For years it has been said that a mayor can only do so much, that the role is largely ceremonial, ribbon cuttings, speeches, appearances, a steady hand but little real influence. I have never believed that, and the story of Charleston in the late twentieth century proves why that assumption is wrong Mainstreetrockymount.com is honoring … Continue reading Still Waiting For Forensic Audit Report: Let’s Look At The Role A Mayor Played In Charleston →

It is clear that Rocky Mount needs leadership elected by the whole city, accountable to the whole city, and willing to place the public good ahead of private agendas. Under the current ward-only voting system, City Council members are elected by a small portion of the electorate while making decisions that affect the entire city. … Continue reading How We Do It: Restoring Citywide Accountability in Rocky Mount →

As a child, I loved maps showing the mythical place of the story. I was drawn to them the way children are drawn to pictures before they know how to read words. I knew nothing about cities, boundaries, or responsibility. These maps were not the modern kind on our cell phones, but the old ones, … Continue reading Still Awaiting Audit Results: Here Be Dragons →

A word of explanation. By mistake I posted the 2-5-26 blog post a few days early.Some of you read it before I could take it down. Now it is ready for Main Street readers. I hope you enjoy it. Click on Mainstreetrockymount.com on Thursday at 7:30AM

In my college days, I was introduced to a way of thinking that has stayed with me. It was called the means and the meaning of something. The example, as I remember it, went like this: Was it essential to know whether the world was created in seven literal days, or was it more important … Continue reading While Waiting For Audit Results: The Means and Meaning on Main Street →