GET TO KNOW YOUR MAYOR
Ken Jones
Byjacquie Pipkin
When I entered the mayor s office on the morning of our interview, he sat at his
computer looking serious, if not grave. It was the day we were expecting the arrival
of Hurricane Matthew. He was checking the weather updates and voiced concern
regarding the possibility of too much rain for our already-saturated ground to bear.
We now know the outcome of that storm, and it is not an exaggeration to say that
Pine Knoll Shores was blessed to escape Matthews wrath.
►The Library
Happenings for December
Closing. Bogue Banks Public Library will be closed Friday, December 23,
through Monday, December 26, for Christmas.
Book exchange and sale. Stop by the paperback Book Exchange and trade for a
free paperback book.
Bogue Banks Book Nook. The Book Nook is open Monday through Saturday
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are over 3,000 books for sale. Be sure to check out
the ongoing silent auction; new items are added frequently.
Activities for children. Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 is held each Thursday at
10 a.m. with Ms. Brita.
• Thursday, December 1, will be “ ’Tis the Season.
• Thursday, December 8, will be “Sankta Lucia.
• Thursday, December 15, will be “All Wrapped Up.”
• Thursday, December 22, will be “Happy Holidays!”
• Thursday, December 29, will be “Happy New Year!”
Featured artwork. Throughout the month of December, the art gallery at the
Bogue Banks Library will feature the animal prints of Patricia Wilson.
Born in Connecticut, Ms. Wilson is an emerging artist bringing color and
whimsy to the world by painting many things, including quirky farm animals
or your beloved pet. She studied in Connecticut, and her collections have been
available in both public and private collections. Ms. Wilson currently lives
and works in Knightdale, and is a wife, mother and grandmother of four. She
finds inspiration from the objects all around her, including her energetic and
mischievous five-month-old puppy Sophie Lily and stoic, manly cat Bronson
Matthew.
The showcase will feature the work of Mandy Copp Wilson, who will exhibit her
whimsical wire creations and sea glass art pieces.
There is no reception planned for December.
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Examples of Patricia Wilson’s colorful artwork
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Mayor Ken Jones at his Christmas tree farm in Michigan.
Mayor Jones is no stranger to the field of meteorology. In the ’80s when the
mayor served in the United States Air Force, the field of technology was expanding
rapidly. The mayor terms that period “Star Wars in the ’80s.” During that time, he
worked with weather satellites and nuclear missiles. His responsibilities required
top level clearance, including a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. In addition. Mayor
Jones served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also spent part of his Air Force
career in Belgium, serving with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers—Europe
(SHAPE), the military branch of NATO.
Mr. Jones was born and raised in Michigan, where he attended Western Michi
gan University and earned Bachelor of Science degrees in agribusiness and cartog
raphy. While on active duty, he also earned a master’s degree in business.
When asked how this Midwesterner came to reside in Pine Knoll Shores,
Mayor Jones explained that while stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in
Goldsboro, he often visited the beach for a little rest and relaxation. He became so
enamored by the area that he bought and renovated a house in Atlantic Beach. He
so enjoyed that experience that he bought another house, in Morehead City, gutted
it and rebuilt it. In early 1990 on a bicycle ride through Pine Knoll Shores, he saw a
house.on Oakleaf Drive and decided he would have a house just like that. That very
house did indeed come up for sale, and without hesitation he bought it and there he
lived from 2003 until he moved to his present home.
While he enjoys swinging a hammer, the mayor is also a certified financial plan
ner, licensed in eight states, and often travels to Havelock, Jacksonville and Raleigh
to serve his clients. He also takes pride in being an entrepreneur and has invested in
several apartment buildings in the state.
Considering his busy professional career, I asked the mayor what motivated him
to run for office. He admitted that he finds public service invigorating and likes the
challenge of being a leader. In fact, he explained that he has held an elected office of
some sort every year of his life since sixth grade.
In 2005, Mayor Joan Lamson invited Mr. Jones to serve on the Pine Knoll Shores
Planning Board, which provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the town
and listen to its people. He finds talking to the people of the town one of the joys of
being in office. His goal was and continues to be to maintain the character of our
beautiful, yet fragile, town and keep looking ahead to protect the future.
(Continued on page 19)
18 The Shoreline I December 2016