36 Years of Service: Lessons from the Longest-Serving Mayor of Statesville, Costi Kutteh

A gavel falls for the last time, and a long chapter of Statesville leadership closes with surprising warmth, hard-won clarity, and a handful of laugh-out-loud stories. We sit with Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh to trace a journey from reluctant candidate to the City’s longest-serving Mayor, and we unpack what truly keeps a community moving forward: quiet preparation, strong managers, respectful debate, and neighbors who keep showing up.

Costi shares how a mentor pushed him toward public office, how he learned to wait his turn, and why breaking tie votes is less a triumph than a sign to slow down and listen. We explore the shift from charity to governance - where decisions invite criticism - and the discipline it takes to read the packet, hold a tentative view, and let new facts change your mind. He explains why people matter more than projects, shining a light on staff ingenuity during COVID, a data-driven look at housing and development, and the City Manager’s role in keeping the machine honest and accountable.

The conversation turns heartfelt as we revisit the loss of eight-year-old Ah'Mayahh Howell and the way the city united across lines that usually divide. Costi doesn’t pretend grief remade us forever, but he believes it moved us meaningfully and sharpened our focus on prevention and empathy. He’s candid about what he’ll miss - meeting employers, selling Statesville’s strengths, and celebrating community milestones - and what he won’t: rancor and partisan theater that distract from sidewalks, parks, police, and housing. His parting advice to the next Mayor is refreshingly practical: be present, protect nonpartisan norms, manage time ruthlessly, and remember that attending matters even if you cannot stay to the end.

Learn more about the Statesville City Council here.

Learn more about Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh here.

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Front & Center: A podcast from the City of Statesville

Welcome to "Front & Center," the podcast that pulls back the curtain on government operations, offering you an exclusive glimpse into the inner workings of one of North Carolina's bustling cities. This show is hosted by April Nesbit, Public Information Officer, with co-host Nakayla Griffin, Community Resource Officer. We invite you to join us as we navigate the corridors of government in Statesville, revealing the processes, policies, and people that drive the city forward. Expect exclusive interviews with key officials, in-depth analyses of public initiatives and city development projects. "Front & Center" is designed to connect you directly to the heart of our city's governance. Prepare to be engaged, informed, and empowered with each episode.

WATCH Previous Episodes Here