What's going on in Tarboro?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 08:00PM What is going on in Tarboro? I'm asking you because I've been so wrapped up in taking care of the T2S event that I haven't had time to chew the fat and hear what everybody's talking about.
I often wonder what is going on in other parts of town. I know my neighborhood is quiet and peaceful, but is it that way for everyone in Tarboro? I don't know, and I want to know. We need to know. It will be difficult to make Tarboro a better place for everyone who lives here if we don't know how everybody here is living now.
Wouldn't it be nice if we had a really good communication network in town. I've said it many times, if we had some way to reach all of the people, to allow them to share information with each other, so much more positive growth would be possible here.
Perhaps the new town website, instead of just being a marketing tool to attract people TO town, what if it was the hub of the community. The place where everybody could go online, to share important information and stay informed. That's only good if everybody in Tarboro had a computer and internet access and I doubt if they do.
I want a newspaper. I want a weekly free community newspaper that is delivered on every Wednesday with the mail to every one of the 9500 delivery addresses in 27886 zipcode area. I don't yet know exactly how it's going to happen, because I personally do not want to publish a newspaper and I haven't asked Mike Blanton, the publisher of the Daily Southerner, if he wants to do it.
In the mean time, tell me what's going on in Tarboro. I sincerely want to know. You can comment here, start a discussion on Tarboro Is Talking or email me.
Grassroots of Tarboro
While we're on the topic of newspapers. I see there's a job opening at the Daily Southerner, Tarboro's hometown newspaper:
Immediate Opening / General Assignment Reporter
There's even an opportunity for some page design and photography on M-F daily commited to local news, features and photos.
Send your Resume to :
W. Terry Smith, Editor
The Daily Southerner
P.O. Box 1199
Tarboro, NC 27886
or tsmith@cnhi.com
Reader Comments (6)
I love this site. The articles are informative and the plan for the events is impressive. Keep up the good work. I liked reading about electric rates - very informative. I am very concerned of those effects on elderly people and concerned that we are not getting the facts. I like the second saturday events. It really pulls the community together. Thanks
Great web site. I have posted before and do not use my full real name because as you mention in one of your articles, it is a small town and making waves gets you problems with the town government. I posted previously about the website issue because I thought the process was ridiculous and the price the town paying excessive. I met/know an Electricities staff person in Tarboro some years ago and know she would have done it for free for us but the board let the CEO chase her off just like the CEO did to the smart woman before her. Those are facts. plain and simple.
The Council lets the Manager tell them what to do. They need to do their own research, listen to him but make their own decision.
I think the events are good for the town, the information on electric rates was more than i knew but i will go to the meeting, and the insight you offer on government is refreshing. I will continue to read but will not use my real name for fear of retribution. Keep up the good work and give power to new ideas.
ps we are a couple and read this together. please come up with a way for folks to donate to the cause in a box or something at the events
I'm glad you like the website, it's just one of the many ways we can unite the townspeople and get things done.
As for donations, there are many different ways you can help.
1) In the right hand column on this page there is a DONATE link connected to Paypal which allows you to donate online.
2) During the 2nd Saturday events, we do put a small donation collection box at each vendor's space.
3) You can fund-raise for donations, for example Mary Ann Harris sold hot dogs at the T2S event and all proceeds were donated to help with future events. She raised $130, Chris Ruffing sat at the bake sale which raised another $50.
4) You can supply something that we might otherwise have to pay for, Example: We need a big tent to provide shade. We need to rent a porta-potty (they cost us $70 each). We need banners, advertising and promotional materials.
5) If you have a talent or craft or you represent a nonprofit group, you can be part of the show, adding to the event.
6) You could mail a donation to:
Grassroots of Tarboro
c/o Betty NeSmith
108 E. Pitt Street
Tarboro, NC 27886
The free paper idea is good. How about setting up distro like many other free papers and having them available to pick up at local businesses instead of mailing them out? People are more likely to mistake a mailed supplement for advertising and throw it out. Maybe 5 - 15% of people who get a mailed newsletter will actually read it. But 99% of people who voluntarily pick it up will give it more than a passing glance.
Just my thoughts.
Beth
Hi Beth,
I disagree with your figures of 5% to 15% will read it. I'm not talking about a newsletter, I'm talking about a real honest to goodness newspaper like the one I linked to in the original entry or like the Mountain Xpress in western North Carolina. I've lived in places where the weekly free paper that everybody got was THE paper that everybody read. If it only comes out once a week and has all the stuff about the schools, the churches, the little league, the businesses, the music, the arts, the events going on and an inexpensive classified section, you'd be surprised at how popular it can become. If we printed 10,000 copies per week, 9500 would be delivered by mail and 500 would be available for pick-up. Advertisers would like it because right now there is no way to reach all of the local "potential" customers. The Daily Southerner claims a circulation rate of less than 3000 and it's quite possible that only 5% - 15% read it.