Olivia Dawson, Town of Burgaw Mayor

09/15/2026

Your voice matters, Pender County!

Please take a few minutes to complete the 2026 Pender County Community Health Survey. Your feedback will help identify our community’s most important health concerns, needs, and priorities—and guide future programs and resources throughout Pender County.

The survey is open to Pender County residents, and every response helps create a clearer picture of the health and well-being of our community.

Please share this post and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to participate. Together, we can help build a healthier Pender County!

📣Are you a Pender County resident?

We want to know what health issues and concerns matter most to you and your family!

Take the 2026 Pender County Community Health Survey and help us better understand our community’s needs and plan for the future.

📱 Scan the QR code or take the survey using the link below:
https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eXNkcehdx9bF9iu?utm

⏰ Takes less than 10 minutes!
‼ Available in English & Spanish
📅 Survey open through October 31st

Your voice matters. Help us make Pender County healthier! 💙

09/15/2026

🏛️ A Few Highlights from Our September Town Council Meeting

There is a lot happening in Burgaw!

Much of local government work happens behind the scenes before it reaches the board, and I want you to see it and know about it.

Projects take time, some require persistence, and others are exciting milestones we finally get to celebrate.

Here are a few things we want you to know from our recent Town Council meeting:

📱 Better Cellular Service

As I share, we have continued to advocate for better coverage and are working directly with service providers to find solutions. Verizon is currently working with the Town on a temporary solution that could help improve service in the near term while we continue working toward a permanent solution for stronger and more reliable coverage.

Reliable cellular service isn’t just about being able to make a phone call or send a text—it affects public safety, emergency communications, our businesses, visitors, residents, and our ability to continue growing.

💦 ALMOST Ready to Make a Splash!
We know many families have been patiently waiting!

The GAF Community Splash Pad at Hankins Park is nearing the finish line. The structures and plumbing are installed, and we’re now waiting on a final section of fencing and allowing the new surfacing to fully set before opening it safely to the public.

And, of course, we can’t open something this exciting without celebrating! 🎉 Plans for a ribbon-cutting are underway, and shared this morning it will be held on Friday, October 2nd.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 5:00-6:00 pm
Glow Splash Party: 6:00-9:00 pm
The glow party will feature lights and music at the splash pad, inflatables, a foam party, food vendors, and local non-profits.
This is a free event.

👏 Proud of Our Town Employees

We also had the opportunity to recognize several Town employees who recently completed professional training, certifications, and specialized programs.

We believe one of the best investments we can make is in the people who serve our community every day. Their continued education and professional development help us provide better, safer, and more efficient services to Burgaw.

Congratulations to each of them, and thank you for choosing to invest your talents in our Town!

🏡 Burgaw’s Growth

Council also addressed development and planning matters, Following a quasi-judicial hearing, Council approved a preliminary plat for a proposed 139-lot, single-family residential subdivision on NC Highway 53 West near the Tealbriar Subdivision.

We also approved an update to our Unified Development Ordinance concerning electronic changeable signs. The changes modernize where these signs may be used while establishing standards related to lighting, operation, and public safety.

❤️ Moving Burgaw Forward

Growth brings opportunities, but also brings responsibilities.
There will always be challenges to work through; we are proud of the progress, grateful for those doing the work, and committed to continuing to advocate and move our town forward.

09/15/2026

September 12-26 is Fall Litter Sweep Week, and we’re encouraging everyone to do their part to help keep Burgaw beautiful! 🌎🍂

🚯 Don’t litter.
🗑️ Pick it up when you see it.
🙌 Encourage others to do the same.

A cleaner community starts with all of us. Whether it’s a cup, wrapper, or piece of paper along your street, sidewalk, or roadway - every piece picked up makes a difference. ✨

⚠️ And remember - safety first! If you’re picking up litter, stay alert to traffic, wear gloves when possible, and never pick up sharp, hazardous, or suspicious items. If something doesn’t look safe to handle, leave it alone and contact us at Town Hall 910-259-2151.

Learn more about NCDOT’s Fall Litter Sweep:
https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/environmental/litter-management/Pages/litter-sweep.aspx

09/15/2026

A Chamber of Commerce is important because it brings businesses, community leaders, and local organizations together to strengthen the local economy and improve the community.

