Disney World. Harrah’s Casino. Pinehurst Resort. Las Vegas. Beaufort waterfront.
Sounds like someone’s vacation itinerary, right? Nope. These are charges on your dime, straight from Clayton’s hotel bills.
Over the past three years, Clayton has racked up nearly $200,000 in employee out-of-town hotel stays. That’s just for staff travel. It doesn’t even include what we spend on local hotels to host performers, visiting consultants, or other guests of the Town.
And not just at budget-friendly roadside inns. Here are a few highlights:
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$32,688 at Marriott-branded hotels (everything with Marriott in the name, from Courtyards to JWs)
- $14,799 at Oglebay Resort & Golf Club (West Virginia retreat)
- $11,300 at The Beaufort Hotel (luxury waterfront)
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$11,022 at Embassy Suites
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$10,433 at Hilton hotels
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$9,496 at Hotel Ballast (Wilmington riverfront)
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$2,030 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel
- $1,126 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club
- $844 at TradeWinds Island Resort (Florida)
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$809 at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
- $510 at Great Wolf Lodge Concord
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$291 at Walt Disney World Resorts
(And yes — apparently Marriott has a dozen sub-brands, but unless “Marriott” was actually in the name line, I didn’t count it. Because this is a transparency exercise, not a hospitality MBA.)
How I Fell Down This Rabbit Hole
Here’s the thing: I can’t tell you for sure what all of these trips were for. Why? Because they came through P-card transactions (basically government credit cards) that weren’t categorized. It’s like finding a pile of receipts in your teenager’s car: sure, some of it might be gas, but when you see “Harrah’s Casino” and “Disney Resorts,” you start asking questions.
That’s how I ended up here in the first place. I wanted to know where our money was going, and instead of clear records, I found myself piecing together a mystery novel written in bad accounting shorthand.
And honestly, that’s the point: even if some of this was legitimate, we shouldn’t have to guess. Running a town isn’t supposed to be a scavenger hunt. Transparency means residents know what their money was spent on, without having to channel their inner Nancy Drew and three pots of coffee.
The Mystery
We’re told there’s no money for basic needs like better infrastructure, faster permitting, or even a functioning website. But somehow, there’s room for thousands at golf resorts, casinos, and luxury waterfront hotels. What’s the priority here?
The Verdict
Clayton leaders love to talk about building a “world-class” town. Judging by these receipts, the only thing world-class about Clayton is the travel budget.
For everyday residents, the message is clear: while you pay more for water, trash, and property taxes, your government is enjoying riverfront views, casino buffets, and Disney perks.
We deserve to know what every one of these trips was for. And until we do, I’ll keep connecting the dots.
And let me be clear: if I’m wrong about any of this — if every casino, resort, and waterfront stay was for a legitimate purpose — then the Town is more than welcome to correct the record. On the record.
That’s how accountability works. Residents shouldn’t have to piece together mysteries from half-coded receipts. We deserve straightforward answers, not silence.
(P.S. I don’t have any photos of luxury hotels to show you… but I do have a great shot of downtown New Bern. Which, judging by the receipts, is a view many of our employees have also enjoyed, repeatedly.)