Robert “Robbie” Clements is challenging incumbent Rex Stainback in the District 1 Roanoke Rapids City Council race along with challenger Jacob Dean.

The following is some personal information and responses to candidate questions:

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Occupation 

Director of Facilities and Operations for Roanoke Rapids City Schools and Owner of Clements Enterprises, LLC

Education

Graduate of Halifax Academy; Holds NC General Contractor's License, NC H-3 Class II HVAC License,  NC Pesticide License, and NC Locksmith License; Certified as LEA Designee for Asbestos and Lead for Roanoke Rapids City Schools

Personal information (Family, church, or civic organizations) 

I have lived in Roanoke Rapids for 17 years. I have been married to my wife for 32 years. I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. 

Why have you decided to run, or if you are an incumbent why are you seeking re-election?  

I am running for city council because I believe everyone should have a voice and be treated equally and fairly, and I believe that our city council needs more members who are business owners or in other leadership positions. 

I believe my experience as a business owner as well as my leadership position in the school system gives me a strong understanding of finances, policies, operation of local government, and the struggles of balancing a budget, maintaining facilities, hiring and keeping qualified employees, and being a good steward of taxpayers' money. 

This community has been good to me, and I want to make our city even better for the citizens of Roanoke Rapids. 

What makes you qualified to run? 

I have been employed with Roanoke Rapids City Schools since July 1, 2005, where I was promoted to director of facilities and operations on July 1, 2014. 

In my current position I manage an operations and transportation budget of $3.5 million dollars and oversee 85 employees. 

I manage all construction, renovation, and capital outlay projects for the school district including the construction of the new Manning Elementary School, which opened to students in January 2018.  

As a business owner and director in the school system, I understand finances, policies,  local government operations, and the struggles of balancing a budget, maintaining facilities, hiring and keeping qualified employees, and being a good steward of taxpayers' money. 

What do you hope to accomplish or as an incumbent what have you accomplished and what do you hope to accomplish if re-elected?

As a city council member, I want to make Roanoke Rapids stronger by increasing economic development; recruiting and retaining the most qualified city employees; creating a city budget that reflects the priorities that are most important to all stakeholders, equitably funds all departments, and provides employees with salaries that keep up with inflation; making transparent decisions; consistently applying policies; supporting existing businesses; and ensuring working environments that are fair for all employees and do not pit one city department against another. 

What are the main issues facing the city of Roanoke Rapids and how would you go about addressing them?

The biggest issue that I see facing the city of Roanoke Rapids is that we need more career opportunities that provide families with financial stability. 

In order to make this happen, we need to look for incentives to attract new businesses and industries to our city as well as support the existing businesses and industries. 

We need to examine the current pay scales for our city employees. At a minimum, our city employees deserve that their salaries keep up with inflation, but recruiting and retaining the most qualified employees requires that we are competitive with neighboring communities so that staying in our city is a realistic option. 

City council members must listen to our community members and work with our city manager, so the city budget reflects the priorities that are most important to all stakeholders. 

We also must make sure that we have working environments that are fair for all employees and do not pit one city department against another one. 

All of our departments are equally important, and they deserve equitable funding and consistently applied policies.  

With the theater now sold, there still remains a debt on the venue. How does the city address that remaining debt? Would you be willing to attempt a debt-forgiveness plan, seek legislative assistance or continue to pay as is currently the case? Please elaborate. 

I believe in paying my bills, and the city still owes the debt on the remaining balance, so we should continue to pay as is currently the case. 

If opportunities for legislative assistance for our city arise, then we should pursue them.

Are you in favor of a casino being located in the Carolina Crossroads Entertainment District? Why or why not and please elaborate. 

Yes, I am in favor of a casino being located in the Carolina Crossroads Entertainment District, which will generate increased tax and other revenues for the city of Roanoke Rapids. 

Our current city council was proactive when they passed the resolution for the casino at Carolina Crossroads. 

What is your opinion on the Halifax County Commissioners rejecting and then coming to a deadlock on the city’s resolution favoring the casino? 

An important part of being a leader is listening to all of the people you represent, thoughtfully considering the pros and cons including financial impacts, and then making the best decision you can. 

While I support the casino resolution, I respect the county commissioners who voted against it based on their beliefs.

Would you be in favor of a property tax or a sales tax increase to help support salaries of all employees in order to make pay more competitive? Why or why not and please elaborate. 

While I believe that salaries for city employees should be more competitive with neighboring communities, I am not in favor of a property tax increase because property taxes only burden property owners. 

However, I am in favor of an increased sales tax because everyone (including tourists) pays sales taxes. Sales taxes seem more equitable since everyone pays the same.

What does the city need to do to attract industry? 

Roanoke Rapids must be business friendly and have policies that incentivize businesses and industries in coming to Roanoke Rapids, support our existing businesses and industries, and create stronger connections with the school district to support programs that help our students become prepared for jobs here because we would have a more skilled workforce (instead of them having to bring new people in). 

If we can connect businesses with our young people while they are still in high school through apprenticeships, then we can ensure they graduate with workplace readiness skills and credentials, which would provide a stronger labor market for potential industries. 

The city would be more attractive if we cleaned up the dilapidated houses and buildings. As the appearance of the city improves, businesses and industries will be more interested in opening up here.

How do you envision the future of the Premier Boulevard extension and what, if any, promise does it hold for the city? 

I believe the Premier Boulevard extension holds great potential based on the development of the Carolina Crossroads entertainment area to provide more acreage for hotels, retail, and restaurants. 

Already it has improved access to the existing business and restaurants and reduced traffic congestion.

In conclusion, I believe everyone needs a voice. My political affiliation is unaffiliated. I believe everyone should be treated the same regardless of who you are or who you know. I believe all laws, policies, ordinances, etc ... should be applied and enforced to everyone equally and fairly. I believe in good character, meaning integrity, ethics, and an excellent moral compass — always being truthful. 

If you vote for me, you can be sure that I will do what's right for the people of this town, am not afraid to stand alone for what's right, will operate openly and ethically, and will work to engage the community in decisions impacting their community. I will be a critical and visionary thinker. I realize if elected, I am only one vote, but I will always make that vote based on what I have said here. 

I live my life by some words my grandaddy C.R. Clements told me: "You only have two things in this world: that's your word and your name. Don't ever mess them up."