HAMLET — After having served eight years on the City Council, Johnathan Buie resigned his position Tuesday evening citing a work transfer to Nashville as his reason for leaving his seat.
Prior to resigning, Buie named Joe Robinson as someone he would like to see replace him.
A motion was made by Councilman Eddie Martin, seconded by Jesse McQueen, to appoint the recently retired postal carrier to fill the vacant seat. Martin said he didn’t want to wait until the election in November for the seat to be filled and didn’t think it would be fair to appoint one of the candidates who would be running for the seat in November.
Even with the recommendation of Buie, Councilman Maurice Stuart gave a “nay” vote, saying he knew nothing about Robinson and “had nothing on paper” about him. He added the council had not given the public the opportunity to submit applications for the seat — as was the process when he was appointed to fill the seat of former Councilman David Lindsey in February of this year.
Council Member Wendy Massagee was absent from this meeting so she had no vote.
Mayor Bill Bayless wanted to “go on record” saying that he “thought this could have been done a little different.”
It wasn’t clear whether Robinson even knew he was being considered for the council seat as the comment was made that “if” he accepts the position, he would be the newest councilmember.
However, Robinson did accept and was sworn in Wednesday morning, according to City Manager Jonathan Blanton.
Joe Robinson is sworn in the newest Hamlet City Council member Wednesday. (Credit: City of Hamlet)
Buie had also been mayor pro tem. McQueen was voted in to that position and Buie’s position on the Lumber River Council of Governments was given to Stuart. Stuart has been the alternate for those meetings.
In his comments about his years on the council, Jonathan said he wanted to “thank everyone who put me where I am.” Even if it was only through a conversation he had with someone, he said appreciated everyone’s input.
In other business the budget for fiscal year 2019-20 was approved, a letter of support for the LRCOG was read and recognition given to Hamlet resident Mildred E. Jones, who will celebrate her 100th birthday June 20.
The city will also hold its annual July 4th celebration downtown starting at 2 p.m. with food, music and a large fireworks display starting about dusk. As the city offices will be closed on July 4, trash pickup regularly scheduled for Thursday will be Friday that week.
