HAMLET — Councilman Joe Robinson died following a medical emergency Monday afternoon, City Manager Jonathan Blanton confirmed.
Blanton said he was in his office speaking with Mayor Bill Bayless when he heard a call over the radio regarding a cardiac arrest on Marlboro Street.
He said he thought the address sounded like Robinson’s and the two went to the scene.
Police confirm that Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It’s just absolutely terrible,” Blanton said.
Officials will have to wait on autopsy results from the State Medical Examiner’s office for an official cause of death.
He had just seen Robinson at Hamlet City Lake on Sunday, where the two posed for a photo with Robinson’s grandchildren.
Blanton said Robinson retired from the U.S. Postal Service at the end of May and was given a party in June.
“It seemed like everyone knew him,” Blanton said. “He was very well-known, very well-liked and respected.”
The City Council voted June 12 to appoint Robinson to fill the seat vacated by Johnathan Buie, who stepped down due to work-related issues.
Robinson was officially sworn in the following day and ceremonially sworn in at the July meeting.
He recently filed to run for the City Council in the upcoming municipal election.
