County commissioners’ meeting highlights

During the declared State of Emergency, the Moore County Board of Commissioners held the Oath of Office ceremony Dec. 5 at the Carthage’s Courthouse Square upstairs courtroom—without electricity.

On the night of Dec. 3, Moore County’s electrical grid system was intentionally attacked, resulting in a power outage impacting 45,000 residents and businesses.

During the ceremony at 9 a.m., it was a chilly 49 degrees outdoors, and it was a comfortable 62 degrees indoors, without electricity.

Family members and friends of the newly elected officials attended.

Without electricity for the regular recording of the meeting, WRAL-TV 5, in the area awaiting breaking news, recorded the meeting with its video camcorder with a battery pack.

White light filled the courtroom’s tall windows and lit the podium’s long desks, highlighting the commissioners’ notes, and the county commissioners’ tenacity to serve the county.

The new District I commissioner is Jim Von Canon.

Reelected District II commissioner and Chair is Nick Picerno.

Newly elected District III commissioner is John Ritter.

Sitting District IV commissioner and newly elected Vice Chair is Frank Quis.

Newly elected District V commissioner is Kurt Cook.

“I am not a politician,” Von Canon said in a conversation before the ceremony about an intense beginning with the State of Emergency. “I was on the phone last night talking to the mayor of Cameron. We helped them get a generator last night for a downed water pump. I’ve done eighteen hours of service in the last twenty-four hours.”

Commissioners’ ceremony unaffected State of Emergency

New Chair Nick Picerno poses with his wife, Jane Picerno, daughter, Samantha Garrison and his grandchildren, Gabe Garrison, 10, and Daisy Garrison, 5. Not shown, but present for the ceremony are Samantha Garrison’s husband, Joe Garrison and their two-year-old who needed a breath of fresh air, “little” Nick Garrison.

Feature photo: The new Moore County Board of Commissioners: John Ritter (left), Jim Von Canon, Nick Picerno, Frank Quis, and Kurt Cook. 

~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected]

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