City of Wilson :: News

This Week on Around Town...

5/15/2008

Wilson Parks and Recreation receives a generous donation for little league baseball, a portion of Nash Street will close temporarily, and Wilson Police Officers raise money for a good cause on the links.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on Channel 8 on the following days and times:

Monday through Sunday - 7am & 9pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 7pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 11pm

To view click on the link below:

http://wilson.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

This Week on Around Town...

5/7/2008

Automated meter reading saves time and money - we'll show you how. Its time once again to sign your kids up for summer camps, and our local law enforcement officers are participating in the local Relay for Life event.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on Channel 8 on the following days and times:

Monday through Sunday - 7am & 9pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 7pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 11pm

To view click on the link below:

http://wilson.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

Housing Authority Plaza named after Mayor Rose

5/7/2008

The Wilson Housing Authority honored long-term mayor Bruce Rose this week by naming the plaza at H.G. Tasman Towers in his honor. The facility is now called 'H.G. Tasman Towers at C. Bruce Rose Plaza'.

Director Edward Jagnandan told a group of well wishers, "This is a special occasion. Mayor Rose makes Wilson a better place and our board believes this is a good way to honor this man."

Mayor Rose, joined by his wife, daughter, granddaughter and sisters said, "When I was growing up a little boy in Wilson I never dreamed something would be named after me. Thank you to the board and to Mr. Jagnandan. This is an honor."

The Wilson Housing Authority's official resolution is:

A RESOLUTION TO NAME TASMAN TOWERS SITE LOCATION C. BRUCE ROSE PLAZA

WHEREAS, the Wilson Housing Authority (WHA) recently completed major renovation work at Tasman Towers; and

WHEREAS, the WHA has been moving in a positive direction throughout the agency and at Tasman Towers to provide better opportunities for our family of residents; and

WHEREAS, naming Tasman Towers site location at this time and moment would be fitting and appropriate to honor a great long time Wilson resident and Mayor; and

WHEREAS, Mayor C.Bruce Rose is a staunch supporter of the housing authority and has been a champion for the conversion of the facility to an assisted living facility; and

WHEREAS, Mayor C. Bruce Rose answered the call to public service and has been our Mayor for over fifteen years and has overseen the rapid growth of our city; and

WHEREAS, as Mayor of our great city, Mayor Rose serves with honor, dignity and integrity and is admired by many as a man of deep conviction and a visionary that is well known and respected for his community service; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Rose has shown the skill of listening to others and accepting their points of view, believing that in the end the processes and discussions are just as important as results; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Wilson, NC at its regular board meeting on April 8, 2008, that the name C. Bruce Rose Plaza be added to Tasman Towers and be named H G Tasman Towers at C. Bruce Rose Plaza in honor of Mayor Rose and that at the appropriate time, the sign in front of the building reflects such change.

This Week on Around Town...

4/30/2008

This Week on Around Town...

Wilson Fire and Rescue Services celebrates 150 years of service to our community, Wilson Police will host a golf tournament for a cause, and the City’s Recreation Department is now offering new junior league baseball.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on Channel 8 on the following days and times:

Monday through Sunday - 7am & 9pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 7pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 11pm

City's Bicycle Survey a Success

4/28/2008

The City of Wilson Bicycle Survey has been an overwhelming success. Beginning in February 2008, City staff distributed the survey to City parks, recreation centers, and at neighborhood association meetings, City committee meetings, and other venues as part of an effort to gather public input for the Wilson’s first Bicycle Plan, currently underway. The survey could also be completed online through a link on the City’s website. When the survey finished less than two months later, the City had received over 500 respondents, which included 270 online and 238 paper surveys. Respondents represented a broad cross-section of the neighborhoods in Wilson, and residents of all ages and both genders.

The survey gathered information about respondents’ bicycling preferences such as where and when they like to ride, as well as their hopes for the future of bicycling in Wilson. Although most respondents appeared to be recreational cyclists, approximately 15 percent of respondents reported that they ride their bicycle to work, and 15 percent of respondents ride their bicycles more than five times a week. Almost 70 percent of respondents indicated that they would like to be able to ride a bicycle more often.

The results of the survey indicate resounding support for the City to implement improvements that would make Wilson more bicycle-friendly. In particular, over 70 percent of respondents felt the City should build more bike lanes and over 65 percent felt the City should build more greenways. Roads that many respondents indicated needed bicycle improvements included: Airport Boulevard, Forest Hills Road, Goldsboro Street, Herring Avenue, Lake Wilson Road, London Church Road, Nash Street, and Tilghman Road.

