Don Martin

The Forsyth County Republican Party selected Chris Parker to fill the vacant county commission seat left by Don Martin, who retired at the end of July. Parker will be sworn in on Monday.

Governor Josh Stein, Senate Leader Phil Berger and Speaker of the House Destin Hall announced the plan in a joint press release. The North Carolina Association of Educators is not convinced that a new committee is what public schools need.

Martin has served on the commission for more than a decade, after spending 19 years as superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

At a Thursday meeting, several residents called out Forsyth County Board Chair Don Martin after a public clash with Commissioner Shai Woodbury.

The Winston-Salem NAACP says Shai Woodbury was demeaned and dismissed by Don Martin during a budget dispute.

Last year, the board voted to experiment with a new schedule that allowed for an evening meeting once a quarter. The first one of those was held late last week, and the public came out in droves to push for more of them.

The board now holds meetings at 2 p.m. – preventing many working people from participating. The new schedule will include a quarterly 6 p.m. meeting.

A new bill proposal would de-annex Smith Reynolds Airport from the City of Winston-Salem. House Bill 459 would take the airport away from the corporate…