Legion Field as it stands today, used most recently for recreational soccer.

Stadium for Tobs going to Legion Field after all
It was town's first choice; Legion post renegotiates

Wrapping up a deal finalized earlier in the day, the Smithfield Town Council voted unanimously after a lengthy closed session Tuesday night to "pause activity at Community Park" and instead sign a "letter of intent" with American Legion Post 132 to lease their former baseball field as the site of a new stadium for the Smithfield Tobs baseball team. There's a 45-day deadline to work out details of the lease.

The town has agreed to pay the Pou-Parrish Post $24,000 a year (plus annual increases pegged to the Consumer Price Index) to lease its property at the end of Pitchi Street off North Bright Leaf Boulevard and pay the post another $140,000 up front to cover loss of revenue from a soccer program and other activities that have been paying the Legion post for use of the ballpark.

The Legion Post sold its 7.8-acre tract in 2007 to the Johnston Community College Foundation, then signed a 99-year lease to continue using the property, primarily because its clubhouse is located there. As a result, the town will be sub-leasing the land from the Legion post for 81 years while allowing the organization to continue using its building (shown below) for post activities and other gatherings.

Meanwhile, Muter Construction of Zebulon will continue as contractor for building the new stadium, Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett told the Weekly Sun on Wednesday. She said Muter, which last month presented a preliminary stadium plan for a site beside Buffalo Road within the confines of the town's Community Park, has been paid $165,662 for the work it has done to date. The contract with Muter limits total cost of the stadium project to $6 million.

Councilor Travis Scott, who had raised numerous concerns about the Community Park site next to the Bradford Park subdivision where he resides, made Tuesday's motion to shift the project to the former Legion Field site. Doris Wallace seconded his motion, and it carried with affirmative votes from all seven council members present. (Mr. Scott credited Ms. Wallace with arranging recent negotiations "that made this happen.")

Following Tuesday's meeting, council members confirmed that the Legion Field site had been their first choice for the Tobs stadium. But negotiations with the Legion post last summer failed to produce an agreement, pushing the town to consider the Community Park site instead.

Legion Field was home base for the Smithfield-Selma "Leafs," a Class D professional baseball team that played here for five seasons in the late 1940s. Later, the ballpark (which once had a covered grandstand) hosted Johnston County's American Legion baseball team for aspiring young players. For several years after World War II the field was the site of a Thanksgiving Day football game between rival teams from Smithfield and Selma high schools.

The Smithfield Tobs are a successor to the Wilson Tobs, a long-standing professional baseball franchise that in recent years has morphed into a summertime program for college players competing in Eastern N.C.'s Coastal Plain League. The Tobs last year sought a new home after it lost its lease of an old stadium owned by the City of Wilson, which recently opened a new stadium built for the relocated Carolina Mudcats franchise affiliated with Major League Baseball.

Without a stadium in place this summer, the Tobs will skip the 2026 season.


The vacant former DAV hut stands in the middle of the discarded stadium site beside Buffalo Road at Community Park. The DAV chapter has relocated to Selma.

What happens to Community Park land without stadium?

Anticipating the change in stadium sites for the Tobs, the Town Council removed from Tuesday's agenda approval of a contract for demolition of the old house that has been used in recent years by Disabled American Veterans.

Interim Manager Pickett confirmed this week that the DAV chapter has vacated the premises, which stood in the way of the proposed stadium. Despite the change in stadium plans, she said the town has decided the structure's deteriorating condition calls for its removal nonetheless.

The town recently purchased 1.7 acres along Buffalo Road between the DAV hut and the Bradford Park subdivision, presumably for amenities related to the proposed stadium. Ms. Pickett said it now serves as "a buffer" between the park and the subdivision. "There is not a current plan for the property at this time," she added.

That property was purchased by the town March 5 following closed-session discussions by the Town Council in January. Approval of the sale wasn't ratified in an open council session as required by state law before the purchase was recorded with the Register of Deeds Office. The council Tuesday night made the sale official with a "resolution to disclose property purchase" that was approved without discussion as part of the evening's Consent Agenda.