The City is already taking action to make bicycle-related improvements with its work on the Bicycle Plan, which will provide recommendations for priority on-road and off-road bicycle projects. Beyond projects, recommendations in the Plan will also outline programs and policies that address bicycle safety education and awareness needs. For example, one of the recommendations will be a program designed to address low bicycle helmet use in Wilson. Nearly half of survey respondents indicated that they do not wear a helmet when riding, and many do not wear one because they do not own one.

The City will present a draft of the Plan for public review and comment in early summer 2008. For more information, Wilson citizens can visit the Plan’s webpage on the City’s website: http://www.wilsonnc.org/departments/developmentservices/plansandordinances/bicyclecomprehensiveplan/

Citizens can also contact the City’s Project Manager: Denise Boswell, Ph.D. Senior Planner, City of Wilson Planning and Development Services

PO Box 10

Wilson, NC 27894

252-399-2214 (t)

252-399-2233 (f)

dboswell@wilsonnc.org

Parks and Rec Director Column Now Available in Audio

4/25/2008

Wilson Parks and Recreation Director David Lee has written a column for the Wilson Times for years. Now, Lee is making his columns available on the city's Parks and Rec site in audio form.

You can hear Lee read his columns each month. He'll read some of the all-time favorites and some new ones. We hope you enjoy them.

The audio columns are available on the Parks and Rec site and in the multimedia site of this website.

This Week on Around Town...

4/23/2008

This Week on Around Town...

A multi-state tournament is on its way to Wilson and we need your help. Paying your energy bill is now more convenient than ever, and Wilson's Gang Task Force is getting its message out to our youth.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on Channel 8 on the following days and times:

Monday through Sunday - 7am & 9pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 7pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 11pm

To view click on the link below:

http://wilson.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

This Week on Around Town...

4/17/2008

This Week on Around Town...

Spring cleanup week is coming up soon, part of Airport Boulevard is closed for the summer, and you can take the shock out of energy bill fluctuations by paying the same every month.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on Channel 8 on the following days and times:

Monday through Sunday - 7am & 9pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 7pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 11pm

2008 Wilson City Little League "Opening Day"

4/16/2008

The City of Wilson is proud to announce the 2008 Little League Opening Day, Saturday, April 19 at Toisnot. The Itinerary is set to begin at 8:30 am with the Parade of Teams, Presentation of Colors hosted by Wilson Police and Fire/Rescue Departments, National Anthem, Little League Pledge, Little League Volunteer Pledge and First Pitch Ceremony. The Community is invited to come out and watch our youth play and don't forget to stop by the "Hotdog" stand and pick up your hotdogs!

Majors Game Schedule:

10:00 am EB Sports vs. Thomas & Farris (Toisnot Midget Field)

12:00 noon Italian Pizza & Subs vs. BB&T (Toisnot Midget Field)

2:00 pm Farris & Farris vs. Hooper Thurston (Toisnot Midget Field)

Minors Game Schedule:

11:00 am Mets vs. Tigers (Jaycee Field)

1:00 pm Pirates vs. Cardinals (Jaycee Feild)

For more information on this Event you may contact:

Braxton Patterson at 399-2267 or Suzanne Bray at 399-2266

We hope to see you at the "Ballgame"!

Celebrate 150th anniversary of Wilson Fire/Rescue Services

4/14/2008

Come help Wilson Fire/Rescue Service celebrate 150 years this Saturday, April 19th, with a parade and party downtown.

A parade with dozens of fire vehicles will make its way along Nash Street (beginning at Douglas St., ending at Park Ave.) beginning at 12 noon. After the parade, join fire and rescue personnel for a fun time in front of the library downtown.

The crowd will enjoy good food, free music and safety demonstrations for the kids. the celebration continues until 4pm. We invite you to be a part of it.

Spring Clean-up offers chance for fresh start

4/11/2008

Got some old items around the house or yard that need to go? The City of Wilson can help. During the last full week of April each year, Wilson conducts a spring clean-up.

This is a good chance to clean up AND a clean house is a safer house.

You're encouraged to put the items out on their regular collection day. Please be patient. If demand is high it could take several days.

The following items will be collected:
• Furniture and bulky items (chair, table, sofa etc.)
• Appliances & other “white goods” (stove, water heater, washer, dryer etc.)
• Compost / Yard Waste (pine straw, leaves, clippings & limbs)
• Tires
• Junk

Also remember to:
• Containerize in bags, sheets, or cans (less than 50 lbs)
• Tie & bundle limbs (4 feet or less)
• Identify containers (call 399-2485 for a COMPOST sticker)

Things that won’t be collected:

• Auto parts
• Anything cleaned and left by contract workers. Contractors are responsible for transporting their items to the landfill.

