Main Street Director Lance Jenkins told council Tuesday night, “The greatest concern I have is this: Can we all work together? From the city and RABA to the citizens of Roanoke Rapids, we must all come together, recognizing that we have one common purpose and goal, that being to better the city of Roanoke Rapids.”

Jenkins clarified the organization is not trying to be a lobbyist group. “We are not a lobbyist group,” he said during a public comment section of the meeting. “We are an interest group and our interest is the same as yours, to see the city of Roanoke Rapids thrive.”

Jenkins said the organization is currently working with a group of people to open a family fun zone in the 1000 block of the avenue as well as a couple who plan to open a restaurant in the 200 block. It is also working with several property owners who are planning to do work on their buildings in the coming year. “This is all in the interest of RABA, as we want to see the avenue district thrive, but it's in the interest of the city, too.”

The Main Street director emphasized, “RABA is committed to working together … There are no catches, no fine print at the bottom of the page. We want to work together.”

Jenkins said the proposal to serve as a new committee was proposed with the best of intent. “We wanted to offer help. We wanted to strengthen the public-private partnerships, particularly in our downtown and uptown business district. False perceptions have overshadowed our intent and I want to put them to rest tonight.”

On the issue of the perception of being at odds with the Beautification Committee, Jenkins stressed, “I have said over and over again, we want to work with the Beautification Committee on the tree issue and other issues that would involve them. Whatever has happened in the past is the past, because we recognize that the community sticking together is the key for the future of RABA and the city of Roanoke Rapids.”

Jenkins said the organization itself must clearly define the relationship between it and the city. “While this situation may seem tense now, other municipalities have faced the same thing, but many of those municipalities have gained so much in the end from defining their partnership with their local Main Street organization. I am confident that you will believe me when I say that RABA is committed to working with the city, now more than ever.

“Our community has been divided over controversial topics in the city for years now, perhaps because we have been divided. How can we expect the community to unite around our actions and decisions when we, the city, RABA, the Beautification Committee or other organizations will not unite ourselves? RABA recognizes that working together is the only way to a bright future for Roanoke Rapids and we can restore our sense of community for this town if we all begin to work together.”

In other matters Tuesday council:

Approved a special use permit for Iglesia Pentecostal Church to hold services in a building on 127 East Tenth Street.

Approved a special use permit to construct a family life center adjacent to Calvary Baptist Church on 1405 Bolling Road.

Approved a permit to have a fireworks display December 31 at Becker Village Mall. M&M Fireworks of New London applied for the permit for a 10-minute show beginning at 8 p.m. Sponsor of the show is Jose Antony, a local physician.