Stadium site rezoning barely clears council
Citizens object to more clearing of trees at park

A land-use zoning change for woodlands recently acquired by the town for expanding Smithfield Community Park was apparently brought before the Town Council Tuesday to accommodate the proposed Smithfield Tobs baseball stadium.

But when it came time to vote on the rezoning, three of six council members present voted no, requiring Mayor Andy Moore to break the tie with his affirmative vote. Councilor Travis Scott, who has consistently questioned choices for the stadium's location, was joined by Steve Rabil and Doris Wallace in voting against the zoning change. Councilors in favor besides Mayor Moore were Sloan Stevens, who made the motion for approval, along with Gettys Cohen and John Dunn. (Councilor Roger Wood continues to be absent while he's recovering from transplant surgery.)

MIcah Woodard of the town's planning staff said the change from Residential to Office & Institutional zoning is consistent with what's assigned to the rest of Community Park and all other town-owned recreation facilities.

During Tuesday's public hearing on the rezoning, several citizens objected to clearing of woodlands that would be required to build the stadium. Commercial sales of alcohol – which is allowed in an O&I zone – was another concern.

Kyle McKeel of Whitley Drive produced a petition signed by 600 or so persons calling for "no more deforestation" along the Buffalo Creek Greenway which cuts through the property in question. Mayor Moore pointed out that most of those who signed are not residents of Smithfield.

Peter (Rocky) Hulth, a long-time Smithfield resident, expressed dismay over recent clear-cutting of woods for a new subdivision off Buffalo Road beside the greenway. "This was my favorite place," he told the council, "but now it's ruined."

Meanwhile, the town is awaiting preliminary drawings and cost estimates from Muter Construction of Zebulon to build the stadium within a budget of $6 million. Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett told the Weekly Sun on Wednesday that she plans to update the council at its August 18 meeting.

Rick Buckner, a resident of the nearby Bradford Park subdivision, asked at Tuesday's meeting why the town hasn't negotiated a new contract for the stadium's construction after the proposed site was moved from a portion of Community Park beside Buffalo Road – first to the American Legion's old baseball field off Bright Leaf Boulevard, later to wooded acreage behind Smithfield-Selma High School that was recently donated to the town by the Lampe family.

The town has been working with Muter Construction throughout the process to design and build the stadium for the former Wilson Tobs collegiate-level baseball franchise. The team is planning to begin play here next spring.

Split vote rejects rezoning from commercial to residential

On another matter decided by the mayor's tie-breaking vote, the council went against a unanimous recommendation from the town's Planning Board in rejecting a couple's request for residential zoning of commercial property on Peedin Road behind the Speedway convenience store on North Bright Leaf Boulevard.

Councilors Dunn, Rabil, and Wallace as well as the mayor opposed the change, fearing that the requested R-6 zoning could lead to multi-family housing rather than the single-family dwelling Maria Dawod and her husband want to build there.

In addition, Mayor Moore said "we should be protecting our business property" where commercial zoning is in place.

Council members suggested the couple seek Conditional Zoning for their plan. If approved, that would require them to build their residence and nothing more.

Buffalo Road rezoning clears way for storage facilities
The council by unanimous vote granted David Boon's request for Conditional B-3 zoning to allow a commercial storage facility on almost 14 acres on the south side of Buffalo Road near the US 70 interchange. Mr. Boon said he would begin with storage of boats and RVs with plans to add multi-purpose storage units in the future. The council had rejected different petitioner's request for industrial zoning in that vicinity two months ago.

Council adopts new rules on occupancy of town parks
Without dissent, the council adopted an ordinance prohibiting individuals and groups from "monopolizing" recreation facilities and thereby "restricting reasonable and equitable public use," Parks & Recreation Director Gary Johnson noted. The new rules place two-hour time limits on occupying courts, fields, shelters, and other park amenities, unless authorized by a town-issued permit. The new ordinance does not prohibit resting or "spectating," peaceful assembly, or other "constitutionally protected expressive activity" short of loitering.

