AHOSKIE – It's not everyday that Roanoke-Chowan area officials receive an opportunity to discuss local issues with state leaders.

However, that will be the case here Thursday, Sept. 22.

Senator Robert Holloman (D-Ahoskie) announced Monday that he will host a four-county district forum in his home county of Hertford.

Sen. Holloman, who represents the 4th Senate District, has lined up this event for 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Roanoke-Chowan Community College.

He has invited local officials from Bertie, Halifax, Hertford and Northampton counties to join he and other state leaders the open forum.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to have as presenters some of our state's most knowledgeable professionals in the areas of public instruction, economic development, housing, special drug investigations and Medicaid," Holloman said.

Included on the agenda is June Atkinson, North Carolina's Superintendent of Public Instruction, who will be making one of her first appearances in the northeastern section of the state.

Also scheduled to attend Thursday's forum are Linda Suggs, Legislative Director of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; Billy Ray Hall, President of the North Carolina Rural Economic Center; Will Perry-Hill of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency; Mark Benton with the Division of Medical Assistance and Kelly Page, Special Agent and Assistant Coordinator for the Eastern NC Clandestine Laboratories.

Holloman said the forum is an opportunity for local mayors, sheriffs, county commissioners, superintendents, school board members and other officials to hear and engage in dialogue about topics of interest that directly affect the towns and counties of the 4th District.

Sen. Holloman is currently serving his second term in the North Carolina Senate. He represents Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton and Perquimans counties.