For several months, I’ve noted a small but persistent facilities issue during Board of Supervisors meetings: peeling drywall tape on the ceiling above the public seating area.
At this point, it’s become something of a running joke.
Staff and supervisors occasionally glance upward when I approach the podium. During a recent Town Council meeting—held in the same room—the Town Manager even commented that he was wondering whether I would bring it up there as well. The ceiling, it seems, has developed a reputation.
That reputation followed us into the new year.
At the first Board of Supervisors meeting of the year on January 8, one of the supervisors approached me before the meeting began and apologized for the ceiling. She explained—very kindly—that she was often reminded of it when I spoke at prior meetings.
It was a small, human moment. And an honest one. The issue was remembered. Just not yet resolved.
How This Actually Started
This didn’t begin as a joke—or even as a ceiling issue.
I first noticed a burnt-out light bulb and deteriorating ceiling above the public seating area on June 3, 2025 (Figure 1). After watching it remain unaddressed for several weeks, I formally called attention to the lighting during public comment at the July 1, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting.
At my next meeting, on September 2, 2025, I publicly commended the Board and staff for fixing the light. The room was brighter, and one of the original concerns had been addressed.
What was now more clearly visible—because of that improved lighting—was the peeling drywall tape on the ceiling above the light next to it.
That part stayed.
The Ceiling Timeline
After September, I continued to mention the ceiling condition during public comment—not dramatically, not angrily, just consistently:
- September 16, 2025
- October 7, 2025
- October 21, 2025
- November 18, 2025
By December 9, 2025, I intentionally chose not to mention it. By that point, it was clear everyone in the room was aware of the issue. It had become familiar enough that people joked about my comments and half-expected the mention each time I stepped to the podium.
The fact that its absence was noticeable that night says something.
A Conversation, Then Documentation
Before the January 20, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting, I spoke with the County Administrator about the ceiling. He shared that the repair was expected to be addressed sometime during the summer.
That information was helpful—and appreciated. It also clarified that the issue was now acknowledged, scheduled in principle, but still months away from resolution.
Just after the January 20 meeting adjourned, I sent an unsolicited proposal via email to the County Administrator, all members of the Board of Supervisors, the Clerk to the Board, and the Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.
The timing was intentional. The proposal wasn’t meant to interrupt the meeting or force an immediate response. It was meant to document—calmly and clearly—that the issue remained visible, unresolved, and on the record.
The full proposal appears below, exactly as submitted.
A Brief Visual Record
Before sharing the document, it’s useful to show how this issue has remained visible over time.
Video: Public Comments Referencing the Ceiling
This compilation includes clips from multiple Board of Supervisors meetings where I referenced the deteriorating drywall tape during public comment. The purpose isn’t to criticize—only to establish that the issue was raised calmly, consistently, and on the record.
July 1 Notified
Um, another issue I’ve been kind of annoyed by quite often. That light. And that roof. So, every time I look at you guys and I look at that light, I’m thinking there’s cracks. Everybody needs to like clean up a little bit or something. But, um, yeah…
Sep 2 Light Fixed, Ceiling Not
Good job on the light. Um ceiling’s still falling apart, but that’s better.
Sep 18 Ceiling
Um I did see the ceiling still falling apart,
Oct 7 Ceiling
but um, I saw that the ceiling is still falling apart here.
Oct 21 Ceiling
The third light from the back. ceiling still falling down.
Nov 18 Ceiling
The… see the ceiling still falling apart.
Dec 9 Won’t say it
Um, I won’t say it, but anyway
Dec 9 Laughter
…we really appreciate *person in back* *alarm beep* times up.
Ceiling Condition
This photo, taken on January 8, 2026, shows the drywall tape visibly hanging just above a ceiling light in the meeting chamber when you look up (Figure 2).
The Unsolicited Proposal
What follows is the unsolicited proposal exactly as sent, without edits or cleanup.
I’m sharing it verbatim because tone matters here. The proposal is intentionally straight-faced, slightly over-complete, and procedurally polite. Any humor comes from contrast—not exaggeration.
This is the document that was emailed to the County Administrator, the members of the Board of Supervisors, and the Deputy Clerk to the Board immediately following the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on January 20, 2026.
