Reading to Preschoolers

January 27, 2012

Grier reads

Grier visited Harp’s Mill Creative School in North Raleigh yesterday.  In addition to hearing about the great support Smart Start provides to schools in North Carolina, Grier got a chance to read to a preschool class.  The book was “I Am Small” about a baby penguin in a big world.

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Grier Recognized for Protecting Environment

January 25, 2012

Rep. Grier Martin spoke today at a press conference recognizing legislators with a 100% record on environmental issues by Environment NC.  Joined by Rep. Deborah Ross, Rep. Garland Pierce, Rep. Jennifer Weiss, Rep. Marian McLawhorn, and Rep. Pricey Harrison, Martin talked about  fighting for clean air and safe drinking water and the importance of green jobs to North Carolina’s economy.

“These ‘environmental heroes’ showed that protecting the state’s air, water, and open spaces is still a top priority for North Carolinians in districts all across the state,” said Margaret Hartzell, Policy Advocate with Environment North Carolina.

While several legislators received a 100% rating, over half of the General Assembly received a score of  0%.

In addition to his 100% ranking this year, Martin has a lifetime voting record of 98% from Environment NC and 95% from  the NC League of Conservation Voters. He received the League of Conservation Voters’ “Defender of the Environment Award” in 2010.

For more information, visit Environment NC’s website.

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Secretary of Defense appoints Martin to Advisory Board

October 17, 2011

Rep. Grier Martin has been appointed by U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to a three-year term on the Reserve Forces Policy Board.

The 20-member board serves as an independent advisor directly to the Secretary of Defense on strategies, policies and practices intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of military reserve forces from all branches. The board is comprised of both military and civilian members and is chaired by retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arnold L. Punaro. Other newly appointed members of the board include Gary E. (Gene) Taylor, former member of Congress; Retired Vice Adm. John G. Cotton, former chief of the Navy Reserve; Paulette M. Mason, Delaware chair, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; John Nagl, president of the Center for a New American Security; Sergio A. Pecori, president & chief executive officer of Hanson Professional Services Inc.; Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, adjutant general of New Jersey; retired Maj. Gen. Leo V. Williams III, former deputy commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; Maria J. Vorel, disaster operations coordinator, Federal Emergency Management Agency; retired Gen. John W. Handy, former commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command.

“I am honored to receive this opportunity to help strengthen the work of the nation’s military reserves,” Rep. Martin said. “Reservists play a critical role in our nation’s defense and it is important that we constantly look for ways to improve their effectiveness.”

Martin has served in the Army Reserve since 1991 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 while on active duty.

In the General Assembly, he founded the bipartisan Military Veterans Caucus and is a past chairman of the House Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. He has been honored by the Disabled American Veterans, the National Guard Association of the United States and the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina for his work on legislation on behalf of service members and veterans.

Martin is a lawyer who has served in the General Assembly since 2004. His district covers central Wake County.  As he serves on the Reserve Forces Policy Board, he will continue to serve in the House of Representatives.

The Department of Defense press release is available here.  The Reserve Forces Policy Board website is here.

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Grier Speaks to Retired Teachers

October 5, 2011

Rep. Grier Martin spoke at today’s meeting of the Wake County Chapter of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel (NCRSP).  Grier discussed his opposition to the drastic cuts to education passed by the General Assembly this year and heard concerns from retirees about their benefits and other issues.  Several other members of the General Assembly also spoke, including Rep. Jennifer Weiss, Rep. Deborah Ross, Rep. Rosa Gill, Rep. Darren Jackson, and Sen. Josh Stein.

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Rep. Martin Speaks to American Legion Post 116

September 9, 2011

Rep. Grier Martin addressed the monthly meeting of American Legion Post 116 in Fuquay-Varina.  After a well-prepared grilled dinner, Rep. Martin spoke about things the legislature has done to help North Carolina veterans and military families.  Post members also expressed several concerns, with jobs and employment at the top of the list.

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Grier at NC State ROTC ceremony

August 19, 2011

The N.C. State ROTC Department held a change of command ceremony August 19. Rep. Grier Martin attended the event where Lt. Col. Ken Ratashak turned over command to Lt. Col. Randall Wheeler.  Lt. Col. Ratashak has been at N.C. State since 2008 and is retiring from the Army.

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Rep. Martin Speaks to Financial Executives

August 16, 2011

Rep. Grier Martin recently addressed a large group of financial executives.  The Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG) invited Grier to talk about issues facing government in our state.  Grier talked about the increasing influence of money in politics and the growing partisan divide.  While promising no certain cure for these ills, Grier noted that public financing of elections and an independent redistricting commission would be effective treatments.

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Grier Honored for Bringing “Sunshine” to Politics

July 29, 2011

Rep. Grier Martin was one of a select group of legislators to receive Democracy NC’s “Sunshine Award” for campaign finance transparency.  Fewer than 15% of North Carolina legislators were honored for submitting campaign finance disclosures that promote openness.

“At a time of intense partisan wrangling, it’s great to see so many legislators across ideological and party lines who respect the public’s right to know how money flows during elections,” said Bob Hall, the executive director of Democracy NC, a  nonpartisan organization. “These lawmakers are role models for their colleagues in recognizing that campaigns and elections are public activities, not private affairs.”

For more information, see Democracy NC’s press release here (.pdf).  Read the Raleigh News & Observer’s coverage here.

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Grier Protects Troops From Predatory Lending

June 6, 2011

Rep. Martin spoke out against HB 810, a bill that will allow predatory lenders to charge exorbitant interest rates to citizens.  The bill would place a particular burden on our servicemembers and is opposed by the leaders of all North Carolina’s military bases.  Our senior citizens would also be harmed and the AARP is opposed to the bill.

You can watch a press conference on WRAL’s website where Rep. Martin was joined by other legislators and military leaders in opposing this harmful bill.  Rep. Martin’s talk begins at 2:25.

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Martin Delivers Keynote Speech at Garner Veteran’s Day Celebration

November 11, 2010

Grier Martin was the keynote speaker at the Town of Garner’s Veteran’s Day Celebration, Nov. 11, 2010 at at Aversboro Road Baptist Church.  Martin spoke of the need to take care of our current generation of returning veterans. 

Martin is an Army veteran of Afghanistan and currently serves in the Army Reserve with an airborne unit at Fort Bragg.  He has worked tirelessly in the General Assembly on veterans issues and was named the Legislator of the Year in 2007 by the NC Department of the Disabled American Veterans.

Read more about the Celebration in the Garner News here.

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