FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Brian Berger

September 19, 2012 910.431.3115

bberger@nhcgov.com

Commissioner Berger Awarded Scholarship for

Economic Development Program and Re-
Appointed to State and National Policy Boards
-- New Hanover Commissioner Brian M. Berger has been designated a scholarship recipient for Economic
& Community Development course, and Re-Appointed to State & National Public Policy Boards--

WILMINGTON, N.C. – New Hanover County Commissioner Brian Berger was recognized for being a high-
character, ethical, and courageous leader in a historically corrupt region of N.C. recently with the
awarding of a rare, full-scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, School of
Government, Local Elected Leaders Academy’s Economic and Community Development educational
program , Sept. 19-20 in Chapel Hill, NC. The program scholarship was made possible as a result of
support provided by Food Lion.

The extensive, intensive two-day program explores the various financial mechanisms used by
governments in North Carolina such as incentives for Main Street businesses to Tax Increment Financing.
Promoted under the moniker “Development Finance Toolbox” the course is a high-paced introduction
and analysis of the mechanisms local communities have used with varied success to jumpstart and
anchor public, and public-private partnership, initiatives with stated goals including job creation and
“eliminating blight” in economically depressed areas.

Earlier this month, Commissioner Berger was re-appointment to several state and national public policy
boards, established to influence decisions in the Raleigh and Washington, D.C. Berger was re-appointed to
the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee
which gives counties a voice in shaping national policies, legislation and regulations, addressing
controversial subjects including Agenda 21, fracking, and new, stringent Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) regulations lowering the threshold to be categorized as “non-attainment.”

The Committee is responsible for NACo policy development on all matters pertaining to air, water, and
noise pollution control; solid and hazardous waste management and disposal; the preservation and
proper utilization of water resources; energy; and the use of land resources.

“New Hanover County is blessed to be a coastal county with the Cape Fear River running through
downtown Wilmington, creeks and other natural resources,” Berger said. “That also places New Hanover
County at the forefront of policies intended to protect this fragile environment and directly in the path of
government programs at all levels from local zoning to national pollution and energy policies. Protecting
these abundant natural assets for future generations, and the public health, economic opportunities and
quality of life of current residents, is too vital to overlook and falls under the policy responsibilities of the
Environment, Energy and Land Use Committee.”
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Berger Pursues Overdue Local Decision-Making & Citizen Empowerment
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Commissioner Berger continues to serve New Hanover County and its citizens by serving as a member of
several State policy committees under the auspices of the North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners (NCACC). He is continuing his service as a member of several NCACC policy committees
addressing North Carolina laws and regulations. New Hanover County Commissioner Berger serves, and
will continue, as a member of the state-focused Health & Human Services Steering Committee, Tax and
Finance, Justice and Public Safety, and Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committees. Advocating
policies benefiting the County and citizens is a primary function of N.C. County Commissioners.

Representatives of New Hanover County might note that advocacy is a role specifically-cited in the Board
of Commissioner’s “Code of Ethics” as modified in 2010, although the term is open to interpretation and
the Code of Ethics is only an unenforceable guide in New Hanover County. Berger became involved in the
policy advocacy efforts of N.C. counties in Raleigh after volunteering to join the effort to reform North
Carolina’s annexation laws several years ago. Annexation Reform was a priority goal of the
Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committee. Local autonomy and curtailing unfunded mandates
placed on counties was included in the Strategic Planning conducted by New Hanover County
government earlier this year.

“It is important that New Hanover County have a strong voice in Washington D.C., as well as Raleigh, and
one of the best ways to foster that influence, build broad relationships with diverse leaders from across
the entire nation, and be heard is through the policy development and advocacy efforts of prominent
organizations like NACo and NCACC.

At its most recent meeting, this past Monday, Sept. 17, the Board of Commissioners approved a handful of
priorities, which are to be submitted along with other counties’ priority lists, which provides a starting
point for formulating a national (NACo) or state public policy (NCACC) advocacy program that includes a
Legislative Conference and Policy Steering Committees at both levels of government. Commissioner
Berger has quickly distinguished himself as a voice for the vulnerable, an innovative policy wonk with a
penchant for creative strategies and fresh ideas, and a deep-rooted, passionate opposition to the
corruption that has plagued coastal North Carolina.

Berger has said despite the death threats, harassment, torment and negative treatment from the political
elite he was elected by the people to join, for the purpose of instituting accountability and justice,
misconduct and violence by local leaders continues to define politics in the Southeastern Region of North
Carolina and throughout much of the State.

To learn more about New Hanover County, NC, visit www.nhcgov.com.

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