Council clears way for "upscale" bars Downtown

The Downtown Development Corporation requested a change in the town's zoning rules to add "private clubs" and bars to the B-1 central business district – with restrictions recommended by the town's Planning Board and staff: the establishments can be no larger than 2,500 square feet, no more than two per street block, no closer than 200 feet from places of worship, day-care facilities, and residences, and be located only along streets within Downtown's "social district."

Micah Woodard of the town's planning staff said those limitations make the 100 block of South Third Street the only likely location for such establishments.

During a public hearing on the zoning change, residents of neighborhoods close to Downtown voiced mixed opinions: some opposed more purveyors of alcoholic beverages near their residences; others welcomed the opportunity to recruit more after-hours options for entertainment Downtown.

DSDC Director Heidi Gilmond said she has been in touch with two bar operators with "proven track records" who are interested in vacant building space on South Third. Both she and Planner Woodard referred to such businesses as "upscale."

The council approved the zoning change 6-1. Councilor Scott voted no.

Council orders video recordings of Planning Board
In response to a request from Councilor Doris Wallace, the council voted without dissent to instruct staff to begin video recording monthly meetings of the Smithfield Planning Board. She said questions have arisen lately "about minutes not recorded accurately" of the Planning Board's proceedings. She did not elaborate.

School-zone camera proposal to get a second bidder
Pulled from the agenda for Tuesday's council session was a recommendation from Police Chief Pete Hedrick to approve "automated school-zone speed-enforcement cameras" at Smithfield-Selma High, Smithfield Middle, and West Smithfield Elementary. It was announced that a second vendor wants to make its pitch.

Meeting recessed till April 16 for work on new budget
The council recessed Tuesday night's meeting until 6:30 p.m. next Thursday to begin working on the town's 2026-27 budget, which must be adopted before July 1, the start of a new fiscal year for local government.
 

County board urged to pursue 2nd water plant
"Worst case" estimate of impact on water bills shown

Kim Rineer, engineering manager for the County of Johnston's Public Utilities Department, warned the County Commissioners Monday that Johnston's unprecedented residential growth is raising the urgency for construction of a second water-treatment plant to serve the county's customers.

What's proposed is a new treatment plant near Princeton that will draw water from the Neuse River at Richardson's Bridge south of the town and pump it to an abandoned rock quarry the county has purchased for a reservoir.

Elements of the project add up to about $605 million, Ms. Rineer noted. She emphasized that the county's water customers, not its property taxpayers, will cover that cost – with help from potential federal and state grants and low-interest loans. She told commissioners customers' bills could go up 5-9.5% annually over eight years under a "worst case scenario" that assumes inflation will continue unabated, state and federal aid will be limited, and county water revenues and development fees will level off.

For a residential customer using 4,000 gallons, the monthly bill would increase from $45.80 now to $63.16 by 2031, Ms. Rineer figured.

The county is pursuing negotiations with neighboring water providers to take care of supplies until the new treatment plant is on line, but the longevity of those arrangements are uncertain, Mr. Rineer said. For instance, the county is hopeful the City of Raleigh will increase what it's agreed to sell to Johnston from 2.5-million gallons per day now to 4.5-million in the near future, she said, but that agreement is temporary and may not continue for long since Wake County is also experiencing rapid residential growth.

Other nearby sources of water for Johnston include Harnett County/City of Dunn, City of Wilson, and perhaps Goldsboro and Sampson County, Ms. Rineer noted.

In sum, she said the Public Utilities staff is recommending commissioners "move forward" with contracts to design the new water plant along with the "raw water" intake on the Neuse and a pipeline from there to the plant site.

Commissioners' Chairman Patrick Harris said the request would be placed on the agenda for the board's next scheduled meeting on April 20 for a decision.

Ms. Rineer noted that the county currently has almost 50,000 customers outside the jurisdictions of Johnston's municipalities that operate their own water systems. Several of the towns depend on the county's system for their supplies and would be directly affected by higher charges for the water they purchase. (Smithfield has its own plant and actually sells some of its treated water to the county.)

