New Bern Connection: Every first and third Monday, the Craven County Board of Commissioners quietly makes decisions that shape daily life across New Bern, Havelock, and Trent Woods — from the internet speed at your kid’s school to how fast a drone can find a lost hiker in Croatan National Forest. The July 6, 2026 meeting was no exception, and it delivered a mix of celebration, big-dollar infrastructure wins, and some of the sharpest public pushback the board has faced in months.
Why Should You Care About a County Commissioners Meeting?
Because it’s rarely “just business as usual.” The July 6 session opened with commissioners celebrating the New Bern Sunday School League’s 8U and 10U baseball teams, both undefeated state champions now headed to regional tournaments in Florida and Statesville. From there, the agenda moved into technology upgrades, opioid recovery funding, and a tense public comment period that touched on transparency and free speech. Here’s what actually matters for Craven County residents.
1. How Is the County Doubling Its Internet Backbone for Less Than $66K?
The I-42 expansion forced the relocation of 46 miles of county fiber optic cable, and IT Director Steve Bennett turned a logistical headache into a strategic win. The board accepted a bid from River City Construction for $400,255.94, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation agreed to reimburse $335,246.25 of that cost — leaving the county on the hook for just $65,969. In exchange, Craven County is doubling the capacity of its 20-year-old cable network, the kind of upgrade that only comes around once every 25 years.
“We hope that they don’t open up that ground for another 20 years,” Bennett told the board.
2. What Does a $25,000 Duke Energy Grant Buy for Emergency Services?
Emergency Services Director Stanley Kite secured a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to replace an aging drone that had reached the end of its five-year lifespan and could no longer receive software updates. The new unit’s biggest upgrade isn’t just sharper cameras — it can fly in inclement weather, meaning first responders now have eyes in the sky during the exact storms and search-and-rescue situations when a drone matters most.
3. Why Is New Bern Hosting the National Purple Heart Convention?
The board formally proclaimed Craven County a “Purple Heart County,” recognizing that the county has the third-highest veteran population percentage in North Carolina and is home to roughly 200 Purple Heart recipients. That heritage takes center stage from July 13–16, 2026, when New Bern hosts the National Purple Heart Convention. Mark your calendar for the commemorative ceremony at the Purple Heart Monument on the courthouse lawn, scheduled for July 16 at 1:00 p.m.
“The recipients of the Purple Heart have known the meaning of sacrifice in the preservation of the United States of America,” the proclamation read.
4. How Is Craven County Tackling the Opioid Crisis This Year?
The Realize U252 (RU252) program received continued funding across several fronts, signaling a shift toward evidence-based, long-term recovery infrastructure:
- $15,000 to help county residents cover tuition at recovery homes
- $7,000 for billboards and online public awareness marketing
- $6,200 to bring speaker Tony Hoffman to address every eighth grader in the county on resilience and prevention
Program Director Kaitlin Godley also confirmed the county is in early planning stages for a dedicated Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) house, a more clinical step forward in local recovery efforts.
5. What Sparked the “Censorship” Clash During Public Comments?
The meeting’s most heated moment came during the Petition of Citizens segment. Resident David French accused Chairman Denny Booker of halting the recording and sharing of general public comments on YouTube, calling it an attempt to “censor ‘we the people.'” French said the comments of several residents — including Cleopatrick Harut Lton, Reverend Robert Johnson, and Dr. Quas Fuaki — had been suppressed from the public record in recent months. He demanded the recordings resume immediately, along with a written apology from commissioners and a move to place public comments at the start of meetings with an extended five-minute limit.
“It is true democracy dies in darkness. We… are the light to shine upon all of you,” French told the board.
Reverend Ray Griffin added to the tension, pressing commissioners on a lawsuit over the use of religious language (“in the name of Jesus”) in public meetings, arguing that removing religious expression isn’t neutrality — it sends the message that faith itself is something to hide. Reverend Damon Keane also spoke briefly, saying he simply wanted to confirm he wouldn’t be censored after hearing rumors he’d be barred from speaking.
Other Notable Votes From the Meeting
- A new 24/7 on-call pay policy was adopted for IT and Maintenance staff, matching existing water department rates ($25/weekday, $60/weekend day, $80/holiday).
- The Havelock Pharmacy received $27,891 for a new primary and backup server system, with a revised completion date of August 31.
- The county reaffirmed funding for regional partners: $25,000 to Allies for Cherry Point Tomorrow, $25,000 to the Highway 70 Association, and $50,360 to the Craven 100 Alliance. Chairman Booker recused himself from the latter two votes due to his service on those boards.
- Six tax-foreclosed properties moved through the upset bid process, and three previously listed properties — including one on First Avenue that sold for $2,700 — officially closed.
- Shane Digan was recognized for his promotion to Budget Director, and Dwayne Alligood was promoted to Water and Engineering Services Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Craven County Board of Commissioners meeting?
The board typically meets on the first and third Monday of each month at the Craven County Courthouse. Check the county’s official website or agenda portal for the exact date and time.
When and where is the Purple Heart ceremony in New Bern?
The commemorative ceremony is scheduled for July 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. on the courthouse lawn in downtown New Bern, part of the National Purple Heart Convention running July 13–16.
How much will the fiber optic relocation actually cost Craven County?
The total project is estimated at $400,255.94. After a $335,246.25 reimbursement from the NC Department of Transportation, the county’s net cost is $65,969.
What is the RU252 program?
Realize U252 is Craven County’s opioid recovery and education initiative, funding recovery residence tuition assistance, public awareness campaigns, and youth prevention education across the county.
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