ROCKINGHAM — The December meeting of the Rockingham City Council on Tuesday was mostly administrative, with the swearing-in of four members — including the newly elected Greg Leberth.
Leberth took the oath of office from City Clerk Sabrinia McDonald while his wife, Kim, held the Bible.
Along with Mayor John Hutchinson and current Councilmembers Debbie Wrenn and Denise Sullivan, Leberth was voted onto the board in last month’s election, filling the seat previously held by Gene Willard.
Following the oaths, Sullivan was elected to serve another year as mayor pro tem, a position she has held since 2021. She was also selected to continue serving as Rockingham’s representative on the Lumber River Council of Governments, with Leberth named the alternate delegate.
Councilman Bennett Deane was also appointed to serve as the city’s representative on the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority board.
McDonald and Deputy Clerk Kim Williams were reappointed to their respective positions, and Herman Brady was reappointed as city attorney. Brady, of the Brough Law Firm — which includes Hamlet attorney T.C. Morphis — also represents Carthage and Vass in Moore County, and Southport in Brunswick County.
Although there was no other business on the agenda, Deane mentioned that he has received numerous phone calls regarding loud vehicles — specifically one truck in the Richmond Park neighborhood.
“I’ve personally been woken up many times,” Deane said.
Police Chief George Gillenwater said the driver, a teenager, has garnered the attention of not only the Rockingham Police Department, but also the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
“That’s not to say there aren’t other trucks out there that are loud … this one in particular has been cited a number of times now for various reasons, and refuses to get the matter fixed,” Gillenwater said. “We’re trying to do what we can within the law.”
Deane said the loud truck is “extremely disruptive” to neighborhoods, “and it’s terrorizing our community.”
Gillenwater said the city has an option that would be “very aggressive,” but wasn’t sure the situation had reached that level.
“It’s there,” Deane interjected, with Howe seconding the emotion.
The chief said there was nothing in his power or the sheriff’s power to just seize the vehicle for being loud.
“It’s not like it just goes by during the day …it’s usually 10:30, 12 o’clock at night and …it’s very common,” Deane added.
Gillenwater said complaints have not just come from neighbors, but from across the community over the past few months.
“We’re doing everything we can and exploring every option we have,” Gillenwater said.
Following comments from the council members, the board went into a closed session to discuss legal matters and no action was taken.
