It was a weekend for joy and celebration in Fairmont as first Public Safety officials and then Senior Citizens were thrust into the spotlights glow.

On Friday the Department of Public Safety hosted its annual awards banquet in the Heritage Center. Fire, police, and communicator personnel were on hand to enjoy a hearty meal and reap the accolades of a year’s worth of hard work.

Awards for most progress, rookie, officer, top squad, and top gun of the year were passed out to deserving police personnel while rookie, fire officer, and fire fighter of the year were offered in the fire division.

Completing the event were special awards passed out by Interim Chief Danny Parker in the area of Leadership, Appreciation, and special recognition.

I gave opening remarks to the audience and offered my gratitude to all personnel on their continued dedication and loyal service to the citizens and their property.

The banquet, in its third year, was begun by former Public Safety Director Robert Hassell to honor the dedicated service of the department’s personnel. About 75 attended the banquet.

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Saturday’s cold temperatures did not match the genuine warmth inside the Heritage Center as 100 seniors were treated to their 4th Christmas party.

An hour’s worth of splendid entertainment by Lumberton natives Lexi Little and Lauren Miller was mixed in with the powerful solos of Fairmont native Travis Hunt to captivate the audience. Christmas carols were sung by Rev. Martine Spenser as she also delivered the invocation.

On hand were the Fairmont Farmers Festival and Robeson County Black Caucus queens to assist in serving refreshments as well as entertaining with a program ending “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”

At the conclusion of the party, members of the Seniors In Touch Committee consisting of Novella Worley, Dosha McLean, Yvonne Rowell, and Annie Durant assisted by Bridgett Bass, passed out bags of fruit to all seniors present.

The group has sponsored once a month bingo sessions in addition to Valentine and Christmas parties and special cookout outings for the past four years.

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Here’s looking at the week ahead:

• The annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party is being held on Monday evening at 6 p.m. in the 2nd floor banquet room of Fairmont Golf Course.

Chamber officials will offer a catered meal and an opportunity for members to mingle and get to know each other.

During the past year the Chamber has hosted a beach blast and golf tournament both at Fairmont Golf Course as well as the current umbrella sponsorship of the indoor movie showings to be offered in 2010 in the Heritage Center.

In addition the Chamber has conducted several business grand openings and sponsored various Robeson County Students of Excellence. The president of the Chamber of Commerce is Kelly Johnson.

• On Tuesday the Heritage Center will be the scene of its first ever government swearing in ceremony as Mayor Charles Kemp along with Town Commissioners Wayland Lennon, Charles Townsend, and Commissioner-Elect Perry Ashley will be sworn in by Superior Court judge Frank Floyd during the 6 p.m. meeting.

I will begin my 33rd year in elected office and 2nd term as Mayor Tuesday evening. Lennon begins his 2nd term, Townsend his 3rd , and Ashley her first as Commissioners. Outgoing commissioner Jay Capps chose not to run for re-election.

During the meeting, new N.C. State Senator Michael Walters, a Proctorville native, will be introduced and address those in attendance. Walters replaced David Weinstein recently after he was appointed to a state post by Gov. Bev Perdue.

I will also present a plaque to outgoing Farmers Festival chairperson Jenny Larson in appreciation for her many years of work with the festival.

And I plan to read a Proclamation asking all citizens to observe January 2010 as Human and Civil Rights month in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work.