City council tonight turned down a proposal to have the Main Street director, when hired, be a temporary city employee.
The three dissenting council members said following the meeting their votes were not against the Main Street program but against the person being a city employee.
Ernest Bobbitt, Greg Lawson and Suetta Scarbrough voted against the measure while Ed Liverman and Carl Ferebee voted for it.
Liverman said before the vote, “A group of people came forward trying to make this city better. The group needs our assistance to get started. These people are trying to improve the city. Instead of it dying a little, maybe they can help.”
Liverman related a trip to Dunn, which is in the program. “Their theater is a performing arts theater. Our theater is growing sweet gums and moss.”
Ferebee said before the vote he received many calls about the issue. “What we usually do is make the best decision for the city. In looking at all the comments I will keep that in mind when making my vote. Sometimes you have to look at the processes and do what’s best for the city.”
The motion to approve the matter by Liverman — with Ferebee casting the second —was shot down by the three dissenting council members.
“I’m terribly disappointed the council took this position,” said Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance Treasurer Sherry Wade following the meeting.
Wade said she couldn’t speak for the alliance’s board but said it will have to decide what its next step will be. “We’ve got a group of dedicated citizens trying to make Roanoke Rapids a better place to live and work.”
Wade called the vote a big disappointment. “I’m disappointed by the lack of vision and dedication to make Roanoke Rapids a better place to live.”
While Wade said the alliance can manage the director and pay the salary — something it was going to do anyway, advancing salary and benefits six months ahead — the project is a private-public partnership.
Lawson said, however, his vote was not one against Main Street. “Council is in favor of Main Street,” he said following the meeting. “I didn’t feel comfortable (with the city) taking that responsibility. We’re still committed to our financial commitment. We should offer them office space. I’m not against it. I’m very much in favor of Main Street.”
Lawson said Main Street offers members expertise and guidance. “The city manager sits on the RABA board. Main Street has unlimited resources. They have a mentor for the Main Street director.”
He praised the alliance for its hard work to get the Main Street designation. “They demonstrated hard work. They’re more than capable of managing one administrator. The city can be there in a supporting role.”
Scarbrough said she has always supported the Main Street program. “I’m on record of never being in favor of (the Main Street director) being a city employee.”
The alliance, she said, has 10 intelligent people on the board. “They have national guidelines to give the RABA board guidance. The Main Street director will designate a mentor.”
Like Ferebee, Scarbrough said she received numerous calls on the issue. “I had a number of citizens say they didn’t want the person to be a city employee.”
Reprinted with permission from the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald
Northampton County High School-East Principal Pamela Chamblee has been cleared of recent allegations of harassment at the Creeksville based school.
On Friday, Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy released results of an investigation by school system attorneys.
“In light of the recent allegations that have been made in the local media, the Northampton County Board of Education has conducted a thorough and fair investigation of the climate and atmosphere at NCHS-East,” the press release stated. “Among other investigative activities, forty-five teacher (sic), administrators, and staff members were interviewed over the course of two days by the school system’s attorneys. Our review shows that the overwhelming majority of the individuals interviewed at NCHS-East find the climate and atmosphere to be professional and very supportive for student achievement.”
The press release closes, “At this time, the Board has no further comment on this matter.”
More than a month ago, a group of parents, former and current employees leveled harassment allegations against Chamblee.
On Monday, Eunice Ward, a spokesperson for that group, said the lawyers did not interview the right people and that “victims” were not contacted.
“We will continue to fight it,” she said.
Former NCHS-East teacher Shonda Harris-Muhammed, who now resides in Virginia, said her first reaction to the results of the investigation was disappointment.
Muhammed in the past has said Chamblee yelled at her and embarrassed her in front of students.
Muhammed said she was concerned that the investigation was not removed from any bias with the school system’s own attorneys conducting the investigation.
“It’s most wise for a district to remove themselves (from an investigation),” she said. “Northampton County did not do that and I find that to be very unprofessional.”
Muhammed said she feels confident that the truth about the harassment will come out.
“It’s going to happen again,” she said.
Faye Smith, who has grandchildren attending NCHS-East, was also disappointed by the investigation.
“I know Dr. Bracy is lying when he says there is no hostility at Northampton East,” she said.
Smith said the harassment will not go away and that the issue will come to a head.
“The bruises of hostility will show,” she said.
Smith, who was in attendance at the last school board meeting, said she was also concerned that she was not allowed to speak to the board about NCHS-East during open session, but rather had to speak during closed session.
Pamela Jerman of Capital Heights, Md. said she has nephews who attend the school.
Jerman said she called Chamblee after her nephews were involved in an altercation at the school to see why their parents were not contacted.
In a January 25 letter to Dr. Bracy, Jerman alleges Chamblee became “very rude and hostile.” Later in their conversation, Jerman said Chamblee hung up on her.
