Vice Mayor Joe Cobb’s preconceived mentality has covered his view and blocked his ears from listening to the citizens of Roanoke and understanding their concern regarding the controversial zoning amendment.
It is one of the major concerns of Roanoke citizens and a key issue in the upcoming race for City Council and the Mayor’s office. This amendment is completely at odds with how Cobb and current City Council members say they would serve.
On Thursday 09/26, Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church hosted the Roanoke City Council and Mayor candidates for a debate regarding the issues that are facing Roanoke City. The candidates relayed their ideas, views, policies, and promises in order to capture Roanoke Citizens’ vote in the upcoming elections. The Candidates included Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
The Candidates explained their perspectives and attempted to influence the audience hoping to gain their support. However, in order to solve some of the City’s problems, people have to understand that the number one action is changing the current City Council members and replacing them with those who are less blinded by political interests. As City Council candidate Nick Hagen said, “ Transparent.”
The Mayoral candidates were, former Roanoke City Mayor David Bowers (R), Vice Mayor Joe Cobb (D), and Councilwoman Stephanie Moon (I), along with City Council Candidates, Nick Hagen and Jim Garrett (R), Phazhon Nash, Terry McGuire, Benjamin Woods (D), Cathy Reynolds and Evelyn Powers (I).
The candidates answered various questions related to the Roanoke City’s crimes and Gun Violence Prevention Commission and whether it is effective in reducing gun violence and crimes. They also discussed community and neighborhood meetings and the need for more coordinators. Traffic and pedestrians and traffic monitoring cameras, especially in school zones – which was favored of more than one candidate – was one of the subjects of the discussion.
The Mayoral candidates expressed their views to the change of the funding formula of the Roanoke City Schools budget. This change will no longer guarantee schools to receive 40% automatic funds, which means Roanoke City Schools are not prioritized by Roanoke City Council. In fact, Vice Mayor Cobb and City Councilwoman Moon, who are Mayoral candidates now, voted for the change and are still in favor of it.
Former Mayor Bowers said that during his time as Mayor they instituted this 40% budget for Roanoke City Schools to eliminate conflicts, “ We instituted that.” Bowers said he will make sure to return the 40% to schools.
It is noteworthy, Roanoke City school administration, teachers and educational experts in Roanoke opposed this change of formula. But did Cobb and the Roanoke City Council members listen? No, they did not. Cobb insisted that the Roanoke City Schools still receive a 40% budget.
The zoning amendment was another point that concerned every candidate. The entire group of the candidates, except Cobb, reiterated that the amendment will not serve Roanoke City and its residents. I asked Cobb about his position on this critical issue since every candidate – from Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and the majority of Roanoke’s Citizens – are opposing this zoning amendment. Wouldn’t it be in the best interest of people if there was a better strategy and study for such an amendment? Cobb said that is not just about those who oppose it. He said that he “spoke to 17 people in the meeting” and they are in favor of it. He then reiterated that building multi-family housing throughout the City is the best strategy.
Simply put, Roanoke City Citizens can decide on November 5, if they want a positive change and expel the current Council members and Vice Mayor Cobb or keep the chaos.
– Serwan Zangana supported Operation Iraqi Freedom as a U.S Army translator before coming to the U.S from Kurdistan, Iraq in 1997 to seek political asylum. He was granted asylum status and years later proudly became a U.S citizen. He currently serves as a correction officer in Roanoke.