N.C. House OKs Senate bill to halt Oak Level annexation – Rocky Mount Telegram

RALEIGH – Oak Level residents flashed a thumbs-up sign Thursday as they posed for a celebratory photo after the N.C. House voted in favor of a pair of involuntary annexation bills. (More)

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Annexation

John Manley For Rocky Mount City Council Ward 1 Challenging Incumbent Andre Knight, But Why?

I am still trying to figure out why Manley is running from a political stand point but I get it from a personal standpoint. I know damn well he is not blind to what the political climate is in Rocky Mount as it relates to RACE. He know quite well how Knight has been a target by the racist white folks who do not want an outspoken black man speaking truth to power publicly.

Manley has benefited from the works of Knight so what in the hell is his problem? Why is he playing right into the hands of the current racist white folks such as WHIG – TV and some of their strong supporters including Mark Bowling who is in prison and Jerry Fisher who used to co-host a morning show to talk about Knight and still on the scene daily. Watch the WHIG – TV Morning Show daily and see what they talk about or should I say who they talk about almost daily. And then you have some ignant black folks whom have ran against Knight trying to unseat him when they too have benefited from his works.

Manley one does not have to be retired to be dedicated to doing the work of the city council. The majority of the council are working folks and the majority of other boards and commissions are working folks.

Damn Manley you are out of touch if you do not understand the importance of blocking the merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy. Obviously the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission thinks it is a problem because they have denied the merger twice.

I am glad Manley realize racism exist but to think it is not in the forefront of every issue in Rocky Mount as it relates to the City Council is just ignant as hell. You see Manley I was in a Common Ground meeting Lewis Turner, Andre Knight before he became a councilman and myself along with several whites and a white person said that some whites said they were going to move out of Rocky Mount if the council became a black majority. Well some moved however even those few they are still trying to run the city although it is a black majority. So Manley sir they created the political climate and it has been this way every since the council became a black majority. There has been so much exposed since this council and like always some folks don’t want the truth to be made known. Manley I wonder would you have been the Chief of Police if it had not been for this council.

Manley but since you feel that WHIG – TV and their supporters love you so much why didn’t you run for the Mayor of the City since you were the Chief of the entire city? Why didn’t you run for that seat and it would have allowed the whole city to vote for you and then we all could see just how much you are loved by all of the people of the city?

Well sir you know we go back to when you wanted to be appointed to fill the unexpired term of the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s position when former Sheriff Phil Ellis stepped down. I don’t have to tell that story because you know.

Now there you have it.

I am Curmilus Dancy II the Professional Political Agitator

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Rocky Mount City Council Ward 1

City files third objection to Duke-Progress Energy merger – Rocky Mount Telegram

Rocky Mount and New Bern continue to fight a merger that proposes to create the nation’s largest utility company.

The opposition comes at a time when Duke Energy Corp. and Progress Energy Inc. are facing a tight deadline for getting their planned $26 billion merger completed. (More)

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Progress and Duke Energy Merger

When looking at statistics, be careful where you get your knowledge – Rocky Mount Telegram

Response: This is one of the problems I have had with Rev. Nehemiah Smith and I have told him that. He came back to Rocky Mount speaking out and then started a newspaper but putting out misleading information. I told him I admire him for trying to educate the community about what is going on but he can not report misleading information.

How can he say he is non-bias when he has attacked Rev. Andre Knight for the longest time and the city council without doing his homework. I have seen him at meetings even in Wilson at the NCEMPA meeting and he still do not give Knight the credit where credit is due. Hell Smith you don’t have to like the man but I challenge you to just report the truth and if you don’t know you need to ask somebody. C. Dancy II – The Political Agitator

Rocky Mount Telegram: Dick Gregory, a man for whom I have great admiration, always used the quote, “knowledge is power, and great power is great knowledge”. (More)

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Rev. Andre Knight 

Rev. Nehemiah Smith Jr.

Study panel finds few answers on electric rates – Rocky Mount Telegram

Response: They found that refinancing the debt is not an option, Newton said. Doing so would have long-term disadvantages because of the bond market and the nature of the debt.

I hope those ignant host and co-host on and/or those who call in to WHIG TV Morning Show, America In Danger on WHIG TV read this report because I get sick and tired of their ignant comments misleading folks. I have called in several times correcting their ignance.

I just called America in Danger this past Monday night for the 2nd time correcting Robert Cressionnie’s ignance. He asked me the question did I feel it was wrong for the city to take money from utilities to pay for special projects and I said as long as it is legal they can do it and if anyone has a problem with it they need to fight to change it. The damn fool kept asking me the same question saying I was dancing around the answer. I told the damn fool that I was not going to answer the question how he wanted me to. I ended up hanging up on his ignant a . . . I hate it when folks intentionally mislead folks. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

RALEIGH – A legislative committee that has been examining ways to lower electric rates for many residents in Eastern North Carolina is recommending legislation that would limit the amount of money certain cities could transfer from their electric funds to their general funds. (More)

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ElectriCities

Rocky Mount NC: City council to hold public hearings – Rocky Mount Telegram

Rocky Mount City Council members have full agendas for two meetings on Monday – a specially called Committee of the Whole meeting at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m. (More)

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Rocky Mount City Council

Annexation petition ruled unconstitutional, "Good Neighbors" to keep fighting – WITN

LENOIR COUNTY,N.C.(WNCT)- People who refuse to be annexed into neighboring cities are not giving up their fight.  On Monday a superior court judge ruled a recent state law allowing people to block annexation with a petition unconstitutional.

