The Moore County Planning Board is enjoying warm praise from the Board of Commissioners.

Two commissioners are former chairmen of the Planning Board, and both spoke up on behalf of a hard-working panel that gets much criticism and no monetary compensation.

"It's not an easy job, and I want to make sure these people are recognized for their service," said Commissioner Jimmy Melton, a new board member and one of the former Planning Board chairmen, at the Jan. 2 meeting.

Melton was commending Terry Bryant and Harry Huberth for Planning Board service beyond their term limits. The commissioners had just voted to appoint Nancy Roy Fiorillo to fill Bryant's seat. The terms of both Huberth, the present Planning Board chairman, and Bryant expired in 2006, but the commissioners allowed their appointments to continue until the new board was seated.

Bryant said he now plans to turn his attention to the newly-formed Voluntary Agriculture District. Huberth's successor has not been named, and he continues to serve as Planning Board chairman.

McKENZIE -- Board of Commissioners' Chairman Colin McKenzie has not served on the county Planning Board but has planning experience.

"The Planning Board doesn't get a dime," McKenzie said. "I served several years on the Pinehurst board. They really try to do the right thing and work hard."

Commissioner Tim Lea, also a former Planning Board chairman, suggested that the county should consider an appropriate recognition for Planning Board members.

S.P. COUNCIL -- The Southern Pines Town Council holds its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday

The short agenda includes two public hearings on annexation petitions regarding road frontage at North May and Yadkin Road, where a corporate park is being developed.

The meetings are in the Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave.

EDWARDS -- Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards kicked off his latest campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in New Orleans last week but held his first official fundraiser at his new headquarters in Chapel Hill.

The fundraiser was held Wednesday night at the headquarters in Southern Village.

Edwards, a former Robbins resident, reportedly helped to raise about $8 million for legislative and congressional candidates and party committees last year, according to the Under the Dome column in The News & Observer of Raleigh.