I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
Main Street Rocky Mount 
I cannot answer why Ward 1 constituents continue to vote because I am new to the area. I will be ignorant if I dismiss the history and struggles of where many non-white people came from in this area. There is some merit to what Mr. Knight stands for, obviously, but for some reason, he’s not relating very well to me. Let me say this: I am not one who has voted for him since moving here and here are the reasons why:
—He has not made himself known to a newcomer as myself. I am not saying he had to ring my bell and shake my hand but at least post an updated URL that talks about himself and accomplishments, where he’s come from and where he plans to take Ward 1 and so forth.
—He nor his staff have reached back to me with responses to my questions. Attending the council meeting cannot be the ONLY way to voice my concerns.
—I am not sure if he’s for the younger voices of his Ward, especially outsiders who have made RM their dwelling. It’s been 4 years since I’ve been here and I’ve not seen not one flyer, one video, received not one email or even snail mail letter from our councilman. How can I vote for someone I don’t know.
Again, I understand Mr. Knight has to be given his due because of all he’s done (as he says) but he is not speaking to my demographic (well, in my opinion). He also still speaks the language of yesteryear and not to the new and upcoming folks (if they still choose) to RM.
Mr. Knight can simply put out a video introducing himself and inviting us to speak to him (and forgive me if he has. I have not been privy to it). In my previous locale, my councilman would (and still does) calls a sidewalk meeting for the constituents to meet him face to face and to bring their concerns. Mr. Knight has a demeanor to me (when viewed online), that seems unapproachable. He could also use a visible mentee that Ward 1 knows. This mentee will know the past history but will build on it to speak the language of the new. We, in Ward 1, do not want to forgo the past history; it is important. However, it needs to be translated to how it can be applied today but in an attractive way. No one wants to always be beat over the head with “black and white” talk, especially when it’s not so necessary.
If Mr. Knight and others have helped Mr. Davis in the past, why is it that Mr. Davis could not question practices that may seem dubious? Why be offensive or defensive? Do they now own Mr. Davis because they’ve helped him? What was spoken from the desk made it seem as if citizens, should never speak against events (no matter how good, bad or indifferent) because of fear of one-way communication shutdowns.
Lastly, again, if no one knows the past histories of this Council, Mr. Davis and introducing Ms. Copeland, then it looked to be mighty strange to have Mr. Knight tell Ms. Copeland that her “white privilege ends here” when she seemingly was standing up for not only Mr. Davis (a black man) but any others who needed to challenge the thought processes and ideas of government. So, at that moment, what “white privilege” was she using? If any, it was to benefit those not white and that meant something positive to me. Mr. Knight also commented on him being tired of his own going against him (paraphrased since I am not reviewing video at this moment) and that might be true. However, are they bringing up legitimate concerns and not being responded to, such as my email, letter…?
Mr. Davis said that if about $2 million dollars was pumped into several of RM’s communities in the past 13 years, a difference would have been made. Granted, I understand neighborhoods don’t just change from outward efforts but…If monies could be found to renovate the Judicial Center, where are the advancements of these communities that need the funds the most? Maybe if the council were still living in those areas…
Anyway,
Ward 1 might have a population of elders that have given up on voting/the system/their representatives, or are siding with Mr. Knight because of personal affiliations, or what but as for me and what I know and see now—I don’t know enough to cast my vote for him.
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I hope we can get together for some ice tea or lunch.I want to meet you. I LOVED your thoughts left in your comment. Today, Friday, I have been writing a post around your message. Will post next Tuesday, May 30th. Thank you for taking the time to write this valuable ‘eyes on the scene’ feedback. THANK YOU for keeping me company on Main Street.
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Maybe the mayor is as just as ignorant as Mr. Knight and his flock of not so Merry Men. Andre just cannot seem to get of the plantation and back into the civilized world he grew up in and somehow remains to live in despite his arrogancy and his attitude that we owe him something. Well, I think we paid him off to the tune of $47,000.00 so he needs to be humble and kind to all citizens and accept the fact that he can walk away from the council any time he feels his work is not appreciated. I do not think a single person will miss him except Mr. Blackwell.
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After watching the video of the meeting I wanted to comment but couldn’t find the words. Andres’ behavior and the lack of control by the Mayor were an embarrassment. Our city council should be ashamed.
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You are so on target. Why do constituents in his ward continue to vote him in? Do they think his behavior is becoming, mature, professional, etc… or do they just ignorant of his shenanigans? Of course these are rhetoric questions. Most importantly, why is our mayor allowing this to happen?
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