WASHINGTON – Hertford County Commissioner Dupont A. Davis is lending his expertise to the state.

Davis, who has served for 19 years as a member of the Hertford County Commission, was appointed to the North Carolina Joint Regional Forum on behalf of the Mid-East Commission.

The forum was formed to provide support to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and the North Carolina League of Municipalities on regional issues across the state.

“We are pleased Mr. Davis has agreed to serve in this capacity and know that he will serve the citizens of Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin and Pitt counties in the professional manner in which he serves the Mid-East Commission,” said Mid-East Commission Executive Director Tim Ware.

Davis said he viewed the appointment as both an honor and a responsibility.

“I think the chairman and executive committee asked me to serve because of my experience,” said Davis, who has previously served as President of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. “I appreciate the Mid-East Commission asking me to serve in this capacity.”

The commissioner also vowed to keep first and foremost the citizens of the five counties at the forefront in their discussions.

“We have some things coming down from Raleigh right now that we have to be aware of,” Davis said. “I’m going to make sure that we fight to stop any tax hikes that would hurt our seniors and those living on fixed incomes.”

Davis will serve on the North Carolina Joint Regional Forum through 2008.

Hertford County Commission Chairman Howard J. Hunter III said he was pleased to have Davis representing the county and the region on the forum.

“We are thankful to Commissioner Davis for his willingness to give of his time and expertise to the Joint Regional Forum,” Hunter said. “We are certain he will represent the citizens of the five counties very well.”