WS Chronicle

Name?

Mayor Allen Joines

When and where were you born?

Wilkes County in 1949

Did you go to college or trade school?

In college, I was initially interested in becoming a high school political science/history teacher, but then became very interested in Public Administration.   Following my undergraduate degree from Appalachian, I received a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Georgia. This allowed me to successfully pursue my goal of public service and became Deputy City Manager, before retiring to start the Winston Salem Alliance, a non-profit economic development organization.  I, then, ran and was elected as Mayor of the City of Winston Salem.

What major historical events do you remember from your childhood?

Certainly, the Kennedy Assassination was one of the biggest, along with the first moon landing in 1969

What activities do you participate in that keeps you physically active?

I work out four days a week, one hour per day with weights, running and other cardio activities.  I also walk while playing golf and like to hike on the weekends.

What activities do you participate in which keep you intellectually challenged?

I like to cook, so am constantly looking for new recipes to try, I read two to three books a month; I do woodworking and enjoy figuring out how to best make a particular item.

What advice for healthy aging do you have for the next generation of seniors?

Staying active and fit; learning new skills and being relevant is best advice I can give.

Is there anything that scares you about the future?

I do worry about the growing federal deficit and the potential impact on the next generations.  I also worry about those young people who drop out of high school, because the jobs of the future will demand some level of training beyond high school.  Without the basic building block of the HS diploma these young people are destined for a difficult life.

What do you like about being your age?

I am fortunate to be at a point in my life, where I feel I am perhaps in the best physical condition that I have ever been.  I am a member of many organizations, so I feel I am contributing to the betterment of the community and I enjoy my family.