Nags Head’s Board of Commissioners recently presented the 2024 Lightkeeper and Nags Header awards, which annually honor individuals who have made significant, positive impacts on the community over the years.

Lightkeeper Award: Honoring Bob Muller

Nags Head’s Lightkeeper award celebrates those who have shaped the image and direction of the town through their dedicated service, actions, and talents. This year, Bob Muller was the distinguished recipient of the award. 

Many of you probably know Bob through his public service, which is exemplified through his tenure on Nags Head’s Board of Commissioners. Serving as a commissioner from 1985 to 2005 and as mayor from 2001 to 2005, he was a stabilizing force during Hurricane Isabel in 2003. His efforts were crucial in organizing the Town’s Artwork Selection Committee in 1997 and advocating for a locally funded beach nourishment project.

Bob has served Nags Head in numerous capacities over several decades. He chaired the Town’s first Septic Health Initiative Task Force, playing a pivotal role in the Todd D. Krafft Septic Health Initiative's design and implementation. In 2005, he was inducted into the Steve Steinbeck Onsite Water Protection Hall of Fame, an accolade that highlights individuals who have consistently performed above and beyond normal expectations.

Beyond his roles in local government, Bob has volunteered with numerous organizations, underscoring his unwavering commitment to the community. 

Nags Header Award: Honoring Lillie Daniels “Doll” Gray

The Nags Header award posthumously recognizes individuals who have significantly influenced the town’s culture since its incorporation in 1961. This year’s honoree, Lillie Daniels “Doll” Gray, left an indelible mark on our community. Her sons, Wally, Terry, and Gary accepted the award.

Ms. Doll was a long-time business owner in Nags Head, operating the still active Snow Bird among other ventures. In 1984, she became the town’s postmaster, a role through which she provided unique and personalized service, including weighing newborns on the office’s scale.

In 1989, Ms. Doll's dedication to her community led her to serve on our Board of Commissioners. She remained on the Board until 1997, also serving as mayor pro tem. In recognition of her service, she received the prestigious Lightkeeper award in 2007. Gray was a founding member of The Ark Church, demonstrating her steadfast commitment to her faith and community.

Nags Head’s Board of Commissioners is proud to recognize Bob Muller and Lillie Daniels “Doll” Gray for their enduring contributions to the town. Their legacies continue to inspire and shape Nags Head, fostering a community spirit that will be felt for generations.

Drawing inspiration from the remarkable examples set by Bob and Ms. Doll, it's evident that every voice in our town holds significance and the power to ignite change. Join us in actively participating and making valuable contributions to the ongoing enhancement of our community. Learn how you can get involved with Nags Head.

At their June 5, 2024 meeting, Nags Head’s Board of Commissioners  recognized Linda Bittner as the North Carolina Tax Collectors’ Association (NCTCA) Outstanding Tax Collector of the Year for 2024.

Each year, the NCTCA presents their prestigious award to one tax collector in North Carolina based on individual leadership, as evidenced by outstanding performance of duties and responsibility of office. The only municipal tax collector in Dare County, Linda is one of only five municipal employees who have received the award since 1982!

Linda has been a pivotal figure in the Town's tax collection operations for the past ten years, managing and reconciling a complex array of tax rates and fees, including a town-wide ad valorem tax, five municipal service districts, and a tiered fee structure for trash cart services. Her persistence and dedication ensure that we consistently achieve tax collection rates significantly higher than the statewide average of 98.96%, and the 98.53% average for comparable municipalities. For example, in 2023, Nags Head's tax collection rate was 99.99%, with only $680 uncollected from a town-wide net levy of $8,993,187, and only $2 uncollected in the five municipal service districts!

Linda's exceptional performance translates into significant financial benefits for the town, enabling Nags Head to budget for nearly a 100% collection rate each year. This diligent stewardship results in approximately $100,000 more collected than the statewide average and $150,000 more than comparable municipalities, effectively stretching the Town's budget and providing immense value to taxpayers.

Signing up online to manage single and multiple water accounts will give you the option to automatically enroll your credit card or bank account in automatic payments that draft on the due date. Setting up auto pay can help avoid late fees that come from forgetting to pay on time. In addition to enrolling in auto pay, signing up also allows you to schedule payments, see consumption, account, and transaction details, and sign up for e-Billing. We invite all customers to enroll sign up! Third party credit card and e-check fees apply.

Pedestrian Pro Tip: BE ALERT. Remove as many distractions as possible when walking and crossing streets, and listen for cars, especially in parking lots.

Get ready for a season packed with events and activities at Dowdy Park! From family-friendly fun to community gatherings, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

• Our free yoga sessions (thank you Coastal Carolina Vacations and Sales!) are underway every Tuesday at 7:30 am.
• Our popular farmer's markets will take place every Thursday June 13 through August 15 from 9 am to 1 pm. 
• The Wednesday evening concert series will take place June 19 through August 21 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Don't miss out on the fun!

Want to receive a text or email if the schedule changes, such as due to bad weather? Subscribe to receive notification about the events at Dowdy Park on our website. Sign in with your email address and choose to receive news flashes about Dowdy Park events. 

Learn more on our web site.

Celebrate the last day of school tonight with a movie at Dowdy Park. We'll be watching The Sandlot starting at about 8:45 pm. Be sure to bring your chairs, blankets, and snacks; we'll supply the popcorn!

Sunscreen is an important part of beach life! Lotion bottles can be recycled, but aerosol sunscreen bottles cannot.

Aerosol cans are a fire hazard and should not be disposed of in your waste or recycle bin.

For a quick recycling reference, click here: https://tfcrecycling.com/what-can-be-recycled/

Thank you for recycling right!

If you don't have time to haul your recyclables to the recycling centers we have at town hall (5401 South Croatan Highway) and our public services facility (2200 Lark Avenue), subscribe to the curbside recycling collection service offered by TFC Recycling. The cost is only $13.35/month.