Carswell, Mulwee honored at reception

Johnnie Carswell and Scott Mulwee dedicated a combined 21 years of service as members of the Burke County Board of Commissioners.

A room packed full of local and state officials, family, and friends, expressed their gratitude to both men Friday night with a reception at the Morganton Community House.

It was a bittersweet evening for the two longtime commissioners, both of whom were unseated in the Republican primary in March and presided over their final board meeting last Tuesday.

The event was highlighted by the surprise announcement that Carswell had been chosen as a recipient of the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. N.C. Rep. Hugh Blackwell presented the award.

A stunned and emotional Carswell reflected on his 13 years as part of the board as he accepted.

“I’ve never been at a loss for words, but I am today,” Carswell said.

“I’ve made some mistakes that were not intentional. I probably voted sometimes the way people didn’t want me to, but I voted for 90,000 people, not for a select group of people. I try to do it for everybody. So, I am honored to receive this award. Thank you so much.”

Mulwee, who spent eight years on the board, and like Carswell is a former board chair, said he appreciated the work of the county’s staff over the years.

“It is really an honor to have done what I’ve done for the past eight years, and for folks to have trusted me,” Mulwee said.

“What y’all do is special. We’re honored to be the elected officials. We’re honored to be able to serve y’all and be there, because our biggest thing as elected officials, in my viewpoint, is to support the folks that are doing all the work.”

He added building friendships and connections with community members have been highlights of his service.

“Great relationships,” Mulwee said. “That’s what means the most.”

Tare Davis, president of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and a close friend of Carswell’s, spoke glowingly of both commissioners, saying they share a drive to “make things better, to make your communities better, to pour your heart and soul out into where you think it ought to be, and for people who don’t even know who you are.”

Commissioner Randy Burns said both Carswell and Mulwee have had a profound influence on him.

“Scott, Johnnie, what you guys have meant to me for years, there’s no way to express,” Burns said.

“We’re here to honor two men who have left an indelible mark on the county, and all that call it home.”

Later, Burns said he counts both Carswell and Mulwee among his very best friends. “I just want to thank you both very much for all your service, your dedication, and especially your support,” Burns added.

Senator Warren Daniel said both have been outstanding leaders for the entire community.

“I think Hugh (Blackwell) would echo my remarks that it’s really great when you work at the state level and you have wonderful partners in the county we know that we can consult with, that we can work with, and we can lean on to know what Burke County needs and what the people need, and they’ve just been great partners,” Daniel said.

Commissioner Phil Smith said he’ll miss both men. “I consider them both my friends, and I wish you both well and Godspeed to you,” Smith said.

Carswell closed by referencing the initiative he championed last year during his tenure as president of the NCACC, “One More Thing,” aimed at developing solutions to the opioid crisis. Carswell and his wife, Brenda, lost their son Greg to an overdose in 2013.

“Brenda was at the funeral home that night and she turned around and looked at me and put her finger in my face and said, ‘If we could have done more thing. One more thing.’

“That’s what I’ve tried to do for you is that one more thing to make Burke County the greatest place to live, work, play, and worship, and I hope you never forget that, because we never forget it as commissioners.”