The citations lodged Thursday against four Roanoke Rapids gyms have been voided, city police Chief Bobby Martin said.
“I met with the mayor and city manager and they both agreed and supported my decision to use my discretion as an officer not to cite the gym owners at this time,” he said.
The citations have now been voided and done away with, Martin said.
Martin has already talked to three of the four gym owners and the other is being made aware of the decision.
Martin said, “We’re moving forward. We’re all for our small businesses and the struggles that they’ve had. We’re going to support them and help them the best we can.”
The gym owners who were cited were Tammy Crowley-Deloatch of New Day Fitness; Tracy Story of Spartan Elite 365; Mark and Tammy Fell of The Gym; and Tracy Beets of Ironworks Gym.
The citation said there was probable cause to believe the defendants named “unlawfully and willfully did violate Executive Order 121 issued by Gov. Roy Cooper (on March 27) … to wit the defendant operated a business or operation as prohibited by (the executive order).”