Richmond County Commissioners reappoint leadership

ROCKINGHAM — With the two newest members sitting on either end, the Richmond County Board of Commissioners elected to keep its leadership the same as it’s been for two decades.

Kenneth Robinette and John Garner were again chosen to be chairman and vice chairman, respectively. The two are going into their 21st year with those positions.

Robinette thanked his fellow commissioners for their support and collective vote of confidence for trusting his leadership.

He also welcomed newcomers Dr. Rick Watkins and Tavares Bostic to the board and congratulated Commissioners Don Bryant and Ben Moss on their re-elections.

The board also voted to appoint Bill Webb as the county attorney.

Webb, who previously served as town attorney for Ellerbe for more than 35 years,  is filling the position formerly held by Stephan Futrell, who was recently appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to serve as a superior court judge.

As a partner with Futrell at the law firm Kitchin Neal Webb Webb & Futrell, P.A., Webb helped him with issues that he was more familiar with including lending, banking and real estate and is “already familiar with a large percentage” of the county’s work.

Commissioners made quick work of the relatively short agenda, approving:

• a lease and maintenance agreement for the new Richmond Community College downtown campus;
• a resolution from the N.C. Department of Transportation for the addition of Emma’s Court in the subdivision Orchard Acres off Ponderosa Road;
• an apportionment of assessment for a parcel on Ledbetter Lake; 
• an extension on tax listings;
• a $16,337 grant to the Cooperative Extension from the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission; and
• transfer $293,000 from the Health Department’s Medicaid escrow fund balance for maintenance repairs and upgrades, including remodeling the restrooms and replacing the wireless internet and intercom systems.

The board also reappointed dentist Dr. Bill Cleveland and veterinarian Dr. Ralph Souder to the Health and Human Services Board. Commissioner Watkins and Pat Solomon, who is currently filling the remainder of Rick Sago’s term, were also appointed.