A formal debate usually involves three groups: one supporting a resolution (affirmative team). The City Manager of Rocky Mount is defending the merits of forming a CLT. There is a team opposing the resolution (opposing team), that is represented by this Main Street Blog Post, and those who are judging the quality of the evidence and arguments in the debate, the citizens of Rocky Mount.
The CLT model was intentionally created and first implemented during the late 1960s by African American leaders in rural Albany, Georgia. The historic roots of the CLT model are linked with the goals of the national civil rights movement: supporting African American families to own and control land and achieve greater economic security. Today’s model is based on nonprofit organizations for collective community ownership of land, governed by a board of directors, including representation by community residents.
In 2022, the advocates for the CLT argue that public policies shaping development in these areas are historically, intentionally, and systematically unfair. Professor Jim Johnson of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School basically said that black neighborhoods are impacted by historically racist, and exclusionary policies (My words). Mr. Johnson served up the need for CLT using the words Inclusive and equitable. In 2022, I am appalled at how convenient it is to blame the conditions of our housing on racism rather than on the long-term leadership in the wards that have failed to preserve and protect its housing. I am against starting any project built on a premise that racism is the reason for the state of things. This was avoidable and falls at the feet of the long term black councilmen.
Ward 1, Andre Knight 2003-2023 – 20 YEARS
Ward 2, Rueben Blackwell 2000-2021 – 21 YEARS
Ward 3, Lamont Wiggins 1997-2018 – 21 YEARS
Richard Joyner 2019-2021 -2 YEARS
Ward 4, Lois Watkins 2007-2019 – 12 YEARS
T.J. Walker 2019-2023 4 YEARS
I’m not saying that nothing good has ever happened in Wards 1-4, but the number of boarded up and deteriorating houses are measurable. People living in disrepair and in crime pockets are measurable.
The night Professor Johnson spoke at City Council, I walked down the stairs with people after the meeting. As we descended the stairs, different voices said variations of the same concern. “It depends on who appoints this board.”
As for the proposed management team, Small-Toney said they would establish a small core of people, primarily from the community as well as one or two people who work in banking and real estate in Rocky Mount, to comprise the initial group, which in turn would seek nonprofit status and put the rules of the community land trust in place. The result would be a partnership between an independent group and the city. The City Manager is the prime advocate in this matter. It is not too late for the current Councilmen to stop this effort. Think how far down the street in designated areas the money paid Kenan- Flagger at UNC could have gone.
Today, the condition of housing in Wards 1-4 cannot be blamed on racism, but that in twenty-plus-years, of the same black leadership, statistics in the Wards have been depressed to qualify for Grant money. It is about control, and the the MY WilL BE DONE Agenda. Rocky Mount is not able to count on the decision making of The City Manager, and long term Councilmen, at this time based on prior experience with them. The Community Land Trust should be dead in the water until further notice. (Scroll down for comments)
Main Street Rocky Mount 
Stepheny: What can I do to help. This type of corruption is so out of control in this city. Thank you for advocating for the citizens here who are sick and tired of it all. We need to do something and I am in.
Thank you, Marilyn Rocky Mount
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Community home ownership programs have repeatedly failed throughout the United States. The ideology behind these programs is deeply rooted in the belief that some individuals were/are left behind through no fault of their own and that successful Americans are responsible for them. Therefore, these individuals are owed a home and financial support because of their economic standing. However, if one peels back the layers what emerges is a long history of failed programs that were rampant with fraud; channeling federal, state and local money into renewal project that were destined to fail due to misappropriation of funds i.e., graft and corruption by federal, state and local politicians, officials and contractors throughout the country.
As a result, generationally, it became easier and easier for some individuals to receive rather than to work and it became easier to blame failure on lack of access rather than lack of initiative. Rinse and repeat for decades.
Conversely, I and many others were taught from an early age to attend school to obtain an education so you could get a job and enjoy a productive career and life that included buying a home. I, along with millions of others were taught NOT to depend on the system to give us an excuse for lack of initiative.
I learned a lesson early as a child–if I wanted something I had to earn it. Often it was a toy that I wanted so my parents had me do some chores and while no money changed hands the inference was if you work, you earn and if you earn you achieve. This lesson was replicated over and over throughout my childhood and in my career. If you work, you earn and if you earn you achieve.
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