Tonight was a night several residents in an out of the city chose to speak on a variety of issues — from dogs and junked cars to the transfer station and conditions of alleys.
Bam Moore complained about dogs being walked in the cemetery and his belief nothing has been done on the matter. “Department heads, you can’t get them to return your phone calls.”
Moore, who lives on Woodland Road, told council there is a deputy who keeps dogs which bark 24-7. “There’s junk in the front yard. There’s a dilapidated car in the front yard.”
He also complained about leaf pickup, saying by the time the city gets to the east side leaves pile up so high in the street it creates a traffic hazard. “The street sweeper is being used on the state highway not city streets.”
Mack Bradley, who lives in what is called the no hundred block of Henry Street said there are cracks in the street big enough to place a banana. “There are 30 holes in my alley. I would appreciate it if you would get the holes fixed up.”
Gilbert Avent Jr., who lives on Stevens Drive in Lincoln Heights, asked council whether they were supposed to seek permission from property owners close to the proposed transfer station site.
Mayor Pro Tem Carl Ferebee said council would only listen to concerns and take them under advisement.
Florine Bell, of the Lincoln Heights Community Development Coalition, spoke on the transfer station issue, saying people in Lincoln Heights and South Rosemary, “Would like to see the city of Roanoke Rapids uphold its general regulation, nuisance order 96.16.”
She explained the ordinance covers keeping premises free of trash, noxious weeds and litter as well as other categories. “The ordinance also includes any loud disturbing noise that might be deemed detrimental to residents’ health, welfare, peace and dignity.”
Bell suggested looking closely at other sites or join with Halifax County’s effort “to obtain a waste transfer station that will not interfere with the peace, health, safety, welfare and dignity of the citizens and the environment.”
In other matters tonight council:
• Approved a resolution requesting the state Department of Transportation name the Interstate 95 bridge in Roanoke Rapids after the late Herman R. “Ham” Hargrove Jr.
• Approved a resolution to temporarily close streets for the May 7 and May 8 Festival of the Roanoke.
The closures include temporarily closing the 1000 block of the avenue between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. May 7; Temporarily closing the 900, 1000 and 1100 blocks of the avenue on May 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The resolution also includes allowing for the possession and consumption of beer and wine on the 1000 block of the avenue on May 7.
• Directed City Attorney Gilbert Chichester to petition the court for a compliance order for 1026 Roanoke Avenue, to have the owners either repair the old restaurant building or tear it down.
