City of Wilson :: News

This Week on Around Town...

7/24/2008

Williams Day Camp is still one of Wilson's most popular youth camps, and kids are also enjoying summer camp at the Reid Street Community Center.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on cable 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

Wilson Firefighter Earns Coveted Distinction

7/17/2008

Battalion Commander Michael Brown of Wilson Fire/Rescue Services has successfully completed the process that awards him the professional desgination of "Chief Fire Officer" (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing conferred the designation upon Battalion Commander Brown. There are only 579 CFOs worldwide.

The CPC awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization's stringent criteria. The process includes an assessment of the applicant's education, experience, professional development, technical competencies, contributions to the profession and community involvement. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.

Battalion Commander Brown has a rich knowledge of the emergency services profession and has far surpassed established benchmarks for personnel serving in senior fire officer positions.

Battalion Commander Brown has served with Wilson Fire/Rescue Services for 11 years and lives in Wilson.

Parks & Rec Soccer Kids Get Free Gear from Tire Company

7/17/2008

Wilson Parks & Recreation Department will receive support in the form of both funds and equipment from Colony Tire of Wilson and the Uniroyal® Soccer Program. Beginning on August 15, children will receive a certificate good for a free soccer ball that can be redeemed at Colony Tire.

Throughout its nine-year history, the Uniroyal Soccer Program has been partnering tire dealers with youth soccer leagues as an effort to strengthen communities. The program and participating dealers have donated nearly $11 million in funds and equipment, including over 818,000 soccer balls, to youth sports programming across the country.

Soccer families also have the opportunity to enter Uniroyal’s “Soccer to Go” sweepstakes. The grand prize includes a mobile gaming system for the winner’s car, tires, a gas card, and a donation of $1,000 to their child’s soccer league; the first prize includes tires and a donation to the winner’s soccer league. Please visit Uniroyal.com/sweeps to enter.

“This is the ideal way for us to give something back to the community,” said Tony Barkley of Colony Tire, “which has already given so much to us. The children that play in the Wilson Parks & Recreation Department are so excited when they come in and get their free soccer balls. We really enjoy the fact the kids get so much out of it — it’s a great feeling to know that we’re helping to keep youth soccer strong for the people in Wilson.”

“We’re very proud of the work we’ve done to help America’s youth,” said Kaz Holley, Uniroyal Tire brand director. “And we’re thrilled to collaborate with an outstanding tire dealer like Colony Tire to strengthen our dealers’ communities.”

Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw® and Laredo® series. Uniroyal® tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties.

To learn more about the Uniroyal Soccer Program, visit the brand’s Web site at www.uniroyal.com.

To learn more about Colony Tire please call Tony Barkley, 252-293-1220, at 3712 Airport Blvd. NW in Wilson, or visit www.colonytire.com.
###
Contact: Jen Hammon
336-231-3057
jhammon@trone.com

People in Wilson picking Greenlight for speed, reliability

7/16/2008

Given the choice between Greenlight and other providers of cable, Internet and phone networks, 86.44% of technical trial customers picked Greenlight over their previous provider.

Of 118 households that agreed to try Greenlight's services during our May/June technical trial, 102 signed up as paying customers (we prefer to call them Members).

Greenlight uses an all fiber optic network to provide NC's fastest Internet speeds, as well as cable TV and reliable phone service.

Greenlight is the City of Wilson's fiber network. It is available only to people in the Wilson city limits.

Find out more at http://www.greenlightnc.com.

Wilson Youth Soccer Association Thanks City Staff for Soccer Success

7/11/2008

Dear City Manager:

The Board of the Wilson Youth Soccer Association would like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Wilson for hosting the 2008 US Youth Soccer Southern Regionals in June. This event certainly has helped Wilson financially and will also help Wilson in the future with its
reputation as a soccer town.

However, none of this would have been possible without the efforts of your employees, the Parks and Recreation Department, and particularly, Richard Frazier, Dale Edmonds, and David Lee. It is my understanding that David and Richard were key to bringing this event to Wilson and they should be commended and complimented for their forethought and efforts to bring this event here.

During the event itself, myself, the other Board members of WYSA, and other WYSA volunteers spent countless hours at Gillette trying to help things run smoothly. But, there were two constants at Gillette and they were Richard Frazier and Dale Edmonds.

I do not recall a single instance where those two gentlemen were not at the complex working on the day-to-day, hour-to-hour and minute-to-minute details associated with this tournament. This dedication, coupled with all of the work that they provided in the months prior to the tournament, led to this tournament being an absolutely outstanding success for our community.

