's Office Capt. Eric Pope said."If we didn't have this team, the deputies would be doing back-to-back calls. The days of routine patrol are over."North Carolina's Southeast: COUNTY OKS ECONOMIC INITIATIVE THAT COULD SECURE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SAMPSON, OTHERS (2/13/2013) The N.C. Tomorrow Initiative, a push toward a stronger economic future in not only Sampson, but the rest of the region and state, has brought about an in-depth report on counties, their data and potential projects that could aid in economic development should federal dollars be available.Joel Strickland, grant administrator for the Mid Carolina Council of Government, spoke to the Sampson County Board of Commissioners recently about a regional economic plan developed as a product of the N.C. Tomorrow Initiative. It encompasses Sampson, and is the result of a grant for which Sampson served as the lead applicant.“It was designed to be a statewide comprehensive economic development strategy that would help spur job creation,” said Strickland. “This plan was done locally, but the ultimate goal of it is to take this plan and other plans all across the state, roll them together into one big plan and hopefully leverage federal economic development funds.”The board accepted and approved the plan, as well as OKing a revised contract with MCCOG and adopted the existing Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan specific to the grant initiative. The documents are required by the state for the grant’s administration.In 2011, Sampson County officials were asked by the MCCOG to be lead applicant for the N.C. Tomorrow Initiative, a multi-county initiative to develop a regional, and ultimately statewide, economic development plan. The $50,000 grant has been administrated by the MCCOG, which facilitated the collection of data from area county stakeholders then crafted it into a regional plan by the Southeastern Economic Development Commission.“I had some concerns initially with whether or not Sampson County would actually get its fair share of funds generated,” said Commissioner Albert Kirby. “I was a little bit concerned that the more metropolitan areas would benefit more than we would. I’m not really certain that I’ve gotten a satisfactory answer, to be honest with you. I’m all for economic growth and it sounds good, but if Cumberland County or some of the bigger counties get more money than Sampson than obviously anything we put in would create a bit of an issue for me.”Strickland said he understood the concern, but could not give a definitive answer without knowing what kind of dollars would be coming in.“I can tell you from our COG standpoint that whatever money that would funnel down we would try to disperse it as fairly as possible,” he said. “It’s really hard to put a definite dollar amount on anything because we don’t have any definitive money that has come down yet. I can guarantee you we will do our best to make sure Sampson County gets what they deserve out of this, especially since you have served as the applicant for the process.”The Southeastern Economic Development Commission’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2012-2017 provides an in-depth look at the complete profile of Sampson and 11 other counties in the region. The 100-page report includes data concerning population, housing, infrastructure characteristics, as well as information on the agricultural and environmental economy, medical facilities and tourism.“It covers a wide gamut of in-depth data and gives a good regional profile,” said Strickland. “Essentially, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy was a plan that would attract new investment, businesses and jobs into the region, which includes Sampson County.”There were many partners involved in the process, including the state of North Carolina, Southeastern Economic Development Commission, The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, The N.C. Department of Commerce and the Department of Transportation.The report offers analysis of economic development challenges, opportunities and competitive advantages in the region. Economic clusters were identified where there were opportunities for success, among them agriculture, agribusiness, advanced manufacturing and military defense.The report also gives a plan of action, which encompasses five basic goals, objectives and strategies. Those goals are to build on the region’s competitive advantages; establish and maintain a robust regional infrastructure; create revitalized and vibrant communities; develop healthy and innovative people; and encourage entrepreneurs and small business growth.Vital projects are listed within the region so if, and when, money becomes available they can be addressed. Included among them are potential industrial projects off Interstate 40 Exits 348, 355 and 364 in Sampson County, as well as the N.C. 24 industrial corridor through the county, which will be widened as part of construction set for a mid-2013 start.