ROCKINGHAM- Rockingham City Council’s first meeting of 2018 was highlighted by a resolution honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, praise for city employees handling of adverse conditions brought about by the recent snowstorm that rocked Richmond County and the swearing in of Councilwoman Anne Edwards.
The Rockingham City Council held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night. Rev. Mitchell Roller, Pastor of Sweet Haven Church led the invocation, noting that this was his 20th year of doing so.
David Richardson, Executive Director of Lumber River Council of Governments (COG), gave a brief presentation that included notice of an upcoming event sponsored by the Lumber River COG and the North Carolina League of Municipalities in Pembroke on February 9. The topic will be “Preparing for a Disaster.”
“This is something I think for our region is very timely, we had the snowstorm last week, we’ve gone through Hurricane Matthew that had huge impacts everywhere within the five county region,” Richardson said.
According to Richardson, the seminar will focus on training municipalities for disasters.
Richardson also discussed the North Carolina Tomorrow Plan. This plan outlines North Carolina regional and statewide strategies for comprehensive community and economic development and was authored by the North Carolina Association of Councils of Government.
The plan, according to Richardson, “highlights the strengths and weaknesses throughout the state and in each individual region focusing on their strengths, while identifying infrastructure needs that we hope will be beneficial as our members go forward in looking at long term community and economic needs.”
City Manager Monty Crump discussed the recent extreme weather conditions and gave nothing but praise for the city employees for their efforts during, “a week of brutal cold weather that we’re not used to in North Carolina.”
“Cold weather puts a lot of stress on infrastructure,” Crump stated.
He noted that Public Works staff had been fielding calls 24 hours a day throughout the cold weather helping local citizens with turning off water meters where water was running in their homes, repairing water main leaks, and clearing roads.
“They do it without complaining and they do it in a very efficient manner that keeps the community safe and the roads open,” Crump continued.
This praise was echoed by each of the council members who were clearly grateful for the efforts of the city employees.
Councilwoman Anne Edwards takes oath of office, administered by City Clerk, Sabrina McDonald.
Mayor Steve Morris issued a proclamation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and resolving that January 15, 2018, be set aside to, “remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to promote appropriate activities to further enhance the democratic ideals and concepts advanced by this great American.”
Morris then called on City Clerk, Sabrina McDonald, who serves on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. steering committee, to update the board on events leading up to, and including, the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
This year’s theme is “Never Lose Hope: Unity Wins!” McDonald explained the MLK Gala will take place Friday, January 12, from 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. at Liberty Place downtown Rockingham.
Saturday, January 13, there will be a prayer breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. to be held at First Health Memorial Hospital in Rockingham.
Other planned activities include a commemorative parade/march through downtown Rockingham at noon on Saturday. The parade will conclude at the steps of the Richmond County Courthouse. A youth extravaganza will be held at Leak Street Educational and Cultural Center Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Sunday, January 14 will include an Ecumenical Service at First Baptist Church of Rockingham at 7 p.m.
And lastly, at noon on Monday, January 15, a luncheon will be held at Sidney Grove Agape Center in Ellerbe. The featured speaker will be Mr. Wayne Goodwin, Chairperson for the North Carolina Democratic Party.
All events are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to participate. Small fees will be required for Friday evening and Monday events. All others are free of charge.
For additional information concerning this meeting of the Rockingham City Council please contact City Hall at 910-997-5546.
