JACKSON – Democratic representative Michael Wray’s message to the Northampton County Commissioners could be summed up in five words, &uot;We’re working hard in Raleigh&uot;.

Wray, who represents the 27th District covering Northampton, Vance and Warren counties, spent Monday in Northampton County, including a visit with the commissioners.

&uot;I can’t show favoritism, but there are a lot of good things happening in Northampton County,&uot; he said.

Wray commended the efforts of Northampton Economic Development Director Gary Brown, Dick Dell, Executive Director of the Advanced Vehicle Research Center for North Carolina, and the Northeast Partnership for working hard to position the county for future growth and thanked Northampton County Manager Wayne Jenkins for keeping him informed about issues relevant to the citizens in the area.

Wray also stated that he had toured the prisons in the district and stressed the importance of Odom Correction facility as it pertained to employment for Northampton County citizens.

&uot;People don’t realize that 90 percent of the work force at Odom are Northampton citizens,&uot; he said.

Board Chairwoman Virginia Spruill thanked Wray for attending the meeting and petitioned him to continue rallying support for lifting the burden of Medicaid on the county.

&uot;It will truly make a difference in what we can do in the county,&uot; she said.

Wray expressed displeasure at working with what he called &uot;a lot of hostile Republicans&uot; but assured commissioners he would carry on his diligent pursuit in building relational bridges.

Wray encouraged commissioners and citizens in his district to contact him with their questions and/or concerns and reaffirmed, &uot;I promise you, we are working hard in Raleigh.&uot;

Rep. Michael Wray can be reached via email michaelw@ncleg.net, by phone at 919-733-5662 or by mail at 534 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925.