Eden mayor seeking re-election

Eden Mayor John Grogan has announced that he will run for re-election in the fall.

Grogan has been the mayor of Eden since 2005. Prior to becoming mayor, Grogan was an Eden City Councilman for more than 20 years.

“I look forward to serving another term. I think we do have an outstanding city council and progressive people who want to try to see Eden maintain [what we have],” said Grogan.

One of Grogan’s top priorities as mayor is to implement a diversified economic development strategy for the city. He said he was excited to hear that Loparex LLC had decided to expand its Eden manufacturing facility and bring more than 50 well-paying jobs to the community.

“Despite the global recession, Eden is pursuing a multitude of projects to bring jobs to our community,” said Grogan. “These projects include a medium custody correctional facility, a partnership with our neighbors in Danville and Pittsylvania County on the Berry Hill Road ‘mega-industrial park,’ targeting water users, and showcasing our natural resources for tourism.”

Grogan said city and county officials are still working to bring the prison to the Eden area.

“Those jobs are certainly recession-proof,” he said.

Grogan said the city is working with Rockingham Community College to help people get their GEDs and upgrade their computer and job skills so they will be ready when jobs become available.

Economic development has always been important to Grogan. According to a news release concerning his re-election campaign, the mayor served as chairman of the Eden Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors during the recruitment of Miller Brewing Company and received the first Economic Development Star Award for his efforts in recruiting Schleigel and Rexam Release.

Grogan noted that during his time as mayor, several projects have been completed to help citizens enjoy the city’s natural resources. Among those are the completion of the Smith River Greenway, the construction of several river access points and the expansion of the amenities at Freedom Park.

Another project that Grogan believes will enhance the quality of life of Eden residents is the Pierce Street roundabout/ extension project that recently received approval from the N.C. DOT. In a recent meeting, the city council passed a resolution turning over to the state the portion of Pierce Street dedicated to the project. Grogan called the street construction project “shovel-ready.”

“This would make it a lot easier for people going from the (Morehead) hospital area down to the Wright Diagnostic Center,” said Grogan. “The roundabout will make it more convenient and more attractive.”

Grogan said the roundabout would also give citizens easier access to the strip mall shopping area across from the hospital. The project will make travel in that section of roadway safer as well.

Improvements to the city’s water and sewer infrastructure have been completed during Grogan’s term as mayor. According to the re-election campaign news release, some of the improvements include the installation of supplemental pumps at the city’s raw water intake to protect the city’s water supply during drought conditions and the funding and construction of various water line upgrade projects throughout the city.

Prior to being elected mayor, Grogan was active in city government and in his community for several years. While a member of city council, he served as chairman of Rockingham County’s elected officials organization and as chairman of the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments, according to the news release. Grogan served two terms as Mayor Pro Tem. His community involvement includes serving as chair of the Morehead Memorial Hospital Trustees and chairing the hospital’s 1980 capital campaign and being active in the Rotary, Eden United Way, the YMCA and Leaksville United Methodist Church. He has also been honored as Eden’s Citizen of the Year.

Grogan and his wife Sylvia have two children, Michael and Meredith, and two grandchildren, Marcia and Madeline. He is a lifetime resident of Eden, having been born and raised near The Boulevard in the Spray section of town.

Citizens with questions about Grogan’s re-election campaign can contact him at (336) 623-8682.