AHOSKIE – It’s always hard to say good-bye.

Such was the case here Tuesday where the Town of Ahoskie officially bid farewell to a man who has led the town’s recreation department to new heights.

Dennis Everett was recognized at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ahoskie Town Council. The longtime director of the Ahoskie Parks & Recreation Department retired on Dec. 31 after 30 years of service.

During that time, the town’s parks and recreation department has experienced growth, both in the number of programs offered as well as in the venues used to conduct those programs. For 30 years, Everett stood at the forefront of that growth.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved a Resolution of Appreciation in Everett’s honor. Ahoskie Mayor Linda Blackburn read from that resolution, saying….

“Upon the occasion of his retirement from Ahoskie Parks and Recreation, it is fit and proper to recognize the service of Dennis O. Everett to his town and to the community at large.

“Dennis has served with diligence and with the best interest for all the citizens of the Town of Ahoskie for thirty years and because of his great service, the Town Council wishes to show the appreciation of the citizens of this town for this service.”

Everett worked as Recreation Director, first joining the town’s staff on Aug. 1, 1975. He retired in November of 1996, but returned full-time in December of 2000.

As a former high school and college athlete, Everett used his extensive knowledge in sports to plan, implement and provide leadership over youth and adult recreation programs offered by the town while also overseeing the town’s system of public parks.

His legacy also includes the new Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex. Everett has worked diligently over the past two years in turning this dream into reality. Months of planning and design meetings will transform the old FEMA buyout area – a neighborhood where Everett’s home was among those lost to Hurricane Floyd’s flooding in 1999 – into a hub of activities. That complex will benefit Ahoskie in numerous ways, not only providing venues for recreation, but for revenue as it will be added to a list of sites that will host regional youth athletic tournaments.

“All you have to do is look at the Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex to see what the town is doing to upgrade recreation here in town,” said Everett, fighting back the tears as he addressed the council on Tuesday. “This council, including (former councilman) Ronald Gatling, this mayor and this town manager have done more to advance recreation in Ahoskie than at any other time that I’ve been here. You have stepped to the plate and I thank you for all of your support.”

Everett was presented with a framed copy of the resolution as well as monetary gifts for his service to the town. His wife, Carol, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, was thanked by Mayor Blackburn for, “sharing Dennis with the Town of Ahoskie.”