Bryan Phillips will assume the duties of public safety director in Moore County on Monday, County Manager Cary McSwain announced.

Phillips has almost 20 years of experience in emergency management services. He is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Management Institute for Emergency Medical Services.

He holds certifications and licenses as national registry paramedic, critical care paramedic, North Carolina paramedic, North Carolina emergency management type 4 certification, certified fire arson investigator, and emergency medical dispatcher-quality assurance.

He succeeds Carlton Cole, who resigned to accept the position of fire chief in the village of Pinehurst.

FIRE GRANTS - The Aberdeen and Robbins fire departments have been awarded grants through the federal Assistance to Fire Department Grant Program.

The office of U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan announced Thursday that they are among 21 North Carolina firefighting units -sharing $1.3 million in grants funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Robbins Volunteer Fire Department will receive $55,729, the Aberdeen Fire Department, $47,785.

"Our North Carolina firefighters are some of the bravest and hardest-working men and women I know," Hagan said. "They need the most up-to-date technology and equipment to effectively do their jobs. Today's investment means 21 more fire departments in our state will get the resources they need to protect our North Carolina families."

Fire departments are expected to use the grants for such purposes as training, equipment, wellness and fitness and health and safety modifications.

These grants are in addition to more than $5.5 million awarded to North Carolina fire departments a week ago. Benefiting in that distribution were Cameron and Crestline departments.

GOP PRECINCT - South Southern Pines Republicans will hold their precinct meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 30 Dungarvan Lane, Pinehurst (Cynthia F. Little, 910-692-6881).

The main business will be election of delegates and -alternates to the county convention.

ABC BOARD - An appointment to the Alcohol Beverage Control Board is back on the agenda for the Monday meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

The commissioners deferred action on the appointment at their Feb. 1 meeting. The appointment is needed to fill an ABC board vacancy created by the death of former Sheriff James Wise.

The commissioners will convene at 6 p.m. in the historic courthouse in Carthage. At 3:30 p.m. Monday, board members will tour the new Crain's Creek Middle School building.

Also on the agenda is an update by Drug Free Moore County on underage drinking and a request from the Citizens' Pet Responsibility Committee for acceptance of a grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust.

MOXLEY - Lesley Moxley, former Moore County attorney, has resigned a similar position in Macon County, which she has held since 2006.

Her resignation occurred with a decision by the Macon County Board of Commissioners to eliminate the full-time position of county attorney. An article in the Macon News reports that the decision to eliminate the position was based strictly on economic need.

"It is the opinion of this board that, with the cooperation of Ms. Moxley, that in the future we can save some substantial money in the legal department for this county," said Macon Board Chairman Ronnie Beale in the Macon News article written by staff writer Christopher Carpenter.

Moxley was receiving an annual salary of $134,316. She was offered a severance package totaling $157,500 over 12 months, including unused vacation time and a monthly payment along with health benefits.

With her resignation, the Macon board has hired an interim attorney to serve on an as-needed basis.

Moxley served more than six years as Moore County attorney and earlier served as assistant county attorney in Durham County. The Craven County native is a graduate of Wake Forest University law school. In 2008 she was elected president of the North Carolina Association of County Attorneys.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.