State representative Stephen LaRoque formed the group, The Good Neighbors of Kinston three years ago.  He supported county residents by getting a law passed last year.  It allowed them to block annexation by signing a petition.  Now it’s been ruled unconstitutional and it’s back to square one for people who don’t want to live in the city limits. (More)

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Judge’s ruling unlikely to end annexation fight – Rocky Mount Telegram 

Judge strikes down new method limiting annexations – Kinston Free Press 

Annexation older articles 

Stephen LaRoque

Council studies downtown revitalization at retreat – The Rocky Mount Telegram

WILMINGTON – Rocky Mount City Council members got a taste of what a thriving downtown market looks like during the first day of their annual retreat.

Wilmington Downtown Inc. President and CEO John Hinnant took the council members and city staff on a walking tour then a ride on the free trolley service to some of the redeveloped areas. Councilman Reuben Blackwell said the experience was eye-opening. (More)

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Rocky Mount City Council

Council reviews state of the city – The Rocky Mount Telegram

Mayor David Combs spoke to a nearly packed City Council chambers Monday night about the challenges the city has endured in 2011 and where the city is headed for 2012. (More)

Rocky Mount City Councilman Andre Knight Is Seeking Re-election

MEDIA ADVISORY

Immediate Release

January 31, 2012                              

 

Contact:  Andre’ D. Knight, President, (252) 544-2949

 

Andre’ Knight Announces Re-Election Bid

 

 

Rocky Mount, NC – Andre’ Knight announced today that he will run again for re-election to the post as City Council Representative for Ward 1. “Now is not the time to slide backwards,” Knight said. “We have come too far as a City and in our ward to compromise the progress that is finally being made.  Ward 1 citizens are just beginning to see some light in the areas of housing, jobs and reduction of crime.  We are finally beginning to realize some hope for change to our unfair utility system.  I am the candidate that has fought for fairness in opportunities for all of our citizens in every community in our City and region.  I am still the people’s servant and voice and I still want to serve the residents of Ward 1.”

 

Knight added, “I have led the fight for reduction in utilities charges for our residents and businesses while working to increase the sensitivity of the City’s customer service personnel as they work with our citizens in a terrible economic environment.  Under my leadership and collaboration with City and community partners, we are seeing neighborhoods cleaned up, homes being renovated and our communities finally feeling valued.”  He continued, “I have not been afraid to walk in uncharted territory and take on big money and government that didn’t care.  All people have had a chance to voice their opinions and see their ideas turn into policy while I have been in office.  If re-elected, I can guarantee that I will not let money and position override the concerns of our inner city communities and families.”

 

“I have insisted on accountability from the police department to the citizens as they worked with the Council and community to develop crime prevention and protection strategies.  I have worked hard to ensure that all of our communities have the chance to recruit businesses, have decent housing in safe neighborhoods and provide opportunities for our youth and seniors to exercise, play and gather peacefully.  I have been faithful to the vision that we can make Rocky Mount the greatest place to live in North Carolina by telling the truth and then working together to make it better.”

 

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Knight to seek third term on city council

Knight to seek third term on city council – The Rocky Mount Telegram

Ward 1 Councilman Andre Knight announced this week he will seek re-election to the Rocky Mount City Council.

Knight said he is running again to continue the progress starting to happen in the realm of housing, jobs and crime reduction.

“Now is not the time to slide backwards,” he said in a press release. “We have come too far as a city and in our ward to compromise the progress that is finally being made.” (More)

Lawmakers, cities remain at odds over annexations – Rocky Mount Telegram

An impasse between legislators and several municipalities over new annexation laws shows no signs of resolution.

N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger this week reiterated statements he made last month calling lawsuits six cities have filed to challenge the new annexation laws “frivolous and abusive legal maneuvers.”

City officials who filed the lawsuits say it is their right to challenge the laws. (More)

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Annexation

City defends its attempts to annex Oak Level – The Rocky Mount Telegram

Mayor David Combs said Rocky Mount’s lawsuit challenging the state’s new annexation laws is an attempt to protect a $1.5 million investment the city made to support an annexation that complied with state law and was upheld twice in court. (More)

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Annexation

Council balks at $51,500 architechtural contract – Rocky Mount Telegram

At almost one-fourth of the estimated cost for a soccer building at the Sports Complex, Rocky Mount Councilman Tom Rogers questioned the architectural fees at the council meeting Monday night. (More)

Manley to challenge Knight for Ward 1 seat – Rocky Mount Telegram

After about six months of basking in retirement, former Rocky Mount Police Chief John Manley has decided to run for City Council.

“I’ve always been a service-oriented person with 32 years in law enforcement and knew I wanted to run for office but wanted to serve where I could do the greatest good,” Manley said. (More)