Remarks by Safiyah Jackson
75 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 3
- Play at 2:26:44
“Yeah, I can go next. I... The more we've had this conversation, the more I feel like A is a false narrative, false option, because technically just replacing committees with work sessions is like assuming that their purposes are the same. And so because we haven't worked that out, and in theory these things are different, option A doesn't seem like we can just replace a work committee with a work session. So I'm gonna go for let's see Option C, let's see the plan for option C and do the reflection to determine if we're actually carrying five committees into the next year based on our stated…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 2:31:07
“Yes, I'm in favor of that. And my request, and I guess we should see, do our other peers, sound like there's interest in having that reflection. The reflection, that can be in writing, just kind of a sample of how true are we to keeping committee meetings in the way that David described and their intentional, their original purpose. Because, yeah, like even in all the time of chairing and being on the housing committee, what has happened in practice hasn't lined up with what was shared in theory. And to me, that will, should influence what committees we take into the new year, or at least…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 2:33:57
“Yeah, purpose of committees, purpose of workflow. What can we learn from the last year to help inform the next year? Oh, yeah.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 2:34:23
“Okay, yeah, here's the very specific question. We were told that committees were intended to be spaces for policy discussion on their way to a work session and then the board. that it was procedurally the first step for conversations. Work session, committee, board meeting, policy. My question is, how much has that played out in practice? Is that more theoretical, our intention for work sessions? My experience is that our main committees, my experience is that there are a lot of updates in committees, which are great. I mean, there's no dig on that. I'm really trying to... understand how much…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 2:36:42
“And I think this is particularly relevant for option A, because when it says just swap out committees and create work sessions, then that assumes that all of it, policy, updates, anything, could come to a work session.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 2:50:53
“Yes. My reflection at this time, I support priorities one and two, because those are threats to our revenue, like full stop, and our conversation should be to protect our revenue. The third option, I recall that being recommended and us discussing how it got there, but it's hard for me to see judicial system resources without also seeing foster care resources and public school resources. and I know we have to be one page, I know we have to focus on our priorities, but if the first two columns are threats to and put pressure on our revenue, and this third one are the things that our resources…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 2:54:14
“Okay, that's really helpful context. By the way, NCACC also has some justice and public safety goals that are aligned with this as well. So if that's our thinking, then I just want to acknowledge that their advocate, I mean, this is another Hunter County issue as well. So not to negate what you're saying, but to add and say that we are bringing forward these legislative priorities as well. But I appreciate the guidance as being like, that's always front of mind and in the name of prioritizing, it's always front, but these are our priorities moving forward in this year, and I just think that's…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:02:45
“Yes. I have a question. Go ahead. Just on this topic of NCACC, that first question, I know we kind of skipped. I forgot what we were talking about. Oh, we were just talking about the three priorities And we'll go back to formally acknowledging those. But to this question about if NCACC draft goals do not capture our priorities, I believe that they absolutely do, without a doubt, including the third around judicial resources. And I want to just read the language as it was voted on coming out of legislative committee. It says support recurring state funding to assist counties with the…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:05:15
“And you're asking that for state and federal at the same time?”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:05:33
“I'm definitely, I'm fine with state. I have a question about federal.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:06:55
“So for this opportunity list, okay, just bear with me, y'all. Just one more question, and I'm good if we wanna just move forward. I understand we have sustained and increased funding for public schools and community college as part of general guidance. One of the most popular legislative requests and discussions in education was to restore the lottery funding to its original levels, or more, minimally. So I would like us to consider adding that as a specific opportunity list in alignment with our NCACC partners now. The final legislative priorities haven't been approved but it was very…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:08:25
“Yeah, we have very specific language. We listed the statute. I don't have it right here to pull up in this split second, but I can get it. I mean, I can pull it up, but we did have very specific statute language named in the ask and a very specific percentage to the original stated. I think it was 35%. but I can get the very specific language if there is interest in even considering this. I'm putting an idea out there for discussion, and if there is interest in aligning in this way, I can get that specific language.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:11:37
“Well, we have the specific legislation, the statute number. So it would be what's stated in this particular statute if you want to read it just for the record.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:12:32
“Yeah, and I think it is, I mean, particularly for this to be our opportunity list, I would like to see us settle on an opportunity list that is aligned with our state partners. I can't imagine there'll be much difference, but that crosswalk, I think, is an important thing to do before we finalize this. Thank you for having that paper ready, Commissioner Stallings.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:13:16
“Finalizing, not necessarily expanding. Something could fall off.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:14:10
“I have a question, but Commissioner Waters can go.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:16:36
“Going back to our federal priorities, Roger, can you give us, what is the latest on the OSBM program? I know you asked a question similar to this because I thought it was delayed, it was open for comment period, the OMB grant regulations. Where is it in the process?”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 3:17:25
“Yeah, so I just want to acknowledge that because of the big pushback and it's in a holding pattern, I don't know if it's important and it's critical and we don't need it to pass. And if it does, it would have deleterious effects. So that's just period. it may fall off naturally. So I just want to like asterisk that because it may not be something that needs to be a part of our top priorities given the national push and the fact that it's in a holding pattern.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 12, 2026
- Play at 55:38
“Okay, today we recognize October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Before we continue, I would like to invite us to all take a moment of silence. Thank you. There is no sound more profound than the silence left behind when a newborn life is taken too soon. Behind every loss is a family standing in heartbreak, carrying memories of what should have been. Today, it is our distinct privilege to honor Angel Prince, cooperation and organization founded by Brandon and Toshina Wiggins. As our county presents this official proclamation to Angel Prince, we honor the memory of every…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 5, 2026
- Play at 1:00:12
“Okay, and now we will hear from the founders. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 5, 2026
- Play at 1:30:24
“Okay, thank you Morgan. And thank you for answering our questions before this time and also bringing this opportunity for continued conversation. And also the due diligence that was brought forward to consider other options. I had a chance to visit the center and was just continuously impressed with the way the Women's Center has run the operation in the interim. And double thanks to the board for stepping in to expand their scope of mission in this interim process. My question about the conversation on the table is you've mentioned a couple times unique and timely. We've got the timely piece…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 5, 2026
- Play at 1:33:26
“Got it. And then part two of that, just the uniqueness of a nonprofit being able to lean into these capital operations and renovations. Can you share a little insight into that?”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 5, 2026
- Play at 1:34:53
“Okay, well, I just wanna acknowledge that the spirit of Commissioner Waters' question, I agree with. I think that we should maintain open and transparent and give nonprofits an opportunity, and I hear in this particular situation, you all did that due diligence, and the uniqueness of the Women's Center presented an opportunity take advantage of a timeliness. I will say our partners from the Wilmington City Council came and it is where I toured the center with them and it is just amazing the lives that are transformed in that building and I'm really happy to hear that we have an opportunity to…”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 5, 2026
- Play at 1:37:08
“And I'm believing that evidence will be presented to justify the special use permit. In the case that evidence is not permitted and it's not granted, what are the scenarios and thoughts?”
Board of Commissioners · Oct 5, 2026
- Play at 2:17:57
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Board of Commissioners · Oct 5, 2026