Roanoke Rapids City Council members hope for understanding and a payment as they meet in closed session to discuss Lafayette Gatling’s late payment.

rrspin.com interviewed four of the five voting members of council today. Ernest Bobbitt could not be reached for comment.

Going into Thursday’s 2:30 p.m. meeting, which will be held in the first floor conference room of city hall, Suetta Scarbrough said, “I think he needs to make his payment. He is two months behind.”

Scarbrough declined comment on whether the city should begin looking at other options for managing the struggling Roanoke Rapids Theatre. “I don’t want to comment until after this meeting.”

The councilwoman said knowing whether the city is going to receive a payment from Gatling is important as council begins budget deliberations. “We are fixing to go into the budget season and we’ve got to know what money we have to work with.”

Councilman Greg Lawson told rrspin.com, “I hope Mr. Gatling has worked it out where he can pay it. We want him to be there. We want him to be successful and make his payment.”

Lawson said he didn’t know what the city attorney would tell council during the meeting. He said he wanted facts. “I hope Mr. Gatling and the city can work it out where he can make the payment and he can move forward.”

As far as options, Lawson said, “That’s up to him. I don’t where he’s at in his business. We have a lease purchase agreement. I’d like the payments made like the agreement calls for.”

The question, the city councilman said, is, “How long do you go on? We’ve given them a timeline and a grace period. We’ve been more than fair. The city has tried to work with him which exceeds the terms of the lease purchase.”

Lawson said the city wants to keep the relationship going. “We have to at some point make a decision if we can’t go on any further. Bank of America is not exempting us from making a payment ... I just hope the payment will be made. If not, we’ll have to rely on the attorney to give us direction.”

Carl Ferebee hopes things will work out. “I hope we can find out all the information available and try to make a good decision on what we find out.”

Ferebee wants council “to think this all the way the through based on the facts we find.”

The councilman believes the economy may be hurting Gatling. “I think it could be a part. I think the economy has hurt everyone.”

The city always needs to look at its options, Ferebee said, and if Gatling walks from the deal he said, “If it happens that way, we need options. We always need to have options. It’s not just about the payment but looking at options.”

Ferebee believes, however, Gatling wants the venue to succeed. “He’s a good man. He’s made a strong commitment to the theater and the area.”

For Ed Liverman, the meeting is about, “Understanding where we’re at. I’m not sure what the Gatlings are thinking. We need reliable information and clear communication.”

Liverman said the city wants Gatling to stay. “At this point, it’s premature to start talking about options.”