Dear Friend of Senate District 10,

I hope your having a great week thus far. This past weekend I was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Carolina Mudcats game for their annual Ag. Day. I was joined by Rich Bonanno, Associate Dean, CALS and Director, NC State Extension and Dave Corum, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ag. Carolina Farm Credit. I would like to thank the Mudcats organization for their hospitality and congratulate them on a enormous victory.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist you in any way possible.

Get to Know My Legislative Team Here!

Legislative Recap

Cross-over Deadline

Next week marks the deadline for certain bills passing from the Senate to the House and vice-versa. Committees are lasting longer and the bills are getting more complex as we push to get important legislation to the Senate floor. We have a full stack of bills to read and vote on and several of mine are coming up at this time. Senate Bill 384, for example, clarifies the law with regards to motor vehicle dealers and it is an important step to keep up with technological changes in the industry. After next week, several other bills will be worked on including the budget. We have some fantastic ideas and a group of talented legislators working on ideas that will really help our state. Stay tuned for more information as we get into the heat of budget season!

From the District

Smith Appointed to District 4 Judicial Seat

Gov. Roy Cooper recently appointed Timothy Smith to sit on the bench for Judicial District 4 of Sampson, Duplin, Jones and Onslow counties.

The position became open when Henry L. Stevens IV was elected as Superior Court Judge in November. The Duplin County native was appointed by former Gov. Jim Hunt in 1999 and was re-elected in 2016.

Smith, a Kenansville-based attorney, has been a partner at Smith & Blizzard, P.A. since 2000. He began practicing law in the 1980s, before starting his own practice in 1995. Next, he became partners with Melissa B. Stevens to establish the law firm.

He was born and raised on a farm in Duplin County. After graduating from East Duplin High School in 1978, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from East Carolina University and his Juris Doctorate from Campbell University. Smith is a senior member of the North Carolina Bar Association and North Carolina Advocates for Justice. He also serves as the deacon of Smith Presbyterian Church in Beulaville and is married with two children. Congratulations on this well deserved honor!

Organizers say roughly 25,000 people are expected for Saturday's 35th annual Ham & Yam Festival in downtown Smithfield.

Ham & Yam Festival to celebrate 35 years

Saturday’s 35th annual Ham & Yam Festival stands out among other community festivals because of its food.

The festival runs from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday in downtown Smithfield. Attendance for the annual festival averages 20,000 to 25,000 people.

Activities include pig races, inflatables, vendors and entertainment.

The free Original Drifters concert is at 8 p.m.

Autryville Honors Faircloth

The Town of Autryville honored Plato Faircloth for 15 years of service in the maintenance department during a recent meeting. Commissioners and family members showed appreciation for his contributions to the community. Thank you for your service to the community and congrats on this well deserved recognition.

District Spotlight

Roseboro Honors Chasity Melvin

During the BloomFest festival in Roseboro, basketball star Chasity Melvin was honored by her hometown when the basketball courts were renamed to ‘Chasity’s Court.’ The Lakewood High School graduate led the Lady Leopards to a state championship — the fist in school history. Her journey continued at North Carolina State University and the WNBA, where she became an all-star.

During a dedication, Chasity Melvin spends time with her mentors and coaches. Pictured with Melvin are Tom Best and Sonya Powell.