Vision Statement

Vision to

Improve the

Lifestyle and

Landscape of

Ayden through

Growth and

Enrichment

A clean, safe, and

attractive community

that encompasses

characteristics of a

village; consisting of an

economically thriving

retail and service

Historic downtown

district that is

abutted by residential

neighborhoods

providing a good mix of

housing

options and that are

within walking distance

to downtown and

recreational

opportunities; and that

are all

surrounded by a

flourishing and

prosperous commercial

and industrial corridor.

Ayden is a vibrant

community with

hometown charm.

April 2018, Volume 14 Issue 4 F

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“One of America’s Best Small Communities to Raise a Family”~ U.S. Media Group, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

The smoky smell of barbeque will again fill Downtown Ayden on May 18th and 19th as the 3rd Annual “Kings of Q” BBQ Cook-off and Festival gets underway. The cook-off is a North Carolina State Barbeque Championship sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts. KCBS officials will be on hand and judging will start at noon, Saturday, May 19th, using the blind judging system. Categories will

be chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder, and beef brisket. All four categories are required for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion. Ayden has long been recognized as the capital of Eastern North Carolina Barbeque and town leaders have decided to put the town's reputation on the line and invited local and regional competition teams to demonstrate their cooking skills. Forty-two teams will vie to be the Grand Champion based on scoring of certified barbeque judges. Awards will be presented at 5:00pm on Saturday to the top 10 finishers in each category. The team receiving the highest combined score in all 4 categories will be declared the Grand Champion. Our Grand Champion will qualify to compete on a national level in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City, Missouri, and will be entered into a drawing to compete in the prestigious Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Rides, vendors, arts and crafts, classic car show, and the ever popular Friday and Saturday night concerts will highlight festival activities. New this year, we are expanding our food vending to include competition style BBQ, Brisket, Ribs, and Chicken. People’s choice will again be hosted by Ayden Christian Church.

“Kings of Q” BBQ Cook-Off & Festival Schedule of Events Friday, May 18th from 4pm – 11pm 4pm–11pm: Amusement Rides, Vendors 7pm: Live Music - Hip Pocket Saturday, May 19th from 8am – 11pm 8am–11pm: Amusement Rides, Vendors, Arts & Crafts, Car Cruise 12pm-4pm: Local musicians on West Ave Stage 11am-1pm: Peoples Choice Contest at Ayden Christian Church 5pm: Awards Ceremony at the West Ave Stage 7pm: Live Music—Bryan Mayer

Town of Ayden

Inc. in 1891 - 2014 Population 5,018

Council – Manager Form of Government

A Full Service Municipal Government Offering

Electric, Water, Sewer, Solid Waste,

Recreation, Police, Fire and EMS Services

to the Ayden community.

Governing Body

Stephen W. Tripp, Mayor

Ivory Mewborn, Mayor Pro-tem/

Commissioner 1st Ward

Mary Alice Davenport, Commissioner 2nd Ward

Raymond Langley, Commissioner 3rd Ward

Johnny Davis/Commissioner 4th Ward

Phyllis Ross, Commissioner 5th Ward

Management Staff

Steven L. Harrell, Town Manager

Sarah Radcliff, Executive Asst./Town Clerk

Stephen Smith, Planning Director

Barry Stanley, Chief of Police

James Proctor, Public Works & Utilities Director

Robert Taylor, Jr., Finance Director

Tommy Duncan, Arts & Recreation Director

Rachelle Mondovich, Librarian

Al Butts, Interim Housing Director

CONTACT INFORMATION

Town of Ayden

4144 West Avenue/P.O. Box 219

Ayden, NC 28513-0219

(252) 481-5817

http://www.ayden.com

FOR PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES

EMERGENCIES

Ayden Customer Service at Town Hall

Call During Normal Business Hrs. (252) 481-5821/481-5822/481-5823

Ayden Police Dept.

