Smithfield
Town Council
    report from July 6 session

Council members present: Mayor Andy Moore, David Barbour, John Dunn, Marlon Lee, Steve Rabil, Travis Scott, David Stevens, Roger Wood


FILING PERIOD UNSETTLED FOR MARCH 8 ELECTION

The council agreed to delay Smithfield's municipal election of mayor as well as four council members from November to March 8, a date set by the state to coincide with next year's Primary Election. The council election had to be delayed because the four seats up for grabs this year are elected by voters in separate districts whose boundaries must be re-evaluated according to 2020 Census results delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Because the race for mayor involves all the town's voters, that election could have been held this November as usual, but the council chose otherwise when advised the town's cost of doing that would run about $8,000.

Meanwhile, the filing period for candidates in the rescheduled election won't be known until Census results are received and district boundaries are adjusted, if need be. Those results aren't expected before September, Town Manager Mike Scott noted.

The seats up for election are presently held by Marlon Lee of East Smithfield (District 1), David Stevens of South Smithfield (District 2), Travis Scott of North Smithfield (District 3), and David Barbour of West Smithfield (District 4).


JUNETEENTH TO BE CELEBRATED HERE ON SATURDAYS

Councilman Lee, one of the principal organizers of Smithfield's Juneteenth celebration held June 19, got unanimous approval from the council to make the event an annual celebration here. At Mr. Lee's request, it will be observed on the Saturday closest to June 19, the date of the new federal Juneteenth holiday that marks the end of slavery following the Civil War. That will put next year's celebration in Smithfield on Saturday, June 18.


MICHAEL JERNIGAN  IS POLICE "OFFICER OF THE YEAR"

Captain J. Gentry (left in photo) presented the Police Department's "Officer of the Year" award to Michael Jernigan, who was nominated by fellow officers for the honor.

Officer Jernigan has been with the Smithfield department four years following service as a military police officer for 10 years. He has worked here with the Patrol Division and is presently the department's K-9 handler.

Police Officer S.L. Cook took the oath of office at Tuesday's meeting for promotion to the position of sergeant. Officer Jennifer LeCrone took an oath as the department's newest member. Police Chief Keith Powell reported to the council that the department has four vacancies in its ranks.


RETIRED FIRE CHIEF BLANTON HONORED

Mayor Moore read a proclamation honoring John M. Blanton Jr. (pictured with his wife Marla) for 30 years and nine months of service with the Smithfield Fire Department. Chief Blanton retired June 1.

The mayor spoke of his first-hand knowledge of Chief Blanton's going "beyond the call of duty" helping citizens on many occasions.

Town Manager Scott reported to the council that the Triangle J Council of Governments, which is assisting with recruiting Chief Blanton's replacement, is close to identifying "final candidates."


 A SECOND WATER CONNECTION FOR WEST SMITHFIELD

The council awarded low-bidder Sandy's Hauling & Backhoe Service of Roseboro a $1,573,340 contract to construct a 16-inch water line in the ground and beneath the Neuse River beside Durwood Stephenson Parkway. That work will complete a project to give West Smithfield a second connection to the town's water-treatment plant (the line in place for years crosses the river at the Market Street bridge). The County of Johnston is funding the project's completion since the links through West Smithfield feed the county's water system in unincorporated areas west of town.


GRANT SOUGHT FOR WEST SMITHFIELD SEWER UPGRADE

The council authorized the town to apply for a $3,040,000 federal grant from a $3.3-billion appropriation to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the American Recovery Act adopted by Congress earlier this year. Ted Credle, the town's director of utilities, said the requested grant would require a match of $760,000 from the town to pay for major upgrades to sewerage serving the area around the new West Smithfield Industrial Park that includes the site of the Amazon distribution center now under construction. Town Manager Scott said the project should merit EDA's approval because it is "leveraged with jobs" to be provided by Amazon, which says it will employ 500 here.

On a somewhat related matter, the council accepted a $150,000 grant from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality to undertake an assessment of Smithfield's sewage system that would identify trouble spots needing repairs or replacements. Mr. Credle said the grant will require a $24,750 match from the town that's available in this year's budget.

RIVER RAT REGATTA WILL RETURN AUGUST 14

The council gave permission for the town's Parks and Recreation Department to bring back its cardboard boat race known as the River Rat Regatta on Saturday afternoon, August 14. Two-person crews compete on a short run on the Neuse from the boat ramp to the Market Street bridge. The event was launched three years ago but wasn't held in 2019 because of unusually high water on the river and canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.


COMMUNITY GARDEN VOLUNTEERS THANKED

Mayor Moore presented certifications of appreciation to several volunteers who've been helping maintain the Community Garden on South Fifth Street this summer: Elders Tanner and Kinlicheenie of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, Helena Anderson, and Hermana Jensen.


SPEEDING ON MLK DRIVE ALARMS RESIDENTS

Alisa Bizzell pleaded for relief from speeders on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive where her mother resides along with other seniors as well as families with small children. "I know we can't put speed bumps all over Johnston County but something has to be done," she urged. The speed limit on the street from Brogden Road to Smith-Collins Park is presently 35 mph. It's used by numerous motorists to access College Drive leading to the campus of Johnston Community College.
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