Shred Personal Documents at the Shred-A-Thon

4/10/2008

With identity theft such a serious problem, we're all looking for ways to protect our personal information.

You can destroy sensitive documents at the Shred-a-Thon on Saturday, April 19th, from 10 am – 2 pm at the parking lot at Wilson Mall.

Sponsored by the Wilson Police Department in cooperation w/ NC Attorney General’s Office.

Wilson fiber optic network featured in Salisbury newspaper

4/10/2008

Wilson welcomed officials from the City of Salisbury recently as they considered the pros and cons of building their own fiber optic network. Wilson is currently building a fiber to the home network that will provider superior broadband Internet service, cable TV and phone service throughout the city limits.

The Salisbury Post covered Wilson's network recently and printed an article that sums up the investment Wilson is making in its community.

You can read the entire article here. http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/040708-wilson-fiber-optic-system

Click here for For more information about Wilson's fiber optic network.

Spring Paint Swap April 19th at Lowe's

4/10/2008

Have some old paint cans cluttering up the shed? Need some paint to take care of those outstanding projects?

The 2008 Spring Paint Swap will be held in front of Lowe’s Home Improvement on Forest Hills Rd., April 19th from 9am – 11am.

You can drop off your unused latex paint, or pick up someone's old paint at no charge for your next project. And in honor of Earth Day, during the Paint Swap, Lowe’s will give a 10% discount on any tree purchased.

Sponsored by the Keep Wilson County Beautiful volunteers, City of Wilson Environmental Services, and Wilson County Solid Waste.

From the Director

4/8/2008

Parks and Recreation Director, David Lee, begins his Podcast series with a lesson learned from his grandfather entitled "Sweet Potatoes".

Section of Airport Blvd to close for summer

4/7/2008

The NC DOT is closing a section of Airport Blvd Tuesday, April 8th, to widen the road. The section to be closed is between Merck Rd. and the new Heritage shopping Center (Target). The two-lane highway will include five lanes as well as a newly-raised section over the railroad tracks near the Meadowmont neighborhood.

The heavily-traveled road is expected to be closed until mid September. The DOT is encouraging drivers to use Merck Road and Raleigh Road Parkway to bypass the construction area.

This Week on Around Town...

4/4/2008

This Week on Around Town...

The City of Wilson spruces up some of its old sidewalks with a new technology that is both cost effective and efficient, Wilson police officers host a bike rodeo and April is apartment safety month.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on Channel 8 on the following days and times:

Monday through Sunday - 7am & 9pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 7pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 11pm

Test Drive Greenlight Thursday at the Chamber Expo

4/2/2008

True high-speed Internet access will be available at the Chamber Expo this week, courtesy of Greenlight.

Stop by the city's booth at the Expo Thursday, April 3, between 10am and 5pm. We'll show you some real speed, much faster than you can currently buy at any price in Wilson.

The Chamber Expo is located in the City of Wilson Recreation Center on Sunset Ave. near Raleigh Road.

Fore more information on Greenlight, visit http://www.wilsonnc.org/living/fiberopticnetwork/

Citizens Police Academy Seeks Interested Citizens

4/1/2008

The 2008 Citizens Police Academy will be held April 21 – June 9. Classes will be held each Monday night (except May 26 – Memorial Day) from 6:30 pm – 9pm. There will be two Saturday sessions on May 10 and May 31st. Classes will be held at the City Operations Center (1800 Herring Ave.).

Some of the classes being held are: Arrest, Search and Seizure, Gangs, Juvenile Law, Crime Scene Investigation, Use of Force, Internal Affairs and others.

During the two Saturday sessions students will get to use the F.A.T.S. (Firearms Training Simulator), a Driving Simulator, Firing Range drills, K-9 unit demonstrations, SRT demonstrations and a defensive driving course (just like the officer’s training).

The Academy is FREE. The students will receive an Academy shirt. Pre-registration is necessary. To register, contact Mr. Rod Taylor at 206-5454.

This Week on Around Town...

3/28/2008

This Week on Around Town...

The City's own Broadband initiative has its own building with state of the art technology, and Wilson firefighters can take safety messages straight to the street.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on Channel 8 on the following days and times:

Monday through Sunday - 7am & 9pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 7pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 11pm