News Flash

[NORTH WILKESBORO, NC, July 30, 2021] – Earlier today, North Wilkesboro Public Services Director Dale Shumate announced his retirement effective September 1, 2021 after forty years of service. 

The announcement was made to the employees of the Public Services Department -a combination of water/sewer Utilities and Public Works- at their weekly meeting. Dale has led the department since its creation in 2010. In this role he oversaw water and wastewater treatment activities, utilities maintenance, street maintenance, landscape maintenance, fleet maintenance, greenway maintenance, and garbage collection.  

“I don’t think Dale’s worn ‘many hats’ I think he’s worn all the hats,” said Town Manager Wilson Hooper. “He’s as important a public servant as you’ll ever find and, although I wish he’d stay, he has earned his retirement.” 

In addition to his responsibilities as Public Services Director, Mr. Shumate served as Interim Town Manager from February to April 2019. He has been Assistant Fire Chief for the North Wilkesboro Fire Department since 2018, and served a stint as Acting Fire Chief in late 2020. 

A native of Wilkes County, Mr. Shumate began his career with the town as a part-time laborer in 1981. He became a full-time laborer in 1983. In 1984 he shifted to equipment operator, and became the town’s utility meter reader in 1988. In 1994, Mr. Shumate was named the lead operator of the town’s utilities maintenance crew, and in 1999 was named Utility Maintenance Supervisor. He held this position until 2007 when he became Public Utilities Director. When Public Utilities and Public Works were combined to form the Public Services Department in 2010, Dale was named North Wilkesboro’s first Public Services Director.  

North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson added: “Dale is the model public servant. He’s easygoing, loyal, ethical, and skilled in many trades. He’d work all day in the trenches, literally, for the town then don his fire gear and serve when needed as a volunteer firefighter all night. He leaves big shoes to fill.”