Two county officials before the event, Commissioner Rives Manning and County Manager Tony Brown, declined immediate comment on how much the lawsuit might cost as it moves forward within the court system.
Instead, Bryant issued a challenge to a group of business people, educators, elected officials and others saying, “Halifax County commissioners are working hard to make Halifax County a better place to live, work and play. I issue a challenge to all of you here today to help us achieve that goal.”
Education, Bryant said, “Is the key to achieving that goal. I challenge both individuals and businesses to adopt a school and see where you can contribute your time and talents to helping those students achieve greatness.”
Bryant said they might need money or, “They might need mentoring or tutoring. Pick any school. It doesn't matter what kind of school it is because all the students in these schools matter equally.”
He said help was needed in each of the schools “to make them best they can be.”
In his speech at luncheon, Bryant highlighted the county's budget process this year, which led to what the county has called a revenue-neutral tax rate adjustment and the use of fund balance in previous years. “The local economy is slowly improving,” he said, “as evidenced by increased sales tax revenues received by the county. Fund balance has not yet recovered and the other commissioners and I are committed to maintaining a fiscally sound and conservative approach to county spending.”
In introducing the topic of education, Bryant said, “We recognize that we need to recruit and retain qualified and effective teachers to teach our young citizens.”
In touching on economic development, Bryant cited the Klausner II project in Enfield, the $60 million Geenex solar project and the continued construction of the Center for Energy Education. “Halifax County being poor is nothing new,” he said. “It is part of history here and is true for this area of the state. However, we are working very hard to change that.”
Bryant noted the June unemployment rate was 9.4 percent, compared to 14.7 percent five years ago. Gross retail sales are up 6.2 percent for the current fiscal year over 2014.
Bryant noted economic development activity so far this year is up 34.1 percent. “However,” he said, “31 percent of our residents live in poverty as of 2013. This shows we still have a lot of work to do. Our human services agencies, including social services and public health, are working hard to serve those citizens needing assistance.”
Jay Carlisle
Chairman of the Roanoke Graded School District Board of Education, Carlisle was the first of the three speakers.
“Everyone knows the value of education,” he said. “The keyword is progressive thinking.”
Carlisle told the audience the school system then and now has always tried to be progressive. “The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District values every person, from environmental services to the nutrition staff.”
Carlisle said technology has changed the way students can learn, allowing students aged 16 through 18 to earn college credits and have a relationship with Halifax Community College.
With a focus on Pre-K, students are more likely graduate high school. The school system is also looking at funding support to identify students who are at-risk for dropping out, he said. “We believe every child in our district is ours.”
The chairman said he is proud of the business partnerships the school system has forged and ended with a quote from educator Forest Witcraft — “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove - but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
Emery Doughtie
The Roanoke Rapids mayor said, to a smattering of applause, “My vision for Roanoke Rapids City Council is to be riding up and down the interstate and seeing a sold sign on the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.”
While selling the venue will be a burden, the mayor said, “We're trying to restructure the debt,” which he said would still be a savings to the city.
Doughtie said he wants to see new housing opportunities in the city. “We do need that. I'm in favor of that happening.”
The mayor said he is hopeful the former WestPoint plant can be turned into an economic development tool. “That has potential. It can make a huge impact on the community. We have things. All we need is a break that can move us forward.”
Doughtie said there is potential for development around the theater site and he still believes city residents should have the opportunity to vote for a prepared food tax.
“I'd like to see more volunteering to help us in areas of the city,” he said.
The mayor also touched on education, saying, that while he didn't want to go to North Carolina State University, “I had two parents who loved me and wanted to me to get an education.”
After attending, he said, “I wanted to get my education as quick as I could and get back to Roanoke Rapids. Education will open many important doors.”
