HIGH POINT THEATRE DIRECTOR RETIRES
HIGH POINT MUSEUM CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH
CITYCOUNCIL
CYRILJEFFERSON MAYOR
Cyril Jefferson@highpointnc gov
VICKIEMCKIVER WARD1
Vickie McKiver@highpointnc gov
PATRICKHARMAN WARD4
Patrick Harman@highpointnc gov
BRITTMOORE MEMBERATLARGE
Britt Moore@highpointnc gov
TYRONEJOHNSON WARD2
Tyrone Johnson@highpintnc gov
TIMANDREW WARD5
Tim Andrew@highpointnc gov
AMANDACOOK MEMBERATLARGE
Amanda Cook@highpointnc gov
MONICAPETERS WARD3
Monica Peters@highpointnc gov
MICHAELHOLMES WARD6,MAYORPROTEM
Michael Holmes@highpointnc gov
CITYOFHIGHPOINT
NAMED2024
ALL-AMERICACITY
The National Civic League proudly announced the City of High Point as one of the 2024 All-America City Award (AAC) winners. The award recognized communities for finding innovative ways to equitably engage community members in activities that strengthen local democracy, such as making it easier to vote, engage in community affairs, and serve in leadership roles.
From June 7-9, High Point was one of 20 city finalists who convened in Denver, Colorado. Teams presented their stories and initiatives to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders under the program’s theme, “strengthening democracy through local action and innovation.”
In collaboration with Thrive HP and the Greater High Point Food Alliance, High Point leads the way in building civic pride, addressing historic injustices through economic empowerment, and ensuring food security for all.
The passionate ten-minute presentation highlighted the collaborative communitywide effort to rebrand the city, the work that Thrive HP has done to strengthen and empower minority entrepreneurs and address economic disparities, and the efforts of the Greater High Point Food Alliance to address food insecurity in the Triad community.
After careful deliberation, the jury selected the winning recipients during the closing ceremony.
Congratulations on winning this esteemed recognition and for proudly continuing to demonstrate that what we create here in High Point changes the world!
For more information and a complete list of winners, please visit https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/2024-all-america-city-finalists/.
ADOPTIONOFFY2024-25BUDGET
On June 3, 2024, the Mayor and City Council adopted the City of High Point's Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget. The adopted budget totals $518,726,303, a $40,188,716 (8.4%) increase from the FY 2023-24 budget. The budget was initially proposed on May 6, 2024, and the City Council held budget work sessions on May 15, May 22, and May 29. A public hearing was held at the City Council meeting on May 20.
The adopted budget includes funding for the City’s Pay for Performance Program (0-4%) and increases pay plan minimums by 2%. Employee contributions to the city’s health plan are not increased. The adopted budget also includes additional market adjustments for sworn police and certified fire personnel.
The budget increases the city’s property tax rate 3.0 cents to 64.75 cents per $100 of valuation and includes a 5% increase for water and sewer rates. Fee increases for Parks and Recreation, Public Services, the High Point Theatre, and Parking were approved.
The budget adds five full-time and six part-time positions, funds $4.9 million in vehicle and other rolling stock replacements, and allocates $250,000 to the city’s marketing/branding efforts.
To access the infographic in full detail and the proposed budget documents, please visit www.highpointnc.gov/budget. The adopted document will be available later this summer.
Congratulations to our amazing Special Olympics Guilford/High Point athletes who participated in the 2024 Special Olympics Summer Games in Raleigh from May 31 to June 2! They competed in basketball, bowling, swimming and brought home 18 first-place medals, 17 medals for second place and 10 for third place!
14 participants were awarded medals for fourth place, six for fifth place and three for sixth - all noteworthy considering the tough competition. (That's 68 medals total!)
As always, we are very proud of the hard work these athletes have put in this season to prepare for this competition and of their spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship.
We also say a very special thank you to our volunteer coaches for volunteering their time and to all Special Olympics volunteers, parents, donors and supporters - we appreciate you so much!
HIGHPOINTHEROES’MONTHLYOPPORTUNITIES
High Point Parks & Recreation’s High Point Heroes Club offers monthly recreational and social opportunities for local veterans and active-duty service members.
On a recent Friday night, they had a great time on a kayak tour of
Oak Hollow Lake; up next is a sculpting class at the Theatre Art Gallery at Congdon Yards!
To learn more about this program, please get in touch with Timpani Troxler at 336.883.3483 or timpani.troxler@highpointnc.gov.
