Dear Friend of Senate District 10,
I hope you have had a great week so far. With this past Sunday being Father’s Day, I hope everyone was able to spend time with their families celebrating the holiday. Also, I hope everyone reminisced on the important role that fathers play in peoples everyday lives.
I am happy to report that the NC Farm Act of 2018 was passed by the legislature last Friday, June 15, and now sits on the governor’s desk. The governor has 10 days to decide whether he wants to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without his signature.
I believe this is a very important piece of legislation that provides much needed relief to the farmers of North Carolina.
4-H Students Visit at Legislature
Last Thursday, June 14, I had the opportunity to meet a group of high school students visiting the legislature from Senate District 10 who are part of the 4-H program. I know how important the program is to providing our students first-hand experiences about how their government functions. I thoroughly enjoy meeting with students and talking with them about the legislative process and the functions of government.
From the District
Duplin County — Annual Muscadine Festival photo contest
The highly anticipated third annual N.C. Muscadine Festival Photo Contest is coming again to Duplin County this September, and photos are being accepted August 1st through September 11th. Photographers are invited to enter their own photos in four categories and vie for prizes. Three of these categories, N.C. Muscadine Festival/Grapes/Wine, Portraits, and Landscapes, will provide prizes for the top three entries in the form of cash and ribbons. The fourth category is professional/media photographs published in eastern North Carolina newspapers. In addition, digitally-manipulated photos will be eligible for special prizes if selected for promotional use for future festivals in the categories of festival, grapes, and wine. The photo contest is being sponsored by SE North Carolina magazine and the Duplin Times. If you would like to compete in the contest or view the rules, please visit www.ncmuscadinefestival.com or the festivals Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/muscadinefestival/.
Johnston County — JCPS Nutrition Service summer meals
Johnston County Public Schools Nutrition Services, in conjunction with USDA Food and Nutrition Services, will be offering free meals during the summer months to children and teens from the ages of 18 and below. The schools will be offering breakfast and lunch at the following school locations across Johnston County: Cooper Elementary, Four Oaks Elementary, and Selma Elementary. Meals will be available Monday through Thursday every week from now through August 9th. Adults are allowed to attend the lunch with their child, and will have an option to purchase a lunch for $3.50, and breakfast is available on an individual item basis. The goal of the summer nutrition program is to help the youth who face food security risks during the summer months, and provide them access to meals. For parents and students who are interested in more information and to find the location closest to them, please visit NoKidHungryNC.org or call 1-866-3Hungry.
Sampson County — Newton Grove memorial roundabout
During a recent town meeting, the Citizens Improving Newton Grove (CING) provided commissioners with an update on a landscaping project for the town roundabout in the heart of Newton Grove. The project consists of improving the look and beautification of the circle and providing memorials and flags that will honor the men and women serving in our country’s military. Plants and flags will be flying that represent the United States and North Carolina at the four stone structures on the north, east, south, and west portions of the circle. The Honor and Remember flag is set to be flow. Some of the other labor efforts will include light installation, and fixing electricity glitches and drainage works. The flags are expected to be placed before July Fourth celebrations begin. An official completion date or a celebration ceremony for the completion of the circle project has not yet been announced, but additional information on the project and time frame will be presented at future meetings.
District Spotlight
The North Carolina Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice recently named Roderick Watson as the new superintendent at Johnston Correctional Institution in Smithfield. Mr. Watson has been with the Department of Public Safety since leaving the United States Air Force in 1993, and previously served as the Assistant Superintendent for Custody and Operations at Maury Correctional Institution before being named the new superintendent at Johnston Correctional. Mr. Watson attended Johnston Community College before joining the Air Force in 1984. Mr. Watson has held many positions throughout his long career with the Department of Public Safety, starting as a correctional officer at New Hanover Correctional Center. Mr. Watson is replacing Drew Stanley, who has moved to Warren Correctional Institution. Johnston Correctional Institution currently houses approximately 615 male inmates in minimum custody. Please join me in congratulating Roderick Watson on his new position as superintendent at Johnston Correctional Institution, I wish him the best of luck!
