Nov. 4 issue

1959

Commissioners approve the highway commission’s plans for U.S. 70 through town that call for a median and six additional highway crossovers.

Five men – James W. Starbuck, Albert Cianciose, William E. Singleton, Donald G. Gardner and Vernon A. Carpenter – file a complaint in Craven County Superior Court seeking a restraining order that would bar the city from doing official city business. They seek a permanent injunction against town operations, challenging the validity of the July 25 election by saying military members and some property owners were barred from voting, and blacks were also not permitted to vote, because they were against incorporation. The next day, Judge William J. Bundy signs a temporary restraining order that bars official city activity.

1960

Judge Hugh Campbell dismisses a legal complaint against the city’s incorporation and election, citing lack of evidence. The plaintiffs appeal the ruling.

1962

A&P opens its new supermarket on West Main Street, replacing its smaller store in the Commercial Shopping Center.

1963

Dr. Mary D. McNeill announces plans to open an office in Havelock, ending a period of 1 1/2 years the city was without a doctor.

1964

Commissioners take steps for a spring voter referendum on a city water and sewer system.

Scott’s Music and Hobby Store opens in the Slocum Village Shopping Center.

1970

Long lines form at the Havelock Volunteer Fire Department as Dr. Mary McNeil and volunteers from the Naval hospital provide immunizations for German measles.

1971

The Havelock Volunteer Fire Department ends service in the Township Six area, unless specifically requested by another fire department. The new Township Six department continues to organize, leaving coverage to Cherry Point firefighters.

The Havelock High football team surrenders its first points of the season, but defeats Jones Senior 16-6 for a conference championship and a trip to the state playoffs.

1972

City Manager Earl Daniels announces his resignation effective Dec. 1.

1973

City voters elect their first woman, Patricia Bailey, to the Board of Commissioners, along with electing Tom Mylett as mayor.

1974

Cherry Point provides Havelock emergency water reserves when two city pumps malfunction, causing low pressure and lack of water.

1975

Eugene Smith defeats Tom Mylett for mayor, while Jesse Lewis, Richard G. Rice Jr. and Raymond A. Bayer Jr. are elected commissioners.

1976

Commissioners vote to give the Havelock-Craven County Public Library use of a county-owned building on Miller Boulevard.

1979

Quarterback Don Richards leads the Havelock High football team to its seventh conference championship in the last nine years, but the first under new coach Wilbur Sasser.

Eugene Smith is elected to a third consecutive term as mayor, with Richard Rice, Jesse Lewis and Jimmy Sanders elected to the Board of Commissioners.

The Cherry Plaza Shopping Center officially opens, with ribbon cuttings at the TG&Y Family Center store, Parker’s Supermarket and Revco pharmacy.

1981

Eugene Smith gets 352 votes to defeat Thomas Mylett by 14 votes in the city’s mayoral election, while incumbents the Rev. Henry Witten and Eva Sermons win re-election as commissioners.

1982

The first Hurst “Jaws of Life” hydraulic system arrives at the Havelock Rescue Squad after city residents donate $10,000 for the purchase.

An estimated 11,000 people attend the first Havelock Chili Festival, with Joan Wojciechowski besting 39 other cooks for the top prize in the competition.

1983

President Ronald Reagan stops at Cherry Point on his way to Camp Lejeune for a memorial honoring Marines and sailors killed in the Beirut bombing. He delivers a short speech to thousands of Marines and spectators at Cherry Point.

1985

Heavy rain washes away fill dirt being used to rebuild the Woodhaven Drive extension after erosion had created a 10-inch drop in the road surface.

1990

U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms visits Havelock to campaign at the local Republican headquarters on Main Street adjacent to Bob Clark’s Pharmacy.

1995

Havelock commissioners and New Bern aldermen meet for the first time, discussing economic growth, solid waste management, annexation and recreation facilities.

1998

The Institute for Aeronautical Technology receives $4 million in the state budget for construction costs on the $5 million project.

1999

George Griffin is re-elected Havelock mayor.

2001

Passage of a $28 million school bond referendum means Havelock will get a new elementary school to replace Havelock Elementary.

2002

The first official event at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center begins with 350 invited guests reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Havelock and Harlowe residents and friends of Craven County commissioner Albert Toon mourn the veteran politician’s passing on Election Day.

2003

David “Butch” Dyess, of Havelock, a civilian ordnance specialist, is killed in Iraq when a 150-pound mortar explodes in the vehicle in which he is riding.

Havelock High School football coach Wilbur Sasser retires after 25 years with 207 victories, 75 losses and two ties.

2004

One-stop early voting is offered in Havelock for the first time.

2005

Jimmy Sanders is elected Havelock mayor and a 28-year-old newcomer to politics, Will Lewis, gets the most votes among commissioner candidates to earn a seat on the board.

2006

The Hancock Yacht Club celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Craven County begins curbside trash collection in Havelock after taking over from American Refuse Systems. Residents pay $2 for stickers that are placed on each garbage can.

2007

Danny Walsh, Jim Stuart, George Liner and Bob Priesing are elected to the Havelock Board of Commissioners.