BAKERSVILLE — Bakersville Mayor Charles Vines will soon have his name on a building.
At its regular meeting on Aug. 24, the Bakersville Town Council unanimously approved a motion to name the Bakersville Town Hall after the long-tenured mayor.
Councilman Jordon Baker suggested naming the building after Vines after a speech about respect and recognition.
“Whether you agree with him or not, whether you like him or not, he has shown respect,” Baker said. “He has gotten us this far in this town. So, I want to ask the board and the community to name the town hall the Charles E. Vines Town Hall of Bakersville.”
Vines, visibly moved, said it was unexpected and an honor to have the idea even brought up.
“That’s more than I ever dreamed or expected in any way whatsoever,” Vines said. “Jordon, I appreciate those words very, very much. They mean wonders to me. Thank y’all for just being able to consider something like that. It’s heart wrenching, I can tell you that.”
Councilmen Andy Palmer and Charles Nash both noted how kind the gesture was from Baker and how deserving Vines was of the honor.
“I’d like to make a motion that we do just that [name the town hall],” Palmer said. “I’ve never seen anybody out there as much as you [Vines] picking up trash, checking on the streets, walking up and down and talking to people every morning.”
Vines, who has been the Mayor of Bakersville for 29 years, expressed his love for the town.
“I do it because I love Bakersville,” Vines said. “I know I’m not a native resident of Bakersville, but I’ve lived here 20 years longer than where I lived as a young man. I left home at 16 and a half years old. But, this is my home and it will always be my home. My heart bleeds Bakersville and it always will.”