Several proclamations and resolutions were presented at the July 15 Town Council meeting.
After years of hard work, Dr. LaTonya Bowman finally found information about her ancestors and learned that many of them are tied not only to the Jamestown area but also to the town of Marion, Ind. In recognition of Bowman’s work, Mayor Lynn Montgomery presented a resolution to Bowman honoring the historic bond between the Town of Jamestown and the City of Marion.
The resolution noted the significant contributions of families of free people of color who once owned lands in Jamestown areas and who chose to relocate during the antebellum period of the 1840s to 1850s. They engaged in “strategic acts of resistance to the Southern slavery system and in doing so became part of a broader movement for freedom and justice in American history.” They settled free Black farm settlements in the Northwest Territories, including Marion, Ind. These settlements often were a destination of those traveling the Underground Railroad.
The Council unanimously approved a new facility use guide for the Thomas C. Ragsdale, Sr., Council Chambers, formerly the Ragsdale Civic Center. As a Civic Center, the building could be rented by outside organizations, private groups or the general public but as Council Chambers, it can no longer be rented. However, according to the guide, “The Town Council may approve the use of the Chambers for other appropriate uses not listed above.”
The new guide lists authorized uses by priority.
Parks and Recreation Director Scott Coakley summarized financial performance of golf operations for the second quarter of 2025 (April-June).
Total revenue for the period was $510,418.36, with consistent monthly performance and a peak in May. Green fees and cart rentals led the way with upward trends.
Expenditures for the quarter totaled $259,699.86, which included personnel, operating costs, contract services and capital outlays across Golf Maintenance and Golf Shop departments.
These figures meant a total quarterly gain of $250,718.50. While most revenue categories performed steadily, clubhouse rentals and outings showed a drop in June.
Overall, the golf operations demonstrated strong fiscal health and effective cost management.
In his report, Town Manager Matthew Johnson noted Planning Director José Colón will be working a request for proposals for a corridor study for Main Street between Teague Drive and Dillon Road. Colón is also working on a short-term rental ordinance.
Councilmember Martha Wolfe has been working with the High Point Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO, to obtain grant funding to all the town to complete smaller projects.
Scott Coakley, Parks and Recreation director, is planning a grand opening of the new accessible playground, natural play area and basketball courts at Jamestown Park.
Town staff is in the process of selecting a design-build solution to replace or renovate the fire station. An Open House at the fire station is planned during National Night Out Aug. 5.
For June, there were seven total reports taken in Jamestown. Three were drug or weapon offenses, one trespassing, one missing person, one lost property and one child abuse report.
There were 88 calls for service and 133 self-initiated calls, like traffic stops.
The average response time was 9 minutes, 43 seconds and average reaction time was 6 minutes, 51 seconds.
The Council and audience were reminded to take valuables inside and lock up all cars.
Although included in the 133 self-initiated calls, Councilmember Sarah Glanville asked for separate figures on speeding tickets for the next Council meeting.
The Council set Aug. 19 for a public hearing to consider an amendment to the Land Development Ordinance regarding fences. (See "Planning discusses fence standards").
Members of the Parks and Recreation Department staff received a proclamation declaring July as Parks and Recreation Month, the 40th year the month has been so designated.
Two scouts Will Beamon and Edwin Priddy were recognized for obtaining their Eagle Scout Award. Beamon’s project was building shelving units for equipment, storage cubbies and a rack for swim floaties for the Cedarwood Pool. For Priddy’s project he designed and built three twin-size beds for children for a church program called Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
The Council unanimously approved the Special Events Permit submitted by the Rotary Club of Jamestown for the Christmas Parade on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.
Also unanimously approved were contract for library services to be provided by the Jamestown Public Library with quarterly payments of $16,000. The contract for recreation services was awarded to the Ragsdale YMCA for up to $10,000. These contracts are provided because the Town does not have the staff to provide these services.
Public comment
Karen Lisenby was the only person to speak during the public comment portions of the Council meeting. Lisenby thanked the Council for their hard work on the 2025-26 budget even though she does not agree with all the points.
Town Council meetings may be viewed online at www.youtube.com/c/TownofJamestownNC. Click on “Live.”