Common Sense group calls for nonpartisanship
CAVE SPRING-Roanoke County’s elected officials were searching for a nonpartisan setting to hear citizens’ opinions, and Common Sense responded.
The non-profit, nonpartisan organization held its first-ever meeting on January 21st.
Approximately 20 people were in attendance at Roanoke County’s Headquarters Library, located on Route 419. At the meeting, one of the founders of Common Sense, Richard Evans, explained the organization in more detail.
Richard Evans led Roanoke County's nonpartisan group, Common Sene, at its first-ever meeting on January 21st. Photo by Kristin Adams
“We’re Roanoke County citizens talking about Roanoke County,” Evans said.
On the third Thursday of each month, citizens and elected officials will gather to discuss hot topics on the minds of citizens. The group has no bylaws, but hopes to place volunteers into different leadership roles, such as Secretary, Treasurer, Chair, and Vice Chair, as well as chairs for each district. The role of Cave Spring Magisterial District Chair has been filled by Reverend Harry Hudson, while Evans himself filled the role of Chair.
“We’ll be lucky to get people to fill the other roles,” Evans said.
Hudson, the pastor at Red Hill First Church of God, is the one who actually came up with the organization’s name, Common Sense Progress for Roanoke County, after he and Evans struggled naming the group.
“Just, Common Sense,” Hudson told Evans.
At the organizational meeting, expenses were also discussed. While no one is required to pay dues, a Charter Membership is available for $25, a Sustaining Membership is $50, and a Founding Membership costs $100. This money is needed to obtain 501(c)(3) status, so that the organization can sell Kroger gift cards, which donates a portion of grocery purchases to the organization.
Without the memberships, however, Evans does not see a problem.
“We’re going to cost very little money to keep this organization going,” Evans said.
If necessary, Evans will hold small fundraisers every summer to help the organization financially.
Four of Roanoke County’s elected officials were also in attendance at the meeting, and more would have been present if not for the winter weather.
Roanoke County Supervisor for the Cave Spring Magisterial District, Charlotte Moore, came to receive feedback from her constituents, and to support the cause.
“I would like to see government be nonpartisan,” Moore said after the meeting.
She feels that Common Sense is a way to see this nonpartisanship happen, and to receive comments and suggestions from the citizens of Roanoke County.
“We want to listen to everyone,” Moore said, “and I think this is a great way of doing that.”
Roanoke County School Board Chairman, and Vinton representative Mike Stovall, also came to the meeting.
“I think it’s great we’re going to talk about local issues,” Stovall said.
Stovall’s fellow School Board member, Jerry Canada of Catawba, also came to the meeting, as well as Board of Supervisors Chairman Butch Church. Windsor Hills representative on the Board of Supervisors, Ed Elswick, is one of the founders of Common Sense. He was kept away, however, because of the bad weather.
While elected officials are encouraged to attend the meetings, they are considered Ex-Officio members, and are not allowed to hold any positions on the Common Sense board.
Common Sense will hold its next meeting at 7:00 on Thursday, February 18th, at the HQ/419 Library. To be placed on the e-mail list, contact Evans at cspfrc@yahoogroups.com, or call 774-1905.
Kristin Adams got the facts straight and took a flattering picture of me.
Thanks!