Johnston's "busiest" airport continues to "make money"

Ken Starling, chairman of the county's Airport Authority, reported to commissioners that Johnston Regional Airport (JNX) continues to be "self-supporting" requiring "no tax money" from the county to cover the cost of operations.

"We get a lot of grants" for capital improvements, Mr. Starling noted, and those usually require matching funds of 5-10% from the county. The latest example of such projects is completion of a 17,000-square-foot hangar and office building that provides new quarters for the county's Economic Development Office (shown here).

Because "we're the busiest general-aviation airport in the state of North Carolina," Mr. Starling said the airport's top priority need is a manned control tower – scheduled to be in operation by 2030 pending federal approval and funding.

In the meantime, added Airport Director Dave Harris, there's a move to get a "mobile tower" on site until a permanent structure is built. A quicker-to-get, less expensive long-term option under consideration is a remote digital device with traffic controllers housed inside an existing building, Mr. Harris said.

The airport's director said JNX this past year recorded a 5.53% net return on $2.9 million in revenue. That "cash reserve" has enabled JNX to attract more business as "the lowest cost fuel provider in the region," he said.

Mr. Harris said JNX has a nearly 100% occupancy rate for its 151 "lease-able spaces" for aircraft, with a total of 170 planes now based at JNX.

Nursing Home Advisory Committee's annual report
James Coleman, chairman of the county's Nursing Home/Adult Care Home Community Advisory Council, presented the group's annual report which showed the group spent 444 volunteer hours visiting five nursing homes, 11 adult care-care homes, and 19 family-care homes in Johnston. "Certainly, there are improvements to be made, but for the most part our senior citizens are being cared for by dedicated, committed, compassionate fellow citizens," Mr. Coleman reported.

April a popular month for observances, recognition
Commissioners approved the following proclamations Monday:
• Johnston named a "Hidden Heroes Community," the second county in the state to gain the designation from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation that advocates for the care of military veterans.
• April 12-18 proclaimed Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week honoring employees in Johnston's 911 emergency communications center.
• This week proclaimed Public Health Week honoring the 152 employees of the Johnston County Public Health Department.
• April proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month.
• April 18 proclaimed Line Worker Appreciation Day honoring electrical linemen in accord with a national observance set by Congress for that date. (The Smithfield Town Council adopted a similar proclamation at its meeting on Tuesday, designating April 13 as "Electrical Lineman Appreciation Day" in the town.)
Also on Monday, the county board proclaimed May Older Americans Month.

Several contested appointments made with ballots 
Commissioners filled the following positions on various boards which had more applicants than openings:
• Airport Authority – Ken Starling, Edwin L. Aldridge Jr., Tim Stevens, John H. Bullock reappointed.
• Board of Health – Jordan Troxel of Packhouse Court, Angier newly appointed.
• Economic Development Advisory Board – Dale Moore for Kenly, Donnie Lassiter for Micro, Carolyn Dobbin for Wilson's Mills, Adam Caldwell at-large, all reappointed.
• Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action Board – Alexia Walker reappointed.
 

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Four SSS students selected for N.C. Governor's School

Selected because of their outstanding academic success at Smithfield-Selma High School, they are (left to right) Karmen Cyrus, Yastelin Portillo, Luis Diaz Coyt, and Alexander Dobek. The oldest statewide program of its kind in the nation – established in 1963 – the N.C. Governor's School is a four-week summer residential program for about 800 "gifted and talented" high-school students each year. Publicly funded through the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the program integrates academic disciplines, the arts, and "unique courses" without tests or credits at two sites: Meredith College in Raleigh and Greensboro College. (SSS photo)
 

 FOCUS ON OUR HISTORY 

West Smithfield's African-American neighborhood

Today it's identified by a newly installed sign as "Greytown." Or should it be "Graytown" as the plat delineating the 54 original lots was labeled in 1891?

The spelling has gone back and forth in published items over the years, and archivist Ben Chapman at the Johnston County Heritage Center has found nothing (so far) explaining the origin of the name.

