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Wednesday, 02 February 2011 01:34

City will buy 13 patrol cars


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Roanoke Rapids City Council tonight approved buying nine new police cars and then four more after Ernest Bobbitt made a motion to do so.

The first motion at the work session, with Ed Liverman absent, passed unanimously. The motion for buying the next four cars passed 3-1 with Greg Lawson voting against the measure.

BB&T was the low financing bidder, giving the city a quote of 2.36 interest for five years and $53,595 for nine fully equipped patrol cars.

There was little discussion of the matter but Bobbitt said the city could buy four more cars for $77,000 at the same interest rate. “I really think we need to consider that,” he said, explaining the city has already retired debt this year and will be retiring about $245,000 in debt next year.

In another matter tonight council approved using $50,000 from reserve funds for roof repairs to the library and public works building.

The city had attempted to get grant funds for these projects, but a memo from City Manager Paul Sabiston noted federal response has been slow and it appears the requests may not get funded.

Sabiston recommended using the $50,000 from reserve funds, which would be transferred from closeouts of other capital projects.

 

In other matters:

 

Were told new streetlights would be installed in the 200 block of Roanoke Avenue in March. A $71,940 grant will fund the lights, which Dominion Power will install.

Installation of new street lights is part of the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance’s improvement plans for the city after it was included in Main Street program.

 

Will pay David Corlew, a Nashville record producer, $3,000 for travel from Tennessee to do an inventory of equipment in the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. Corlew will evaluate what equipment is needed and offer the remainder for sale plus a 20 percent commission.

 

Lance Martin

Lance Martin

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comments  

 
0 #4 Maureen 2011-02-03 17:58
I have a 2003 Volvo with 280,000 miles on it, and it runs like the day I bought it. Maybe the town should maintain their vehicles a little better?
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+7 #3 Robert 2011-02-03 06:55
I can think of alot of things this town needs right now besides 13 new patrol cars.There are alot of streets that need work right now and 70% of the patrol cars currently active could make it another 3 years with proper maintenence.Also maybe these funds could be used to put more officers in the cars the city already has to offset the steady rising crime rate in halifax county...
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+5 #2 Stunned 2011-02-03 01:20
I understand that protection is a huge issue...if you read the posts here for the last month its B&E this, violent fighting that...but what is wrong with the cars that the city already has?? Are they going to sell off some of their property to help pay for this?? Will anyone lose their job because of budget cuts later on down the road?? When I was a child, we had to make do with what we had...isnt that what the city should be doing instead of upgrading materials that can still be used? It seems like the ruling class of R.R. has been creating silly rules which will be broken so that the city can collect fines. If you continue to abuse the individiuals who pay taxes ie your salary...they will do as Tanya says and move away
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+7 #1 Tanya 2011-02-02 16:03
Ok!! Do we really need 13 new cars in this city? I think not. This is just crazy to be spending more money when we are in such financial trouble already. Put that money towards the theater cost and quit expecting tax payers to foot the bill for something we did not vote to do in the first place. Makes me want to leave this town as many others are feeling the same way. Think before doing this please!!!
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