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.

View our Gallery of Pictures and see for yourself.

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. 

This Saturday, is a 2nd Saturday, when visitors come to Tarboro they'll see lively activity downtown.  There will be lots of people milling around, shoppers and street vendors as well as a variety of places to eat,  things to do, and lots of smiling faces.

They will see our pretty downtown as it should be seen. They will enjoy themselves and when they leave they'll take with them the opinion that Tarboro is a beautiful, historic town with lots of places to shop and eat and lots of friendly happy people.

Each T2S (Tarboro's 2nd Saturdays) event will get bigger and better, each month more people will hear about it and come to Tarboro.  Before long, Tarboro, North Carolina will be known as a fun destination for a Second Saturday Day Trip.   If folks are on their way to or from the Outer Banks, they'll swing by Tarboro on the way.  If folks are looking for a weekend get-away with lots of historic charm and fun stuff to do, they'll come to Tarboro.

Eventually visitors will come to Tarboro on every weekend, not just the 2nd Saturday weekends.  They'll stroll our sidewalks. They'll shop at our shops and eat at our restaurants.  The few hundred-count people who attend our T2S events now will soon be matched on non-T2S weekends,  and on the 2nd Saturday of the month Tarboro's downtown will be a true festival of activity with events going on simultaneously at the town commons, the court house square, and Riverside Park. 

This is how it starts. It's like planting a seed in the garden. We take this little idea of having some fun things to do downtown on one day of the month, and we cultivate it and nourish it and grow it into a fabulous attraction that in turn "feeds the town".

I can see it.  If you can see it, too, let's work together to make it happen.

"As you may have heard, each of us will be getting a tax rebate check to stimulate the economy.

If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.  If we spend it on gasoline, it will go to the Arabs.  If we purchase a computer, it will go to India.  If we purchase fruits and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras, Brazil and Guatemala.  If we purchase a good car, it will go to Japan. If we purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan.  And, none of it will help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it at yard sales since those are the only businesses still in the US! "

Don't forget the Tarboro Townwide Yard Sale  is on May 10th! 

Have fun and support our local economy!

Recently we received yet another blessing in the form of Milton Bullock.  Mr Bullock, also known as the Golden Platter heard about Tarboro's 2nd Saturdays and the Grassroots of Tarboro and volunteered to join us  in our efforts to revitalize our town.

We have needed an honorable and respected citizen to represent us in an official capacity and Mr Bullock is the perfect person for that job.  He has submitted our proposal to the town council requesting permission to use the courthouse square and the riverfront park for future 2nd Saturdays and will present that proposal at the next town council meeting on Monday, May 12th at 7:00pm at the town hall on Main Street.

We hope that many of you will attend the meeting to show your support for Mr Bullock, Tarboro's 2nd Saturdays and for the Grassroots of Tarboro.

In the last issue of THE WEEK magazine the Steal of the Week in real estate is a beautiful home for sale right here in Tarboro.  Rusty subscribes to the publication and knew that if readers saw what their real estate dollars could buy in Edgecombe County, North Carolina there would be no doubt that it was "a steal".

He contacted them several times, asking them to "check out" properties in Tarboro, but didn't get a response until this last issue (April 25, 2008).  There, on page 47, surrounded by beautiful expensive homes from around the country, The Steal of the Week, right here in Tarboro!  A gorgeous Victorian home in the historic district, with a STEAL of a list price; just $319,000.

That home doesn't belong to Rusty, he is not the real estate agent for the property, he's not going to make money if that house sells.  He didn't do it for the money or for any immediate gratification. He promotes Tarboro for the same reasons that we promote Tarboro.  He loves this town and wants it to thrive.  He wants people to know how nice it is to live here. He wants to "get the word out" about what we have to offer and we truly do have wonderful old homes at prices that are a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere.

Thanks Rusty, your persistance paid off!  I'd be curious to hear from the Coldwell Banker office that listed that property what kind of response they are getting from that publication.

Rusty also promotes Tarboro through his website, HistoricTarboro.com .

I understand website promotion a little bit. I understand that if I made this as a static site that simply provided basic information, a visitor would come once, and may never come back again.  By having a blog on this site and a way for people to respond, the site is interactive and remains interesting.  You can read what I posted today and come back in a few days to see what comments have been made by readers or to see what other topics I've blogged about. I can tell from my page stats that a lot of people revisit the site on a fairly regular basis, a few come nearly every day.

I know that on occasion the online posting of my opinions makes waves in our quiet little town, and some people don't like wave-makers, so the blog might sometimes draw a negative reaction that may or may not be directed at the Grassroots of Tarboro as a whole.  I am just one person, just a tiny part of the Grassroots of Tarboro. If you don't like my opinions, try to remember that they are MY opinions and try to stay focused on the good things for Tarboro that the GOT people are working on.   

 I hope you all realize that my heart is in the right place.   I care about this town.  I care about the people of this town. I want good things for Tarboro and everyone who lives here.  I think the benefits of having an active blog that attracts an expanding number of interested and active people, outweigh the negative aspects of a few people who might disagree with my personal opinions. 

Although we originally thought that the Tarboro Townwide Yard Sale would only be a Spring and Fall event, we had such a good response to the April 12th  Townwide Yard Sale that Kim and Frank are going to help get another one going for May 10th.  If you are planning a yard sale anytime in the near future, plan it for Saturday, May 10th and be included in the Townwide Yard Sale Directory.   Those who were included in April 12th's Directory said they had a crowd of buyers!

I'll be working with the downtown businesses to help them to coordinate with one another to make the day interesting for downtown shoppers. In the meantime, Alice is working on a Mothers Trivia Game to get folks to visit the various participating businesses. Other businesses and non-profit groups will again come downtown to share in the fun. The Grindhouse Tattoo will be offering tempoary tattoos and face-painting and we're hoping to get Myra McCall back with her oh so relaxing mini-massages.

Seems like the big draw for the day will be FOOD!!!  I don't have all of the details yet but I do believe that Saturday, May 10th will bring some tantalizing tastes to downtown Tarboro.

I'll be posting the details of what is being scheduled as it becomes more solidified on the 2nd Saturday - May 10th page.

Anyone with any ideas for activities, or who wishes to participate in the event, or who wishes to volunteer their time or services, or DONATE money, or simply needs more information, contact me.