Residents press council on housing grants, transparency and land‑use during public comment

Residents used the public comment period at the Oct. 14 Rocky Mount City Council meeting to press for answers on housing grants, criticize council transparency, and thank the city for support of community services.

Joyce Freeman, who identified herself as an 89‑year‑old resident of 1404 Eastern Avenue, said a contractor inspected her house and she has not received further information about repair work tied to a grant. "I had a contractor to come on 12/09/2024 ... I was glad to hear about that, but I've never heard anything else," Freeman said, asking whether work will be completed before Christmas. The mayor said City Manager Elton Daniel’s staff would follow up and try to connect with her as soon as possible.

Shanice (Chaney) Cotton of Ward 6 criticized council leadership and transparency, saying, "Since 2022, residents know the truth. Our taxes have increased." Cotton urged the council to refrain from major staffing or personnel changes until a newly seated council takes office in January 2026. She also said the council's Sept. 8 vote approving a land development ordinance allowing a pocket neighborhood with just one parking space per unit was taken without fully examining long‑term impacts to housing costs and tenant challenges.

Charles Robertson, identifying himself as a candidate for Ward 3, described converting troubled apartments into a "senior village," recounting past violence and arson before renovation and thanking Councilman Joiner for support. Robertson invited council members and residents to visit the site.

Darlene Spencer Harris praised recent downtown events and congratulated Interim Police Chief McCoy on his appointment. Linda Morrison, introduced as executive director of United Community Ministry, thanked the council for $300,000 in funding that helped keep shelter services open and reported $16,000 raised at a fundraiser held at the Booker T Theater.

Speakers were reminded at the outset that campaign speeches are not allowed on city property; the mayor warned that remarks that resemble political campaigning may be curtailed. The council did not respond substantively on several of the criticisms during the public comment period; the mayor and staff offered follow up where appropriate.

The public comment portion emphasized residents' concerns about timeliness of grant work, transparency around fiscal and staffing decisions, and potential housing policy impacts from recent ordinances.