DAVIDBRIGGSRETIRESAS HIGHPOINTTHEATRE DIRECTOR
David Briggs, the well-known director of the High Point Theatre, retired at the end of June. Briggs’ tenure has been marked by significant achievements and lasting contributions to the local arts community.
Under his leadership, the theatre has become a fullservice, state-of-the-art downtown theatre and venue attracting top-tier performances and fostering local talent. Briggs’ passion for the arts has been evident since first taking the position in May 2011.
His vision and commitment brought numerous high-profile productions to High Point, ranging from off-Broadway shows and international music acts to local theater productions, recitals, pageants, concerts and community events. Briggs’ initiatives not only enhanced the cultural landscape of the City of High Point but also saw significant growth post-pandemic, with attendance totaling more than 60,000 last season and a substantial $8 million economic impact on the region in the previous two years.
“It’s hard to believe 13 years have come and gone. I’ve been fortunate to work with so many wonderful people, both as amazing staff members, community partners, patrons and artists/performers,” said David. “I think I was able to bring a wide variety of performances and serve a broad spectrum of the community. I leave knowing that the staff is first-rate and the building is in good hands. I wish those who follow only the best and continue to see incredible things happening in High Point.”
HIGHPOINTMUSEUM CELEBRATESJUNETEENTH WITHOUTDOOREXHIBIT
The High Point Museum commemorated the Juneteenth holiday with a new outdoor exhibition titled “Juneteenth: Freedom Day” on June 15 and 22.
This exhibition explored the historical events of this holiday and its lasting impact on society. From the Emancipation Proclamation to the 13th Amendment to the first celebrations in Texas, visitors will explore documents and photographs that tell the story of Juneteenth and its path to becoming the 11th U.S. federal holiday.
“This exhibit highlights the importance of Juneteenth, not just in Black history but the collective history of all Americans,” said Curator of Education Sara Blanchett. “It addressed the need to converse about why Juneteenth is as pivotal to the American story as July 4th.”
Additionally, the Museum Store also sold copies of "My High Point in Black and White with a Dash of Color" by High Point historian Glenn Chavis. Chavis' book is a collection of the first 100 of 300 articles he wrote for the "News & Record" about his hometown of High Point and its AfricanAmerican history. These articles cover a wide range of topics, from fashion to food to City ordinances.
Admission to the exhibition was free and open to the public.
Recently, the City of High Point was alerted to an illegal dump on Wade Place that included an oil barrel and many oil filters. The city’s Environmental Services & Stormwater Divisions responded to collect and dispose of the remaining oil and filters and to also check the local impact to nearby waters. The roadway was also heavily littered and overgrowth made litter cleanup challenging. The city’s Street Division mowed the area, and a crew from Environmental Services removed eight bags of litter, five tires and some larger debris. While no one wants to come across these environmental hazards, it is excellent to have teamwork that can make sure it is taken care of!
BEECITYHIGHPOINT RECOGNIZEDDURINGNATIONAL
POLLINATORWEEK
On Monday, June 17, the City of High Point City Council recognized National Pollinator Week with a proclamation. Members of the Bee City High Point Committee attended, and the group recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of affiliation with Bee City USA.
The group operates under Keep High Point Beautiful within the Public Services Department. Their goal is to educate residents as to the importance of protecting native pollinator habitats and how they can help support these beneficial insects.
Did you know that one of three items on your plate is there because of a pollinator like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and bats?
CELEBRATING SUMMERWITH HUMANRELATIONS
This month, Human Relations got ready for the summer heat with the kickoff of our annual Swim Pass program! A partnership with Parks & Recreation, the swim passes allow free entry to Washington Terrace Pool every Thursday for all children 16 years old and younger who otherwise couldn’t afford to swim. All families who receive state or federal assistance are eligible for the swim passes.
June also provided Human Relations many wonderful community events where we could talk about not only the pool passes but also fair housing, serving on the Human Relations Commission, and our upcoming backpack giveaway. At the beginning of June, we joined the YWCA Latino Family Center for their FaithAction ID Drive, an annual event that provides a verifiable form of identification to individuals who can’t currently access government-issued forms of ID.
The activities continued two weeks later when Human Relations celebrated the Juneteenth holiday with a weekend of events. Between the N.C. RnB Soul Picnic and the Carl Chavis YMCA’s Juneteenth Celebration, staff educated nearly 300 High Point community members about their fair housing rights.
