AHOSKIE – The Ahoskie Town Council took decisive action Monday night on several key issues, including extending Town Hall operating hours, strengthening the juvenile curfew, and establishing two new citizen engagement committees in response to ongoing community concerns about transparency and public safety.

The meeting at Town Hall drew modest attendance but significant online viewership as council members addressed recent gun violence incidents and outlined new initiatives aimed at improving community safety and government accountability.

Yes, the Albemarle Observer is expanding into Hertford County — more on that in a future column. Lot of stories happening in Chowan’s neighbor to the northwest — and it’s pretty country too.

Town Hall to Remain Open Through Lunch

In a move aimed at improving customer service, the council unanimously approved eliminating the midday closure at Town Hall, effective November 12, 2025. Town Manager John Moses presented the proposal, explaining that the current lunch break creates inconvenience for residents seeking to conduct business during their own lunch hours.

“We regularly hear the request to change the hours so there’s no longer a break in the middle of the day when it comes to office hours for Town Hall for individuals to be able to come and pay their utility bills,” he said.

Under the new schedule, Town Hall will operate continuously from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with no closure. Councilman David Hunt praised the change, noting “that has been a concern of a lot of citizens, and I’m pretty sure that they would greatly appreciate it.”

Moses credited the town’s human resources department and newly hired staff members for making the extended hours possible.

Juvenile Curfew Strengthened to 10 P.M.

In direct response to recent gun violence incidents, the council approved amending the town’s juvenile curfew ordinance, moving the curfew time from midnight to 10 p.m. for anyone under age 18.

Mayor Weyling White introduced the measure after what he described as “tireless” meetings with Police Chief Michele Garrett throughout the day addressing recent criminal activity.

When asked about enforcement procedures, Garrett explained that juveniles found violating curfew would be transported to the police department, where parents would be called to pick them up.

“We prefer the parents to come to the police department to pick up the juvenile so we can explain to the parents the town ordinance and everything about that and just try to encourage them to keep their juvenile home during those times,” Garrett said.

If violations persist, officers will obtain juvenile petitions through the justice system.

Two New Committees Established

The council approved creating two new advisory bodies designed to increase transparency and citizen participation in local government.

Councilman Hunt successfully proposed establishing a Policy and Ordinance Review Committee to systematically evaluate existing town policies and ordinances for relevance and effectiveness.

“A lot of our policies and ordinances may be outdated. They’ve been in place for a long time,” Hunt explained. “I want to create this committee so we could look at the policies, look at the ordinances, make sure that they’re being implemented, make sure they’re being followed, make sure that they’re not a hindrance to the citizens and that they actually benefit the citizens.”

The committee will include no more than three council members, the town attorney, rotating department liaisons, and the town manager. Hunt proposed monthly meetings with an implementation timeline beginning with inaugural sessions in months one through three.

Moses strongly endorsed the initiative, calling it “long past due.”

“I’ve been here for nearly five months. One of my major observations was the fact that policies were outdated,” Moses said. “I think that it is going to do exactly what is needed, which is keeping us at the forefront of making sure that we have everything in place and that policy gives us as a department, as a department leader, clear defined goals.”

Hunt also proposed creating a Citizens Advisory Committee comprising seven to ten members representing diverse community interests, including two members each from Ward A and Ward B, two at-large members, two business owners, and one extraterritorial jurisdiction resident.

“This committee is where the citizens of Ahoskie play a vital part in our governance,” Hunt said. “This is the voices of the community.”

The committee will provide structured input on local matters and help bridge the gap between elected officials and residents. Hunt emphasized that the body would operate under open meeting laws with full transparency.

“Everybody has concerns, everybody has problems. We need solutions,” Hunt told the council. “This is the most transparent thing a council can do is have a citizens advisory committee. That means you’ll be advising us on decisions that we’re making that affects us all.”

Mayor White strongly endorsed the proposal, acknowledging criticism the council has faced on social media and in public.

“We’ve been called everything besides a child of God on Facebook, in grocery stores everywhere,” White said. “So if you could post on Facebook or you can run up on me and say, ‘hey, blah, blah, blah,’ you better see this application come through for this thing because this is a structured way of voicing your concerns.”

The committee application process will begin in the coming months, with the first meeting anticipated within three to four months.

Police Chief Delivers Pointed Message on Accountability

Chief Garrett provided a detailed report on recent gun violence incidents, including a shooting at Ahoskie Tobacco House on November 9 that injured two people and another incident on Main Street on November 14 involving a juvenile victim. She announced that arrests in the Main Street case were made within four hours and suspects in the Tobacco House case had been identified with warrants obtained.

However, Garrett used much of her time to deliver a direct message about parental accountability, addressing criticism she said the department has faced on social media.

“Accountability has to start from somewhere. And I’m here to say that it does not start with the police department. It does not start in the school system. It does not start in juvenile justice. It doesn’t start in the court system. It starts at home,” Garrett said. “Parents need to be held accountable for your children.”

