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Government

Beth Wilson moved to Kernersville while in high school. After marriage and job transfers took her family up and down the East Coast, the Wilson clan returned to Beth’s hometown in 2005. In 2008 Beth joined the Town of Kernersville’s Community Appearance Commission (CAC), seeking a volunteer spot in town government to make a difference in an area that matters to her.

“I joined the CAC to work toward keeping the appearance of Kernersville a small, close-knit feel even though we still have the luxuries of a larger town. I wanted to be involved in our town’s upkeep,” says Wilson.

The beauty of Kernersville, says Mayor Dawn Morgan, the first female mayor to serve Kernersville, is that citizens bring many good ideas and work together to make things happen.

In Kernersville, town government includes more than five aldermen and one mayor making all of the decisions. Active boards staffed by appointed community volunteers keep Kernersville moving forward in an era of rapid development.

Morgan was chosen when former Mayor Curtis Swisher was hired to fill the town manager position. As the former mayor, Swisher brings vast knowledge of town government and a unique perspective of both positions. He oversees 270 town employees and keeps town operations running efficiently.

The aldermen serve two-year terms and are elected as nonpartisan, at-large candidates. Because there is no districting, each alderman represents the town as a whole rather than a distinctive, special area. This gives citizens open flexibility to approach each alderman regarding any issue.

“The council/manager form of government works well for a town of our size,” says Morgan. “What many people do not realize is that we are only over setting policy and funding. The town manager implements policy and directly supervises. The board’s philosophy sets the tone for the town.”

Kernersville is a full-service town. The Kernersville Fire Rescue Department is responsible for covering over 16 square miles with four stations. A roster of 62 fire fighters and administrators mans the department. They provide emergency response not only just for fire, but for medical and rescue emergencies. It is common to see the department visiting local preschools and elementary classes or scouting troops to provide public education. Businesses contact the department for code questions, and the department visits Kernersville structures to ensure that they are in compliance for safety. The department never closes. Its dedicated men and women staff the department every day, every hour and every minute each year.

Chief Neal Stockton, head of the 87-member Kernersville Police Department (KPD), stepped into the role his father, Grady Stockton, held for many years. Neal Stockton began his career with the Town of Kernersville as a teen working for the public works department before joining the police department. He became the chief in 1984 and was awarded the 2008 Governor’s Award of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor that can be granted in North Carolina.

Under Stockton’s leadership, the department recently added a motorcycle patrol as well as taser weaponry. The department implemented mobile data computers and in-car camera systems to boost efficiency through technology. The KPD believes strongly in community involvement. The department places school resource officers in Kernersville schools, implements educational programs and operates a summer day camp each summer at no charge to participants. They host the annual summer KPD Poker Run for

motorcyclists. The event is held yearly to benefit the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Their TAG (Town Against Graffiti) program targets the prevention and repair of graffiti. The KPD sponsors an annual “Clean Slate” campaign where citizens and town employees work together to rid buildings of unsightly and unsafe graffiti.

“Town government in Kernersville,” says Mayor Dawn Morgan, “runs well because of the ability to accomplish so many goals through good teamwork between the town government and its citizens.”

“Plus,” Morgan says with a smile, “we have the best Christmas parade in North Carolina.&rdquo.