Greg Lawson this weekend released a statement on seeking the appointment to fill the unexpired term of Roanoke Rapids City Councilwoman Carol Cowen and also announced his intention to file for the council seat in the November municipal election.
His statement is as follows:
“After prayerful consideration and encouragement, I am seeking the appointment to fill the unexpired term of Carol Cowen and I will be filing as a candidate for the district two city council seat in the November 2019 city election.
“I am passionate about our community having both worked and raised my family in Roanoke Rapids for the past forty-four years. As many of you know, I have served this community as a police officer for thirty years before retiring as the Chief of Police in 2008 and as a district 2 city council member from 2009 to 2013. I feel my years of experience in city government has provided me with a solid understanding of our city’s finances, services, and the responsibilities of the position of a council member. But mostly, I have a clear understanding that the City belongs to its citizens and deserves to continue to prosper economically and to have sustainable city services that enhance our quality of life. Our city has faced some enormous financial challenges over the years and I believe my experience, knowledge of our city’s needs, and its finances makes me the ideal candidate.
“As a council member I will focus on building a strong partnership with our local businesses and Chamber of Commerce to promote our community’s assets and foster innovative ideas that will not only help us develop a marketable brand for our city, but build on existing programs like our Main Street initiative to promote economic growth. It is equally important that we promote our city services and develop and adopt city planning ordinances that expedite building permits to encourage local business expansion and recruit manufacturing.
“I will work to lobby our State legislators and Federal representatives for incentive funding to help our recruitment efforts of manufacturing businesses and funding to train and prepare our local workforce for high-tech manufacturing jobs. Likewise, it is important that we continue to press our legislators and representatives for funding for the U.S. Hwy 158 corridor between I-85 and I-95.
“I believe fostering economic growth, promoting our city’s assets like our Main Street initiative, Roanoke Canal greenway and museum, our city’s services and our many local businesses is a path to the wonderful things to come. I am sincere and my decision to run for office is to ensure a trusting and transparent government united for the betterment for all of our citizens and its future.
“I can make no promises other than I will serve you with honesty, openness and due-diligence to make common sense decisions that will not only protect our city’s financial future, but improve our quality of life and ensure that your voice is heard. Like you, I want accountability in our government and I want the most effective use of our tax dollars that will enhance our way of life, promote our local businesses, improve our city services and encourage economic growth."
