The city of Roanoke Rapids today issued a statement distancing itself from social media comments made by the wife of Mayor Emery Doughtie regarding race, housing, and city schools.

The comment by Yvonne Doughtie was posted in response to a Facebook thread initiated by rental property owner Jim Garrett, who was discussing perceived economic disparities between the east and west sides of Roanoke Rapids.

“On the east side of town, we generally see more prosperity, more people working and paying taxes, better-maintained houses, and neighborhoods that appear more stable,” Garrett wrote. “Cross into some neighborhoods on the west side, and the picture changes dramatically. There is more poverty and greater dependence on government assistance, such as Section 8 and food benefits. There are deteriorating houses, abandoned buildings, drugs, fires, homelessness, and violent crime.”

Replying to Garrett's thread, Yvonne Doughtie recalled growing up in the Chaloner Park area before addressing demographic changes in the city.

“I have lived here all my life! When I was growing up I lived in Chaloner Park. The Chaloner Park Neighbor Hood was a wonderful place to raise a family and it was full of middle class family’s with children that played together in each other’s yards from morning to dark. The people that lived in Chaloner Park were Businessmen and Women, Lawyers, Teachers, Principal, Police Officers, Nurses, Bookkeepers, Truck Drivers, Gas Station Owners etc. My Point is these were people with all kinds of employment and everybody worked for what they had…, no handouts of government give aways!” she wrote.

She concluded her post writing, “Another problem I have observed is the Black Citizens have moved into the City of Roanoke Rapids and RRHS and there has been a lot of problems with their housing area and in the schools. I am not saying all Black Citizens but a lot of them just don’t take care of their houses especially if they are renting. We have what I call a lot of Slum Lord Rental People that do not keep their properties fixed!”

The city manager’s office addressed the matter today in a statement posted to its official Facebook page.

“The City of Roanoke Rapids is aware of comments posted on social media circulating online that appear to have originated from an account bearing the name of the spouse of an elected official. The individual is a private citizen and does not speak on behalf of the City of Roanoke Rapids,” the statement read.

“While the City has not independently verified the authorship or authenticity of the comments and regardless of their origin, the comments do not reflect the values, policies, or position of the City of Roanoke Rapids,” the statement continued. “The City of Roanoke Rapids rejects attributing community challenges related to racial, political, or other socioeconomic stereotypes and remains committed to serving every resident fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.”

City Manager Kelly Traynham declined comment beyond the published statement.