MAYOR SURPRISED ON BIRTHDAY

Mayor David Black is speechless after more than 20 people yelled "surprise" at an informal gathering in Lincolnton City Hall. The blur in the left of the picture is City Manager Jeff Emory.

By Jon Mayhew [LINCOLNTON] – Lincolnton Mayor David Black was totally surprised Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.

It wasn’t the latest installment of “As the Raise Turns” on The Carolina Scoop that surprised the Mayor: it was the fact that his wife, Lynn, kept his surprise birthday gathering just that, a surprise.

“He came home Wednesday afternoon and I thought oh shoot,” said Lynn Black. “He asked me what I was doing home so early and I told him I was preparing food for another meeting.”

Black, who turned 52 Wednesday, was speechless after Lincolnton City Council clerk to the board Donna Flowers brought him into council chambers.

“I told him we had a meeting with other attorneys,” said Flowers.

Besides greetings from well-wishers and cards from several people, Lincolnton Fire Chief Mike Lee presented Black with a plaque, naming Black an honorary Lincolnton firefighter.

Lincolnton Fire Chief Mike Lee (left) presents Mayor David Black with a plaque naming Black an honorary fireman. Looking on is assistant chief Mitch Burgin (right).

Lynn Black said that her husband even baked seven-layer cookies Tuesday night, not knowing they’d be served at the gathering.

“I got to watch TV while he baked,” laughed Lynn Black.

David Black came to Lincolnton as a senior in high school, as his father accepted a job in 1974 as the pastor at First United Methodist Church.

What was the Mayor’s reaction to the more than 20 people gathered in Council Chambers?

“Wow. I’m really surprised,” said Black.