BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

They still have one more scheduled meeting representing the City of Statesville, but Mayor Costi Kutteh, and City Council members C.O. Johnson, Steve Johnson and Joe Hudson were celebrated Monday. A reception for the four was held Tuesday afternoon at the Twisted Oak American Bar & Grill.

Kutteh, who has served as both a city councilman and mayor for more than 35 years, chose not to run for another term. C.O. Johnson, who has served for 36 years as a city councilman and Steve Johnson, who served as an Iredell County commissioner before being elected to the council, did not seek re-election. Hudson, who retired as director of water resources for the city before being elected to council, also decided against another term.

The four have a combined 84 years of service to Statesville as elected officials.

The two-hour reception was a drop-in event, and allowed those in the community to express their appreciation to the four outgoing elected officials.

The four will have one more scheduled official meeting before handing over their duties to Mayor-elect Doug Hendrix and incoming council members Trey Robertson, Tip Nicholson, James Pressly and Kristi Madison Pfeufer.

The meeting will be December 1 at 6 p.m. at Statesville City Hall. After opening the meeting, any old business will be heard before the the new council and mayor take the oath of office.