StillMa

I don't usually rant on my blog. I am usually calm and sometimes even "in tune with the Universe", but tonight I'm going to rant a bit. It will feel good. It will bring me a level of joy.

Despite the fact that Roberta from the Chamber of Commerce told me that the council would not be discussing the internet marketing proposal for the town at tonight meeting (She said there was a notice to that effect in the Daily Southerner), the subject WAS discussed and it seems that Sam Noble, the town manager,  has decided to hire for $5000 an MBA intern to work on the marketing plan. 

An MBA Intern?  Interesting....

When I asked him if they had already selected this "MBA Intern", Mr Noble said simply "yes".   Um, who is it?  Can I speak with this person?  Can I get some information, PLEASE!!!!

The more I learn about the workings of our town government, the more convinced I am that I cannot go through the so-called "proper channels" to get things done in Tarboro.  The  "proper channels" of our government system in this town are akilter.  The town meetings make me think "Monkey Court", though I'm not certain what that means. The town is not being mis-managed, but perhaps it is over-managed .  I've been told many times and now I'm beginning to see for myself that much of what happens or doesn't happen in and for the town of Tarboro is determined and controlled by Sam Noble.  Mr Noble is a bright man who has done an excellent job working FOR our town and keeping our town's budget in order, but he seems to lack creativity and vision and apparently lacks the ability to work WITH the people of the town.  As they would say in grade school "he doesn't play well with others".

I sent a very well-written letter of concern to every council member, Sam Noble, the mayor,  etc and only ONE person (Melvin Muhammed) responded.  No one else even bothered to acknowledge that I had written. No one else said "thank you for your input".  At an early age, polite people are taught some degree of manners and etiquette.  In both one's personal life and, more importantly, in one's business relationships, it is correct to acknowledge correspondence, even if it is a form letter sent by a secretary.  The lack of response was very unprofessional, and to be honest, it was rude. 

Rather than continue to allow myself to feel negative emotions from dealing with this situation, I will simply do what I do in my own way.  I will continue working on the forming a group for the promotion of Tarboro. We will form sub-groups to develop town-wide events such as 2nd Saturdays, we will form cooperatives for the arts, for bulk buying power, for alternative education. We will market Tarboro on the internet to attract the kind of people who will help with OUR vision for Tarboro. We will make Tarboro great.

The town council can continue on with the great job they've been doing, keeping the streets clean and the budget debt free. 

Update on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 05:17PM by Betty Perrin NeSmith

While talking yesterday with Terry Smith from The Daily Southerner, he pointed out to me that the "MBA intern" was actually a MPA intern (Master of Public Administration).  My bad. 

Having read my blog post, he also asked what about that and the meeting had me so upset.  

If I had to put it into a few words, I guess I'd hafta say that I was (am) upset because I feel as though the town officials don't WANT us to know what's going on.  The details we get are sketchy and incomplete. 

I know that the officials have approved $5000 for an MPA intern.  I don't know who he or she is. I don't know how or why he or she was selected.  I don't know what he or she will be contributing for $5000.  I'm upset because it would take no more than a few minutes to answer those questions.  The fact that the answers to those type of questions are not voluntarily provided just doesn't set right with me.