Letter To The Editor From The Editor In Response To Bert Spain Letter Talking About Outgoing Tarboro Councilman Melvin Muhammad

In response to Bert Spain’s letter to editor in the Daily Southerner newspaper: “Tarboro Town Council Muhammad’s ‘legacy’ draws half-muted chuckle”

I have not seen the article that Bert Spain is responding to that he says he couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief with a half-muted chuckle in response to Councilman Melvin Muhammad.

Mr. Spain says Councilman Muhammad went in to create controversy and he ask the question is that an oxymoron? Spain says, “A councilman intends to create controversy, not work to dispel controversy and create harmony among fellow commissioners and the community.” He goes on to say to purposely create dissension.

Mr. Spain I have lived in Pinetops all of my life until the flood I moved 3 miles from Pinetops however since that time I have a Tarboro address. I have been knowing Councilman Muhammad for many years and we have had our agreements and disagreements.

Mr. Spain I want to know how you come to the conclusion that creating controversy going into this council from a young black male who ain’t afraid to speak out has to be negative controversy? Why couldn’t it be controversy to the effect that Muhammad wanted to serve on the council because he felt that black folks were not being truly represented? You see sir Muhammad being outspoken and beating out former councilman Roland Clark an older black male was a bitter pill for some white folks to swallow and some safe black folks also.

Mr. Spain most folks that I know runs for office to serve the public because they want to make a change to do more for their community. I strongly believe that was the sole purpose for Muhammad running for the seat and then he was elected by the people in his ward. Because of who Muhammad is outspoken and a name like that it automatically made him controversial to certain folks white and black so it does not matter what he says or does he will be labeled, loved and hated by some. 

Curmilus Dancy II
Pinetops, NC

Tarboro NC – Open Letter To Councilman Melvin Muhammad Because You Have Missed 7 Meetings And May Not Make The Meeting On Tomorrow, I am Concerned Sir

I read the following article in The Daily Southerner, “Muhammad absent from seven town meetings Plans to attend Monday’s session” and I had a flashback. The song “What’s Going On?” by the late great Marvin Gaye came to mind.

I am having a hard time understanding the following, “Muhammad said, "I plan on attending this one, unless something comes up." This to me sounds as if you may not attend on Monday night.

Councilman sir I remember when you were elected and former Councilman Roland Clark challenged you through the board of elections because of some issues he had with you during the election in which you defeated him. So why are you giving him the glory to come back after 4 years to say I told you he was not the one?

Several months leading up to September Labor Day Weekend, The Black Family Day was a hot topic because of you and the talk about renaming the event and moving the location. There was much discussion and support from the community that stood behind you and now we have been left hanging because you have not attended any meetings since the event took place.

I do not live in the Tarboro City limits so I can not vote. I do not attend the Tarboro Town Council meetings because I attend the Edgecombe County Public Schools meetings monthly.

Since The Black Family Day was not limited to people who live in the city of Tarboro, I did voice my opinion on the topic during all of the heated discussions. I didn’t attend because I was out of town however I supported the event.

Mr. Councilman I am concerned about you not representing sir. I am concerned as a black male because this sometimes give others the room to group all of us black folks (males) in the same category.

Politics comes with a lot of untruths in my opinion. Some say politics is dirty and other negatives. I say it is up to the elected official what they make it to be from an individual standpoint. Politics don’t have to be dirty and the other negatives because each individual elected official ought to strive to be above board and to truly represent their constituencies.

Sir I am challenging you to please attend your council meetings until your term expires. You then can either decide to run again but however if your schedule will not allow you to attend during the remainder of your term, then you may need to consider resigning your post.

In my closing Mr. Councilman will you please tell us why you have missed 7 meetings?

Curmilus Dancy II – DCN Publisher

 

 

Muhammad absent from seven town meetings Plans to attend Monday’s session – Source: The Daily Southerner

TARBORO — Constituents of Town of Tarboro Ward 6 have been without representation in half of the town’s meetings since November 2010. Out of 14 meetings, Ward 6 Councilman Melvin Muhammad was absent seven times including five of the last seven meetings. (More)

Response: I have been hearing that Muhammad had missed some meetings didn’t know how many. Is there anything in the policies about how many meetings a council person can miss? I do not attend the meetings because it is on the same night of the Edgecombe County Public Schools board meeting. C. Dancy II – The Political Agitator

See related:

Tarboro Town Council