“There is a lot of work being done at the state level to try to leverage some economic development funds for the state, which in turn would funnel down to the region,” Strickland said. “The liaison for the COGs said (at a recent presentation) there was a possibility of them being very close to acquiring $9 to $10 million from the feds to do some economic development work.”To that end, the report tries to identify and lay the groundwork for potential projects that can be addressed across the state should funding present itself for vital projects.“The plan is getting a lot of praise from the feds,” said Strickland. “HUD (Housing and Urban Development) and the federal government have been very supportive of the effort the state has put on, and are looking very closely at it as a model for other states to use. At this point, the development of the plan is complete.”Strickland said the planning process would be complete following some housekeeping items.The Division of Community Assistance requested certain corrective actions with regard to the grant’s associated documents. First, the contract between the county and MCCOG must be amended to include a clause that essentially notes performed work is subject to the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968.Additionally, the board adopted an Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, documents typically utilized for Community Development Block Grant housing projects. Local officials said those documents do not seem applicable to the non-housing related effort, However they are required by the state because the grant funding has been provided as a CDBG.Strickland said the three Councils of Government — Mid Carolina, Cape Fear and Lumber River — worked together to compile the final plan that will be submitted to the state. If there is federal funding up for grabs, having the report would only boost chances to secure it. he said.“The end result is the 101-page plan,” said Strickland. “I think it’s something the state will build upon and will be a good, productive document for the state to hopefully leverage some funds.”NOVI Energy: Sampson County OKs incentives package for 2 hog waste power plants (1/9/2016) CLINTON – Michigan-based NOVI Energy is moving forward with plans to build two anaerobic digester power plants in Sampson County after county commissioners approved incentives for the facilities.The proposed plants would bring at least 36 jobs to the county, according to John Swope, the executive director of the Sampson County Economic Development Commission.An anaerobic digester system converts manure methane into electricity.“We look forward to having the plants up and running,” Swope said. “We believe they’re going to be pretty benign. They’ll be a great fit for our region in North Carolina.”On Monday night, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners OK’d by successive 4-1 votes an offer of performance-based business incentive payments to NOVI Carolina I and II LLC over five years. The electric utility company, which is headquartered in the Detroit area, would receive an overall $522,348 per plant, based on the incentives package.Swope said the project means good jobs for Sampson County.“A number of good jobs,” he said. “Each plant would mean 18 new jobs. Maybe more, at an average salary of $38,000 a year. It’s a very nice taxable investment for Sampson. A $25 million investment per plant, and it could be as high as $30 million per plant.”NOVI Energy will provide the taxable investment of $25 million and tax revenues of about $1.7 million over the five-year stretch.Anand Gangadharan, the owner and president of the business, cited Sampson as a good fit for the company’s plans. “In North Carolina,” he said, “Sampson is a strong agricultural community and there’s a lot of feedstock swine waste for our processing needs.”The plants would be among NOVI Energy’s first to use all swine waste.The plants would take in organic material, in this case, biodegradable agricultural waste, to produce methane gas used to generate electricity by power engines, Swope said. The company, he said, plans to contract with area hog farms for their waste.The majority of the hog industry in North Carolina is in the southeastern region. Sampson County ranked No. 2 nationally among counties with $518.4 million in hog and pig sales four years ago, based on the 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture. Duplin County was first with $614 million.The Sampson County facilities, expected to begin operations by late 2017 or early 2018, would produce 4 to 5 megawatts of renewable electric energy that would be for sale on the electric grid system.“They have power purchase agreements with Duke Energy for those plants,” Swope said.NOVI Energy was established in 2002.Two years ago, the company failed in a request to build one anaerobic digester power plant in Sampson. Swope attributed this unsuccessful attempt to “the concern of citizens … The proximity of the plant. Their questions of the plant itself. They just were concerned about the impact it may have on their neighborhood.”That facility would have been built on a 40-acre site in the Sampson Southeast Business Center in Clinton.This time around, Swope said, there was no opposition from county residents.The board voted 4-1 in favor of approving incentives on each plant, with Commissioner Albert Kirby casting the lone dissenting vote on each request. Kirby could not be reached for comment.As proposed, the plants will be built roughly 20 miles apart. One will operate from an approximately 80-acre tract in the southern area of the county, on the Sampson-Bladen County line. The location is south of what’s known as the Tomahawk community.