The Board of the WYSA do not believe that Richard and Dale can receive enough credit for their work and making this tournament a huge success. Before the tournament, we all believed that the Gillette fields were great and that Wilson is a great town, filled with great people. However, what we believed was confirmed by everyone that we ran into. The unanimous view of the visitors were that these were among the best fields that they had ever played on. This is a high compliment considering that these teams have played in places as far away as San Diego,
Orlando, Texas, New York and other better known soccer venues.

The state representatives and the representatives from USYS could not contain their compliments as to how this tournament was run in Wilson, and for the town itself. And, everyone was complimentary regarding the red carpet treatment that they received in Wilson.

You have some jewels among your employees, notably Richard, Dale and David. They deserve all the compliments and accolades that they can receive for this tournament.

With best regards,
John G. Rhyne
for the Board of Directors of Wilson Youth Soccer Association
(John Rhyne, Bill Stakes, Lowry Perry, Charlie Bedgood, Scott Benson,
Spencer Williams, Barksdale Thompson, Keith Barnes, Gary Hall,
Joe Howe, Matt Akins, and Ike Onyeador)

Community, City Staff Thanked for Soccer Efforts

7/7/2008

The following letter to the editor was published in the Wilson Times on Saturday, July 5.

Soccer Association praises Wilson tournament effort

Please accept the gratitude and highest compliments of the U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships and the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association for the incredible efforts of the citizens of your city. Over 3,500 children and their parents, siblings, coaches and supporters received the benefits of a job very well done. The leaders of Wilson's hosting of this important tournament, David Lee, Richard Frazier and Dale Edmonds, and the amazing corps of volunteers cannot be praised enough, nor can the importance of Gillette Park to our North Carolina soccer community be overstated.

Over the six days of the tournament I received scores of comments from participants from Florida to Texas. "The facility is great" and "the volunteers are incredibly friendly" are representative examples.

Even more telling are stories I heard of how our people were received by Wilson's citizens. A Wal-Mart sales associate thanked one of our families for coming to Wilson and asked if she could help them find a place to eat dinner. A convenience store clerk on Raleigh Road took his time to draw a map for a state soccer representative from Texas showing her how to get to her hotel and then on to Gillette Park. A diner at an adjoining table welcome some state representatives, thanked them for coming, and then bought their dinner.

Several restaurants brought complimentary desserts to the tables of our soccer families. Southern hospitality is alive and well in Wilson.

Gillette Park is a great facility. Your local leaders know how to run a tournament. Your volunteer base is strong. But, more importantly, your city opened its doors to our folks and with friendliness, thoughtfulness and uncommon courtesy told them that they were important to you. Thank you Wilson. The North Carolina soccer community will be back.

Bob Singer

President

North Carolina Youth Soccer Association

Greensboro

This Week on Around Town

7/2/2008

This week on Around Town Wilson Downtown offers free community concerts this summer. Another donation has been received for the Gillette Baseball Fields. Save money on your energy bills.

View this video here: http://wilson.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=223

Applications available for 2008 Citizens Academy

6/25/2008

Applications are being accepted now for All About Wilson, the 2008 Wilson Citizens Academy. The free classes are held each Tuesday evening from 6pm-8:15pm for 10 consecutive weeks and are open to any Wilson citizen. However, class size is limited to only 20 participants.

Please print this application, fill it out and send it c/o Alice Freeman, Assistant City Manager at PO Box 10, Wilson, NC, 27894:

http://www.wilsonnc.org/userimages/file/CitizensAcademyApplication2008B.pdf

All About Wilson is a series of classes designed to teach participants about all aspects of City government and to answer the questions: “What are the responsibilities of the City of Wilson and what are its limitations?” All About Wilson is a series of sessions designed to help citizens learn about the City of Wilson and the services it provides. Through lectures and hands-on activities and interaction, participants will gain insight into how the City operates on a day-to-day basis, as well as how it plans for the future. Participants will learn how city government affects the quality of life in Wilson. The mission of All About Wilson is to inform and educate citizens on matters that affect life in Wilson and to develop future leaders while building a better community through the efforts of well informed and civically engaged residents.

Session One

September 9: Ready, Set, Gov!

Welcome from the Mayor/City Council. Introduction to local government by city manager,

city attorney, city clerk. Learn how the city keeps the public informed; get an

overview and history of the city, the organization, economic development and many

of the differences between city and county government.

Session Two

September 16: Did You Know?

Test your knowledge of Parks & Recreation opportunities. Learn how to sign up for

participation in Parks & Rec activities and learn if you could become the next Pelé

of the soccer world.

Session Three

September 23: Water, Water Everywhere

With Public Services you’ll visit Buckhorn Reservoir and learn about stormwater and

innovative uses for treated wastewater. Let’s mulch a few leaves and travel over

speed bumps.

