The Kinston Mayoral race has four candidates including incumbent Mayor Dontario Hardy, current Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon, Jeffery Warren, and Zac Holcomb.
All tagged felicia solomon
Longtime city manager set to leave Kinston
For the first time in nearly a decade, the city of Kinston is looking for a city manager.
During closed session of Tuesday’s regular meeting, City Manager Tony Sears tendered his resignation to the Kinston City Council; his final day in the position will be Aug. 17. He has accepted the deputy city manager position for the City of Wilson.
Kinston City Council passes budget without raises for mayor or councilmembers
On June 15, 2021, Kinston’s City Council voted to approve the proposed 2021-2022 budget, which included a four-cent property tax increase. The budget did not include the proposed salary increase for the city council members or the mayor. During the meeting, Councilmember Robert Swinson made a motion to remove the salary increases from the proposed budget, which was seconded by Solomon. The motion passed with Solomon, Swinson, and Councilmember Kristal Suggs voting for the budget without the salary increases, and Councilmembers Antonio Hardy and Sammy Aiken voting against it.
“I will sleep well tonight knowing that we made the right decision to not approve the salary increase for the Council,” said Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon.
Update: City Council members voted to approve their own salary increases in May
The Kinston City Council met for a Budget Worksession on May 24, 2021, wherein a four-to-one vote they approved their own salary increase of $18,000 total per year and the mayor’s $3,600 per year raise ahead of the June 15th City Council meeting. The City of Kinston is expected to increase property taxes by $0.04 per $100 valuation at that meeting.
As this was a budget work session, there is no video of the off-site meeting, but an audio recording is attached. This vote was the only one taken during the four-hour budget meeting. During the same session, the previously reported dry-cleaning allowance line item was removed by the consensus of the mayor and board.
City officials update investigation into officer related incident
A press conference was held tonight with city officials including Mayor Don Hardy, City Manager Tony Sears, Kinston Police Department's Chief Dilday, and Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon in response to an officer related incident captured and shared on social media.
The Herritage granted permit after request contested by citizens
A conditional use permit was requested to allow The Herritage, a bar currently located on Herritage Street, to move from its current location to 128 W. North Street at Kinston’s City Council meeting on Tuesday. When the council opened up the request to a public hearing, the owner of The Herritage Laurie Anderson spoke in favor of the permit. In response to recent social media comments, she stated, “We are not a gay bar, but we do not discriminate.” The comment came because residents have taken to social media to protest the permit as The Herritage has leased their space to organizations like ENC Pride, which has hosted drag shows at the establishment.
A peaceful assembly planned in Kinston, several businesses closing early
The Kinston Police Department (KPD) has been made aware of local high school and college students planning a peaceful assembly this afternoon on private property along Queen Street in Kinston. The students assured KPD their presence is designed to bring awareness to current situations in the country.
With destructive riots following peaceful protests in other areas of North Carolina, local area business owners are closing shops at 3:00 pm according to various Facebook posts. According to Mayor Don Hardy, Walmart will be closing at 5:00 pm.
Kinston Mayor and City Council address public
The City Council of Kinston provides information and updates to all residents regarding COVID-19 including recent executive orders, the state of emergency in Kinston, the continuation of public services, continued police and fire protection, and contact information for additional resources surrounding COVID-19.
Kinston City Council re-tables Historic Grainger Stadium issue for January meeting
Council members wish to see warranty information on replacement parts before making a further decision.
Hardy is newest Kinston City Council member
The swearing-in ceremony took place during Monday’s meeting of the Kinston City Council.
Rochelle Middle School celebrates conference championship in football
High school football regular season is wrapping up this week, but in middle school football, one area team has stood out among the rest.
Kinston City Council tables Down East Wood Ducks' proposal for new scoreboard
The Council tabled the scoreboard replacement proposal for its second meeting in January, 2020 and approved the North Carolina Department of Transportation's proposal to remove the stoplight on Vernon Avenue at Vernon Park Mall.
New faces win local elections
The results of Tuesday’s municipal elections saw some incumbents re-elected, but others were defeated at the hands of challengers.
Kinston voters will choose 3 city council members Tuesday
Tuesday’s election will decide the makeup of the Kinston city council.
New principals greet students at two schools as LCPS kicks off new year
Around 8,500 students in the Lenoir County Public Schools system enjoyed their first day of the 2019-20 school year.