ROCKINGHAM- The Richmond County Board of Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening at the Judicial Center in Rockingham.
Action for the meeting included Approval by the board to enter into a contract with McHugh Fuller Law Group. North Carolina attorneys working with the firm, Paul Coates and George Daniel, were present and addressed the board on the matter. The litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors is sweeping across the nation as local governments challenge the drug companies for marketing the opioids with misleading information. According to a recent article in the Wilkes Journal-Patriot in North Wilkesboro, NC, a similar lawsuit in Wilkes County claims “The drug manufacturers made false and misleading claims regarding risks of opioid addiction with their products. It details various ways this occurred, including recruiting and compensating doctors to convey misleading information and using ‘front groups’ like American Pain Foundation.”
The potential litigation aims to help local governments recoup costs associated with the current crisis. According to the attorneys present Tuesday night, their firm charges a 25% contingency fee plus expenses based on a settlement. They noted that the contract requires no county funds and if there is no recovery the county doesn’t owe anything. “This is your lawsuit,” said Daniel. “Whenever the matter is resolved, these funds come right back here, you’re in control of it.”
Commissioner Thad Ussery asked how the lawyers felt about the possibility of winning the case. Coates replied, “We have a lot of good evidence against them. I think there is a good probability we will get a judgment against them if they don’t settle.” Following the discussion, the board voted unanimously to contract with the law firm.
The board heard a request to accept a donation of the McLaurin Center. The request was brought by County Manager Bryan Land. The property is located on Bridges Street in Hamlet. The board approved the donation, contingent on final approval following review by the board of directors of the McLaurin Center, the county manager and county attorney.
Several other agenda items were acted upon, including a request by Susan Kelly to allow for an advancement for the purchase of equipment for the Sandhills AGInnovation Center ahead of a USDA community facilities grant approval. Kelly noted that the $200,000 grant is fully expected to come through but the timing is such that it will be too late for this year’s season if the county waits. The board agreed and approved the request.
A $400,000 building reuse grant has come through for Direct Pack on Airport Road. Land noted that this expansion will add 65,000 sq. ft. , bringing Direct Pack’s facility to 250,000 sq. ft. total. They intend to add 40 new jobs bringing their total employment at the Airport Road site to 140 employees.
On the lighter side, after giving his monthly update on solid waste Land said, “We are starting to notice a grassroots movement in trash pickup (on roadways) where residents are showing pride and cleaning up the roadways that they live on.” Land mentioned the particular efforts of one eight-year-old citizen of Ellerbe, Rourke Robson, who recently took the initiative to clean up Clayton Carrier Road and the Ellerbe Springs area. “That’s a big deal”, said Land, “What an outstanding example this young man set “.
Land also noted there are openings for lifeguards at the local parks this summer. Interested parties are asked to contact Lori Tadlock at (910) 410-1103.
Norman is planning a Chick-n-Pick-n-Bluegrass/Country Jamboree on the last Saturday in April and is currently looking for sponsors, vendors and antique tractors to participate in the event. Call (910) 652-3620 for more information.
For additional information on this meeting contact the Richmond County Administrative Office at 1401 Fayetteville Rd, Rockingham, NC. 910-997-8200.
