Matt Lindberg
Chamber trip
The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce members in the N.C. Senate Chamber in Raleigh on Wednesday.
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 2:28 pm
It’s just after 11 p.m. Wednesday, and as I look back on the day that transpired, I’m left feeling with a new-found respect.
I was one of the several community members fortunate enough to visit with numerous state leaders at the North Carolina General Assembly in downtown Raleigh thanks to the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce. On paper, it doesn’t sound like much. Many people from the Roanoke Valley have been to Raleigh before, including myself. But Wednesday allowed me to see it in a new light.
Sure it’s common knowledge Raleigh is our state’ capital, but it takes on new meaning when stopping to think what that really means. In downtown Raleigh, a little more than an hour away from the Roanoke Valley, decisions that will impact our community and state (good and bad) are being made.
Hundreds upon hundreds of people, including senators, state representatives, lobbyists, were among those packed in and outside the Legislative Office Building on Wednesday as “budget” is the word down there at the moment.
As N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger told us during our meeting with him, “The budget sets big priorities for the state.”
State Sen. Angela Bryant, D-Rocky Mount; and State Rep. Michael Wray, D-Gaston, graciously hosted and made time for us despite their own hectic schedules. We were fortunate enough to get a quick tour of the N.C. Senate Chamber and the L.O.B.
But the most interesting part of the day came after lunch when we had the opportunity to hear from numerous state leaders: North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata, Keith Hardison, director of the Division of State Historic Sites and Properties; Donald van der Vaart, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources; State Superintendent June Atkinson; Gordon Myers, executive director of the N.C. Wildlife Commission; and Berger.
I was impressed with most though not all of those who spoke. In some cases, I felt topics and answers to questions were avoided, however, I appreciated it seemed many of the state officials were candid and real when discussing Halifax County and the Roanoke Valley.
I was also relieved to hear those officials discuss the value they placed on the Roanoke Valley. So often we think because our area boasts Tier 1 counties, we’re basically forgotten. But I heard about potential plans that could ultimately benefit tourism and transportation, among other things, in our region. It was good to hear our area was on our leaders’ radar. It needs to be.
What was most rewarding was hearing my groupmates posing challenging and thoughtful questions to state leaders about our region. Education, transportation, historic sites, wildlife, the Senate, the House of Representatives – nothing was off the table. Passion for the Roanoke Valley was on display, and hopefully Frank Avent III’s famous saying “Working together works” resonated with the state leaders who heard the phrase numerous times that afternoon.
Education and economic development are two key issues for the state right now, and the Roanoke Valley falls right in line with it.
My big take away was if we’re going to make things better in education, or anything else for that matter, in our area, we need to be more proactive about it. We can’t afford to wait for the state to come to us. Instead, more of us need to be making time to let our state leaders know what we need and what needs to get done. The louder we are, the more likely they’ll hear us. We have some ears; now let’s make sure to shout into them and not let go until we see progress. We can’t afford to wait.
Managing Editor Matt Lindberg can be reached at mlindberg@rrdailyherald.com or at 252-410-7054.
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