Frye remains chair; Kidd selected new vice chair

Janet Imrick
Randolph Hub 

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners opened their Dec. 2 meeting with the swearing-in of a new commissioner, Lester Rivenbark.

He took the oath in the Historic Courthouse, issued by District Court Judge Barron Thompson, with his family at his side. Rivenbark will represent District 5, having won the general election after defeating incumbent Maxton McDowell in the Republican primary.

District 1 Commissioner Kenny Kidd was re-sworn in by District Court Judge Scott Etheridge. He was re-elected for a third term in November.

Rivenbark's first motion was to nominate Kidd as the next vice chair of the Board of Commissioners.

Haywood recommended keeping the incumbent vice chair David Allen based on his previous leadership and the economic development of the Northeast quadrant, which he represents. "He understands those impacts and can represent them uniquely well, as Toyota Battery opens next year, and the Agricultural Center. I cannot support a change in that position," she said.

Chairman Darrell Frye backed Kidd, and he won 3-2. 

Frye said, "I've worked with Commissioner Kidd even before he became a county commissioner. I count him as a friend. The real important business in this county is the decisions we make on the individual issues that come before us. That's what matters the most."

Haywood also nominated Frye to serve again as chair of the board, and it passed unanimously. Ben Morgan will continue to serve as county attorney and Dana Crisco as clerk to the court.

The board voted to keep almost all committee appointments the same, moving Rivenbark into McDowell's previous positions with the exception of one — the Piedmont Triad Regional Planning Organization. Due to a scheduling conflict, Haywood will be the primary representative.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners approved next year’s joint meeting with the Asheboro City School Board for Feb. 13, 2025, and the annual planning retreat for Feb. 20, 2025.

Organization of Committee Representatives for 2025

Board of Health: Hope Haywood.

Social Services Board: Lester Rivenbark (fomerly Maxton McDowell).

High Point Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPMPO): Darrell Frye

Alternate to HPMPO: Lester Rivenbark (formerly Maxton McDowell).

Juvenile Crime Prevention Council: Kenny Kidd.

Piedmont Triad Regional Planning Organization (RPO): Hope Haywood (formerly Maxton McDowell).

Alternate to the RPO: Lester Rivenbark (formerly Hope Haywood).

Piedmont Triad Regional Council: Darrell Frye.

Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation: Darrell Frye.

Tourism Development Authority: Kenny Kidd.

Trillium Health Resources Regional Advisory Board: David Allen.

Corporate-Municipalities Wellness Coalition and Healthy Communities: Hope Haywood.

Voluntary Ag District Board: David Allen.

Piedmont Triad Regional Development Corporation (PTRDC): David Allen.