After receiving the award, Watts briefly addressed the crowd, casting a loving gaze at his wife as he thanked her for supporting him.
MICA BANKS / THE PAPER
Newly retired Mayor of Valdese Charlie Watts was given a surprise Order of the Long Leaf Pine award at Monday’s town council meeting.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is considered North Carolina’s highest honorary society, according to the website. It is an award granted by the governor to recognize an individual’s exemplary service.
Watts said, if his service to Valdese as a firefighter and as mayor was successful, it was because of his wife, the people of Valdese, fellow council members, and town staff.
“The big thing to get out of this is that one man cannot do it, or one woman cannot do it. It takes all of us to make Valdese what it is, and to be successful. And if you don’t take part in it, then my words to you are you need to go somewhere else,” Watts said. Those in the audience laughed. “I can say that now.”
Watts has served the community for 45 years, starting as a firefighter in 1981 and working up to the rank of chief in 1999. He ran for mayor after retirement and served a four-year term from 2021 to 2025. This year, he chose not to run for reelection.
Read more about what happened at Monday's Valdese Town Council meeting, including the swearing in of the new members, in Saturday's edition of The Paper.
Mica Banks is the County Government reporter for The Paper. She can be reached at 828-445-8595 or mica@thepaper.media.
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