Garrett urged parents to check their children’s rooms for weapons and gang-related materials, warning that parents could face consequences if illegal items are found during police investigations. She emphasized that officers have been working around the clock on recent cases, with some going without sleep.

“These officers are working hard. When that incident happened on yesterday, one officer has been up since 5:30 p.m. We all went home late that morning. When I got back to work, he’s still there,” Garrett said. “So you’re saying that the police don’t care about your family, about your children. We are trying to solve these cases and we are solving these cases in a quick manner.”

The chief specifically warned that juveniles caught with guns equipped with conversion devices would face federal charges. She invited community members concerned about police responses to visit her office at 705 West Main Street during business hours.

Positive Proclamations

Council approved a proclamation recognizing National Rural Health Day, highlighting the vital role rural healthcare providers play in strengthening community health across Hertford County and beyond.

Mayor White opened the presentation by noting its personal significance. He told attendees, “We have a special presentation tonight. This is very dear to me, having a background in public health. We have a very strong public health and healthcare workforce here in our community. We are extremely grateful for that.”

Council members then introduced the proclamation, which declares November 20, 2025, as National Rural Health Day in Ahoskie. The proclamation emphasizes that “Rural communities in North Carolina are wonderful places to live, work, and play, and they are enriched by all people who call rural North Carolina home.” It recognizes rural healthcare providers as “dedicated professionals who serve tirelessly to ensure the health of rural populations, providing comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered, and holistic care to patients.”

In reading the proclamation, White highlighted the community’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare, noting that “ensuring that all people have optimal access to high quality health care services, regardless of their identity, circumstances, or geographic location, is essential to the overall health and success of rural communities.”

White stressed the need for long-term investment, stating, “It is imperative that we continue to support and invest in the health infrastructure of our rural communities to ensure that all can live their healthiest lives.” The proclamation further recognizes the “unique healthcare needs and opportunities” in Ahoskie and commends healthcare organizations for “the valuable services they continue to provide.”

Following the proclamation, town officials welcomed representatives from One Community Health Center. White praised their work, saying, “We are just so grateful for the service that you all provide for not only a hospital, but our entire county, our entire region… This is dedication to One Community Health Center for your leadership and dedication to ensuring that healthy and quality health care services… contribute to the overall success of our community.”

Edenton Connection — Brian Harvill, president ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, and Sonya Williams, Community Health Improvement And Chaplain Services at ECU Health, were on hand to have their picture taken and receive a plaque.

White said such leadership is especially crucial for “the most vulnerable here in our community.” Closing the presentation, White added, “We are grateful for you all, for your service, for what you give to our community, and thank you so much.”

Council Honors Kiwanis Club’s Century of Service

Meeting’s consent agenda include a resolution for council’s approval commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Ahoskie Kiwanis Club, recognizing the organization’s century-long role in supporting children, families, and community initiatives throughout Hertford County.

The resolution highlights the club’s founding in 1925 and its longstanding commitment to the Kiwanis International mission of improving the lives of children and strengthening communities. According to the proclamation, the Ahoskie Kiwanis Club has spent a full century providing volunteer service, leadership, and fellowship while supporting local schools, youth programs, and charitable efforts that have benefited generations of residents.

Town officials noted that the club has worked closely with educators, civic organizations, and community leaders, fostering a spirit of service and civic pride that has helped shape community life in Ahoskie. The resolution emphasizes the club’s dedication to community betterment and its role in promoting the Kiwanis motto of serving children around the world.

As part of the council’s action, Mayor White proclaimed November 10, 2025, as Ahoskie Kiwanis Club 100th Anniversary Day. The proclamation encourages residents to recognize the club’s legacy of goodwill, compassion, and service, and to join the town in celebrating the milestone.

Other Business

The council also:

• Welcomed new hires including part-time Utility Billing Specialist Aylin Stroud and part-time Street Maintenance worker Kishon Moore
• Presented proclamations celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ahoskie Kiwanis Club and recognizing National Rural Health Day
• Introduced new Town Attorney Katie Barber Jones, who was selected following a competitive request for proposals process
• Rescheduled the December council meeting from December 9 to December 8 at 6 p.m. due to scheduling conflicts
• Received an update on Project B.L.O.C.K., a beautification initiative focused on the First and Maple Street area, with volunteer work scheduled for November 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fire Chief George Bradley reported that the department maintained its ISO Class 3 rating for another five years, crediting both paid staff and volunteers for the achievement.

Mayor White concluded by outlining the town’s comprehensive public safety strategy, which includes enhanced lighting, expanded camera systems, regional partnerships, mentoring initiatives, and violence prevention programming. He noted that a strategic plan presentation in December would detail additional crime prevention priorities.

“There’s a lot that we can talk about on this particular issue, but just know that we are very passionate about this,” White said. “Everyone, every person up here that’s sitting on this council is passionate about this, wants change, and this impacts us all.”

The next regular council meeting will be held December 8 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.