“She doesn’t even resolve issues with parents,” she said. “We have to do something for our kids at our schools.”
Former Roanoke Rapids City Manager Phyllis Lee is now a consultant for the town of Weldon.
The board made the decision to hire Lee following a closed session at its meeting Monday night, Mayor Julia Meacham confirmed.
Lee’s first meeting with the town will be a March 22 budget work session at 1 p.m.
That Lee’s first meeting is a budget work session makes sense because she will be advising the town on financial matters, Meacham said. “She will be helping work on the budget and financial issues. She comes highly recommended.”
Meacham said as a new mayor and having what she described as a fairly new board, “I want us to make good decisions. We want to know we are financially sound so we can use the taxpayers’ money the best we can, that we can operate as efficiently as we can.”
Meacham said Lee will able to help the town board stay within its budget. This is important because the town is in the middle of cleanup efforts it hopes will lead to economic development. “To look at these buildings is a hindrance to promoting economic development. The issue was neglected by previous boards. This board has different priorities than previous boards.”
While the town is currently advertising for a town administrator, Meacham said Lee has no interest in that position. “I know she’s got qualifications for finances and helping us make good decisions.”
Lee, who will be paid $25 an hour, said she was excited about the opportunity. “I was a little surprised. I look forward to getting back and doing some finance.”
Lee said the town currently does not have a finance director. “A lot of the board members are new and not familiar with doing a budget. That’s my strength. I will do whatever special projects they want done.”
Senator Ed Jones presented former Weldon Mayor Johnny Draper the state’s highest civilian honor — The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
The presentation was done during Weldon’s town board meeting tonight.
“I’m happy to be in your presence,” Jones told the board. “I met Johnny when I was on the (highway) patrol here. Through his leadership I made something out of myself.”
Draper was humbled by the award. “To say it’s a surprise is not strong enough. It goes beyond anything I thought I would ever receive.”
Mayor Julia Meacham, who beat Draper in the November election, said Draper deserved to be honored for giving 40 years of life to the town and encouraged the audience to stand in his honor. To Jones, she said, “Thank you so much for coming and giving him this honor.”
Gene Gatling, during a public comment section of the meeting, praised the former mayor. “My wife and I, whenever we had an issue we were concerned about, he never made an excuse not to see me. We appreciate the time you took out for my wife and I.”
Gatling encouraged Meacham to do the same.
Following the meeting Draper again said he was honored by the award. “I’m more than surprised. It is an honor. I’m just thrilled to be the fortunate person to get the Long Leaf Pine.”
Weldon will have to spend $13,600 more than originally planned to have lead paint removed from the Dickens Hux Awning building, Code Enforcement Officer Richard Brown told town commissioners tonight.
The building was set to be demolished because it is beyond repair. The original estimate was $3,900, however, because the building has lead paint which must be removed first it will cost $17,500.
The building is condemned, the bricks are deteriorating and the roof has fallen in, Brown told the board.
“It’s been an eyesore for a long time,” Mayor Julia Meacham said. “I feel like we need to add the $13,600 to get rid of it.”
Meacham said the town is trying to promote Weldon. “That sets a poor example,” she said of the building on Second Street. “We have to invest in the town before others invest.”
The mayor said the town has the money but former Mayor Johnny Draper asked from the audience where the money was.
“The money is in the budget,” Meacham responded.
Walter Clarke made the motion to approve the appropriation and Martha Alford cast the second.
Following the meeting Draper said the money was not in the line item.
Meacham countered the money was in the general fund, coming from a salary which is no longer paid late part time Town Administrator Neal Phillips and from money left by the unfilled position of the former town clerk who retired.
“It’s an eyesore to the town,” she said.
In another matter tonight, police Chief Mark Macon requested a traffic study to put a stop sign at Prince Street to encourage normal traffic flow along Woodruff Street.
Macon requested the study, which the board approved, after town resident Gary Danek spoke to the panel.
Macon said he wanted to observe traffic patterns and record the number of crashes there before making a decision.
“I think that’s a waste of the town’s money,” said Danek. “I can’t see why there would be a discussion of a survey. If the signs are placed improperly why not place them properly?”
Macon told the board, “The signs have been there for 11 years. We need to take the path of least resistance. You should do what I ask.”
The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reports several people were arrested over the weekend with drugs and weapons charges.
It was supposed to be an all-day training event, a duplex in poor condition used for firefighter training and then allowed to burn to the ground. When fire hit the attic a few hours into the session on Rapids Street today, commanding officers gave the order to halt the training and let the house burn. It was something Roanoke Rapids Fire Department Chief Gary Corbet and Halifax Community College fire and EMS instructor Kevin Kupietz prepared for. “That’s why we have all the lines on the ground,” Corbet said.