New soccer goals purchased for Parks & Recreation
The council approved a budgeted expenditure of $8,542 for three sets of soccer goals from Anthem Sports for the Parks & Recreation Department. Two of the sets are Deluxe European goals; the other set consists of Goalaxo Folding goals.

Fire Department will get replacement portable radios
The council approved a budgeted expenditure of $250,000 to replace the Fire Department's portable radios. Fire Chief Jeremey Daughtry noted that the department's radios "are nearing end of life and will become difficult to repair" with hard-to-find replacement parts. The new radios will come from Motorola Solutions.

Downtown Development director touts accomplishments

Executive Director Heidi Gilmore gave the council a brief review of the past year's accomplishments by the non-profit Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation.

Investments within the central business district amounted to $3.19 million, with private enterprise providing $2.7 million of the total, she reported. That added 26 full-time jobs and nine part-time jobs to the district's mix, she said. While Downtown lost six businesses this past year, it gained six others, she noted.

Six "signature" special events brought an estimated 12,000 visitors to Smithfield who spent an estimated $1,370,000, despite rainy weather that put a damper on the Ham & Yam Festival, Ms. Gilmond said.

Other significant accomplishments, she noted, were a Downtown "re-branding" that included a new logo and website, a new "pocket park" in the former Public Library courtyard, and re-accreditation as a National Main Street Community.

Plans for the new year ahead include a Small Business Impact Grant Program "to make our storefronts pop," she said, and establishment of a Downtown Business Alliance starting with a meeting of merchants and interested citizens August 13.

As part of Tuesday's Consent Agenda, the council approved without discussion a three-year contract with DSDC for administration of services provided within Downtown's Municipal Service District, which generates revenue from an extra tax levy of 16 cents per $100 valuation of real and personal property located within the district's boundaries. The previous agreement was a five-year contract.

The DSDC budget for fiscal 2026-27 amounts to $249,110.
 

With a 5-2 vote at last week's monthly meeting, the Johnston County Board of Education eliminated from its policies on discrimination, harassment, and bullying specific examples of students and employees to be protected.

The board's majority said the wording wasn't necessary since it's presently duplicated in state law to which local rules are "hyperlinked" via the Internet.

N.C. General Statute 115C-407.15 states that "bullying or harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, acts reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, socioeconomic status, academic status, gender identity, physical appearance, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability...."

After last week's action by the school board, Johnston County's policy now ends halfway through that description – after the phrase "differentiating characteristic" – without listing the examples that follow as state law continues to do.

Board members Kay Carroll and April Lee objected to removing the text.

"Our goal is to make sure that every student that attends Johnston County schools feels that it is a safe and welcoming safe place," Mr. Carroll said. "Currently in the United States of America there are 526 laws being considered that are anti-gay laws; in the state of North Carolina there are currently nine laws being considered." 

"LGBTQ+ students are twice as likely to be bullied and called names and to be bulled' than their peers and "three-and-a-half to four times more likely to consider suicide, largely driven by society stigma, rejection, discrimination," he said. "Schools and government policies can make a difference in the lives of these students."

Without offering specifics, board member Michelle Antoine said state and federal law "is going to change... and we are going to link our policy with whatever they decide to do at the higher political level... and make sure all kids, all of them, are protected."

A school teacher (now working in Harnett County), Ms. Lee said "we should do more, not less" with anti-discrimination policy. "Let's make it more inclusive, not less." Removing specific targets from policy, Mr. Carroll added, "sends a message to these students that we are basically playing a game."

The policy revision came up last summer but wasn't approved when the board deadlocked 3-3 with Kevin Donovan, the board's Policy Committee chairman, absent. The board's newest member, Jeff Sullivan, joined Mr. Carroll and Ms. Lee in opposing the policy change last year but sided with Ms. Antoine, Mr. Donovan, Terry Tippett, and Board Chair Lyn Andrews in last week's vote.2
 

"ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR"

South Smithfield Elementary School's Assistant Principal Tamara Brock was named the 2026-2027 "Assistant Principal of the Year" during last week's annual Leadership Conference held by Johnston County Public Schools. A native of Montego Bay, Jamaica, Ms. Brock is a career educator with more than 25 years of experience. Her educational journey with JCPS began at West Smithfield Elementary where she taught third, fourth, and fifth grades. She also taught third and fourth grades at Powhatan Elementary before accepting her present position at South Smithfield Elementary.