Session Four

September 30: We’ll Keep the Lights on for You

Wilson Energy helps you track kilowatts burned, teaches how to read your utility

meters (electric and gas), and offers energy savings tips.

Session Five

October 7: Fiber Optics, Information Technology and Technical Services

All of your questions about fiber optics, broadband, and GIS (Geographical

Information Systems) will be answered. And learn how the city deals with issues of

plumbing, cooling and heating, and light repairs.

Session Six

October 14: Show Me the Money

Financial Information – It’s all on the web and you become the master. Finance 101:

Where the money comes from and how it is spent, you decide.

Session Seven

October 21: It’s All About People

Why do people enjoy working for the City of Wilson and how does one get that

opportunity? Human Resources tells all, while Human Relations knows all by serving

as a resource for information.

Session Eight

October 28: If You Build It They Will Come

But there must be a plan. Learn why planning is important – protecting you and

your neighbor, major ordinances, and a review of site plans. Also learn the role of

Community Development and its history of success.

Session Nine

November 3 (Monday): Blazing New Trails

There’s more going on at Wilson Fire and Rescue Services than putting out fires.

They are “on fire” when it comes to education about life safety.

Session Ten

November 10 (Monday): An Ounce of Prevention

You’ll learn personal and home safety tips and experience a “Night out on the Town”

as you ride with police officers out patrolling a “beat”.

Graduation

November 20: Live at City Council Meeting

Broadband Presentation - Jim Baller

6/25/2008

Jim Baller, Senior Principal with Baller Herbst Law Group based in Washington, D.C. recently gave a presentation to the House Select Committee on high speed Internet in rural areas. Jim has been involved in broadband projects in more than 35 states and is currently working on a white paper for the E-NC Authority on where the US and North Carolina stand on broadband deployment and what we need to do to remain leaders in the global economy.

To view his presenation click on the following link:

Jim Baller Broadband Presentation

This Week on Around Town...

6/25/2008

The City of Wilson hosts its largest sporting event ever with a lot of volunteer help, get ready for summertime entertainment for the whole family at 1st Fridays on the Lawn and the Independence Day holiday means a change in garbage collection.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on cable 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

Photos from the 2008 USYS Southern Regional Tourney

6/23/2008

Massive Youth soccer tournament underway in Wilson and Raleigh

6/20/2008

This Week on Around Town...

6/19/2008

It's here! The City launches Greenlight by hosting a sign up block party. Wilson is named a Reliable Public Power Provider and City offices will close for the Independence holiday.

Weekly videos of Around Town can be seen on cable 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...

6/12/2008

Wilson Youth Council receives a prestigious award and is honored at a banquet, a regional soccer tournament is going to be here very soon, and it�s time to sign your youth up for the Wilson Police Football Camp.

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

High gas prices? Stay home for 1st Fridays concert series

6/10/2008

Theresa Mathis 206-5266
Renee Smith 399-2308

“RELAX!” demands the new 1st Fridays on the Lawn t-shirts that will be on sale during the annual free community concerts series set to kick off on Friday, July 4th at 3:00 p.m.

“It’s too hot outside to do anything else,” jokes Theresa Mathis, human relations specialist and coordinator for the concerts. “Summer is a time to slow down and enjoy each other. With so many families staying home instead of taking long-distance vacation, we look forward to more community members including 1st Fridays in their summer plans.”

The Human Relations Commission’s annual 1st Fridays on the Lawn concert series is gearing up for its fifth season. Last year approximately 2,000 citizens attend the four community concerts that brought together neighbors celebrating diversity with music. The 2008 concerts will bring back a variety of music along with community partners to help build and shape the Wilson neighborhoods.

“While we know everyone enjoys the music, the Human Relations Commission wants to take this time to also build up the community,” says Renee Smith, director of the Human Relations office. “Each concert will bring to the celebration a new initiative that will help communities grown and neighbors come closer together. New areas of focus include neighborhood associations and voter registration.”

The first concert will be held on July 4th with a flair for patriotic celebrations. Wilson’s very own Fine Cut Band and the West Street Band out of Raleigh will provide classic rock and roll music. Due to the holiday, the concerts will be held earlier in the day, starting at 3:00 p.m. Collaborating with the TOBS Baseball Club, the team will be on hand for autographs and ticket give-aways. The concerts will wrap up around 6:30 p.m. giving audience members plenty of time to head over to Fleming Stadium for the 7:05 game and fireworks.

Beginning in August, the concerts will return to the regularly scheduled time of 5:00-8:30 p.m. The August 1st concert will bring Jazz & Blues music, September 5th will bring country music along with a preview of the Wilson County Fair. The concerts will wrap up the season with an International music night on October 3rd.