“There are no neighbors within close proximity,” Swope said. “It’s very isolated. Rural.”The second facility, he said, is planned for about 40 acres in the southeast part of Clinton in an industrial area identified for industrial development and zoned for heavy industry.“We are hoping for a successful experience in North Carolina,” Gangadharan said.Redistricting.edu: Covington v State of North Carolina (2016) Brennan : Dickson v. Rucho (6/30/2016) North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper: Gov. Cooper Announces Judicial Appointments in Three Districts (12/22/2017) Today, Gov. Roy Cooper announced three new judicial appointments in districts across North Carolina.“These North Carolinians bring decades of courtroom experience and dedication to public service to their new appointments,” Gov. Cooper said. “Their legal expertise and commitment to justice make them strong additions to our courts.”Gov. Cooper has appointed Carlos Janè (pronounced HA – nay) as a District Court Judge in District 22B, serving Davidson and Davie counties. He replaces Judge J. Rodwell Penry, Jr., who retired from District 22B earlier this year.Janè has worked as an attorney in private practice for nearly 20 years, specializing in criminal, civil, and juvenile law. He previously served as president of the Judicial District 22B Bar Association and on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Janè holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the Wake Forest University School of . Cooper appointed Albert Kirby as a Superior Court Judge in District 4A, serving Sampson, Jones, and Duplin counties. He replaces Senior Resident Superior Court Judge W. Douglas “Doug” Parsons, who passed away in September of this year.Kirby has been a public servant and attorney for more than 25 years. He currently serves as a Sampson County Commissioner and has also served as president of the Sampson County Bar Association. Kirby holds degrees from Wake Forest University and Campbell University School of . Cooper appointed Judge Karen Eady-Williams as Superior Court Judge in District 26A, serving Mecklenburg County. She replaces Judge Linwood Foust, who retired from District 26A in October of this year.Judge Eady-Williams brings more than 25 years of legal experience to her appointment and has served as a District Court Judge in District 26 since 2010. She previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in North Carolina’s Western District and as an Assistant Public Defender in District 26.Sun Journal: Albert Kirby named judge in District 4A (2/13/2018) Following the unexpected death of Superior Court Judge W. Douglas Parsons, District 4A has a new judge in the saddle: Albert David Kirby, Jr.The district covers Jones, Duplin and Sampson counties.Parsons, 67, died suddenly while visiting friends in Myrtle Beach last September and Kirby, who considered Parsons to be his mentor, was sworn in January 22nd. Kirby will complete the unfinished term that is up for election this November.Although he says he’s honored with the post and that he looks forward to the challenges it will present, “I have mixed emotions about it because (Parsons was) a dear friend and mentor I looked up to,” he said.He described Parsons as a very good lawyer, well respected in the community” who would “always reach out to me, when I had criminal law questions... I clerked for Judge Parsons when he was a lawyer. He took me under his wings as a young man in law school.”As a judge, he said, Parsons “was always accommodating, always available. He was one of the smartest persons I’ve ever known. He was compassionate. He really cared about people.”Kirby, whose law practice was based in Clinton, has a long resume spanning a quarter of a century.He graduated from Wake Forest and Campbell University School of Law and also got a couple of years of divinity school in. He is unapologetic Christian and part-time preacher. He does not see his moments as a member of the cloth as contradictory to his job as a judge.“There’s nothing inconsistent about that,” he said. “You must know that I am a Christian. I can’t change being a Christian. I’m not going to indoctrinate anybody from the bench. I don’t even mention anything about my religion in the courthouse.”He said he’s knows of at least one judge who is actually the pastor of a church as well.