Wilson's Mills High School ribbon-cutting August 2
Johnston County's newest school is a month away from opening its doors to students. What's being billed as a "ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration" is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, August 2. The address is 475 Talton Farm Road, and right now it's a bit tricky to get there since the conversion of nearby US 70 into Interstate 42 has eliminated previous access roadways to the site. Talton Farm Road runs off the eastern extension of Main Street at Wilson's Mills, just beyond the Clearwater subdivision. Perhaps they'll put up signs to help you find the place.

 

 

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County presents its first
"Cypress Legacy Award"

Johnston County Commissioners on Monday presented the inaugural Cypress Legacy Award to Sherrill Stevens, a U.S. Army veteran, former Army Reserve chaplain, and long-time pastor.

Inspired by North Carolina’s Order of the Longleaf Pine, the Cypress Legacy Award recognizes men and women whose contributions extend far beyond a single achievement.

"It recognizes those who have devoted years of service to strengthening Johnston County through education, business, public service, agriculture, public safety, volunteerism, philanthropy, the arts, or other meaningful endeavors," said Patrick Harris, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners who noted that the cypress tree is known for its strength, resiliency, and longevity.

READ the full story posted by the county's Public Information Office>


County pledges funding for airport control tower

The County Commissioners agreed Monday to budget $4.5 million over two fiscal years to supplement federal and state commitments for a digital air-traffic control tower at Johnston Regional Airport (JNX). David Harris, the airport's director, said the tower will be remotely controlled from inside the airport's terminal and therefore will cost about half to construct as much as a conventional manned tower.

The operation will cost the county's Airport Authority about $500,000 annually, Mr. Harris said, but the facility based here would have the capability to manage aircraft traffic at three airports in the region under a cost-sharing arrangement.

The airport director, citing "daily near-miss incidents," said the control tower is urgently need in light of recent growth in aviation traffic at JNX, which he said is "the busiest general-aviation airport in North Carolina."

Mr. Harris said the county's investment in the control tower will pay dividends by attracting more planes to choose JNX as home base. A corporate jet valued at $5 million would generate about $26,000 in annual property-tax revenue for the county, he calculated.

Once all the necessary funding is in place, it will take three years to set up the control tower's operation, Mr. Harris said.

County Manager Rick Hester assured commissioners that the $4.5-million commitment can be met either with surplus county revenues or with bond financing to be arranged for other construction projects on the county's drawing board.

Fire departments get an increase in cost-sharing funds

Johnston County Fire Marshal Travis Johnson got approval from commissioners to allocate $152,054 from Johnston's Fire Protection Service District fund balance to municipalities that provide contracted services to rural fire districts.

"These additional governmental services were not captured during initial budget proposals by the fire departments," Mr. Johnston note in a memo to commissioners.

As a result, the Smithfield Fire Department's initial allocation of $770,742 is being increased to $808,398. Also receiving additional aid are departments at Clayton, Four Oaks, and Selma. The Benson department is receiving less.

READ MORE from Monday's lengthy Board of Commissioners meeting in a summary provided by the Johnston County Public Information Office>

TWO INDUSTRIAL EXPANSIONS TO ADD 252 JOBS

Groundbreaking was held last Friday for "a major expansion" of OPW's plant near Johnston Regional Airport that produces fuel-handling systems. Chris Johnson, the county's director of economic development, said the plant's $42-million expansion is expected to produce 92 new jobs. ARCO Design/Build is OPW's architectural and construction partner for the project. Since acquiring the Smthfield facility in 2006, OPW has grown its local workforce from 50 to 500. (County of Johnston photo)

A second groundbreaking, held week before last, marked a $7.5-million expansion by AdvanceTEC and its French corporate partner, Pierre Guerin, of its Clayton plant that manufactures "ultra clean" stainless-steel "process vessels" for the life sciences, cosmetics, and food and beverage industries. That project will add 160 jobs to the facility's 168-person workforce. Average salaries for the new jobs at Clayton will be about $90,000. Both AdvanceTEC and Pierre Guerin are owned by Equans, an international company based in France.

