When Commissioner Cookie Pope was first elected to office in 1994 she told Scott Bolejack with the Smithfield Herald she was not planning to make a career out of serving, “I just wanted 8 years, and here it is 24 years later.”
Cookie, who represents District 5, which includes the rapidly growing Cleveland community, appeared live on WTSB Radio this afternoon (Wednesday) with radio station owner Carl Lamm to announce she will not seek another term in office. Cookie is the only female member of the 7 member board. The District 5 seat along with three other seats is up for election this year. The filing period opens in February and is subject to a May Primary and November general election.
“I am at peace with my decision,” Cookie said.
A legal assistant with Mast Law Firm, Cookie had been extremely active as a county leader in the past 24 years. She currently serves on the Local Emergency Planning Committee, Voluntary Agricultural District Board, NC Association of County Commissioners Agricultural Steering Committee and NC Association of County Commissioners Legislative Goals Committee.
She served as Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners from 2004 to 2008. She served as Vice Chairman from 1998 to 2004.
Cookie is also active at Elizabeth Methodist Church where she has served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and children’s church director.
She has also served on the Johnston County Health Board, Johnston Health Board of Commissioners, Johnston County Council on Aging, Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board, and Johnston County Heritage Commission.
She is also the longest serving member on the current board.
Family, Friends, Fellow Commissioners
“I want to thank my family for all their sacrifices. My husband, Jackie, my 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, 4 grandsons, and 1 great grandson. Plus my employer, Mast Law Firm.”
“Thank you to the citizens of Johnston County who have supported me through the years, to my fellow commissioners – and the late Wade Stewart, Ray Woodall and Jerry Wood – they are the brothers I never had. Serving with Tony Braswell and DeVan Barbour was special in that they had numerous years of local government service prior to being elected to the Board of Commissioners.”
Cookie also gave thanks to Linwood Parker, Leo Daughtry, Billy Creech ,Craig Olive, and the late Jackie Lee for their support “when no one gave me a chance.”
“To County Manager Rick Hester, his staff and all county employees… I will put them up against any in the State. To Sheriff Steve Bizzell and his entire department as they continue to keep all our citizens safe. It’s not about me. It’s about the citizens who have overwhelmingly supported bonds for building and renovating schools to the tune of $469 million since 1999 and $32 million for new construction at JCC, plus annual appropriations for current expense capital outlay.”
“It is about healthcare and having two hospitals when so many rural counties closed their facilities. It is about maintaining the current property tax rate, refinancing for savings for the taxpayers, while tending to the needs of the citizens such as jobs, education for their children and a safe place to live, work and play.”
Pope thanked the many voters who have supported her since her first win in 1994. “They had confidence in me and helped me win when no one gave me a chance.”
Pope said it was important to recognize those in the community who work hard every day to make a difference, many who go unrecognized, many who also struggled at times and occasionally need a helping hand. “It is about educators, law enforcement, firemen, doctors, mayors, small business men and women and their employees……about the widow who is having trouble paying her property taxes, and the man who needs a tire for his car so he can go to work, and a child who needs a pair of shoes.”
Pope said her fellow commissioners have often teased her about having “local government-type blood” in her veins. Pope said she reminds them the first chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commission in 1868, John Rufus Coats, was a distant relative. Another distant relative, Albert Coats founded the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill.
Grandson’s One Regret
While telling her fourth grandson, Austin Pope, Tuesday night she would not seek reelection this year, Cookie learned from Austin she had not accomplished one thing in political office he wanted.
“Grammy, your one failure as a Commissioner is that you have not yet landed a Bojangle’s in Benson!”
Reaction
“Ms. Pope has had an incredible 24 year career as a county commissioner. She is truly a remarkable lady and Johnston County is a much better place because of her dedicated service,” stated County Manager Rick Hester. “I will miss her being on the Board, but I am glad she will be able to relax a little and spend more time with her family.”
Johnston County Register of Deeds Craig Olive told WTSB News, “My good friend and icon of Johnston County, Cookie Pope will be missed by her constituents. She has always been effective behind the scene and has a great love for the people of Johnston County. Cookie has always had the best interest of Johnston in her heart when voting on issues. I have always considered her as a close confident and admired her honesty and moral values. I am honored to call her my friend. She will be greatly missed from the board.”
