Moore County native Nick Picerno was sworn in as a commissioner at Tuesday’s meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.
In January, he announced his intention to run for North Carolina House District 78. In a recent letter to his supporters, citing the uncertainty of the redistricting effort in N.C., he announced he was putting his name in to replace Commissioner Louis Gregory, who recently retired for health reasons.
Because Gregory is a member of the Republican Party, the local Republican Executive Committee was responsible for nominating his replacement.
The commissioners approved Picerno’s selection and voted unanimously to appoint him to the board. He was sworn in immediately after the approval. Because he was sworn in before the start of the primary election, which is March 17, he will stand for election in the 2022 general election.
Picerno has served two terms as Moore County Commissioner, including a stint as chairman. Additional, he is the founder of a local software company, Southern Software, which sells software to the public safety community.
“I would like to thank you and the board for welcoming me back,” Picerno told the board during the commisioners’ comments. “I took a little time off, but I am very anxious to get back to work for the people of North Carolina, and the greatest place in North Carolina to live.”
Picerno stated his first goal is “to ensure the county gets proper funding.” This is what induced him to run for House District 78, but with Gregory’s retirement, he saw a different opportunity to serve.
He asked permission from the commissioners to liaison with Raleigh to work with the state government on getting proper school funding. “The funding formula has been off since I last served on the board,” Picerno added. The commissioners agreed and also appointed him to replace Gregory on the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
In other business, the board heard a presentation on the work of Samaritan Colony. During the public comment period, several residents shared emotional testimony about their struggles with addiction and how Samaritan Colony, located in Rockingham, helped them to turn their lives around.
Samaritan Colony serves 11 counties, but Moore County residents make up nearly 50 percent of their caseload. In the last two years, they have helped over 300 people and are now constructing a women’s treatment center to supplement their men’s program, which started 47 years ago.
The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with internet service providers for a Great Grant Application. This program will pay up to $4 million to expand internet services in the target counties.
The board’s next scheduled meeting is March 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Feature photo: Nick Picerno is sworn in with his wife, Jan, by his side at the March 1 meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners. Courtesy photo.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Chris Prentice.
