Opinion: When a Paper Becomes Propaganda - Part II

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Opinion Piece Submitted by Phil Cordeiro

Pop quiz: What’s worst among the following scenarios?

A. Your county commissioner accepts campaign contributions from developers and properly discloses those contributions to the public.

B. Your county commissioner accepts campaign contributions from developers, does not disclose those contributions as required by law, and also lies to you – telling you he doesn’t take money from developers.

C. Your local newspaper writes a news story attacking the commissioner in answer A, while completely ignoring the commissioner’s actions in answer B.

Well, this isn’t a theoretical quiz. This is Pender County politics.

It was hard not to choke on my morning coffee when reading the Pender Post’s May 22nd “news” story (I use the word “news” loosely) insinuating Commissioner Randy Burton is in the pockets of developers. Here was the Post’s bombshell: Commissioner Randy Burton accepted donations from developers! Cue the ominous music.

In reality, Burton did exactly what every law-abiding public servant should: he disclosed every nickel and dime of his campaign contributions—on time and in full—just as North Carolina law requires. A politician following rules and telling the truth? Somebody call the ethics police!

Meanwhile, a glaring omission in that same breathless exposé: Commissioner Brad George’s developer-funded campaign. Two of George’s highest-dollar donors are developers, yet the Post didn’t breathe a word about them. Curious, isn’t it, how a “newspaper” (again, I use that term loosely) can completely ignore the scandals of its favored politicians.

Here’s the kicker: George’s disclosures were due February 27, 2024, but didn’t materialize until October 29, 2024—eight months late, and conveniently after the primary. And, that belated filing only happened once the state board of elections forced the issue in response to a campaign finance complaint I filed. If transparency were a building, George’s filing would be the kind that collapses under the weight of its own delays.

Even more eyebrow-raising is George’s public insistence that he doesn’t accept a penny from developers—a provable lie according to his own tardy filings. Blatantly lying to constituents? That’s bold, even for a politician. But that’s what you get with Brad George. FYI, George also voted as commissioner to award his wife’s private employer over $20 million in taxpayer funds. What could possibly go wrong when personal and public interests mix? Fraud, waste, and abuse, anyone?

Contrast this with Burton’s behavior: full disclosure, on schedule, and no under-the-table surprises. The story should have been about George playing fast and loose with campaign finance rules—yet the Post opted for a perfectly executed hit job instead.

At the end of the day, it takes money to run for office. This is an evil we must accept. But, voters deserve honesty. Would you rather have a candidate who openly discloses developer donations, or one who hides them until forced to confess—and then lies about it? I’ll take Commissioner Burton’s honesty and transparency every time.