THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
At Monday’s Henderson City Council meeting, Mayor Eddie Ellington presented outgoing Councilmember George Daye with the key to the city. Daye lost his re-election bid for the 4th Ward seat in October to Jason Spriggs.
A symbolic gesture, the key represents a trust in Daye and an appreciation for his years of service to both the Council and the community.
At the Dec. 9 Henderson City Council meeting, Mayor Eddie Ellington (right) presented outgoing Councilmember George Daye (left) with the key to the city. Daye lost his re-election bid for the 4th Ward seat in October to Jason Spriggs. (Photo courtesy Steve Cordell, Henderson Fire Chief)
“Mr. Daye has certainly brought a lot of wisdom to our Council,” City Manager Frank Frazier said in an interview aired on WIZS’ Town Talk on Tuesday. “Oftentimes, Mr. Daye and I would walk out together [of meetings] and be the last ones to leave. We had several interesting conversations, especially about public safety. He is going to be severely missed.”
Frazier, who was honored with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine during the Council meeting, said he is looking forward to seeing what Spriggs will bring to the City and respects Daye’s positive attitude toward the election results.
“When he [Daye] decided to run this last time, he said ‘If I win, I win. If I don’t, I’m sure it will be in good hands with Jason,’” Frazier stated. “We have talked about George continuing to serve the City on various committees.”
Spriggs, along with Ellington, Marion Brodie Williams, Mike Rainey and Melissa Elliott were sworn in at Monday’s meeting.
Councilmember Sara Coffey was appointed the City’s mayor pro tem, a distinction that permits her to stand in at meetings and other events in the absence of the mayor.
In other agenda items, several citizens spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting in favor of an ordinance allowing golf carts and other low-speed vehicles (LSVs) on city streets.
The Council voted to move forward on the ordinance allowing the use of LSVs in a “manner that will be safe to both traditional motorists and those operating the golf carts,” Frazier said. “Safety is the prime point of what we are trying to achieve with the ordinance.”
While Frazier said additional tweaks may need to be made, the ordinance as currently written requires the driver of the LSV to be 16 years of age or older and carry liability insurance on the vehicle.
The vehicle will also be required to have proper registration, functioning lights and turn signals, and shall not be operated on or alongside a public road or street with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour.
LSVs are also not allowed on the following roadways that have been deemed a hazard due to traffic volume, visibility and collision data: NC HWY 158 Bypass; Andrews Avenue (NC 39); Beckford Drive; Dabney Drive; Dabney Drive Extension; Graham Avenue; Garnett Street (North of Andrews Avenue); Oxford Road (158 Business); Raleigh Road (US1 Business); Ruin Creek Road; North Cooper Drive.
To review current and prior Henderson City Council meeting agendas and minutes, please click here.