Community members will be able to enjoy many of their favorite aspects of the annual concerts such as a children’s area, horse and carriage rides, and the performances of many local dance groups during intermission. Several of Wilson’s restaurants will provide food vending at prices all families can enjoy.

“These concerts are getting better and better each year because more and more citizens come out, not just to hear the music, but to meet their neighbors, and really, that is what it is all about,” says Judith Mansell, chair of the Human Relations Commission.
For more information, contact the Human Relations Office by calling 299-2308.

Police create new unit to support community efforts

6/6/2008

In an effort to continually address the needs of the citizens, The Wilson Police Department has formed a new unit. The Problem Oriented Response Team (PORT) will be a great asset to the Community Oriented Policing efforts in Wilson.

Sergeant R. Branch has been assigned to supervise the team. Senior Police Officer E. Powers, Senior Police Officer J. Emory and Police Officer I A. Thomas will work with Sergeant Branch.

Currently the “PORT Unit” has 3 main goals:
1. Be highly visible in the high crime areas of the City as identified by crime trends and by the crime analysis reports.
2. Be actively involved with the community
3. Address the juvenile concerns through the Juvenile Initiative conducted by the Wilson Police Department.

To reach these goals Sergeant Branch, Officer Powers, Officer Emory and Officer Thomas will:
1. Perform foot patrols
2. Perform bike patrols
3. Attend community meetings
4. Work with community leaders

Wilson Police Blog Now Online

6/5/2008

The Wilson Police Department is a nationally accredited flagship agency that is known for forward thinking. In keeping with that tradition, the department is one of the first in the state to post a blog for the public.

Through the blog, located at http://www.wilsonpolice.wordpress.com, citizens can learn more about the department and ask questions any time of day. The site will be updated several times a week.

"We created the blog in an effort to maintain two way communication between the police and the citizens," said Kolly Burritt, Police Public Information Officer. "This blog will give both sides a common place to share thoughts and ideas. "

Volunteers needed for upcoming soccer regionals

6/4/2008

Wilson is proud to be Hosting the 2008 United States Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships at Gillette complex June 20th – 23rd.

This event will bring 184 teams from 12 states to beautiful Wilson for soccer at the highest level. These teams are all state cup champions and it will bring the best soccer players both male and female ages 14 to 19 to our area. We are expecting over 1000 college coaches to attend this event.

We will need lots of volunteers for this event. For more information about volunteering please visit http://www.southernregionals.org to register or call 252-399-2266 for more information.

Greenlight channel lineup, prices now available

6/3/2008

Prices and options for Wilson's all fiber network, Greenlight, are now available online at http://www.greenlightnc.com. The new website includes channel lineups, telephone services and lots of other information.

The channels include favorites such as Discovery, ESPN, CNN, Fox News, Disney and hundreds of others. Greenlight also includes more free HD channels than are currently available from the incumbent cable provider.

Service will be available to a limited number of homes at first as the network is built. In the coming months it will be available to everyone.

City to Receive Public Input on Draft Bicycle Plan

5/29/2008

The City of Wilson has prepared a complete draft of its first-ever Comprehensive Bicycle Plan.

The City will present a draft of the Plan for public review and comment at a Workshop on June 4 at the City of Wilson Operations Center (1800 Herring Avenue) from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Refreshments and door prizes will be offered. Everyone is invited to participate.

The Comprehensive Bicycle Plan includes recommendations on project priorities, educational and enforcement programs, and changes in policies to make the City a better place to travel by bicycle for all of its residents. Recommendations include improvements like bicycle lanes, paint markings, and signage on many streets. The short-term recommendations include making bicycling improvements on streets including ACC, Airport, Black Creek, Corbett, Glendale, and Packhouse. Nine bicycle routes are also identified in the new Plan.

To complement the improvements to the actual bicycling facilities, many suggestions were created to improve the awareness and safety of bicycle riding in the City. Recommendations include changing how bicycles are accommodated in new developments like bike parking and best practice design standards. Traffic calming, greenway development, placing bike racks on public buses, and increasing law enforcement efforts are just a few of the program and policy recommendations.

The recommendations stem from months of effort of the Plan Steering Committee, City staff, and consultants hired to create the Comprehensive Bicycle Plan. Public input has been sought extensively throughout the planning process, and the public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the contents of this Draft Plan before it moves forward to City Council for review and adoption.

Copies of the Comprehensive Bicycle Plan can now be viewed on the City’s website or at several locations around the City, including the public library, City Hall, Recreation Park Community Center, and Reid Street Community Center.

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

For more information on the City of Wilson's Comprehensive Bicycle Plan click on the following link:

http://www.wilsonnc.org/userimages/image/Binder1%20(Report%205-23-08)(1).pdf