Outgoing council member Redding given Key to the City

ASHEBORO — In what Asheboro Mayor David Smith called “a bittersweet time,” Jane Redding gave up her seat on the City Council to newcomer Joey Trogdon. 

Trogdon was the top vote-getter in the Nov. 7 municipal election and Redding finished fourth in the five-person race, out of the running.

Incumbents Eddie Burks and Charles Swiers held on to their seats.

During Redding’s last City Council meeting on Dec. 7, Smith honored her service with the Key to the City, the highest award given to citizens. He said she had served eight years on the board and another 10 years with the Asheboro City Board of Education.

In accepting the honor, Redding, joined by her husband Scott, said, “I’ve lived in Asheboro for 61 years, lifelong resident, and boy, have I seen some change. But it's nothing compared to the change that's coming.

“We're looking at some exciting times in Asheboro and some challenging times in Asheboro. The citizens are in good hands because of the guys I've been sitting with for the last eight years."

Redding gave credit to Trogdon, saying, “We’re lucky to have Joey Trogdon,” and acknowledged that the Council “is incredibly dedicated.”

Councilman Bill McCaskill, who sat next to Redding on the board, said, "We've sat together for two years. She's helped me with reading maps, understanding plats. I felt I should give her a little something for putting up with me for two years." He then presented Redding with flowers.

City Clerk Holly Doerr then administered the oaths of office to Burks with his wife Andra holding the Bible, Swiers alongside his wife Susan, and Trogdon joined by his wife Laura. 

In the first vote of the new Council, Trogdon voted against keeping Walker Moffitt as mayor pro tem, explaining that a newcomer leading the election meant voters were looking for new leadership. Trogdon did join the other board members in unanimously approving Smith’s committee appointments.