“I’m able to follow what Jesus said, to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” he added, citing Matthew 22:21.Kirby was an assistant district attorney in Fayetteville in 1986 and later an adjunct professor at East Carolina University where he taught a criminal justice class.He ran for Superior Court Judge in 1990 but lost the race.Establishing his practice in Clinton, he focused on civil litigation. He also served as Clinton City School’s board attorney and has served as county commissioner, a post he officially resigned upon taking his oath as a judge. He will also work as a judge throughout the Fifth Division, which includes Craven, Carteret and Pamlico counties.He plans to run for the office when it comes up again this November.Kirby describes himself as “a very conservative Democrat.He said he is a constitutionalist, “if by constitutionalist you mean that someone should not create law from the bench. A judge should follow the rules and be a student and protector of the rules as they exist.”He also emphasizes a responsibility to the citizens, that “they must have a sense that the system is fair and equitable to them.“It’s the people’s court,” he said. “It doesn’t belong to me. I think it’s wrong or arrogant for any judge to assume they are the court system. It is (the court of) the ordinary citizens who go to work every day.”Campbell Magazine: Sampson County's first black superior court judge 'fought for everything he has' (Winter 2018) WNCT: Man pleads guilty to 2014 fatal shooting in Duplin County (3/23/2018) A man plead guilty to a 2014 fatal shooting in Duplin County Superior Court Thursday.James Earl Newton Jr., 29, plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and first-degree arson in Duplin County Superior Court.Judge Albert Kirby from Sampson County sentenced Newton for 14-19 years in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.Warsaw police officer Leigh Combs was driving her patrol car on HWY 24 near the Warsaw KFC when she saw McKinley Beatty Jr.’s body in the road.Beatty was transported to the Duplin General Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to multiple gun shots wounds.He had also suffered from road rash.The Duplin County Sheriff’s Office found video surveillance that showed Beatty getting into the backseat of a vehicle that belonged to Newton’s mother.The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department later found the car burned and with three of the doors removed.When Newton was arrested, he told law enforcement he shot Beatty in self defense.The first-degree arson charge stems for a fire Newton set in the Duplin County Jail in 2015 after his arrest.JD News: Candidates speak, mingle in Richlands (10/25/2018) A meet and greet event between voters and those on the ballots was held Thursday night in Richlands.Candidates for Onslow County Board of Commissioners; Onslow County Board of Education; N.C. House; N.C. Senate; and N.C. Superior Court gathered at at the Agape Life Family Church to meet with residents and give short speeches about who they are and what they plan to do if elected.The Richlands and Jacksonville-Onslow chambers of commerce hosted the event. According to Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce Director and event timekeeper Laurette Leagon, the meet and greet format allowed for candidates to speak freely.The fact that despite the hurricane and the football games the candidates still showed up, she said, showed their commitment to holding or running for office.“It’s the chamber’s responsibility to get accurate nonpartisan information out about the candidates,” Leagon said. “We do give them the platforms to get their message out.”Amanda Cochran, owner of the Jacksonville Sylvan Learning Center, said she came to the event to learn more about her candidates.“I really enjoyed learning about their background,” Cochran said. “I think it’s important to know where they came from, because it really develops their vision and who they are as a leader.”It was especially important for Cochran to know the plans of people running for the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education, she said, because she is a business owner of an education-based business.What the candidates said...N.C. Superior Court Judge*Albert Kirby“I grew up tough. Nobody gave me anything. I struggled for everything I had ... I have been doing superior court work for 30 years ... I dealt with a murder situation here this week ... My granny used to always say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You’ll find no complaints from my superior court office at all.”Henry Stevens“With the North Carolina National Guard I’ve been mobilized 18 months and sent to the Iranian border. I’ve served on the Mexican border. I’ve served in Africa. I’ve been selected by the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army to serve as one of only very few National Guardsmen serving as a certified military judge.”NC State AFL-CIO: NC Labor 2020 Voter Guide (2/13/2020) Eastern Piedmont CLC slate for March 3, 2020Greater Sandhills CLC (Fayetteville area)U.S. Senate: Cal CunninghamGovernor: Roy CooperLt. Governor: Chaz BeasleyState Auditor: Beth A. WoodState Treasurer: Ronnie ChatterjiAgriculture Commissioner: Jenna WadsworthState Superintendent: Keith A. SuttonN.C. House 21: Raymond SmithN.C. House 22: Albert KirbyN.C. House 45: Frances JacksonPaid for by NC State AFL-CIO and not endorsed by any candidate or candidate’s committee. ................
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