Lenoir Committee of 100 pledges support
For historic cemeteries’ new entrance

Lenoir County’s economic development support group has endorsed the Kinston Historic Cemeteries Task Force and Pride of Kinston’s construction of a new entrance into downtown’s old cemeteries.

Voting to match funds being raised to complete the park entrance, Committee of 100 board members, on July 25, 2012, endorsed the project’s aims:

1. To improve the appearance of the South Queen Street entry into downtown Kinston , and,
2. To honor the memories and final resting places for legions of the County’s citizens and leaders dating back to the 1800’s.

Committee member Dan Sale, with chairman Rob Bizzell, proposed a support plan to donate $1 for every $2—up to $20,000.00—being raised to complete construction of the entrance park. A deadline of Dec. 31, 2012, was set for the matching funds plan.

“We are very grateful that the Committee of 100 has endorsed our plans,” commented Carol Southerland, chair of the historic cemeteries group. “They share our view that a new entrance into these old burying grounds is good for quality of life issues as well as good for our tourism economy.

“These matching funds will help is attain our goals…and we invite folks throughout Kinston and Lenoir County to help,” Ms. Southerland added.

Displaying plans for the project, Philip Southerland of the Hughes Construction Company, described the building progress and remaining construction.

A special campaign—being led by noted community leaders—is being conducted throughout the community to raise $60,000.00 to complete the project by Oct. 31, 2012.

Since the new entrance project was first launched four years ago, private donors have contributed more than $231,000.00 to buy and demolish dilapidated properties on the site between South and Shine Streets on the east side of South Queen Street, to approve a design, and to begin construction which got underway earlier this year. Charles Hughes Construction Company won the bid to build the entrance park.

Advocates leading the campaign are County Commission chair George Graham, Pride Chair of the Board Shirley Herring, Free Will Baptist leader Bishop Johnnie E. Reddick, downtown businessman Hyman Stadiem, Sarah Weeks, chair of Pride’s Design Committee and Harvey Sharp Wooten, civic leader. Former mayor Buddy Ritch is also a member of the leadership team.

The Committee of 100 challenge grant is the second to be awarded to Pride and the historic cemeteries group. Brother-Sister philanthropists Felix Harvey and Myrtilla Brody donated $30,000 to the project which were matched earlier this year.

(For other background, see the May 25, 2012 edition of the Pride newsletter to be found on the www.downtownkinston.com) website under the “In the News” tab.)

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