After receiving the Feb. 2 edition of The Laurinburg Exchange, I noticed the heading, “Budget Planning” with the section on county late taxes.

Reading this article on the budget planning. I was somewhat surprised that commission Chairman McCook hopes to have a joint meeting with the local school board because the prior county commissioner Chairman Mr. Bob Davis made repeated requests to no avail.

Upon learning of this request, I attended a school board meeting and inquired if there were any such meetings on their agendas and was informed by school board Chairman Mr. Brown that there were none.

Upon asking further if the school board was making any plans to meet with the county commissioners in the near future. To this questions I was informed there were no plans.

Chairman McCook states in The Exchange article that the commissioners have had a good working relationship with the school board but I’m wondering how this can be if the school board refuses to meet with them. This brings to mind that there isn’t any dialogue except … the school board’s request to send the money.

I do hope commission Chairman McCook will be able to bring about worthwhile meetings with the school board to discuss meaningful interest to the county and school system. This county deserves this meeting. After all, we are all in this county’s interest and future together.

C.M. Parker