Call Nights/Weekends/Holidays (252) 481-5844

AYDEN LIBRARY NEWS Ayden Library held a Reading Challenge during 2017. Patrons who signed up were given a list of 25 requirements to complete. They completed the list by reading one book for each requirement such as “read a book which was made into a movie” and “read a book with a female heroine”. They had to read at least 12 books in order to have their name in a drawing for prizes and if they completed the entire list of 25 requirements then they would get the added bragging rights of being a “Reading Chal-lenge Master” All books had to be read during 2017. We had four people who won prizes. Each of the four won a tote bag filled with goodies to go with their reading: a yankee candle, cookies, candy, assortment of teas and a mug. Congratulations to Shannon Kelly, Necole Bartley, Merle Westbrook and Norm Rand. Necole and Shannon also received a button to show off that both of them earned the title of a “Reading Challenge Master” Hope every-one enjoyed the challenge! Look for more fun com-ing up at the library.

APRIL Apr. 1st: Easter Sunday Apr. 2nd-6th: Pitt County Schools Closed

for Spring Break Apr. 9th: 7pm, Governing Board

Meeting*, 2nd floor, Town Hall Apr. 10th: 6:30pm, Main Street Meeting,

Community Building Apr. 16th: 7pm, Planning Board Meeting*,

2nd floor, Town Hall Apr. 24th: 7pm, Community Policing,

Community Building Apr. 26th: 6:30pm, Arts/Rec Commission

Meeting, Ayden Recreation Center

MAY May 8th: 6:30pm, Main Street Meeting,

Community Building May 14th: 7pm, Governing Board

Meeting*, 2nd floor, Town Hall May 18th-19th—Ayden BBQ Festival May 21st: 7pm, Planning Board Meeting*,

2nd floor, Town Hall May 22nd: 7pm, Community Policing,

Community Building May 24th: 6:30pm, Arts/Rec

Commission Meeting, Ayden Recreation Center

May 28th: Memorial Day, Town Offices Closed

*Please call 481-5826 three (3) days prior to meeting time if you need special

accommodations to attend.

Memorial Day Sanitation Schedule

Mon. May 28th -- NO COLLECTION

Tues. May 29th -- Monday’s route

Wed. May 30th -- Tuesday’s and

Wednesday’s route

Thursday, May 31st -- Recycle route

Customer Hot List

NEED TO KNOW ITEMS.. .

Wise Words: “Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves, for we shall never cease to be amused.” ~ Anonymous

Soccer Registration starts April 9th

for ages: 4-14yrs.

Teen Dodgeball Registration starts April

9th for ages: 12-18yrs.

Adult Kickball Registration starts April

30th for ages 18yrs and up.

Summer Day Camp Registration begins

March 26th thru May 31st.

For more information please visit

aydenartsandrec.recdesk.com or call 252-481-

5837.

Congratulations to Steve Benson on his Retirement!

Steve started his career with the Town of Ayden on August 11,

1989 as a Powerline Groundsman. He attended many classes to

gain more knowledge of his position. He participated in Line

Career development, Line Career Meter Tech, and worked with Load Management Generation (Beat the Peak).

Steve also gained much knowledge by working side by side with his peers, resulting in his promotion to

Powerline Tech II.

In 1996, due to a back injury, Steve was placed in the position of Purchasing/Warehouse. For 20 years he was

in charge of purchasing the necessary materials needed in all areas of the Town, keeping all purchases at the

lowest price to help keep in budget. He was also in charge of keeping the fuel pumps up and running as well as

being responsible for the electronic gates at the Operations Center. Steve also provided courier service for the

Town, delivering important documents to the Mayor and other recipients. He was a member of Carolina

Association of Governmental Purchasing (CAGP) and also took purchasing classes through UNC School of

Government in Chapel Hill.

As his 28 ¾ years of tenure is coming to an end with the Town of Ayden, Steve says that the most enjoyable

time of his career was working with the Electric Department in times of need. Steve was always willing and

available to help, especially in times of power outages and natural disasters. He never hesitated to help trace the

powerlines and be a “trouble shooter” when needed by the Electric Department. The Town of Ayden is thankful

for Steve’s service for so many years and we wish him well in his retirement!

Utility Service Reconnections The Town of Ayden will no longer offer after hours utility service reconnections unless it’s an emergency. Any amounts required to be paid to restore services need to be made by 4:30pm for same day service restoration. Otherwise, services will be restored the next business morning.