DOWN EAST SENIORS CLUB

The Down East Seniors Club held their Aug. 5 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. President Stewart Rumley led the meeting. Bill Cheshire led the singing of “God Bless America” and Ed Hamrick gave the invocation. Dick Robinson and Dick Paul provided humor.

Ed Hamrick announced that he is negotiating with the Washington Yacht & Country Club to cater our Christmas party on Dec. 16.

Program Chairman Frank Stallings introduced Washington Mayor Mac Hodges. Hodges gave an update on many things that are occurring in the city. As a result of the Electricities sale of power plant ownership, residential power customers will see a 6-percent reduction in their power rate as of Aug. 1. The new airport terminal has been completed and new runway lights have been installed. A Fairfield Inn has been approved to be built across from the Hampton Inn. Work will start soon on the People’s Pier on Stewart Parkway. The dock master’s building on the parkway is complete and in use. The Moss Landing development will be adding more homes. There is a search being conducted for people who may be interested in opening a hotel downtown. The new Wayfinding signs will soon be installed in the downtown area. The city is looking at streetscaping in the downtown area, which will involve brick paving and underground utilities. The sewage pumping station downtown is almost complete. The mayor also answered many questions.

Chip Ide won the 50/50 drawing.