Seadrift Police Chief Leonard Bermea with Seadrift Chamber of Commerce members Gary Reese, Becky Gray, Joanne Mueller, Kristine Metcalfe and Mike Mueller. The Chamber donated $4,500 to the Police Department to purchase needed equipment.

At the March meeting of Seadrift City Council, two citizens addressed the Council concerning livestock housed in the City limits. “This has become a problem especially on Bay Avenue,” said one. Another voiced the opinion that absentee landlords especially should not be allowed to have livestock on their property. They all voiced that the existing ordinance written in 1984 needed serious changes and updating to reflect a community that is growing and coming into more modern times.
The Mayor noted that complaints about this issue have previously been made, and Council will review the pertinent ordinance changes at a special meeting for consideration and adoption. “We need to do whatever we can to make the City a better place for all citizens,” he said.

A third citizen spoke concerning the barriers on Bay Avenue which were put in place to try and prevent accidents like those that happened a in the last 5 months which could have been disastrous to the driver and others who were on the Bayfront at the time. The Mayor discussed the first accident that happened during Thanksgiving when the driver failed to stop at 4th street and went over the embankment and plowed into a cement table beneath a pavilion destroying it, barely police discover narcotics traffickers. K9 Officer Eros was deployed six times during the month of February, resulting in six narcotics finds. One ounce of crack cocaine was also seized in the City.

“We consider ourselves the insulators for the community,” said the Chief, “and we will remain diligent in our quest to eradicate this problem.”

Drafts of three new, amended re-written ordinances replacing one large ordinance concerning the placement of manufactured housing units and the construction of manufactured housing parks and recreational vehicle parks were read and approved by the Council.

Some changes in the ordinances are: Manufactured Housing (Mobile Homes) may be rented and existing, private mobile home spaces may be rented out, but have to meet certain requirements. As always, a permit must first be obtained from the City before a manufactured housing park and recreational vehicle park is constructed. These updates/revisions do not affect the RV parks already in operation before the passing of this ordinance. Just like permits are required for all types of construction and repairs the same goes for the placement (bringing in) of portable buildings, carports, manufactured housing and placement of recreational vehicles on private lots before they are brought into the city.

Anyone considering constructing a manufactured housing park or Recreational Vehicle park will need to come into city hall to obtain a copy of relevant requirements so as to be aware of the requirements and be in compliance and be able to acquire the needed permit.

In other business, it was voted to cancel the May 6th City Council election since there are no unopposed candidates. The second vote was to declare existing Councilmen June Cantrell and Geoff Hunt re-elected and declare Kenneth Reese elected, replacing outgoing Councilman Buddy Cross. They will need to be sworn in after May 12th but before June 1st.

A discussion was held considering having the City waive utility fees for Thach “Rocky” Le, who has been hospitalized since suffering a major stroke on January 7 of this year.

Although it was agreed that help was needed and everyone would like to help, including the City, the City Attorney explained that a precedent would be set, and possibly many more taxpayers with disabilities would expect the City to do the same. This could also be considered a gift to an individual from the City which is prohibited by State Law. He then offered personally to help pay the utility bill, as did another couple in the audience. Gary Reese spoke to those in attendance inviting all to join in helping out with Rocky’s expenses. A group has been formed and are planning benefits and have set collection boxes at business around town.

For those who don’t know, Rocky is the owner of Rocky’s Noodle House, serving delicious oriental food and sometimes serenading customers with his mellow voice and expert guitar playing. He is known for his quiet but friendly demeanor and his personal interest in his customers.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up for Rocky at: https:www.gofundme.com/givebackto rocky