EDENTON — The Edenton Town Council plans to hold its annual council planning retreat on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Councilmember Aaron Coston, who says the timing is inappropriate and disrespectful.
UPDATED: Story includes Mayor Hack High’s response — see below.
In an email sent to the mayor and council on Wednesday morning, Town Manager Corey Gooden announced plans for the 2026 Town of Edenton Council Planning Retreat at 101 S Broad Street, in the upstairs conference room of the Chowan County Courthouse.
The council’s annual planning retreat is typically used to set goals, discuss priorities and receive updates from department heads ahead of the upcoming year. While the retreat is not a regular council meeting, it involves official town business and policy discussions.
According to Gooden, the retreat is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. He explained the reasoning behind the start time, noting an effort to accommodate community events held in observance of the federal holiday. “The reasoning for this time is to allow anyone who attends the MLK celebration to have ample time to get back and ready for the meeting,” Gooden said.
Albemarle Observer followed up with Gooden, who said, “Yes, we are planning to have the retreat at 3 p.m. on the 19th,” Gooden said. “I just sent Council the email for the date and time. We did it (planning retreat) later this year to allow Council and Residents to attend the MLK event and have time to get back for the meeting. The MLK Celebration event should last from 12 -1:30 p.m. on the 19th.”
Despite those explanations, Councilman Coston said in an email to Town Hall that he will not attend the retreat and strongly criticized the decision to hold it on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“I will not be attending,” Coston said. “I find it distasteful, insensitive, and inconsiderate to utilize a day reserved to honor a man’s legacy and his pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement to conduct town business.”
Coston said the holiday holds particular significance for his community and should be treated with the same respect as other federal holidays. “For my community, this day is just as important as any other federal holiday,” he said.
Coston added that the concern is not new and that similar objections have been raised in the past. “Many have historically expressed concerns about this practice, and those sentiments continue to fall on deaf ears,” Coston said.
Coston also criticized the council’s decision-making process, saying it prioritizes convenience over sensitivity. “Choosing convenience over consideration is unacceptable, disgusting and reflects poorly on this council and the town,” he said.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday observed nationwide to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. In Edenton, the day is typically marked by community events and celebrations recognizing King’s contributions to racial equality and social justice.
Mayor High defended the decision to schedule the Town Council’s annual retreat on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, saying the choice aligns with the purpose of the federal holiday and reflects a commitment to service-oriented leadership. His full statement appears at the end of the story.
In a written response addressing concerns about the timing of the retreat, High acknowledged objections raised by some but emphasized that the issue had been discussed before.
“Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the scheduling of our upcoming annual Town Council retreat,” he wrote. “While I am sorry that you have chosen not to attend, I want to be clear that your concerns—and those raised by others—have been thoughtfully considered and adequately addressed in years past, including as recently as last year.”
High said he has previously explained the rationale behind holding the retreat on the holiday and reiterated that reasoning again.
“As I explained last year and at other times, I would like to once again reiterate the reasoning behind holding the retreat on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,” he wrote.
According to High, the significance of the holiday goes beyond a day off from work.
“Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service,” he said. “It is intended to honor Dr. King’s legacy by encouraging Americans to engage in service and community-building—embracing the principle of ‘a day on, not a day off.’”
High noted that Congress formally designated the holiday as a national service day in 1994. “In 1994, Congress formally designated this day for national service, urging communities and leaders across the country to use the day for meaningful civic engagement rather than simply treating it as a holiday break,” he wrote.
High said the Town Council retreat fits squarely within that intent. “Holding our annual Council retreat on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day aligns with both the spirit and intent of that designation,” High wrote. “The retreat is an opportunity for Council to work collaboratively, plan thoughtfully for the future of our town, and engage in the type of service-oriented leadership that reflects Dr. King’s vision of strengthening communities through action.”
High also addressed concerns that the retreat could interfere with participation in local observances honoring Dr. King.
“Importantly, the retreat schedule has been intentionally structured to allow Council members sufficient time to attend our local Martin Luther King, Jr. observance,” he wrote. “I strongly encourage all Council members who are able to do so to participate both in that event and our annual retreat.”
While acknowledging that opinions may differ, High said he stands by the decision. “While I respect differing perspectives on how best to observe the day, I believe our approach reflects a sincere effort to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service, reflection, and commitment to our community,” she wrote.
High closed his response by thanking council members for their work, writing, “Thank you for your continued service to the Town—it is most appreciated.”
At this time, no other council members have publicly commented on the retreat schedule; if they do, we’ll update this story.
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Mayor High’s Full Statement
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the scheduling of our upcoming annual Town Council retreat. While I am sorry that you have chosen not to attend, I want to be clear that your concerns—and those raised by others—have been thoughtfully considered and adequately addressed in years past including as recently as last year. As I explained last year and at other times, I would like to once again reiterate the reasoning behind holding the retreat on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. It is intended to honor Dr. King’s legacy by encouraging Americans to engage in service and community-building—embracing the principle of “a day on, not a day off.” In 1994, Congress formally designated this day for national service, urging communities and leaders across the country to use the day for meaningful civic engagement rather than simply treating it as a holiday break.
Holding our annual Council retreat on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day aligns with both the spirit and intent of that designation. The retreat is an opportunity for Council to work collaboratively, plan thoughtfully for the future of our town, and engage in the type of service-oriented leadership that reflects Dr. King’s vision of strengthening communities through action.
Importantly, the retreat schedule has been intentionally structured to allow Council members sufficient time to attend our local Martin Luther King, Jr. observance. I strongly encourage all Council members who are able to do so to participate both in that event and our annual retreat.
While I respect differing perspectives on how best to observe the day, I believe our approach reflects a sincere effort to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service, reflection, and commitment to our community.
Thank you for your continued service to the Town—it is most appreciated.
One response to “Council Member Coston Critical Of Edenton Town Council’s MLK Day Planning Retreat Decision; Mayor High Defends Scheduling Choice”
To Mr. High,
You mention “service” as your reasoning….PAID “SERVICE” as you and your fellow council members “give” to the community differs very much from a “day of service” as engendered by law to honor our citizen(s) of color who brought a higher level of equality to our country’s practices. Volunteer service to others is what MLK Day should involve. Are you and council members giving a day of your pay to the community?