Being a Chamber member means:

-Building relationships with other local business owners and leaders

-Increasing your business’s visibility and credibility

-Gaining opportunities for networking, promotion, and referrals

-Receiving information about issues that may affect your business

-Having a collective voice in economic and community development

-Supporting events and initiatives that attract visitors and customers

-Investing in the overall success of the community

A strong Chamber does more than promote individual businesses—it helps create a thriving business environment. When local businesses join, participate, and work together, the entire community benefits.

Being a Chamber member says, “I believe in my business, I believe in this community, and I want to be part of its future.”

Why be a Burgaw Chamber member?

Economic Vitality
•Community growth
•Job Creation
•Strong local markets

Networking Catalyst
•Marketing events
•Mixers
•Opportunities to connect and learn from other businesses

Business Advocacy
•A collective voice
•Supports pro- business policies

Member Spotlight
•Promotional interviews
•Highlighting your business to the community

Does this sound like the right fit for you and your business?
Join today at www.burgawchamber.com

Have any questions?
Reach out to [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you and your business!

09/14/2026

As we know too well, reliable cellular service continues to be a challenge in Burgaw daily and especially during our events.

Last week, I was pleased to host a roundtable discussion with Verizon representatives to address these concerns and work toward a solution—including plans for a permanent cellular tower within town.

Currently, there are no cellular towers located inside Burgaw’s town limits. Our service primarily comes from towers positioned outside of town, which affects signal strength, coverage, and reliability.

Verizon is working with us on a temporary solution—a temporary Cell on Wheels, commonly known as a COW—to help provide improved service throughout the next couple of months while we continue working through the plans and process for a permanent tower.

While these improvements require continued coordination, this meeting was an important step forward. I appreciate Verizon representatives for coming to Burgaw to meet with town and county staff and leaders to work on both immediate and long-term solutions.

I look forward to sharing additional updates as this work progresses.

09/11/2026

Community Connection: Mayor Dawson reflects on the day we will never forget 🇺🇸

September 11, 2001: Twenty-Five Years Later

📲View Mayor Dawson's latest blog: https://burgawnc.gov/Blog.aspx?CID=1

09/11/2026

🇺🇸 NEVER FORGET — SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 🇺🇸
Twenty-five years later, we still remember.
The Burgaw Fire Department invites our community to join us for two events we will be participating in to remember and pay respect to the events of September 11th.

Event 1: “Walk to Remember”
📍 Pender County Courthouse
🕣 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
This community organized event will be a continuous walk around the Courthouse Square. Throughout the morning, we will pause at six significant times to recognize and remember the events that unfolded at those moments on September 11, 2001.

Event 2: Town of Burgaw 9/11 Remembrance Event
📍Historic Burgaw Train Depot
🕣 5:30 PM
The Town of Burgaw will host its annual event in observance and recognition of the events of September 11th. Burgaw Fire Department will be joined by Burgaw Police Department, other Town staff and officials, and members of the community as we recognize, remember, and honor the memory, courage, and sacrifices of victims and emergency responders on September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years may have passed, but the memories remain.
We will never forget the 2,977 lives lost.
We will never forget the heroes who answered the call.
We will never forget the families who continue to carry that loss.

🇺🇸We will never forget September 11, 2001.🇺🇸

09/10/2026

As we prepare to observe Patriot Day tomorrow, I invite our residents to join us for Burgaw’s September 11 Remembrance Ceremony.

This year marks 25 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001-

And Twenty-five years later, we remain committed to keeping their memories alive and teaching future generations why we promised to never forget.

Please join us tomorrow as our community pauses in remembrance.

🇺🇸 We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

A day of remembrance - 25 years later 🇺🇸

Community members are invited to join local officials, first responders, and civic organizations as they pay tribute to the victims and recognize the bravery of those who responded on the day we will never forget.

Friday, September 11, 2026
5:30 PM
Historic Train Depot, 115 S. Dickerson Street, Burgaw

This National Day of Remembrance serves as a solemn reminder of the resilience, unity, and courage that define our nation. Residents are encouraged to participate and reflect on the significance of Patriot Day. ❤️