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The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed leasing of the school by the town.
Smith pledged her support to help the town in whatever they had planned for the school.
Garysburg Elementary along with Rich Square Creecy Elementary and the Northampton Alternative Schools were closed at the end of last school year.
Mayor Roy Bell told those gathered there is a “citizen driven opportunity” to do something with the school. Town officials solicited comments and suggestions from citizens.
“We wanted to get citizen’s input,” he said. “We don’t want the building to go unused.”
He added the few who attended the meeting would be making the decision for the rest of the citizens.
“This building does not come free,” Bell said. “The lease comes with a price. There is a lot that can be done with the building.”
Bell stressed the opportunities for the school is endless.
“But it comes with work,” he said. “If we’re going to succeed or fail, it will be based on the our citizens. If we want to succeed, people will get involved. If they don’t get involved, we fail.”
Ellissa Lassiter runs the Youth Center in Garysburg along with help from her husband, Angelo. Both said they would like to see the center moved there.
Angelo Lassiter said the school setting would be what students need. “The Youth Center is great but being at school would be easier for the kids to transition,” he said.
He would also like to see the Father Focus Network to use it. “There are members in the group from Northampton but they have to meet Roanoke Rapids Police substation behind CADA in Roanoke Rapids,” he said. “We have fathers and men who could benefit.”
Angelo Lassiter said at their end of the county, they get nothing compared to what Halifax and Roanoke Rapids get.
Police Chief Raymond Vaughan agreed a more central location for the youth was needed and the school would meet the need. “It would be more visible and across from the police department,” he said.
Town Commissioner Lola Ausby stressed the need of having the support of the citizens. “From children to senior citizens, we need you to come out and support our endeavor,” she said.
Fire Chief Nathaniel Ausby talked about the very active church league in the county. “We have to go to Halifax County to have the ball games,” he said. “This would be a great facility for the league.”
Town Administrator Fannie Greene thought the project would be excellent for not only Garysburg, but also Northampton County as well. “I hope we can get it up and running. It will be great for all of us,” she said.
Calvert W. Watson, a resident of the town, thought using the school would be a wonderful idea. “I think it can be used for many, many different things,” he said.
Town Commissioner Darryl Whittle talked about the town’s recreation program. Each year, there is a basketball camp in the summer. A two-week camp with the Youth Center which provides educational and recreational activities. There is midget football and basketball.
“We’ve got things going,” he said. He added with the school, there is potential for more with more activities for youth and senior citizens.
Bell said the town is seeking funding through the Golden Leaf Foundation.
For the past few months, the group has gathered to discuss priorities for spending $2 million available to the county through the Northampton County Golden Leaf Community Assistance Initiative, of the Golden Leaf Foundation.
“We have a golden opportunity given to us,” Bell said. “If we don’t take advantage of it, we will be the ones coming up short.”
He thanked Greene for all of her hard work on the application, which is due Nov. 30. The application will include some of the planned uses of the school. They include health, job training, recreation and a library.
“We will succeed based on how well citizens come out,” he said. “I would like to hear from you.”
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