Honoring the Past, Building a Future
I watch an excellent television series called Patience, set in and around York, England. The story follows Patience Evans, a young autistic woman with Hyperacusis –heightened sensitivity to sounds that most people find normal and an exceptional memory. She works quietly as an archivist in the Police Criminal Records Office, filing old case records and thriving on … Continue reading What a Silent Disco Taught Me About Rocky Mount
Though we are preoccupied with the audit and the Council, and leadership or lack of it, even a good discussion has me weary. I need a momentary break from the effect of a steady diet of 'trouble,' even when justified, it is cramping my usual style, that of optimism, and an eagerness to keep learning, … Continue reading Architecture: The Grand Opening of the Obama Library June 18, 2026
I drive this corridor often. Along the way I see signs of effort. Some homeowners have painted their houses. Others have repaired porches. A few homes appear to be in the middle of a transformation, left unfinished, but Individual citizens are trying. The larger question is whether the corridor itself reflects the same determination. Several … Continue reading Ward 1: Atlantic Avenue – First Impressions of Our City
Something to consider:
For weeks, much of the public discussion surrounding Ward 1 has centered on personalities. Some defend Councilman Andre Knight passionately. Others criticize him just as passionately. Social media has done what social media often does, reducing a complicated civic question into opposing camps. The issue is not whether a councilman is liked. The issue is … Continue reading After Twenty-Three Years, What Does the Ward 1 Garden Look Like?
Every Council Member Governs the Whole City Recently, some readers have asked me to explain more fully why I favor returning Rocky Mount to a citywide voting system for City Council elections. First, let me acknowledge the argument on the other side. Ward-based elections were created to ensure that every part of Rocky Mount had … Continue reading Why Rocky Mount Should Return to Citywide Elections
