City Manager Joseph Scherer provided Roanoke Rapids council with the following updates in his report Wednesday night:
Holiday events
Christmas for Kids will be held December 14 starting with breakfast at 10 a.m. at Chick-fil-A. At 11 a.m. the shopping spree begins at Walmart.
The police club received a $1,320 donation from the car show at the theater last week and the police department is hoping to take 30 children on the shopping trip.
Chief Bobby Martin said monetary donations are still being accepted and checks can be made out to the RRPD Police Club with Christmas for Kids in the memo. Cash or checks can be dropped off at the police department.
RAGE Wrestling is also a fundraiser for Christmas for Kids and will be held November 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Roanoke Rapids High School.
Scherer told council the annual tree lighting at Centennial Park is December 5 at 6 p.m.
Wayland and William Newsome, sons of canal museum Cultural Resources Leader Ryan Newsome, will light the tree.
On December 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the parks and recreation department and Main Street Roanoke Rapids will host a Christmas event at the 1026 urban greenspace on Roanoke Avenue.
Santa Claus and sleigh will be at the event for photo opportunities for children; there will be tractor and hayrides; refreshments and crafts.
On December 8 at 2 p.m., the annual Christmas parade gets underway on Roanoke Avenue.
City hall repairs
Public works is repairing damage from a June storm which blew part of an awning off at city hall.
Scherer said the solar panels have been removed and new ones will be installed on the roof for better sun access.
A new awning will also be installed.
Public Works Director Larry Chalker and Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle are reviewing new colors for city hall. “Christina and Larry are reviewing options for aesthetic and historically correct colors and will submit to me for review and recommendation to council.”
The city manager stressed, “Public works is in the process of painting some test panels on the side but let me emphasize these are not the final choices. Once those are made, you will be asked to review the panels and determine your final choices.”