Dawson McKenzie

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Sixth grader at Rockingham Middle School, Dawson McKenzie, stood before Hamlet City Council on Tuesday night and appealed to community members for fund-raising assistance to fund participation with the People to People Student Ambassador Program.

The program is not affiliated with Richmond County Schools, but offers students the chance to participate in summer trips overseas. McKenzie’s mother, Jessica, said that the cost of the trip to France and England is $6,000.

The family has started a raffle fundraiser, and can be contacted at 910-331-0284 for additional information.

Also at the meeting:

— John Matthews, with Discovery Place KIDS, announced that the project is moving along swiftly, and is expected to open in early 2013. Neil Cadieu spoke in support of Discovery Place KIDS, and encouraged community members to keep supporting the project.

— Willie Baldwin addressed the council, requesting a name change for a section of street in south Hamlet. Community members would like to rename the section in honor of Rev. Tommy Legrand and his years of work in the area. Council agreed to consider the suggestion and follow up with Baldwin.

The city would also like to encourage residents to be sure to place yard debris, like leaves and pine straw, far enough back from streets that wind or rain won’t blow it into the street. This can cause the storm drains to become clogged.

The Nov. 8 council meeting has been changed to Nov. 1.

— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com.