Brad George sworn into Pender Co. Board of Commissioners after recommendation from Republican Party

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - Former Pender County Board of Education member Brad George was sworn in at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 21.

“I’m very excited,” said George at Tuesday night’s meeting. “I look forward to working with the county. They’ve got several big projects, the county does, and along with my past experience on the school board... hopefully, between the two we can work together and move the county along.”

The Pender County Republican Party had recommended George to fill the vacant seat left by Jimmy Tate. Tate resigned late last month, citing racism among commissioners.

“I will have to say the announcement was a surprise and it was an unfortunate circumstance,” said Pender County Board of Commissioners chairperson Jackie Newton.

Newton says George’s appointment and swearing-in were silver linings of the situation.

“He had a leadership role on that board for many years and handled it ably,” said Newton.”[He] will be a godsend to us going forward with the $76 million that the citizens of Pender County have voted to build new schools.”

George resigned from the Board of Education on February 14. The resignation took effect on the day he was sworn in as a commissioner.

George hit the ground running, making several motions during Tuesday’s meeting and bringing up concerns about updating county web pages. He has high hopes for the remainder of the term.

“It’s unfortunate, the circumstance, but I appreciate the opportunity that’s been given to me,” said George. ”Hopefully, my time on the other side of the board will bring a new look to the ones here.”

George says that guiding and controlling the county’s growth is a major goal of his moving forward because the county has already outgrown what it’s currently able to offer citizens.

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