Created At: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 10:35 PM
From: Lewis Moten <lewismoten>
To: Brad Gotshall <BNGotshall> (County Administrator)
Cc: Zach Henderson <ZHenderson> (Deputy Clerk to the Board)
Cc: Cheryl Cullers <CCullers> (Supervisor)
Cc: Richard Jamieson <RJamieson> (Supervisor)
Cc: Hugh Henry <HHenry> (Supervisor)
Cc: John Stanmeyer <JStanmeyer> (Supervisor)
Cc: Tony Carter <TCarter> (Supervisor)
Subject: Peeling Ceiling Drywall Tape – Public Meeting Chamber
Unsolicited Proposal for Minor Facilities Remediation, Required Support Services, and Post-Incident Community Recognition
Executive Summary
This unsolicited proposal offers a comprehensive, no-cost solution to a long-standing and repeatedly noted facilities concern within the Board of Supervisors meeting chamber: deteriorating and peeling drywall tape visible on the ceiling above the public seating area.
The proposal includes:
- Voluntary remediation services
- Necessary safety, professional, and emotional support resources
- Post-incident recognition for community service performed under elevated risk conditions
This proposal is submitted in good faith, with full respect for County policies, liability considerations, and the possibility that fixing the ceiling directly may be simpler than evaluating this document.
Scope of Proposed Work
Subject to written authorization and staff scheduling, I propose to perform the following:
- Re-adhere or replace the affected drywall tape
- Apply joint compound as required
- Sand and spot-finish to match the existing ceiling surface
- Perform all work under County oversight
No work will occur without explicit approval.
Required Support Resources
Due to the height, location, and psychological impact of the work environment, the following resources would be required for safe and effective execution:
1. Access Equipment
- One (1) scissor lift capable of reaching the affected ceiling area
2. Professional Oversight
- One (1) licensed drywall professional to provide real-time guidance and quality assurance
- Oversight only; no direct labor required
3. Health & Safety Accommodation
- One (1) licensed psychiatrist or qualified mental health professional available to assist with vertigo and anxiety associated with elevated work conditions
– Full coverage from injury, acts of God, nature, war, pandemics, and post traumatic stress incurred on the job.
4. Emotional Support Accommodation
- Authorization for one (1) well-behaved emotional support dog to attend during the repair
- Dog will remain leashed, non-disruptive, and focused on morale stabilization
Cost Structure
- Labor: Provided at no cost
- Materials: Estimated under $25, reimbursable at cost if preferred
- Support resources: To be provided by the County, should this proposal be accepted
Risk Acknowledgment
This proposal acknowledges the inherent risks associated with:
- Elevated work environments
- Deteriorating overhead materials
- Psychological strain
- Being the sole individual willing to address repeatedly identified failing infrastructure
All risks are assumed voluntarily, subject to County approval.
Post-Incident Recognition Request
Given the hazardous nature of the task and the absence of prior remedial action or volunteers, this proposal includes a request for post-incident acknowledgment should the work proceed.
Requested recognition includes:
- A formal Letter of Commendation recognizing community service, initiative, and resilience
- Public acknowledgment in a Board meeting or meeting minutes recognizing successful completion and survival of the task
- (Optional) Recognition of the emotional support dog for exceptional morale support during infrastructure stabilization
This request is submitted to ensure that acts of civic engagement involving personal risk, ladders, and joint compound are properly documented.
Acknowledgment of Process
I fully understand that the County may decline this proposal due to liability, insurance, procurement rules, safety policy, or a general preference for resolving the issue without involving residents, dogs, or mental health professionals.
If declined, I respectfully request that the ceiling issue be scheduled for repair through standard facilities maintenance channels. Soon ™️
Closing
This proposal is submitted not to complicate a minor repair, but to demonstrate—thoroughly and on the record—that the administrative burden of considering it now exceeds the burden of fixing the ceiling.
Respectfully submitted,
Lewis Moten
North River District
It makes sense if you don’t think about it.
Why Share This Publicly?
This post isn’t really about drywall tape.
It’s about how very small, visible issues can persist when responsibility diffuses across systems, timelines stretch, and acknowledgment quietly substitutes for action. Over time, problems can become familiar, joked about, even apologized for—without ever being resolved.
The light was fixed.
The room got brighter.
The ceiling is scheduled—someday.
If the ceiling is repaired tomorrow, this proposal will have served its purpose and can be archived as a civic curiosity.
If it isn’t, then this post stands as a simple record: the issue was visible, mentioned, addressed once, acknowledged repeatedly, joked about, apologized for, discussed privately, documented formally, and handled in good faith—both verbally and in writing.
Either outcome is fine. Documentation is part of civic participation, too.
Update Policy
This post may be updated if the ceiling is repaired or the proposal is formally declined.
