Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court Dawn Stroud swears in Yvonne Deatherage as Mayor of Pink Hill. Photo: Kristy Bock / Neuse News.

Following a contentious meeting in October that resulted in Mayor Mike Hill resigning, along with the clerk and the assistant clerk of Pink Hill, a meeting was held on Tuesday night to select a mayor to finish out the term Hill was serving.

About the previous meeting Fantini said, “I’m not going to apologize for what I said.”

Mayor Pro Tem Penny Murphy declined assuming the mayoral seat. She said she prayed on it and, “I prefer to keep the seat that I have. I have this seat until 2025.”

Murphy recommended Yvonne Deatherage to become the mayor to finish out the term. Commissioner Pete Fantini recommended Trina Patrick after expressing concerns about Deatherage, who he claims was a divisive choice.

Fantini also attempted to coerce Murphy into assuming the mayoral seat because he claimed, “It was the right thing to do.” She disagreed with his assessment.

A vote was called for each mayoral candidate. Commissioners Quinn and Murphy voted for Deatherage, and Fantini voted for Patrick. The two to one majority successfully voted Deatherage as the mayor.

Clerk of Superior Court Dawn Stroud swore in Deatherage as the mayor of Pink Hill. Deatherage then continued the meeting. After Deatherage was sworn in, a portion of the crowd walked out of the meeting and proceeded to attempt to disrupt the meeting by honking the horns of their cars.

Fantini said, “It’s a sad day for Pink Hill.” Then he shook Deatherage’s hand and said he hoped they could work together for the betterment of Pink Hill.