After Twenty-Three Years, What Does the Ward 1 Garden Look Like?

For weeks, much of the public discussion surrounding Ward 1 has centered on personalities. Some defend Councilman Andre Knight passionately. Others criticize him just as passionately. Social media has done what social media often does, reducing a complicated civic question into opposing camps. The issue is not whether a councilman is liked. The issue is … Continue reading After Twenty-Three Years, What Does the Ward 1 Garden Look Like? →

Learning The Language of Main Street Architecture

There is something deeply encouraging about watching another Main Street building come back to life. Today this recently restored building stands with an elegance that immediately catches your eye. Its rich dark façade, crisp white trim, and restored storefront remind us that good architecture never truly disappears. It only waits for someone to see its … Continue reading Learning The Language of Main Street Architecture →

Why Rocky Mount Should Return to Citywide Elections

Every Council Member Governs the Whole City Recently, some readers have asked me to explain more fully why I favor returning Rocky Mount to a citywide voting system for City Council elections. First, let me acknowledge the argument on the other side. Ward-based elections were created to ensure that every part of Rocky Mount had … Continue reading Why Rocky Mount Should Return to Citywide Elections →

If Rocky Mount Wants Change, Ward 1 is where the case for change is strongest.

As the 2027 election begins to appear on Rocky Mount’s horizon, a familiar sentiment is gaining momentum. “Throw them all out.” The frustration behind those words is understandable. Citizens see neighborhoods that need attention, commercial corridors that struggle to reach their potential, opportunities that seem to slip away, and problems that persist year after year. … Continue reading If Rocky Mount Wants Change, Ward 1 is where the case for change is strongest. →

The True Rocky Mount Facebook Videos Have Created Something Fresh Innovative, Impossible to Ignore

I have been writing about Rocky Mount on my blog, Mainstreetrockymount.com since 2015. About its history, its architecture, its people, its challenges, and its possibilities. During that time, I have seen countless attempts to engage citizens through speeches, editorials, council meetings, statistics, and social media debates. Then along comes The True Rocky Mount and something entirely new … Continue reading The True Rocky Mount Facebook Videos Have Created Something Fresh Innovative, Impossible to Ignore →