The Grifton Chamber of Commerce named its "Citizen of the Year" Thursday.

Mitchell Oakley was chosen. He is editor of three weekly newspapers in Pitt County. A celebration banquet was held Thursday night at the Grifton Depot.

According to a news release, Oakley lives in Ayden, but his home is very close to the line between Ayden and Grifton. The release says he has been a business leader in Grifton for 30 years, editing the Times Leader which has its office in Grifton.

The release also says Oakley is currently a major leader in the fight to keep Grifton School a K-8 school instead of changing it to a K-5 school.

“He knows Grifton more intimately than most of us and he is a man of standards and principles; this community depends on his voice,” said Diane Bridgeman in announcing the name of the honoree. Bridgeman is the sister of the late Eber Mitchell, Jr., who was named Grifton Citizen of the Year posthumously last year.