Two things — maybe even three or four — can be true at the same time.
And, when you’re arguing a truth, sometimes passion can get in the way of listeners actually hearing the validity of your point.
I think that happened Wednesday morning, June 18, when two sides argued whether or not Plymouth should pay to upgrade (renovate, replace, whatever the correct term) the bathrooms in the Allied Building, currently leased to Quality of Life ENC.
You can read more about that meeting on the front page.
Proponents, primarily Crystal Davis and Donsenia Teel, have valid points, but they get lost
in the frustration, anger and threats with which they are presented.
Plymouth does have leases for $1 per year with other not-for-profits for buildings downtown; at least two of those have gone on for decades.
I’m not sure how much the town has paid for repairs or upgrades for the two museum buildings. I know the town has replaced rotting boards on the deck at the Port o’ Plymouth Museum, and I’m told the Waterways Commission has paid for maintenance at the Maritime Museum and the Lighthouse itself.
Both of those leases contain the same text, basically saying the town has no obligation to make repairs, etc. And, yes, the town routinely pays a portion of the salary for curators at both museums.
Davis and Teel also argue that Plymouth spends plenty of money on nonsense, so why not spend a little to improve a building it owns; those improvements will remain after the lease expires.
Opponents of making improvements at the Allied Building claim the museums attract visitors to the downtown, which Quality of Life won’t do.
They argue that there are other, better suited, locations for programs Quality of Life will offer than downtown.
All of the above arguments have validity.
But, it’s drowned out by statements like, “I have the power invested in me under the law, believe you me,” “If one loses, they’re all going to lose,” and “We’re not going to pretend like this is not a race issue, because it is.”
Typical reaction to those type of statements isn’t to persuade people to join your side, it just makes the opposition dig in their heels.
And that isn’t productive.
I also find validity in opponents’ arguments listed above, but don’t know how much weight they deserve.
Yes, museums attract visitors downtown, but we aren’t talking thousands of people who leave the museums and spend lots of money at the downtown businesses. And there are other properties available to Quality of Life, but probably not for $1 per year.
The argument that nobody cared about that building until these men wanted to do something with it falls flat. Several people have wanted to buy it, preserve it, do something in it, but Plymouth wouldn’t allow it. At the same time, the town neglected it, letting it fall nearly into ruin.
I remember a budget work- shop years ago — I’ll guess six years ago — Public Works Director Mike Wright brought photos of the Allied Building showing damage and telling council they needed to earmark thousands of dollars to at least fix the roof or risk it declining beyond repair.
Council did nothing until the past few months — after the current lease was signed — when they fixed the roof.
Townspeople cared about that building and continue to care, but powers that be obstructed any idea or effort brought forth.
I’ve heard people encourage various councils to sell the building, to let a private investor preserve it, for more than a decade. But, no, Plymouth wanted to keep it.
For what? So you can tout another dilapidated town-owned building absolutely ruining the downtown?
In my opinion, the town needs to sell every piece of property it isn’t currently using and isn’t willing or able to maintain. Get them back on the tax roles; let a private individual or developer take the responsibility off your shoulders. Government shouldn’t be in the real estate business in the first place.
On the other hand, it’s —at the very least — a bad look to have somebody vehemently arguing for a lease and spending money on repairs that was, just days before the initial idea, was on the group’s board.
According to documents from the NC Secretary of State, Crystal Davis was listed as Executive Director of Quality of Life ENC Inc. Articles of Incorporation dated June 4, 2024. A month later, on July 5, 2024, she was removed as Executive Director and Secretary. Days later, on July 8, 2024, Cedric Wilkins approached council with a request to “partner with the town” on an unidentified building for his new not-for-profit group.
By the end of that meeting, Teel said the town should lease the Allied Building to the group immediately. There was paperwork involved, of course, so the lease was delayed for two months, was approved in September and took effect October 1, 2024.
That’s probably the fasted Plymouth Town Council has done anything. And, like I said, best-case scenario, those optics are troubling. With the close ness of her ties, Davis should have recused herself from discussion and voting.
I’d feel better about the whole thing if I could see an overall plan to save the Allied Building and a renovation/preservation specialist or engineer saying fixing the bathrooms should be Phase 1.
But, that’s just me. I might be wrong — again.
Mary Wayt may be reached by telephone (252) 793-2123, or via e-mail at editor@roanokebeacon.com.