What the H** Is Happening in Washington, NC? On the Record with Max Perreault

How does a town of 10,000 people in rural, Eastern North Carolina, suddenly become the subject of dozens of headlines regarding debt, law suits, improperly followed city ordinances and irrelevant proclamations? Last November, the city of Washington unseated three of its four city council seats, as well as its mayoral position. So what led the citizens to vote in an almost complete overall of it's local government? I sat down with sitting city councilman, Max Perrault, to discuss some of the issues plaguing this small town in Beaufort County. Including the context beyond the removal of a sitting city manager, the firing of a subsequent one, the financial challenges of providing citizens with updated utility structures, the struggle to attract industry when the team can't work together and what happens when egos interfere with the mission of serving your local community. 00:00 — Introduction & Meet Max Perrault 03:21 — Is Washington Actually a “Hot Mess”? 05:28 — The 2025 Election & Demand for Change 08:27 — Did the New Council Inherit Washington’s Problems? 12:41 — Why the City Manager Was Asked to Resign 17:45 — Washington’s Debt & Financial Problems 20:36 — Utility Bills, Infrastructure & Smart Meters 27:26 — “Good Debt” vs. Bad Debt 29:31 — Infrastructure & Economic Development 31:30 — Why Councilman Nick Fritz Resigned 38:35 — Blighted Properties & Code Enforcement 39:42 — Utilities, ElectriCities & Rising Rates 47:06 — The Personal Toll of Local Government 52:37 — Joe Davis & Social-Policy Controversies 59:00 — “Sanctuary for the Unborn” & Performative Politics 01:02:18 — Washington’s Property-Tax Fight 01:10:21 — The “Davis Tax Cut Plan” 01:14:36 — Can Washington Get Back to Revenue Neutral? 01:18:15 — Beaufort County, Growth & Economic Development 01:22:25 — What’s Happening With the Civic Center? 01:27:54 — Washington’s Airport, PGV & Aviation Growth 01:34:13 — Reelection & Perrault’s Vision for Washington   Closing Nick Fritz's resignation post: https://www.witn.com/2026/04/30/democ... For more information about Eastern North Carolina, questions, comments, concerns, or to be a trusted source or sponsor of ENCTV, e-mail: [email protected] Instagram: www.instagram.com/ontherecordenctv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593797286430 #easternnorthcarolina #northcarolina