Kinston Teens was honored at Monday’s City Council meeting, as a proclamation was created for the organization’s five-year anniversary. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Monday’s Kinston City Council meeting doubled as a way to honor a great organization and fireman.

A proclamation was delivered by Mayor Don Hardy to make Oct. 21, 2019 Kinston Teens Day, five years after the organization was created by then 14-year-old Chris Suggs. Since its inception, Kinston Teens has grown to make positive impacts on the lives of thousands of youth throughout the community while also getting state and national recognition for the efforts to improve Kinston.

“Kinston Teens is growing in such an amazing way,” Suggs said. “I’m so proud to know what started as just an idea in my head of a way that I and other young people in Kinston can really make a difference has grown into this amazing nonprofit organization.”

There was also a retirement recognition for Thomas Gay, who spent 28 years and four months with the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue. Gay said he was thankful for his coworkers and said he cherished every moment of his employment.

“It’s the greatest job in the world, serving the community,” Gay said. “People call the fire department when they want results, because we never leave without providing some type of result. No matter if it’s a busted water pipe,  bugs in their apartment, a light bulb out and they can’t reach it — we fix it, or you’re supposed to. Everybody’s special to somebody and it’s our job to help them, not judge them.”

There were also a pair of special event permits granted. On Saturday, the First Pentecostal Holiness Church on Phillips Road will have a fall festival starting at 4:30 p.m. and on Nov. 2, there will be a Salute! Pre-Veteran’s Day Parade, which will go from Herritage Street—starting at Lenoir Avenue—out to Pearson Park, starting at 10 a.m.

The next Kinston City Council meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 4.