The article states: “Pollocksville has been through a lot, and Mayor Jay Bender has been right by its side for 40 years. He grew up in Pollocksville and says he has no intention of leaving.”

Pollocksville Florence recovery

Pollocksville survived a hurricane, but recovery has taken time

Bender has served as mayor of Pollocksville since 1982, making him one of the longest-serving local leaders in the region.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson presents Dogwood Award to Pollocksville Mayor Jay Bender

Mayor Jay Bender

Commissioners

Commissioner Ellis Banks

Commissioner Sherry Henderson

Commissioner Nancy Barbee

Commissioner Maria Robles

Commissioner Vic Bryan

Mayor and Commissioners

Jay serves as mayor of Pollocksville and has held the office since 1982.

Pollocksville's mayor Jay Bender honored with the Order of the Long ...

Mayor and Commissioners - Town of Pollocksville, NC

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of September 2, 2026, Jay Bender did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

“I think the minutes and all my reports would reflect that I’ve made no secret of wanting to preserve the town hall,” he said. “No secret at all.” He added, “I have been confronted by a couple of board members who said that I was not being objective. And I have firmly admitted, publicly and privately, that I wanted to see that project succeed.”

What Happens When the News Is Gone

POLLOCKSVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - The Pollocksville railroad train station/town hall flooded by Hurricane Florence was moved Thursday morning.

Mayor Jay Bender says the move is another step of progress as the town “seeks to recover from Florence.”

Pollocksville moves railroad train station/town hall flooded by Florence

Mayor Jay Bender says that their temporary post office that was driven away this morning was returned at 10:30 a.m.

Bender says that the town has offered to have postal operations set up in the temporary town hall if the mobile post office is unable to be sustained. They have not received a response from the post office about the offer.

Mayor upset with loss of post office in hurricane-damaged town

Advocates for preserving the town hall as part of Pollocksville's Hurricane Florence recovery.

Offers temporary town hall space for postal operations if mobile service cannot continue.

- Advocates for preserving the town hall as part of Pollocksville's Hurricane Florence recovery.
- Offers temporary town hall space for postal operations if mobile service cannot continue.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

When Hurricane Florence hit in 2018, Pollocksville experienced severe flooding, with about 75 buildings sustaining major damage. Pollocksville Mayor Jay Bender said the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities funding would have been used to elevate the floors of commercial buildings to help prevent future flooding.

“It was going to elevate or raise five to six to seven commercial properties that are currently vacant,” he explained, “And we have no business, and so the idea was to entice people to come with a building that was flood-free.”

N.C. Attorney General visits Pollocksville to highlight impact of recently cancelled FEMA funding

Bender understands his counterparts’ desire to remain under the radar. He’s relying partially on federal money to upgrade his water and sewer plants. “We lose this grant and we’re out maybe $20,000,” he said. “But I can’t build half a sewer plant.”

Coastal towns awarded resilience grants see funding pulled

Supports raising vacant commercial properties to reduce flood damage and help attract businesses.

Supports federal funding to upgrade the town's water and sewer plants.

- Supports raising vacant commercial properties to reduce flood damage and help attract businesses.
- Supports federal funding to upgrade the town's water and sewer plants.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Jay Bender

As of September 2, 2026, Jay Bender’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sahid Burgos

Walter Ley

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.