County agrees to join state in building Clayton-to-Smithfield "greenway" trail

Johnston's County Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved an agreement with the state's Division of Parks and Recreation to take part in constructing and maintaining a proposed link of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail between Clayton and Smithfield.

The state agrees to acquire properties or easements "from willing sellers" using Connect NC Bond funds and then lease those tracts to the county for 30 years for a nominal fee of $1.

The county, in turn, agrees to construct and maintain the trail, which likely would consist of a paved, 10-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian roadway similar to its connections to the Neuse River Trail near Clayton (pictured here) and the Buffalo Creek Greenway at Smithfield.

County Manager Rick Hester said state and federal grants would likely cover most of the trail's construction expenses. At this time, the exact location and length of the proposed link hasn't been determined, but the intent is to build it on low-lying grounds beside the Neuse River, he said. "This is very exciting for our quality of life," he said.

READ MORE from Monday's monthly meeting of the County Commissioners>

A REUNION AT SOUTH SMITHFIELD SCHOOL

Town of Smithfield's Public Works

crew named "Main Street Champions"

STUDENTS OF GOOD CHARACTER

County names water plant for Tim Broome

The County Commissioners Monday evening adopted a resolution praising the work of former public utilities director Timothy G. (Tim) Broome and naming the county's water-treatment plant after him.

Mr. Broome, 75, died Sunday after a battle with cancer.

Working as a professional engineer with Ragsdale Engineers and McKim & Creed, he played a key role in designing much of Johnston's outlying water and sewer systems in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s before joining County Government in 1997 as Director of Infrastructure and Engineering.

County Manager Rick Hester pointed out during Monday's session that 20 years ago "very few people" in rural Johnston had access to "public drinking water," depending on unreliable groundwater wells instead. Today the county has about 35,000 customers, Mr. Hester noted; "Tim Broome was the backbone of that system."

Since retiring from his full-time position in 2013, Mr. Broome continued to serve the county as a consulting engineer. "Last week when he was home in bed he was working on plans for us," Mr. Hester said.

DEATHS & FUNERALS

"The Original Drifters" headline

35th Ham & Yam Festival May 4

The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) has secured "The Original Drifters" to headline the 35th annual Ham & Yam Festival with a free concert
at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4.

"With roots in doo wop, soul, and R&B, The Original Drifters are among the most purchased, most played, and most popular groups in the history of beach music," notes Sarah Edwards, festival organizer as DSDC's executive director.

Launched more than 50 years ago, the Drifters today include original member Bill Pinkney and bandmates Chuck Cockerham and Richard Knight Dunar as well as Russell Henry and Roger Whitehead. Among their most popular hit recordings are "This Magic Moment," "Save the Last Dance for Me," "Up on the Roof," "On Broadway," and "Under the Boardwalk."

In addition to their concert Saturday evening, the festival will offer musical entertainment by a variety of groups on three stages throughout the day. Craft and food vendors will line streets east of the Neuse River Amphitheater on Front Street. Pig races and children's activities are among many other festival attractions.

The festival's title sponsors are Stevens Sausage and Agri Supply.

For more information, visit hamandyam.com or phone DSDC at 919-934-0887.

THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS