NCLM Southern City Volume 71, Issue 3, 2021

NCLM.ORG 9 BEN BROWN NCLM Communications & Multimedia Strategist efore his passing in September at the too-young age of 60, following a difficult battle with cancer, former mayor of Goldsboro Chuck Allen was the recipient of the N.C. League of Municipalities’ Meritorious Lifetime Member- ship Award, recognizing his outstanding service to North Carolina’s cities and towns. The award, from the organization’s Board of Directors, follows Allen’s service on the board since 2017. “Chuck Allen has shown unrivaled dedication to municipal govern- ment and made substantial contributions to assist cities and towns improve the lives of their residents,” states a resolution drafted by the NCLM Board and presented by NCLM President Karen Alexan- der in the mayor’s honor. Allen, a business owner and developer professionally, first came to elected local leadership as a member of the Goldsboro City Council in 1999 and became mayor in 2015. Additional roles included chair of the Wayne County Development Alliance, chair of the Goldsboro Metropolitan Organization, and a governor-appointed member of the N.C. Military Affairs Commission. He was also a founding member of the Highway 70 Corridor Commission, an intergovern- mental group focused on safety and economics along the corridor. A section of the U.S. 70 Bypass was recently named for Allen. Allen, who with his wife Lori had three children, stepped down from his role as mayor in June to focus on health. “It has been an honor to work alongside each of you and serve this community that I love so dearly,” the Goldsboro News-Argus quoted of Allen at the time. “While I will be stepping down as mayor, my unwavering commitment and love for this community will always be first in my heart. I encourage all citizens to find help- ful and positive ways to continue to make our community great.” Current Goldsboro Mayor David Ham in a statement upon Allen’s passing described the former mayor as “devoted to improving the city’s economic standing and, just as important, the well-being of its citizens. On behalf of our Goldsboro city employees, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mayor Allen’s family. He will be sincerely missed.” In April, Governor Roy Cooper awarded Allen the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine, telling him by video message, “Chuck, for more than 20 years, you’ve helped make Goldsboro and the sur- rounding area a better place for people to live and work and play.” N.C. House Majority Leader John Bell, who represents the Golds- boro area, personally presented Allen the award and, according to the News-Argus, presented him with an honorary certificate from the General Assembly and a state flag flown at the Legislative Building in Raleigh. The NCLM Board credited Allen for his role in downtown Golds- boro’s dramatic transformation in recent years as well as maintain- ing strong relationships with North Carolina’s military presence and with the N.C. General Assembly. His ideas and tone were an important part of the NCLM Board. “Chuck Allen,” the resolution states, “during his time on the NCLM Board of Directors, has helped transform the organization into a modern advocacy and service organization with clear purpose and the ability to connect with state leaders to advance policies that keep municipalities strong.” We give our deepest thanks to Allen and his family for their service and care. B LEAGUE UPDATE Honoring the Late Mayor Allen: NCLM Gives Former Goldsboro Mayor Meritorious Lifetime Membership Award RECOGNIZED FOR DEDICATED SERVICE TO NORTH CAROLINA CITIES AND TOWNS. It has been an honor to work alongside each of you and serve this community that I love so dearly . My unwavering commitment and love for this community will always be first in my heart. I encourage all citizens to find helpful and positive ways to continue to make our community great . » Chuck Allen , Former Goldsboro Mayor