YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
weekly edition
Oct. 1-7, 2025
Vol 47 No 40 | 1 Section | 8 Pages
Mayoral candidates reply to questions, Part 2
about town Compiled By Norma B. Dennis and Carol Brooks
First Thursday History Program The Jamestown Public Library’s monthly First Thursday History series on Oct. 2 will feature Michael Briggs. A longtime collector of Jamestown rifles, Briggs will speak about the Jamestown School of Longrifle Makers. Learn about the history and significance of these rifle makers. Briggs will bring several of the local rifles for display as well as have images and information on this important part of Jamestown’s history. The First Thursday program will be held Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jamestown Public Library, 200 W. Main St. Fire Station Open House/ Music in the Park Jamestown Fire Station 46 will hold an open house on Oct. 3. Tours will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. This event was postponed from National Night Out. That same night, the season finale of Music in the Park wraps up with 80z Nation beginning at 6 p.m. Guilford Road between Main Street and Mendenhall Road will be closed for vendors.
compiled By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com
The Jamestown News asked candidates for mayor to offer their opinion on several questions. The responses are listed in the order they were received by the Jamestown News. Susan Dickenson, Rebecca Rayborn and Greg Pittman’s responses are below. Part 1 of the responses was in the Sept. 24 Jamestown News. Pittman became a writein candidate after the filing period ended so these candidates will not be part of the primary election on Oct. 7. The general election will be Nov. 4 at Jamestown Town Hall.
What is your overall view of business in Jamestown and what, if anything, should be done to improve it and attract new businesses? Susan Clinard Dickenson: Hold the out-of-state factories on Main Street financially accountable for their air emissions, groundwater pollution and industrial discharges to Deep River; use the proceeds to celebrate our locally-owned businesses with more shopping events, water quality campaigns, Main Street branding, and marketing campaigns co-developed by citizens AND business owners. Some of the Music in the Park events should be substituted with Art in the Park events to create more social interaction between
Susan Dickenson
Rebecca Rayborn
Greg Pittman
residents and business owners. At the Music in the Park events, everyone is focused on the stage. Rebecca Mann Rayborn: I believe that our businesses are very strong in town, as evidenced by how they adapted to and weathered the pandemic and how quickly new shops move in when others move
out. Making the heart of town more connected to the rest of the area through our continued sidewalk projects and beautifying streetscapes will make it a welcoming place for shop and restaurant patrons and businesses. I would like to appoint a council member as a liaison to the Jamestown Business Association in order to stay
on top of business needs, as well as make business owners feel welcome to contact our staff and council directly. Greg Pittman: I love the businesses we have but there are definitely gaps that need to be filled. My vision is to reformat the JBA into see mayor, page 6
Town holds ribbon cutting for new playground By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com
A crowd of interested people, including quite a few parents and children, filled a shelter at Jamestown Park on Sept. 26 to witness the ribbon cutting and opening of the new inclusive playground. Not only will all children enjoy the different equipment to play on, but, as an inclusive playground, children of all abilities, including special needs, also can enjoy the new playground. Town officials realized there was a demand and need for all-inclusive and accessible playground equipment at Jamestown Park as they worked on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan in Photos by Carol Brooks 2021. The town is home to two education centers (Left to right) Town Councilmembers Pam Burgess and Martha Wolfe, Mayor Lynn Montgomery, Parks & Recreation Director Scott Coakley, Councilmembers Rebecca see play, page 2 Rayborn and Sarah Glanville cut the ribbon, officially opening the new playground.
Primary Election The primary election will be held Oct. 7 to decide which four candidates for Town Council will go on to the general election Nov. 4. see town, page 6
Author began writing career at age 16
By NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
Founded in 1981, High Point Town Meeting soon changed its name to High Point Literary Club. From the beginning, however, its mission has remained the same – to promote literacy and provide members the opportunity to meet the authors of some of their favorite books. “I never envisioned the league lasting so long,” said charter member Bonnie Cashion during an interview in 2016. “When it started, I just hoped to meet some writers. One thing I noticed about them all is the research they do before even beginning to write. I appreciate that because I like to learn something when I read.” Author Kristin Harmel is no exception. She admits that as much time goes into researching a book as it does to writing it. Photo by Norma B. Dennis “I research historical events to the best Kristin Harmel relaxes before speaking to guests at the High Point Literary see author, page 2 League fall luncheon.
As the name High Point Literary League indicates, its members like books. They enjoy reading the works of well-known authors and twice a year invite one to speak at a special luncheon highlighting their work. But the group also promotes youth who are interested in literary endeavors. Since 1987, members have provided scholarships each fall to a deserving student at High Point University to support their studies. Qualified students are residents of North Carolina and are nominated by the HPU English department faculty.
Letters to the Editor
Photo by Norma B. Dennis
Malia Agostinelli, the 2025 High Point Literary League scholarship recipient, attended the fall luncheon with her father, Matthew. The 2025 scholarship winner was Malia Agostinelli of Hickory, the daughter of Maggie Tremola and Matthew Agostinelli. She and her father attended the
The Jamestown News will accept letters to the editor regarding the current Town Council and mayoral candidates. Letters to the editor should be concise, typically under 400 words, and must respond to a recent or upcoming event in Jamestown. They should include the author’s full name, be original work and avoid being submitted elsewhere, including social media. No bad language will be accepted. Send your letter to cab1hp@gmail.com no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before publication.
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By NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
Scholarship recipient already published
Sept. 17 literary luncheon at High Point Country Club. Agostinelli, a senior at High Point University, is see scholarship, page 2