Rick Harrell To Step Aside As County Commission Chairman

This morning Rick Harrell held a press conference to announce his decision to step aside as Chairman of the Bertie County Commissioners. Rick explained his decision as feeling that the unity of the commission would be helped by others having the chance to fill the Chairman's role. He has been Chairman for 4 years. The recent highly complimentary audit report is indicative of the results for Bertie County taxpayers and citizens during this period.




Rick Harrell - File Photo


Bertie County has a chance for a really bright future. As a part of the Inner Banks we are going to see significant growth over the next 20 years, especially with our natural beauty and the great rivers that are a part of our area. In addition the new concept of "onshoring" offers all rural communities the opportunity to attract high tech companies as long as we can provide good road access, nice homes and fix our education system. The examples of Ireland and Corsicana Texas should be uppermost in our minds. Our County Commission can help that or hurt that depending on their understanding of the challenges we face and their willingness to work together. Growth is going to happen. Whether it will be mostly nice homes or mostly slums is dependent on the way our County Commission deals with the challenges.

Rick said that he planned to stay as a Commissioner as long as the Bertie County people wanted him and would continue to do his best for the citizens of the county. The County Commission has been working well together while Rick was Chairman. We hope the same spirit of cooperation will continue.