2023 Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown comes to downtown Rocky Mount on Oct. 13-14

Make plans to attend the Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown October 13-14 on the lawn of the Helen P. Gay Rocky Mount Historic Train Station at 101 Coastline St. in downtown Rocky Mount.

At least 25 pitmasters will prepare their tastiest barbecue to impress a panel of judges in hopes of winning the coveted Grand Championship. The Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. The competition features a total of $20,000 in cash prizes in four categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket. Those attending the event will be able to help choose the People’s Choice winner.

There will also be live music, including a Friday night concert by The Tams. In addition to food vendors and a beer garden, there will be a kids zone – plus a chance to win $100 off your Rocky Mount Public Utilities bill.

The Eastern Carolina Barbecue Throwdown is hosted by the city of Rocky Mount. Sponsors include North Carolina Wesleyan University and PNC Bank.

Here is the event schedule:

Friday, Oct. 13:

5 p.m.-9 p.m. – BBQ Kick Off Party with beer garden, food vendors and kids zone.

7 p.m. -9:30 p.m. – On Stage: The Tams

Saturday, Oct. 14:

11 a.m.-6 p.m. – Food and commercial vendors, Rocky Mount Public Utilities exhibit area, kids zone, live music and beer garden.

On Stage:

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Denver Nixon

1-2:30 p.m. – Chris Hagan

3-4:30 p.m. – Push Play

5 p.m.-6 p.m. – Awards ceremony

Don’t miss this fun fall event. For more information, visit downtownrockymount.com.

Sept. 24-30 is Stormwater Awareness Week

Highlighting the importance that the Tar River plays in Rocky Mount’s health, safety and quality of life, Mayor Sandy Roberson has proclaimed Sept. 24-30 as Stormwater Awareness Week.

Stormwater flows into the Tar River without filtration or treatment, leading to a potential reduction in water quality.

Public education and community involvement are an essential part of the city’s stormwater management program.

The mayor’s proclamation urges residents to do their part to reduce the most common sources of stormwater pollution, which include household hazardous chemicals, yard waste, pet waste, automotive waste, fertilizers, litter and soil erosion.

To learn more, watch the city’s video on stormwater awareness at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U2Ah4KpO7c&t=548s

Krystal Hunter hired as finance director for city of Rocky Mount

City Manager Keith Rogers Jr. has announced the hiring of Krystal Hunter as the city’s new finance director.

Hunter comes to Rocky Mount from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she has worked since 2018, most recently serving as assistant director for compliance and reporting.

Throughout her career, Hunter has served in various accounting and finance roles for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Truist Bank and the city of Richmond, Virginia.

She has a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a bachelor of science degree in business administration and management from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a certificate in grants and contracts administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“I am confident Ms. Hunter will take our Finance Department to the next level,” Rogers said. “Her combination of skills and experience in local government finance, commercial banking, auditing and compliance will enhance our current financial operations.”

Hunter’s appointment is effective Sept. 18.

Rocky Mount Energy Resources receives Public Power Awards of Excellence

Rocky Mount is one of 15 public power communities across North Carolina to receive 2022 Public Power Awards of Excellence from ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc. The awards were presented at ElectriCities’ 2023 Annual Conference held earlier this month in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Energy Resources received Public Power Awards of Excellence in the following categories:

• Strengthen Public Power, which recognizes communities that build public and political support for public power.
• Provide Superior Power, which highlights communities that deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable electric power.
• Customer-centered Innovation, which celebrates public-power providers that innovate and invest to better serve their customers and communities.
• People, which recognizes cities and towns that leverage their people as their greatest asset.

“I’m proud of our electric employees’ commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable power to our community. This recognition is a testament to their dedication and commitment they take in doing exceptional work,” said Rocky Mount Energy Resources Director Chris Beschler. “A municipally owned electric system is a tremendous benefit to our city and to our customers. It enables us to deliver reliable service, as well as local jobs and excellence in customer service.”

“There is tremendous value in public power, and this year’s Public Power Awards of Excellence recipients are going above and beyond to demonstrate that value and move public power’s future forward,” said ElectriCities CEO Roy Jones. “These awards demonstrate the connection city/town has in prioritizing local needs, putting their customers first using innovative solutions that provide safe, reliable power, and leveraging their workforce to provide exceptional service to the community. I’m honored to recognize city/town and the public power employees who put in the hard work each day to power their neighborhoods.”

Nearly 1.3 million people in more than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina get their electricity from public power providers. Since these public power communities own their electric system, they maintain local control and decision making over their operations, providing unbeaten reliability and support for their local economy.

Fire Department Awarded New Designations

The Rocky Mount Fire Department was notified on Aug. 21, 2023, that it had been granted official designation in multiple areas of service provision. Years in the making, the department finally completed all the standards to be formally recognized as a Heavy Rescue, High Angle Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, and Water-Swiftwater Provider by the NC Association of Rescue and E.M.S., Inc.

The association sets the standards that departments must meet for each designation. The department began exploring the possibility of seeking the official designations 10 years ago. During the last two years, serious work and focus on meeting the standards for the designations took place. David Pease, Area 7 Director from the association, conducted the departmental inspection on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. The department’s hard work paid off when it received official congratulations for meeting the high professional standards set forth by the association.

When asked about how he felt about the department receiving the designations, Fire Chief Darvin Moore responded, “It is indeed an honor for us and our citizens to be recognized for meeting these high professional standards and providing these services for our community. These designations are more representative of what we do daily and lets the community know that we are an all-hazards department not just a fire department.”

City offers housing-repair assistance programs

The city of Rocky Mount currently has three housing-repair assistance programs to help homeowners.