ROCKINGHAM — After Mayor John Hutchison read a Veterans Day proclamation at Tuesday evening’s city council meeting, Councilwoman Denise Sullivan requested that the parade cancellation be addressed.
“I do not like…when people say ugly things about Rockingham,” Sullivan told reporters. “I’ve heard that Rockingham was the reason that there was no Veterans Day parade.”
Over the weekend, there were multiple public and social media statements to that effect.
According to Rockingham Police Chief George Gillenwater, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has approved the same route utilized for the homecoming parade — down East Washington Street from the intersection of US 1 to Harrington Square — for all parades in the city.
Since its inception in 2016 by VFW Post 4203 Auxiliary, the local Veterans Day procession began with a brief presentation in front of the historic courthouse then looped around downtown, along Franklin and East Washington streets, effectively closing down five blocks.
In addition to blocking a part of U.S. 1, Gillenwater expressed concerns about first responders trying to react to emergency calls.
The chief stated that organizer Robin Roberts, president of the auxiliary and current county commissioner, was asked two years ago to “please accommodate the city in moving it to that route.”
Gillenwater stated that the DOT-approved route was intended to go into force last year, but Roberts objected, claiming that there were plans for the previous route that could not be modified.
According to the chief, Roberts was then instructed, “This has to be it, or we’re going to get ourselves into a jam.”
The 2023 parade was canceled due to rain.
When planning for the march began earlier this year, Gillenwater informed her of the route.We can’t back out of this path.”
“My understanding was that she was good with everything…she was OK with the route — and, the last second, maybe… a week before the parade she decided she was going to cancel,” Gillenwater told CNN.
The chief also stated that the agency did “everything we absolutely could” to assist Roberts, including bringing cops to the VFW for the ceremony earlier on Saturday.
“Roughly half of our department are veterans, they love working the event,” according to Gillenwater. “Really, it’s nothing to do with our willingness or unwillingness to facilitate the parade.”
Gillenwater stated that he, Hutchinson, and City Manager Monty Crump each received numerous phone calls about the matter. Hutchinson also responded to various remarks on social media.
“Hopefully, moving forward, she can work something out with us,” Gillenwater said.
However, Roberts has stated and posted on social media that she intends to move the procession to Hamlet in 2025.
On November 14, the RO contacted Roberts and requested a response. She had not responded with a comment by 5:30 p.m. on November 15.