Consideration of a new involuntary annexation bill by a N.C. House committee has been delayed once again.

Originally scheduled for Tuesday, debate had been put off until Wednesday. But the House Judicial II Committee pushed it back to late Thursday. There were 26 amendments to the bill scheduled for discussion by the committee.

The compromise bill, cobbled together by the committee from three different bills last Tuesday, offers several changes to the current law, including oversight provided by the N.C. Local Government Commission. But the current bill does not include what opponents to forced annexation in Pinewild and elsewhere desire: a provision for the affected citizens to vote on whether or not they want to be annexed.

See thepilot.com for late details.

ELECTION DECISIONS -- Moore County must wait until June 30 to learn the new makeup of the Board of Elections. That's when the State Board of Elections holds its next meeting.

Three names have been submitted by each of the political parties, and it will be up to the state board to make the appointments. Mary M. Pope, the present chair and a board member for 27 years, is retiring at the end of the month, which means that at least one new face will be named to the board.

Ansol Graham, one of two Democratic members, is on the Democrats' list, along with Carolyn McDermott and George Wilson. Susan Thompson Adams, the Republican member, is also on the GOP list, but the other Republican nominees were not announced.

Under state law, each county board is madeup of two Democrats and one Republican when the governor is a Democrat. The same law requires a board make-up of two Republicans and one Democrat when the governor is a Republican. The majority party registration in the county is not taken into consideration.

TWO LOSSES -- In addition to the retirement of Mary Pope, the Board of Elections is losing a veteran staff member, Carol Hambrick, who is also retiring at the end of June. The Board of Elections honored Hambrick with a reception Tuesday.

Glenda Clendenin, elections director, says Hambrick has agreed to help out as a resource person as needed in election season and may also work on a part-time basis in the future. For the time being, however, the position will not be filled.

The board is mailing invitations to a reception honoring Mary Pope in July.

GOP CONVENTION -- Moore County Republicans were 51 delegates strong at the state GOP convention in Raleigh the weekend of June 12-14. They were among about 1,650 delegates in attendance.

The delegates elected Tom Fetzer, former mayor of Raleigh, as state chairman and Dr. Timothy Johnson as vice-chairman.

RSVP DEADLINE -- June 30 is the deadline for nominations for the 2009 Governor's Award for Volunteer Service, according to Shiela Klein, director of the Moore County Retired Senior Volunteer Program. There are no age restrictions.

Any individual, group, business or organization offering volunteer activities in Moore County that benefit the community or the state is eligible.

Nomination forms may be picked up at the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center or by calling Klein at RSVP, 215-0900, or by e-mailing sklein@moore countync.gov. Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 30.

WARRIOR -- Congressman Larry Kissell, the Democrat representing neighboring District 8, says the 2009 War Supplemental funding bill contains $88 million for Fort Bragg to build a Warrior in Transition Complex.

Kissell was among 225 Members of Congress voting for the measure.

The Warrior in Transition Complex will include barracks, administration offices, a dining facility, a soldier family assistance center and other essential facilities to help wounded solders make the transition back to active duty or a return to civilian life. The bill awaits Senate action.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 693-2479.