A Rocky Mount Casino: Like Trying On A Pair Of Shoes

I find that being prayerful, open minded, at the ready to learn new things, and believing in possibilities becomes a challenge when a casino is dropped in my lap. I have other issues I’m sorting out. The Casino is stepping on my lines in the play.

I haven’t made a strong enough case about the bad decision allocating a million dollars for a set of new plans really is. In a way the casino makes my point. The Ratio Plans cramped the style of the Councilmen who embrace the MY WILL BE DONE AGENDA. The same Councilmen wanted no part of the Main Street Program that includes accountability when receiving their grants. Consequently, we lost our accreditation status, which took care of that power threat. I want to talk about why I’m against these new unnecessary plans but am upstaged with, “Ah, hell: let’s have a casino while we’re at it. It couldn’t hurt.”

Thinking about this casino is like trying on a pair of shoes your mother picked out rather than having any say in the matter. It’s like asking a youngster, “What’s your favorite class in school,” and having Mom answer, “Math,” when you are about to say, science.

Never mind the casino, there are already deep concerns about the balance of Night Life in downtown Rocky Mount. How many more nightclubs will suit The My Will Agenda? It is a legitimate concern about the number of downtown properties Mr. Knight owns. We’re talking about the mix and balance of a welcoming, safe, Main Street area. Will the financial possibilities of the casino over ride who Rocky Mount thought it was becoming in this revitalization work?

I can’t remember the title of the movie but the handsome fellow in his sports car says, “Red lights are just a suggestion.” The new City Manager’s proposal to take 1-million dollars from the Covid Relief money for a new set of plans will be treated as a suggestion. The Knight-Blackwell Plan seems to hold the high cards in the city council’s card games. Face it, Councilman Knight and Blackwell are THE PLAN. Or they have been. The My Will agenda jumps the queue and once again, housing, education, health, jobs, and a focus on the quality of life in Rocky Mount are merely election time talk.

In this election cycle, the reality of change is like the change of weather we anticipate this fall. Councilman Knight’s 20 year reign is about to expire. (Providing in late September, Mr. Davis and Mr. Pittman become as one in their determination to win with a poll that shows which man is ahead.)The result of taking this seat will remove a self-serving obstacle to any set of plans Rocky Mount has. This will be one less obstacle looking for personal gain.

Tracy Phillips in her letter, August 18, 2023 to the Telegram, says, “So, residents of Nash and Edgecombe counties, let us engage in this dialogue with an understanding of the multidimensional impact a casino can bring. It’s not a black-and-white debate, but rather a nuanced exploration of the pros and cons. Let’s weigh our options wisely.” (If only!)