Grassroots of Tarboro

Is Tarboro, North Carolina in any list of the top 100 places to live?  I haven't found one yet, but it has given me another one of my "ideas".

I've been exploring the web, researching small towns and small town revitalization projects and I discovered something VERY interesting.  There are many, MANY lists of top places, best places, coolest places, etc. 

This may be cheating a bit, but I got the idea that we should create a list (or several lists) of top 10 to 100 places and put Tarboro in the list.

• Top town for small town living
• Top town for internet entrepreneurs
• Top town for starving artists
• Best place to live for bird watchers
• Best place to live for community activists
• Best place to buy affordable real estate
• Best place to invest in community growth

It's easy to create an inexpensive website for any list we developed and we could optimize it for the search engines so people looking for "the best place" could find Tarboro.

It's just a thought. Feedback is appreciate. The Happening on the Common is today. I'm off to have some fun in Tarboro, the best place to live for people like me.

My Mom's generation (she's 83); the women were taught "don't make waves", "be sweet", "do what you are told".

My generation (I'm 55); we were a bit rebellious with "Women's Lib",  "Make Love Not War", "Question Authority".

I'm older now, and perhaps a little wiser, but I can still see the value in stirring things up a bit when people get too apathetic.

We worked really hard to create two nice events. They were good for the downtown businesses  and the people who came downtown had a great time.  We had honestly hoped that the town officials would appreciate what we are doing and help us in any way than can.  It is possible that a couple of the council members do not like some of the things I blog about and I had hoped that Milton Bullock would speak for The Grassroots of Tarboro instead of me doing the talking, but he was sick.  Judging from the number of "heads up" reports I got before the town council meeting, I'm glad that I was there and Milton was not subjected to what almost seemed like a personal attack.

When they chose NOT to be supportive, the people noticed and are not pleased. In fact some are angry. What often follows anger is action.  Anger is a strong motivator. 

We've been placing petitions around town asking people to show their support for what we are trying to do and to request that the town officials do the same.  The sheets are filling up with names. 

I'm beginning to think that the council's requirements for the T2S events to use the Court House Square might work in our favor in the long run.  We are determined to raise the extra money needed and even more determined to put on a fabulous event.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Sign the petition requesting that the town manager and town council members support what we are trying to do for our town.

2. Donate whatever small amount you can afford to help cover these additional expenses for the June 14th event.

3. Join with us in making the June event the biggest and best yet.

4. Contact your town council representative and tell him that you support this grassroots effort to revitalize the town and want his support.

5. Attend the next town council meeting at 7:00 pm on Monday, June 9 at the Tarboro Town Hall.

Click here for a downloadable petition in word.doc format

A letter to Melvin Muhammad,

As the town council representative for Tarboro's ward 6, you are our voice of Tarboro's downtown in the town council. The Tarboro's 2nd Saturday events are being planned, organized and carried out by the people and businesses in your ward. I understand that you are a busy man with a full schedule. I understand what that means because many of the people, including myself, who are involved in this downtown revitalization project are very busy and have very full schedules, yet we can see the long-range benefits to all of Tarboro of this monthly event, so we find the time to make it happen.

Twice now we have contacted you regarding an issue with the town council that was affecting our ability to have a "good" event. Both times, you were unable to offer any assistance.

We, as a group of citizens, are trying to create positive change in a town that has seen little growth in too long. The people are hungry for change and are willing to pull together to make it happen.

You asked to represent us. You asked for our votes.  We supported you and hoped that you would make a difference. Now, as it was said when I was a much younger woman, ... "You are either part of the solution, or you are part of the problem."

What are you going to do to help us?

The 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.