Wilson This Week

Billy Woodard has been named Human Relations Director for the City of Wilson. The announcement comes after an extensive search process involving several local stakeholder groups.  

Woodard is a Wilson native and graduate of Fike High School. He continued his education at Rutgers University and North Carolina Wesleyan University, earning a master of science in criminal justice. He has spent nearly 20 years in law enforcement in Wilson County, with a decade of service with the Wilson County Sherriff’s Department as a school resource officer and nearly a decade with the Wilson Police Department. While with the police department, Woodard has worked extensively with the Police Athletic League, mentoring young people while teaching skills development in several sports.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be in a position that can bridge together communities, unite resources, and motivate youth to be future leaders of tomorrow,” said Woodard. “The position is heaven-sent, and I look forward to working with and for the citizens of Wilson for further growth and prosperity in years to come.”

Woodard joined the city’s leadership team in his new position, which he began earlier this month. In his new role, he will lead the Human Relations office, which is charged with enhancing the quality of life for Wilson residents through programs and services. The Human Relations Department coordinates the Human Relations Commission, Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and the Wilson Youth Council. One of the department’s most popular programs is the annual Human Relations Awards.

“Billy’s extensive involvement in the Wilson community and causes related to Human Relations uniquely position him to lead the department,” said Rodger Lentz, assistant city manager. “Billy has proven his dedication to the people of Wilson time and again through his youth mentorship and community involvement. We are excited to see what he can do in his new role.”

Woodard initially plans to engage with the department’s commission members to learn more about their ongoing work. He will continue to work with PAL and other community groups, including coaching football at Hunt High School.

Wilson officials broke ground Oct. 26 for a pickleball complex at J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex, which could be hosting state and even national tournaments by 2025.

The $4.9 million project will feature 26 pickleball courts, eight of which will be covered. Those are scheduled to open in fall 2024. A second phase of the project will include tennis courts.

Mayor Pro-Tem James Johnson, Wilson County Tourism Chairman Charlie Bedgood, and Parks and Recreation Director David Lee made comments during the brief ceremony before the first shovels of dirt were dug.   

Lee said the city is already receiving calls and emails about the availability of the complex for amateur, college and even professional pickleball competition.

But the courts will primarily be used by the Wilson community, Lee said. To demonstrate, dozens of local players were invited to take part in the groundbreaking. 

“This is another great day for Wilson, our community and our pickleball community,” Lee said.

"I'm just excited because when we first had this dream for this 113 acres, you just couldn't envision all that's taken place," said Johnson, adding that the pickleball courts ensure all ages are covered from a recreation perspective. 

Bedgood reminded the crowd that Wilson taxpayers are not paying for the courts since funding is coming from the county's hotel occupancy tax. He also thanked all of the people who had the "vision and dream to make Gillette what it is today," including the Greater Wilson Rotary Club and former Tourism Chairman Dennis Johnson, among many others. 

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports nationally. The city built three courts as part of the renovation of Greater Wilson Rotary Park and almost immediately needed more, Lee said.

The Wilson Committee on Patriotism is planning a ceremony of patriotic music and speeches to honor local veterans and active duty personnel this Saturday.

“We always plan for our Veterans Day service to begin at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month,” said committee chairman Ray Chambers.

The significance of that time dates back to the treaty that ended World War I, which is the event that started the national effort to honor members and veterans of the country’s military services.

So the date is set but the location is still up in the air. If the weather permits, the ceremony will be held in the plaza in front of the Wilson County Courthouse, at the corner of Nash and Goldsboro streets. If it rains, the ceremony will be moved inside City Council chambers, Wilson City Hall, 112 Goldsboro St. E.

A location will be announced by Friday. Either way, the public will be welcome to attend.

U.S. Army Maj. Don Unangst, retired, will give the main address. The program also includes music by the Higher Calling Baptist Church Youth Choir, under the direction of Dominique Jones; flag ceremonies involving the Junior ROTCs of Beddingfield, Hunt and Fike high schools; a welcome by Wilson Mayor Pro Tem James M. Johnson III; and a wreath ceremony.

Some activities may have to be curtailed if the service is moved inside.

Attendees will be served a free hot dog lunch after the ceremony.

The ceremony will be available to stream online afterward; check the city’s website, wilsonnc.org, or social media channels for details.

City offices closed Friday; service changes start Wednesday

Thursday's trash and recycling routes will be collected Wednesday, and all regular Friday routes will also be served a day early on Thursday. There won't be any special pickups Wednesday, but go ahead and enter anything you need picked up in FixIt Wilson and we will get to it ASAP.

The customer service office will also be closed Saturday, but you can pay bills online at our website, via the automated phone system or in the kiosk in the drive-through lane in the Nash Street office.

Wilson RIDE will operate as usual Friday and Saturday, although the driver pool might be reduced. Book rides through the app.