Grassroots of Tarboro

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.