Lexington Barbeque Cook-Off

The Lexington Barbeque Cook-Off last month was an enormous success. Lexington has such a rich barbeque tradition and it is very important for the city to celebrate that history. We are already working to make the next barbeque cook-off a bigger and better event.

I serve on the festival’s committee and today we met with the Lexington Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Recreation Investment Partnership. This group oversees parks, recreation and tourism in Lexington. We discussed the things that worked during the cook-off and ways that we can improve for next year. On the whole, the cook-off received very positive reviews and we are committed to growing the event and making it part of our city for years to come.

I had a terrific experience as a judge during the cook-off and look forward to the continued success of a great event!

NC Governor Bev Perdue in Lexington

Today I attended a reception for North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue at Cal and Elizabeth Cunningham’s home in Lexington. Governor Perdue spoke about the need to fight for public education funding in the new budget. The Governor has a long history of work with public education and is acutely aware of the need to improve public education, especially in North Carolina’s rural communities. As mayor, I will work with the state government to ensure that public education is a top priority in Lexington. Our children must have access to the best available education and I will work tirelessly to that end as mayor.

Governor Perdue also discussed a need for innovation in education similar to that of the Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy. We thank the Governor for her recognition of this important work in education and for her commitment to fighting for education in North Carolina as a whole. Many thanks to the Cunningham’s for hosting a terrific reception!

“Meet the Candidate”

Tonight I hosted the first of many “Meet the Candidate” events. Close to fifty people gathered at High Rock Outfitters on Main Street to discuss important issues facing Lexington this year. We met for nearly two hours and touched on issues ranging from family life to long-term plans for downtown development. We also discussed in depth many of the potential benefits of bringing a passenger rail to Lexington.

The evening was a resounding success. It is this type of frank and honest discourse that I will make a priority during this campaign and when I am mayor of Lexington. I look forward to hearing more of your ideas and working with you to implement them. Together we will build a better Lexington!

Surry County Education Roundtable

Today I was also part of a group that presented Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy at the Surry County Career Technical Education Roundtable. The meeting was vey well attended and all were receptive to the Career Academy and very excited about the benefits that it will bring their communities. We will continue to both improve the Career Academy and educate our neighbors about the benefits of a regional, career-oriented academic institution.

Lexington Strategic Planning Committee

Today I participated in a meeting of the Lexington Strategic Planning Committee. The Committee includes a diverse group of Lexington citizens who are dedicated to the long term success of our city. Our primary goal is to work with citizens and city planning experts to develop a 10 year strategic plan for the city. During the meeting we discussed what we love about Lexington and laid the foundation of a plan that will guide the city in to the future. The Committee benefited from the input of several members of our community including Antoinette Kerr, Al Armstrong, Greg Turlington, Michael Holhouser, Jane Whitehurst, Amy McNeil, and the Committee’s Chair Michael Turlington. Thanks to all for their hard work!

Davidson County Economic Development Commission Meeting

I was part of a team today that presented an outline of the Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy to the Davidson County Economic Development Commission. The Career Academy is an innovative new high school that both challenges students academically and prepares them for successful careers. The school focuses on job preparation and will help create an intelligent, modern and well-equipped work force in Davidson County. With the help of the Economic Development Commission, the Career Academy will be a major asset for Davidson County as it becomes once again an industrial leader in North Carolina.

First Presbyterian Church Fundraising Breakfast

This morning I attended a terrific fundraising breakfast at the First Presbyterian Church. I am on a committee that is working with the church to construct a Religious Service Center at the Davidson County Correctional Facility. We were joined this morning by George Holley, the minister at the Creggy Correctional Facility near Asheville. Reverend Holley spoke to us about the remarkable transformation that many inmates make through the prison ministry. Here in Davidson County we welcome many former inmates back to our community each year. I believe that a religious service center at the Davidson County facility will help inmates follow a more natural path to productive citizenry.

We thank Reverend Holley for his inspiring words and all members of the fundraising committee for their hard work and support! This is an important project that will make Davidson County a stronger community.