Couple seeking help for Marshallese group in George Hildebrand

Josh Robinson calls the community of Marshall Islanders who live in a church in George Hildebrand “some of the best neighbors you could ask for.”

Robinson and others are hoping the Burke County community will prove to be good neighbors to the Marshallese, who are facing eviction if they can’t comply with a list of county requirements by May 12.

“They go out of their way to help neighbors without even having to be asked,” Robinson said. “They’re just good people. They don’t cause any issues. They just kind of stay over there at that church. Sunday mornings, you can hear them singing.”

Robinson and his wife, Kimberly have set up a gofundme account and a Facebook page for those who want to help the group make repairs and find suitable lodging.

“What we’re hoping to do is just to bring awareness,” said James Boice, who is helping spread the word about the effort. “We’re trying to get lawyers and contractors. They’ve already been turned down for multiple grants, and even if they can get grants now, it’s going to be too late.”

Nine families totaling about 60 people are living in the Marshallese New Beginnings Church, which formerly housed George Hildebrand Elementary before the new school was built.

Burke County has been aware of numerous fire safety and code violations at the church for three years, and inspectors have determined the structure, and an annex are unsafe for human habitation.

During the three-year interim, Burke County has contacted four humanitarian nonprofits in an attempt to solicit their help, but none of them could offer assistance.

At a special called meeting April 10 that served as a hearing on the matter, the county’s board of commissioners gave the Marshallese a final extension until May 12 to get an estimate from a licensed contractor for repairing the numerous safety issues.

Burke County Manager Brian Epley said the board will likely hold a special evidentiary meeting sometime after May 12 and before May 20 — when the county’s order to vacate will be executed.

At that time, the church must provide evidence they’ve obtained a reliable estimate on the repair costs from a contractor and must have arranged a funding source, such as a grant from governments, nonprofits, or private entities.

Robinson, who got to know some of the Marshallese residents during his time as a volunteer fireman, said lining up a contractor is the first order of business.

“We’re running out of time,” he said. “We’ve got two weeks left.”

A previous estimate from a couple years ago for the necessary repairs came in at around $500,000. The total would likely be higher now.

Among the code deficiencies were the lack of a primary heating source, septic system concerns, access to functional restrooms, lead paint, and fire safety concerns.

Tommy Liabwij, the church’s pastor, has known about the safety issues all along, and told the commissioners his parishioners had made numerous repairs themselves.

But the buildings are still not safe enough to serve as a residence. The county said the group could continue to hold church services, provided no one was living at the site.

“I don’t think there’s any debate over the fact that the building doesn’t meet minimum North Carolina residential code, and that there are life safety issues,” Epley said. “However, I think that the board of commissioners has indicated that if there’s the ability and willingness to bring the building up to residential code, that is something that can be evaluated and discussed.”

Robinson said it’s important that Burke County residents know the urgency of the situation the families face.

“There’s nowhere for them to go,” Robinson said. “They’re going to be homeless.”

“A big part of it is just spreading the word. People may have the wrong idea about them; they’re not illegals. I want people to see they’re not outsiders here to try and take something away from them, because they’re not.”

The Marshallese Church is a Christian church made up of people from the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The country and the U.S. have had a compact of free association since 1986. That means people from the Marshalls can migrate freely to the U.S.

Some might say it’s the least America could have done.

Immediately following World War II, the United States conducted extensive nuclear weapons testing in the Marshall Islands. The U.S. performed 67 tests there, exploding some of the most powerful weapons ever detonated.

The resultant radioactive fallout caused severe health problems like thyroid cancer, leukemia, and birth defects among the island populations. Some communities were permanently evacuated.

“Our government brought them over here because of what happened to their islands,” Robinson said. “I think what they need is for their story to be heard.”

NOTES: The Facebook group is called Together for our Marshallese neighbors. It is located at www.facebook.com/groups/1368778334311541/. The gofundme account had raised $1,600 of its $100,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon. You can find it by going to gofundme.com and searching for “Together for our Marshallese neighbors.”