Former District 2 Roanoke Rapids City Councilman Wayne Smith is running against incumbent Andy Jackson.

The following are answers to questions submitted by rrspin.com

Occupation:  Retired from the finance business 

Civic organizations, church organizations, board memberships, or volunteer organizations you belong to: East Tenth Street Christian Church; RR City Council for 10 ½ years; RR Youth Baseball for 20 years; Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad for 15 years.

Why are you seeking the office or why are you seeking re-election?

With my experience as  a past councilman,I will ask questions to make sure all citizens are made aware of what is happening. I have always made sure that I am available to talk with citizens. Working with state representatives as I and the mayor did on the theatre, getting help on Kirkwood, and also on Main Street. We need to work with our state representative for assistance.

The council just recently approved the 2030 strategic plan. What are your thoughts on how you  would carry out its objectives?

I cannot say that the 2030 strategic plan is really a plan or just a suggestion on what the city should do to carry out the suggestions that were made. I have some questions that I need answered as well as citizens in Roanoke Rapids. We need an open forum where citizens are able to ask questions.

Why are you qualified to be a city councilman or continue to be a city councilman?

I think with my past experience I am qualified.

What would you do to attract industry and business to the city? What kind of businesses and industries should the city try to recruit?

First, we need to be more active. The city needs to make sure we work with the county,

Ms.Scott and Ms. Medlin on resources that are available. We need to be in touch with them every month.

Many local politicians are reluctant to support a tax increase because of its potential impact on taxpayers. First, would you support a tax increase to fund necessary improvements to city infrastructure? Why or why not? Secondly, if your answer is no, what are your alternate solutions to a tax increase and how would you go about soliciting support for your initiatives?

Tax increases are kind of a sore topic. If I thought that it would go to infrastructure I would think about it but I would make sure that is what the increase was for.

The Main Street program is now a city department. What do you want to see accomplished under this agreement?

Main Street is a good program but I’m not sure the city should take it over. But now the city has run it like any other department. We are asking for citizens to volunteer on a committee and at a council meeting it was stated they would like for members of previous board members to apply. It needs to be more active and call or stop by and see these previous members instead of waiting for them to call.

The Premier Boulevard extension is now open. What do you see as its potential? How would you like to see it developed?

Premier Boulevard has great potential but a lot of land is not in the city. We need to work with tourism and county economic development to help bring development. Roanoke Rapids needs something besides fast food restaurants. We need good paying jobs.

The demolition of dilapidated structures in the city has been a constant issue and is discussed at times during council meetings.How would you go about securing funds to see this accomplished?

I understand the only way to address dilapidated buildings is for the city to take them down. At this time I am not aware of any funds that are available to remove these buildings. The building on Avenue and Second Street as well as several buildings on the Avenue need demolition.

What needs to be done is the owner needs to be contacted and let them know the city will take action on them if the building is not brought to city code.

Please provide a summation on what the city government in Roanoke Rapids would be like under your leadership and what voters who elected you can expect.

I think most of the citizens in my district understand that I take the council seriously.

When they have questions, I find the answer, not always what they like to hear but they

get an answer. I’m sure you can find me anytime and I’m willing to help anyone, no matter what district you are in.