Grassroots of Tarboro

The town meeting is behind us. We now know what must be done.

A petition has been created to gather the signatures of Tarboro residents who want the town to support us (the ordinary people of Tarboro) in our efforts to promote and revitalize Tarboro.   You can download the word doc file to print a petition to distribute or you can find and sign a copy of the petition at many downtown businesses.   If you feel that you have no voice in town matters, that the council members are not representing you, this is how we get their attention.

The next step is to start gathering funds to cover the cost of the insurance policy and the clean-up deposit.  We need $1000 within two weeks to get the insurance and permission to use the square on Saturday, June 14th, Tarboro's 2nd Saturday for June.  It's not impossible or even difficult if you look at it like this... we need 25 people to donate $40.  We need to make the June event GREAT!  We can not let the town council be an obstacle. We must create a terrific event despite their lack of support.  It would be nice if they worked with us, nice if they simply appreciated what we do, but it is not necessary.  

Our next planning meeting for the June event is tomorrow night. We'll meet at the Tarboro library on Main street at 6pm.  We need you to come, there is much that needs to be done and very little time. 

This has been an interesting, busy and somewhat emotionally exhausting day, yet I feel good.

Tonight our request for permission to use the court house square was in the hands of the town council.  Milton Bullock was absent from the meeting.  I'm hoping he was simply delayed by his trip out of town and that he is in good health.  Due to his absence, I had to do what I didn't want to do.  I had to represent the group and speak before the council.   I know that some of them read this blog, and I know some of them are not fond of me, but I had to put that aside and focus on the issue at hand.  This wasn't about me. It wasn't about whether the council members like me or hate me. This is about the town and what we are trying to do to make things better.  The 2nd Saturday events are a good idea.  The two we've had so far have shown that a small group of people with a small amount of money, a big amount of hope  and tireless energy can make a pretty cool town event.  I'm proud of our T2S and I simply approached the council with the attitude that what we are doing is good, we are not asking for special privileges, we just want to make the events a little bit bigger and better.  We'd like the town to support us by giving us the necessary permissions, and helping us to be aware of ordinance and permit requirements so that we can comply.

The results of the meeting made it clear to me that other than one or two council members, the town is neither supporting us nor blocking us.  A vote was taken and I believe, if I understood correctly, we received approval to use the court house square if 1) we took out a one-day liability insurance policy valued at one million dollars (cost is $500) and 2) we put down a refundable deposit of $500 for any necessary clean-up following the event.

This doesn't stop us, but it does make it necessary to find a better source of funding than my meager monthly Google account and the downtown businesses' advertising money.  We will need $1000 the first month and $500 every other time we plan use the Square.  This does not take into consideration advertising and promotional costs.  Donations are greatly appreciated. 

There is a loophole ...  according to Sammy Anderson, an insurance agent with the company that holds the policy for the Chamber of Commerce, if the event was co-sponsored by the town or by the Chamber we could be included under either policy and would not have to pay the $500.  The next question is 2 questions are 1) will the chamber consider co-sponsoring our event? 2) why isn't the town interested in co-sponsoring Tarboro's 2nd Saturdays?

There are other options, too.  1) We could get a local sponsor to cover these costs for us. 2) We could seek out other locations for live music and continue to have an event that needs no permissions from the town.

I still find it hard to believe that  the Mayor and the town council are not embracing wholeheartedly what we are doing for the town.  Here we have a group of ordinary people volunteering their time, money, talents and energy to promote the town, and the town gives no thanks nor encouragement.

Every day we do receive thanks and encouragement, it is not from the town officials, but from dozens and dozens of other ordinary citizens who love Tarboro's 2nd Saturdays and appreciate everything we do to make them happen.

A petition is already in the works requesting your signature and the signatures of all ordinary citizens of Tarboro to inform the town of Tarboro that you want it to officially co-sponsor Tarboro's 2nd Saturdays' events.

Our next planning meeting for T2S is on Wednesday at 6 pm at the Library on Main Street.  See you there.

I had an interesting conversation the other evening regarding how things are done in Tarboro.

At a T2S planning meeting, I mentioned that the Grassroots of Tarboro were hoping for a positive response from the town council to our request for permission to have outside speakers and use of the courthouse square for future T2S events.

A gentleman at one of our meetings for the first time said that if Sam Noble gives his recommendation for approval to the council there shouldn't be a problem.

"What!?!", I asked.

The man clarified his statement, by saying "That's how it works.  The town manager gives his recommendation to the town council and they vote based on that."

To which I responded, "That's backwards. That's not how our town government is supposed to work. The town manager is not an elected official. He is not representing the people, the council members represent the people. The town manager's job is to carry out the management of tasks decided upon by the council."

The man added, "That's just the way it has always been done, decisions are based on the manager's recommendations."

It becomes more clear to me every day why Tarboro is in the state it is in.  Every time I learn a little bit more about how things are done here, I understand better why things are the way they are, why many of the citizens feel apathetic and disconnected from the local government.  It strengthens my opinion that to move forward into a vibrant future, there is a need for change in Tarboro to correct some old habits that may have slipped into common usage but are no longer acceptable or beneficial to the residents of our home town.

We had beautiful weather for our second month having a Tarboro's 2nd Saturday event.  It was a great day with lots of people downtown enjoying the sales, the games, the food and the friendly community spirit.  It was the day before Mother's Day and we had enough strollers downtown to have a parade.  Everybody seemed to have a great time .   

View our Gallery of Pictures and see for yourself.

To everyone who is looking for the perfect spot to live; looking for a beautiful historic town that is quiet and safe;  looking for a place where there are still plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs to start their own business; looking for a place that has everything you think a little town should have...

Consider Tarboro, North Carolina.  The groundwork is in place.  The town is very pretty and well-maintained.  Homes are affordable and there are many existing buildings available to house your new business.

The people are very friendly and welcoming and smart and interesting and creative and anxious for positive changes to take place.  These same people are starting to work together and are making things happen in Tarboro.

Our downtown is partially revitalized, so there is already a core of businesses that are beginning to draw customers, but there is plenty of room for more businesses.  Just to name a few ... a bakery would be divine,  interesting arts and crafts would be well-received, a ladies' better clothing consignment shop has been talked about, an evening music venue would be popular, as would a restaurant with a great salad bar and healthy entrees, and another bed and breakfast.  

If you have an internet or technology based business, Tarboro is a perfect spot to call home.  It is an Embarq town with a good infrastructure. You can live in a quiet town, in a great old house, with no traffic jams, and be just over an hour away from the Research Triangle Park.

Tarboro is not perfect, but we're already working on enhancing what is here and creating the few missing elements. In 5 years things will be greatly improved and in 10 years, we'll look back and say "Wow, we knew Tarboro could be great!

Come to Tarboro soon, while things are just getting started. This is definitely a get in on the ground floor opportunity and we can use your help.  Come find out what it is like to build a town and be part of a community.