What Can Actually Be Done Now About Rocky Mount’s City Council, NC

Rocky Mount NC City Government 1 Minute

We all seem to be in agreement that expecting the Council to now solve the problems they themselves have created feels unrealistic.

‘Off with their heads,’ as the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland would say, is not a realistic option either.”

So what are we to do.

There are, in truth, only a few paths available to us.

Citizens can continue to apply public pressure, speaking, organizing, and calling for resignations.

And we can expect the Council to act where it does have authority, particularly in how it oversees and directs the City Manager.

Both matter.

But neither, by themselves, will determine the future leadership of Rocky Mount.

That happens at the ballot box.

And that brings us to what is real, and what is next.

Here is how it stands.

Up for election in 2027
Mayor Roberson
Ward 1, Andre Knight
Ward 4, T.J. Walker
Ward 5, Lige Daughtridge

Not up until 2029:
Ward 2 — Reuben Blackwell
Ward 3 — Charles Roberson
Ward 6 — Tom Harris
Ward 7 — Jabaris Walker

Municipal elections have already taken place in 2025 Ward 2 & 3

Which means the next meaningful opportunity for change at the ballot box, particularly at the top of leadership, is 2027.

That may sound far away.

It is not.

Because if change is going to happen, it does not begin in 2027.

It begins now, with candidates.

Serious candidates are not found at the last minute. They are identified, encouraged, and prepared over time. They learn the issues, they build support, they decide whether they are willing to step forward and be counted.

So if there is to be change in Rocky Mount, the work in front of us is clear.

We begin looking now.

Who has the steadiness to lead.
Who understands both the failures and the possibilities.
Who can earn the confidence of a city that is paying attention in a new way.

And just as important, who is willing to support them.

This is not dramatic work. It does not unfold in a single meeting or a single vote.

But it is the only work that produces lasting change.

When 2027 arrives, it will not ask how frustrated we were in this moment.

It will reveal whether we used this time well.

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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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2 thoughts on “What Can Actually Be Done Now About Rocky Mount’s City Council, NC”

  1. What to do now

    1. How do we get a unified effort to get and promote candidates
    2. Find a willing council or admin member and meet personally
    3. Identify a Citizen Community Advocate for each ward
    4. Community Advocates meet monthly to discuss initiatives
    5. Invite ward councilmen to participate in/hold monthly ward meetings – joint with CA
    6. Find an effort to do good – i.e. Help fundraise for United Community Ministries

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    1. These are wonderful ideas to think about as to what comes next. I like all of them. It seems to me the stumbling block for coordinating this effort is putting together a few people who would be willing to help plan these ideas to then present to everyone. I am certainly willing to help with the thinking. If you are reading this comment, are you interested in what to do now? Leave info so I can reach you. Thanks to lollapalooza for these ideas. Let’s do it SFH

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