Opening of county's first recreation park this Friday

Dedication of Johnston County Regional Park begins at 10 a.m. Friday at 444 Matthews Road in the Cleveland community. The first phase offers four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, an ADA-accessible fishing pond, and a picnic shelter. Future phases will add multi-use fields, walking trails, a K-12 playground, splash pad, dog park, disc golf course, skate park, open space with meadow, and an outdoor amphitheater. The county bought the land in 2020 from a group of Cleveland residents who wanted to ensure that their fast-growing community would have parkland for its residents. Construction of the park's first phase cost about $4.3 million, covered by county appropriations on top of state and federal grants.
 

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 WHAT'S COMING UP 

"Popsicles at the Pad" this Saturday at splash park
Smithfield Parks & Recreation will offer free popsicles to children who come by the Eva Ennis Splash Pad between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The event is part of the department's celebration of National Parks and Recreation Month.

County Commissioners' next meetings on August 3
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, August 3 at the Courthouse. Agendas will be posted online at the end of the week before those meetings on the county's website>

National Night Out police event returning August 4
The Smithfield Police Department will be joined by other local law-enforcement agencies in hosting the annual "National Night Out" get-together from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4 at Smithfield Community Park. It's an event designed to strengthen relationships between police and neighborhoods. Listed attractions: pizza, hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn, petting zoo, bounce houses, fire sprinkler, K9 demonstrations, and safety information.
NOTE: The Smithfield Town Council will not hold its normal first-Tuesday meeting that evening so town officials and employees can take part in the festivities.
 

Town issued "boil water"
advisory last weekend
after water-line break

A massive flood erupted along Massey Street in East Smithfield last Friday after a "large flatbed truck" struck a fire hydrant "and quickly flooded the street and the Community Action parking lot," reported Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett. (Town of Smithfield photo)

"Due to the increased flow of water and the amount of time the water was flowing (from about 12:45-7:00 p.m.) we did have to shut off sales of water to the county and we were constantly keeping an eye on levels at the water plant. Once the valve was properly shut off, water receded into the storm-drain system and levels at the plant began to level off.

"Although pressures at the plant remained above 40psi, we did enact a precautionary/voluntary boil-water notice until our BacT samples came back from water testing. All samples were clear and we lifted the precautionary/voluntary notice on Sunday morning." She said a follow-up report with cost estmates is expected at the Town Council's August 18 meeting.
 

 DEATHS AND FUNERALS 
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 A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR 

Have you noticed? Smoother roads and streets!

Not only is the Town of Smithfield undertaking a stepped-up program of annual street resurfacing, but the N.C. Department of Transportation continues to make several of our secondary roads much smoother – and safer.

Brogden Road starting in town and extending several miles eastward is one example of the state's recent effort. NCDOT recently announced that Bright Leaf Boulevard will soon get a new surface from Brogden to US 70 Business (Market Street).

Lawrence Davis, the town's ever-attentive Public Works director, has been keeping me informed about the status of Smithfield's street work, which got a slow start after delays this spring but is moving ahead now.

I've told him I'm especially enjoying a smoother ride through town on South Third Street, and my in-town bicycle rides are getting better as I plot a course that seeks out the newly resurfaced streets. Those bike rides, by the way, in recent years have exposed which of our streets are in the worst shape.

Lots more work needs to be done here, but the town has allocated additional funding from reserves this fiscal year to continue the recent progress.


MISSING PUP FOUND HER WAY BACK HOME
We wanted to say thank you to everyone in the community that helped us search, share, and pray for Lady Johnson's return. After eight days on the run, she decided she was ready to come home and came out of the woods to a family. After several baths and plenty of rest she is back to her normal puppy self. It’s safe to say after all the spoiling she’s received since being at home, I doubt she will ever leave us again. A big thank you to the Smithfield Weekly Sun for starting its Lost and Found section for our Lady!
– Andrea Johnson, Smithfield
 

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