Kupietz said because the fire hit the attic early, there was no reason to continue the training and risk injury to a firefighter. Had it been a real fire, firefighters would have attacked it, Corbet said, instead, firefighters stayed on both sides of the building to keep the radiant heat from melting vinyl on neighboring property. The fire department notified people in the neighborhood of the live burn several weeks in advance, handing out flyers They also removed windows from the structure, stabilized the floor and cleared bushes. Many people from the neighborhood came out to watch, many bringing lawn chairs and taking photos of the event. Dean Van Dyke, who just moved in across the street, had coffee and doughnuts ready for the firefighters.
“I have an appreciation for anyone who works for a living,” he said. Corbet explained the owner of the duplex requested the fire department burn the building. “It was run down,” he said. “The flooring was collapsed and the joists were rotting.” For the fire department, it was chance to do several types of training. “We do like the opportunity,” Corbet said. “We have several new firefighters who haven’t had the chance for live training.” With assistance from the Davie Volunteer Fire Department, which supplied tankers, the fire departments and the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad were ready for a full day of training. They planned rapid intervention drills simulating situations where firefighters were trapped.
“We’re trying to help the fire department with rapid intervention and getting firefighting experience,” said Brian Hux of Roanoke Valley. Thus far there have been no situations calling for the rapid intervention team, Hux said. “Roanoke Rapids has been quiet. They haven’t had any structure fires that required an internal attack. It’s been quiet, which is a good thing.” They were able to get some training in before the fire reached the attic and compromised the safety of the house for training. During one session, one firefighter sustained a mild burn to the back of his neck when overhead flames licked his neck. The firefighter, Richard Cooke was OK and was treated at the scene. Soon after, the fire reached the attic and the training was called off. “We expected it,” Corbet said, “Because of the condition of the house."
It was a birthday party, only the guest of honor was not there. He was on the minds of everyone who attended, however, from shirts with his photo on it, to a cowboy motif, to his friends and family being there. This was Dylan Moore Day and the man who pushed for this day to honor the boy who died on July 26 after a battle with a rare blood disorder was pleased. “It tickles me to see kids running around,” said Anthony Finney at the American Legion building Friday. “Really, this is what it’s all about. It’s a birthday party for Dylan.” Finney used the social networking website Facebook to draw attention to his belief there should be a day honoring the 8-year-old. Today there are 1,146 members of that page. The strapping Finney said there will always be a place in his heart for the youngster who touched his life although he never knew him. “Dylan’s impact on me is something I’ll carry for the rest of my life.” He said just by seeing photos of the boy he learned that while life ends for all, it doesn’t mean you go around moping. “He helped me to hold my chin up and keep my head forward.” To rally for the day, Finney said, was special for him. “It’s something I have personally done to make a difference the way he made a difference for me.” Paula Elias, who served as the master of ceremonies for the event, called Dylan “a strong little cowboy.” Roanoke Rapids Mayor D.N. Beale, who read the proclamation city council approved last month, told the audience, “Sometimes our plans don’t coincide with God’s plans. God knew what he was doing. He knew it was time for Dylan to come sit by his right side.” Louise Bailey, the mayor pro-tem of Gaston, where the Moore family lives, also read a proclamation from her town. “Today is a special day for all of us,” she said, recalling serving with the boy’s father, Peanut, on what was then the Gaston Volunteer Rescue Squad. “We were all saddened by his passing.” 
The owner of an animal rescue store on Roanoke Avenue has been charged in a fraudulent computer-buying scheme allegedly using bogus state purchase orders, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported this afternoon. Deputy Chief Adam Bondarek said in a news release that on Thursday search warrants were executed at 1330 Hamilton Street and the Second Chance Animal Rescue Store located in the 300 block of Roanoke Avenue, which is run by Rose Nicholson Cohen, 54. Police were investigating a fraud case that was forwarded by the State Capitol Police. Bondarek, who declined to comment beyond the news release, said 16 stolen computers and other electronic devices had been sent to the residence with fraudulent purchase orders mimicking state purchase orders. The fraudulent purchase orders were in the name of an employee at the state Office of Information and Technology Services and were sent to Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company. The items were being shipped to 1330 Hamilton Street in Roanoke Rapids. Bondarek said a search of the house led police to recover six stolen Dell laptops and five HP laptops valued at $16,169. Further investigation led Detective Sergeant Jeff Baggett to discover Cohen already mailed five additional HP laptops to the African country of Ghana and that two IPAQ business messengers had been sold on eBay earlier. At the time the stolen laptops were recovered, some of those items were currently posted on eBay for sale. A total of $25,122 worth of computer equipment had been fraudulently obtained and sent to 1330 Hamilton Street since July, Bondarek said. Today Baggett arrested Cohen, charging her with three counts of felony obtaining property by false pretense, two counts of felony possession of stolen goods and two counts of felony conspiracy. Cohen was placed in the Halifax County Jail under a $25,000 secured bond. The investigation continues between Roanoke Rapids and the State Capitol police. 
