BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

EDENTON – Edenton Town Council swore in three re-elected members Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, and unanimously selected Elton Bond as mayor pro tem during a reorganization meeting that Mayor Hack High used to celebrate the council’s “stable leadership.”

Superior Court Judge Eula Reid, District 1, administered oaths of office to Bond, Aaron Coston, and Craig Miller, all of whom won re-election in November’s municipal election. Family members and residents packed the council chambers as photographers captured the ceremony.

Related stories about the council meeting include information about Edenton Police Chief David LaFon being recognized by Sheriff Scooter Basnight and council’s decision regarding closing South Moseley Street can be found by clicking on the underlined text.

Following the swearing-in, Coston nominated Bond for mayor pro tem, with Miller providing the second. The vote was unanimous.

Mayor Hack High praised the three councilmen’s steady hands at the helm.

“Each has always been known for stable leadership and I think the voters have spoken and they appreciate your stable leadership,” he said. “Your re-elections will allow us to continue with such leadership.”

The mayor noted Edenton has “a number of big and bold and exciting projects” underway and expressed relief that experienced council members would remain in place to see them through to completion.

In a departure from tradition, High announced he would delay committee appointments and chairmanship assignments until January or February 2026. “We’ve had a lot on our plate here in 2025,” he explained, promising to meet individually with councilmembers before making assignments.

Stallings centered his traditional post-election remarks on gratitude.

“I would like to center my remarks on thankfulness and gratefulness for being able to work in such a wonderful town and to work with such a wonderful body of elected officials,” he said.

The mayor encouraged councilmembers to spend the next 30 days identifying topics for the council’s upcoming annual retreat in January, particularly requesting a recap of goals from the previous planning session.

Miller asked about the status of ARPA funds previously earmarked for neighborhood park improvements. Town Manager Corey Gooden confirmed that the topic would be addressed at the January planning session.

The meeting concluded with High offering a prayer for the newly constituted council: “May you grant this council clarity of mind, humility of heart, and the courage to do what is right.”

Outdoor Recreation

Edenton Town Council received a report of a state-backed outdoor recreation economic development plan Tuesday.

Sharon Smith, community economic development planner with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, presented the Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) plan that positions Edenton to leverage its natural assets for economic growth over the next five years.

Edenton was selected as one of 34 communities statewide for the program, and Smith noted the town was “one of the closest communities to the coast” to participate, making it distinctive among participants that were primarily mountain and inland communities.

The plan’s vision emphasizes preserving Edenton’s history, charm, and natural beauty while developing both water-based and land-based recreational opportunities. A key principle woven throughout was that recreational amenities must benefit residents as much as tourists.

“The work group was very adamant that residents need to improve their quality of life and that these amenities should benefit the residents as well as visitors,” Smith said. “To not lose sight of the fact that the residents are equally as important as the tourism component.”

Strategic goals include developing improved waterfront access, enhancing public recreational facilities, supporting Hayes Farm as a cultural and recreational asset, and strengthening the maritime industry sector. The plan also calls for establishing a permanent working group to advance implementation.

Assistant Town Manager Dewayne Whealton, who served on the planning work group, will coordinate ongoing efforts. The council plans to study and figure out how to implement the plan during a January planning session. That plan will be voted on for approval and adoption at a future meeting.

Other matters

Town Manager Corey Gooden addressed several public comments from the November 10 meeting. Twelve residents expressed concern about selling the firing range at the industrial park due to noise and pollution concerns. The council subsequently requested the Edenton Partnership transfer the land to the town, and ownership has been transferred.

On other matters, Gooden reported:

• A Friday meeting is scheduled to discuss remaining Harbor Towns funding for fuel system work and breakwater repairs, with a presentation to the council planned in January
• Down East Preservation will provide a January update on the Hotel Hinton restoration
• The electric department has completed lighting improvements at Morgan Park
• A spring employee appreciation event is being planned

During public comment, JD Grant criticized the town’s failure to post public hearing notices on its website, calling it “more of the norm rather than the exception.” Gooden responded that North Carolina General Statutes require newspaper notification, with website announcements considered courtesy additions. He pledged to improve once the town is fully staffed.

The council confirmed Saturday’s Christmas parade will begin at 9:15 a.m., with councilmembers gathering at Colony Tire’s retail store on North Broad Street.