The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to pass a resolution Monday censuring fellow board member Elyse Craver, who has been accused of making racially discriminatory comments.
Commissioners Bryan Marley, Joanne Scarola, and Mayor Pro Tem Kenjuana McCray voted in favor of the censure, while Commissioners Craver and Jerry Legge opposed it.
A censure is a formal reprimand of an elected official for actions that have violated rules or are otherwise inappropriate, according to the North Carolina General Assembly. It carries symbolic weight rather than legal penalties such as fines or imprisonment.
At the start of the meeting, Marley added a resolution with possible board action to the agenda. Craver told CityView she was unaware the board planned to take action against her.
Marley read the resolution, alleging that “Commissioner Elsye Craver was recently overheard making inappropriate, discriminatory, and offensive comments, as reported by the town manager and other town employees, including department heads, and expressing the opinion that the town is hiring too many Black employees.”
A collective gasp rose from the audience of around 100 attendees.
Marley continued, stating that Craver’s remarks did not reflect the board’s commitment to racial equality.
During the discussion before the vote, Legge expressed skepticism. “I don’t believe we have enough evidence against Mrs. Craver to censure her. I don’t know exactly what was said or done, but I’m willing to sit down and talk about it.”
In response to the resolution, Craver, who is white, defended herself, claiming the censure was “an election ploy” to keep her out of office. Craver is running for reelection to the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners in this year’s municipal elections.
“Everyone who knows me knows that,” Craver continued. “The things that have been done to me in the last two years — I’m not guilty of making any racial remarks anywhere. Some of my best friends are African American.”
The audience, most of whom were Black and present to hear the resolution, groaned at Craver’s remarks.
“You can laugh, but you don’t know me. Get to know me, and you’d know I would never say that,” Craver added.
In addition to censuring Craver, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to hire Charlotte attorney Mac McCarley to conduct a personnel investigation into a board member. Craver was the sole vote in opposition.
The investigation comes from the grievances of town employees who allege a hostile work environment created by a board member.
McCarley will begin an internal fact-finding investigation on behalf of the town starting Tuesday morning, following the board’s approval. According to the town’s attorney, Dan Hartzog, McCarley will bill the town $450 per hour, plus gas expenses, and will provide an official findings report.
After the meeting, an emotional Craver told CityView, “It’s a witch hunt. They’re relying on hearsay. I’m not guilty of this.” She also claimed there was no official investigation or proof of her alleged comments. Craver, 78, believes the board has been trying to remove her for the past two years because of her age and her refusal to be a “yes” person. “I will not be a yes person,” she told CityView.
Craver’s voting record of late has been in opposition to the board’s decisions around raising taxes and amending the town’s charter from two-year to four-year terms for elected officials.
When CityView asked Mayor Jessie Bellflowers if there was an official investigation or evidence regarding Craver’s comments, Bellflowers deferred to Commissioner Marley.
“The investigation we approved will show the proof,” Marley said. “It was morally and ethically the right thing to do. I personally — and this building — do not stand for the treatment of employees she’s displayed behind closed doors and in public. Her views and opinions do not align with mine or those of this board. I won’t be grouped with Commissioner Craver.”
Bellflowers told CityView that McCarley, the Charlotte-based attorney conducting the investigation, was recommended to Hartzog and was chosen due to the attorney having no connections to anyone in town and is a respected lawyer who could conduct an unbiased report.
“We take grievances of our town employees seriously,” Bellflowers said. “‘Cause this is not going to be a cheap investigation at $450 per hour to look into these grievances alleging a hostile working environment.”
The next board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Town Hall.
