ROANOKE RAPIDS — Many attending the third annual State of Our Community believe the community working together as a whole will be the key to making things better in Roanoke Valley.

Advertisement

“As the chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners said Thursday, we all have to work together,” said Charles Guerry, who works with Halifax Electric Membership Cooperative.

The event, organized by the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, featured four speakers from all over the county who talked about the state of the economy and how it is affecting the Valley.

“I enjoyed them,” Guerry said. “It was great information. I like how it concentrated on the importance of education.”

Dan Lovett, a newcomer to the area, said the event was very informative because there were a lot of things he didn’t know about.

“It was a good cross section of people,” said Lovett, director of PReparing men for Intellectual acaDemic Educational success (P.R.I.DE.) of Halifax Community College. Lovett and several young men from the program attended the event. “For our guys (who are from Halifax and part of western Northampton counties), it was an opportunity to be a part of this experience,” he said. “Most haven’t had a chance to see a group of leaders in one place.”

And like Guerry, Lovett felt a community wide concept was good. “It takes a village to build a good viable strong community,” he said. “People with different skills and talents with a common goal and mission.”

Tom Myrick attended the event representing the Roanoke River Basin Association. He said he believes strongly, education is the number one priority. “I think it is very important and parents should be more involved in education to see what their kids are learning,” he said. Myrick feels more citizens getting involved will help to make the community better. “They need to attend city and county meetings,” he said. “They need to get their voice in the mix and understand what is going on in the community.”

North Carolina State Rep. Lucy Allen felt citizen involvement is crucial in a community. “I am so impressed with today’s energy and cohesive in everything,” she said. “So many good things are going on in the Valley.” She added she was impressed with local leaders and the involvement of the citizens.

Most people felt like the economy is much better now than it was a year ago.

“A lot of people are still worried but there seems to be a difference in attitude,” Allen said. “I see some really promising signs.” Allen believes people in Valley area are taking the initiative instead of waiting to see what is going to happen. “It sounds like things are on the upswing,” she said.

R.J. Myrick of Roanoke Valley Insurance is hopeful about the economy. “I think the economy will be better,” he said.

Tom Myrick sees the economy as getting better. “But people are a little skeptical about it,” he said. “People are reserved about spending because they are not sure about the future.”

Guerry also felt optimistic about the future. “It seems like we’ve got a better future,” he said. We’ve got opportunities, but still a lot of challenges.”