by Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
Governor-elect Beverly Perdue has appointed former Orange County Commissioner Moses Carey as the chairman of the Employment Security Commission for the State of North Carolina.
Perdue announced the appointment over the weekend. The Employment Security Commission (ESC) provides employment services, unemployment insurance and labor market information to the state’s workers, employers and the public.
Unemployment in North Carolina reached 7.9 percent in November – the highest since 1983. Carey said he’s up to the challenge of assisting those in need as more North Carolinians lose their jobs.
“They’re going to need all the help they can get from the agency they rely on to provide some stability,†Carey said. “I’m happy to be asked by the governor to help provide some assistance for them.â€
Carey said his first task will be to assist those who have lost their jobs.
“First and foremost, we have to provide some help for the people that are going to be displaced.†Then, “the issue becomes providing employment-related services, workforce-related services.â€
Carey said he believes his experience in local government and working directly with people in need will serve him well as chairman of the ESC.
Carey served on the Orange County Board of Commissioners for 24 years, before stepping down this fall. He ran unsuccessfully for state senate last year, losing to incumbent Ellie Kinnaird. While he has not ruled out another run for senate, Carey said he does not plan to do so while serving on the ESC.
“My first priority will be serving as chairperson of this commission,†he said.