McBee council forms playground and tree-grant committees; recreation sees more youth participation

Mayor Glenn Odom announced representatives for a Tree Grant Committee—Willie Mae Roary, Raeford Linton, Bernessa Wright and Leslie Newton—and said staff members Kylee Watts and the mayor will continue oversight of the project. Councilman Robbie Liles said donors are ready to provide trees and flowers under the Arbor Tree Grant.

Odom asked council members to suggest participants for a children’s playground committee. He said AO Smith has a volunteer to serve, and Cherry McCoy has compiled a list of businesses and industries the town will contact to request committee members and donations; Odom said the town hopes to hold a February meeting at the Recreation Complex and to open the playground by summer.

On recreation, Councilman James Linton said the town received many compliments on the Christmas lights and reported more than 62 children participating in local basketball programs; Councilman Ricky Peoples praised Recreation Department staff and a recent game turnout.

Public-safety announcements recorded during the meeting included a Duke Energy siren test scheduled for Jan. 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and a Highway 151 closure and traffic detour on Jan. 13 for railroad-track repairs, both announced by Chief Knight.

Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting included a motion by Councilman James Linton, seconded by Councilman Robbie Liles, to approve the Dec. 3, 2024 minutes (the council voted all in favor), and a motion to adjourn made by Robbie Liles and seconded by James Linton (also all in favor).