The new sign also says what a 1929 Smithfield Herald item called "a suburb of Smithfield" was established in 1898. Todd Johnson at the Heritage Center says that's the year the first lots were sold – on December 24, 1898 by James H. Pou and wife to Mary Morgan and William R. Holt. (Attorney James H. Pou was the brother of Smithfield's long-serving Congressman Edward W. Pou.)

What has given Greytown extra prominence was the founding in 1943 of Burning Bush Holiness Tabernacle, housed today in a brick church house beside the highway facing Sunset Memorial Park.

Speaking of bricks, once located in the floodplain east of the Greytown neighborhood was Riverside Brick Company – an enterprise of the mid-20th Century. That floodplain was inundated by one of Smithfield largest Neuse River floods in September of 1944 that forced 44 residents out of their homes, according to the Smithfield Herald. The National Weather Service lists it as the 7th worst flood recorded here as the river rose to 25.9 feet (the all-time record is 29.09 feet registered after Hurricane Matthew came through in October 2016).

Greytown was outside the town's borders until it was included with the annexation of West Smithfield in 1993. It remains a viable neighborhood today, as evidenced by the turnout of residents old and young shown in the photo above from last week's official unveiling of the new sign.

Below is the 1981 plat of "Graytown" that was recorded by the Johnston County Register of Deeds. Curiously, the roadway at the top, which follows the course of present-day US 70 Business, was "Ellington Avenue" at the time while the names "Hill Street" and "Campbell Street" remain in place today.


 

 WHAT'S COMING UP 

Fund-raiser for Town Councilman Roger Wood Saturday
He has been diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and needs a liver transplant and also a kidney transplant because of chronic kidney disease. "BBQ for a Cause" is scheduled by his fellow Coca-Cola Consolidated employees from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. in the parking lot at Smithfield Town Hall. Plates with pulled pork, beans, and slaw will be available for pick-up only at $12 a plate.

School board's monthly meeting next Tuesday evening
The Johnston County Board of Education will convene at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the school system's headquarters on US 70 Business East. Meetings usually begin with a closed session lasting about an hour followed by the open business session.
VIEW the agenda once it's posted (usually on Friday) on the schools' website>
 

 DEATHS AND FUNERALS 
Click on the name to read an obituary, usually posted by the funeral home:

Ryan Jordan is community relations director for Flowers Plantation, that massive residential development on what we've long known as the Percy Flowers lands around the intersection of Buffalo Road and NC 42 north of Smithfield. He appeared before the County Commissioners this week to object to what he termed a "continued pattern of Clayton extending its identity, influence, and branding into areas that are not within its jurisdiction" – Flowers Plantation in particular.

He was speaking specifically about the kayak boat launch about to be built on the east side of the Neuse River beside NC 42 on property formerly owned by the Flowers family but now by the County of Johnston. He asked that "Clayton" be removed from the boat launch's identity since it's outside the town's limits and is on the edge of what Flowers Plantation considers its territory.

Such naming, he said, "creates confusion for residents, visitors, and future development."

That could be said for a number of fast-growing suburban areas throughout Johnston County. When someone says they reside "in Clayton" you have to ask a follow-up question about where they actually live. Having a Clayton postal address doesn't mean one lives "in Clayton."

The same thing could be applied to residents of the Old Drug Store area where Cleveland Road meets I-40 (it's in neither Garner nor Clayton as postal addresses indicate) or the McGee's Crossroads community (with addresses linked to Benson or Angier). And then there are less populous rural communities like Bentonville which is often misleadingly identified as being "in Four Oaks."

These places deserve more accurate identities that what they're given by outmoded postal districts. How can we fix that? Incorporating them as municipalities is one way, but in most cases that ain't gonna happen. Giving them names as sub-districts of existing postal zones is a simpler way, as was recently done for territory around Wilson's Mills previously with RFD Smithfield addresses.

Meanwhile, in response to Mr. Jordan's request, the County Commissioners agreed not to change the kayak launch's identity since a contract is already in place for the Town of Clayton to maintain the facility for the county.