Grassroots of Tarboro

The Tarboro Town Council seems to have a problem with Tarboro residents coming to the Town Council meetings for Tarboro. My employer has been contacted by one of the Tarboro Town Council members the day after the Monday night meeting. It seems that they are concerned that I have been coming to the Town Council meetings. To the point that this member thinks my employer needs to get involved. Lasted I checked people that live in town could come to the Town Council meetings. No questions asked. Do they not like Tarboro residents knowing where the taxpayer’s dollars are spent?

If that's not illegal, it should be! Government trying to stifle free speech! Even if you were a Castro-loving revolutionary nut, to call your employer! I wonder if this violates any law, it's definitely unethical! Another example of the big wigs sitting in their mini-mansions wanting the common folk to just eat cake...

That's simply unacceptable. Every citizen in this town has a right to know exactly what's going on, and where their money is going. I think they were so used to an attitude of apathy around here, it makes them a tad uncomfortable to see more activity and a voice of dissent at their meetings. Intimidation can work to a small degree, but as we see, the opposition voices are growing all the time. The internet is a wonderful medium to get your voice heard.

I think the point they're missing is that the people who have always wanted things to stay the same are getting much older, a lot of the younger people around here think differently, and the older people moving here are from up north and are a lot more vocal and liberal. That's what happens when your property values are so much better than most places in the country. A New Yorker bought two malls in town. A New York chiropractor is planning on opening shop here. Should I continue?

If you're on the council and read this, PLEASE don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Change is inevitable, if not now, it WILL happen down the road. Things simply can't stay the same in today's world. Listen to those who offer good suggestions, listen to those who offer to help. You can no longer hope to keep outsiders away, because they're the ones bringing the money, buying the better homes, and have the biggest mouths. Take steps to do what's best for your town. Thank you.

When and where are the town council meetings? I think the words Town Council sound like an open invitation to the town. Why don't a group of us decide to go? Let them know we are ARE going to be involved, we ARE paying attention.

The Town Council meetings occur on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:00pm, in the town council meeting room on the second floor of Tarboro's Town Hall at the corner of Main Street and Church Street. The 8 council members, the mayor, the town manager, the town attorney and the town secretary sit in the front of the room at a raised podium. There is usually an "audience" that consists primarily of town employees (police chief, town planner, public works, etc.) with someone from the newspaper(s) and a couple dozen concerned citizens. I encourage everyone who cares about our town to attend.

What did the councilman say to your employer? Which ward does the councilman represent?

Often things are presented in a way that may not be as it seems. Mr. Butler I would presume that no one would object to your attendance of ANY PUBLIC MEETING. I do not think that there was not some logic in the council-persons call to your employer who I assume also saw it as a issue if you were approached. Furthermore if your very presence intimidates council members into calling your employer then you need to pursue a career in lobbying. Lets not try and paint you as a Rosa Parks, but rather as what you are. If you were in fact persecuted for your mere attendance, and not your comments, actions or your well known "odd facial expression/reactions" then I would urge you to contact a civil-rights attorney as your right to attend as listed in NC Statue regarding Open Meeting Laws have been violating. If your rights have not be violated then I would suggest that you attend or not attend representing yourself in the manner that your employer would be satisfied with as I am sure your job "money" is the most important issue

It is pretty ridiculous for someone to call your employer about what you do on your time which in this case is exercise your constitutional right. i hope there is a way we can identify who this council member is. i would hope they would come on here and identify themselves and apologize even if anonymously.

I think this website is really upsetting the town government because they are not sure how to respond. the answer is simple - if something is wrong, misinformed opinion, etc. - respond and correct it. if you dont it will be believed. On many blogs people copy from blog to blog to get maximum coverage. it is incumbent on people or government to correct illinformed assumptions. without that we believe it.

Then we should all begin to attend the meetings. What will they do then? call all our employers. This is why so many people post anonymously. Simple fear of speaking their mind. Most people think there will be retribution or loss of business.

More and more townspeople ARE attending the town council meetings. It not only gives us an opportunity to see how things are being done, but it also lets the council members know that we care and we are paying attention to what they are doing.
In Mr Butler's case I don't know the exact details, but I believe there may have been a concern as to his possible "involvement" with the Rocky Mount website company that was giving their presentation and proposal to the town. Mr Butler's employment involves the county government website and it was hinted that if he was working with the team from Rocky Mount, they saw a conflict of interest. Keep in mind that our town council, especially when it came to this website redesign issue, apparently did not clearly understand the definition of "conflict of interest".