Let’s Wage War On The State of Rocky Mount,NC Awnings

Rocky Mount NC City Government, Rocky Mount NC: Preservation of Historic Commercial and Residential Architecture 3 Minutes

I’m back on my Rocky Mount awnings-horse again. But first…..

You know the City Manager wants to use about a million dollars for another set of PLANS for downtown from the Federal-American-Rescue-Plan-Funding. I want him to have what ever he needs to lead Rocky Mount on. I’m cheering for him because Rocky Mount needs a strong leader and champion. The reelected of businessman Mayor Sandy Roberson brings us a smarter, less inclined to be all things to all men, leader. The last few City Council meetings demonstrate the Mayor’s loss of innocence. He has become ‘Rude.’ For that I am proud and cheer for him. I hope you will too.

“Stepheny, what’s this have to do with awnings?”

“I’m getting to it……”

A smidgeon of a million dollars is all we need to have a war on awnings. Clean them or take them down if they’re beyond saving. There are a lot of them, yes, but organized and targeted, it can happen. I’ve taken these photos that are examples of what I’m talking about.

I could ask for more than a smidgeon for awnings and we could wage war saving Rocky Mount’s shotguns, but Peter Varney says, “Pick one thing and get started.“

I once was 5’2″, but will admit to shrinking, nonetheless, on tiptoes and with authority, I am correct when I say spending awning money or shotgun money, or, or, or on another set of plans is foolish at this time. What makes anyone think that the same people on the Council won’t do exactly as they have done to sabotaged the last set of plans. The “MY WILL BE DONE” agenda isn’t having any part of plans that they don’t orchestrate and can make money from.

Why do you think we lost our accreditation for grant money with the Main Street Program? You have to be accountable to qualify. Never mind about the word-flavor of the day…transparent. I’ve been to the public hearings and heard capable audiences name needs for available money. We have more than enough commercial and residential issues that can be addressed with a million dollars. I appreciate that having the funds still requires a trained, educated director but a ‘head-hunting we will go’ to find the man or woman who knows exactly how to make every dime count towards improving the living conditions of those who need it.

I’m frankly burned out with the affordable housing mantra. We need more! “No we don’t.” We need to spend some of this grant money on what is already deemed low income, and make it better for those living in awful conditions. But don’t you see, there is no money to be made from that kind of effort. Let’s build a hotel and a parking garage so that those who know how to manipulate the system can under the table deal in kickbacks.

Use federal-american-rescue-plan-funding money for the citizens of Rocky Mount; their housing and businesses. What the hey, start with awnings. There is no question that the City Manager is putting together a coalition on the Council where things are changing. Keep your eye on what’s happening with the vote count causing Councilman Knight to have further lift off. What do you mean you are adjourning when I want to speak. How dare you vote other than MY WILL. When the tax payers can be sure that New Plans can be implemented for the good of many and not for the few, then it will be time to reassess what has been accomplished. What are the priorities that a new set of plans can address focused on the needs of the community rather than personal gain. Please put New Plans on hold with the promise of….. not forgotten.

I want the whole congregation to shout, AMEN, in agreement with today’s blog. Leave a comment below naming a house in your neighborhood or your very own so this money can actually benefit someone. More plans will not.

DO NOT MISS GREAT COMMENTS BELOW THEY ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED

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Published by Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin

Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin grew up in Evanston, IL. and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. She is an author of two novels: The Greening of a Heart and Facing East. She lives, writes and gardens in NC. Visit her: Stephenyhoughtlin.com

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8 thoughts on “Let’s Wage War On The State of Rocky Mount,NC Awnings”

  1. Hi. I was led to this blog while researching my Ricks ancestors who lived in Rocky Mount North Carolina in the 1870’s and 1880’s. I was reading an article on the Ricks Hotel and its owner Robert Ricks. I have done so much research but have naturally come to a dead end because my ancestors, Haywood and Hannah (Worsley) Ricks were born enslaved. If anyone can point me to anyone who is also during research on the African American Ricks of Rocky Mount, I would greatly appreciate it. Best

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  2. Another set of plans for downtown will do nothing. There have been plans drawn proposed since the 1970’s and never implemented. It’s a waste of money unless there is a timely and funded implementation plan included in that visionary plan. Implementation is the key, not paying another consultant for A Plan.

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  4. Thank you. I could not agree more. I think the awnings are a great place to start! As I digress, Rocky Mount used to be so pretty, so clean. I loved riding into charming neighborhoods with tree lined streets, admiring the neatly manicured lawns, and yes, the awnings that provided shade for sunrooms or families lounging on the porch with a cold glass of tea. The charm and architecture of these homes stole my heart every time.

    The last thing we need is another set of plans! In my opinion, we need more women on the council as well as in other areas of the administration. Women not looking for personal gain or notoriety. Inside women; born, bred and raised in this city, but with loyalty to the city and its citizens, not the council or administration. Women that were a part of the city’s energy in it’s hay day and still feel the nostalgia.

    We may bicker, get angry and even disagree on the trivial things, but at the end of the day, women get it done. It’s a different mindset that doesn’t include as much ego. We come together and do what has to be done, whether we like each other, love each other, or prefer not to be friends at all.
    Let’s all stay focused and vigilant in our efforts so we can do better by the city we all love.

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  6. It would be nice to get some practical financial help for our homes. In the last year (not counting all of the other funding put into our home), we have invested $6000+ for attic insulation (which really hasn’t solved the problem but seemingly added to it), $6000+ to have the crawl space encapsulated (which really did improve our situation so money well spent) and now, two days before T-giving, our HVAC needs repair. Estimation = $3000. We are tapped out. Yes, we’re paying this back and God’s will, we’ll be debt free of it by 2025 but it’s still tough. We went to the City to see how much they would rebate us for the attic–it was a mere $250. I can only imagine what other homes that are in worse conditions are needing and, on the face, no real help. I still don’t know what the rescue plan money was used for the first go ’round. 😦 –L.L.

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  7. I think most everyone with common sense knows that certain council members are in great need of more rudeness for the sake of all the citizens of Rocky Mount. Another good job Ms. Houghtlin.

    Paul Duffy

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