Native son to improve town Web site

W. TERRY SMITH
Editor

April 15, 2008 10:49 am

— Tarboro is getting a new Web site.
Town Council voted 7-1 Monday night to enter into a contract with Circumerro Creative Media Agency of Jackson Hole, Wyo., not to exceed $44,800 to establish a stronger Web presence in order to attract new residents and businesses to the area.
The town is matching $22,400 from ElectriCities.
The present Web site (http://:www.tarboro-nc.com) was developed about five years ago.
Circumerro, which was founded 13 years ago by Councilman John Jenkins’ 38-year-old son Latham, was the recommendation of Town Manager Sam Noble and staff in March.
However, the selection was delayed a month when new Councilman Melvin Muhammad requested presentations by Circumerro and Regency Interactive Corp. of Rocky Mount, the two firms that submitted proposals.
Regency’s John Saldi emphasized the need to have a Web site that would be found by the various Internet search engines. He said he could do that by Web site optimization.
“We optimize a Web site,” Saldi said.
Jenkins, who grew up in Tarboro, said the secret to an effective Web site was to deliver a well-crafted message. He emphasized visuals, photos and videos.
During Jenkins’ presentations he frequently made comments that showed he was familiar with the town he grew up in and the surrounding region. He said the Web site could be a key tool to attract businesses and people to the community.
“Effective content creates a great Web site,” Jenkins said. “Tarboro has a great story and I look forward to help share it. We need to represent Tarboro in the right light online.”
Jenkins said 70 percent of people use the Internet daily and 80 percent of new homebuyers look on the Web first.
Muhammad said later he voted against Circumerro because Regency emphasized making the Web site so it would found on search engines.
“We need to make it easier to find us,” he said.
Jenkins said, “Consumers expect more from the Web experience. We are going to deliver that.”
Councilman Dr. Steve Hoard endorsed Circummerro, the firm his company Kanban uses.
Jenkins said he would have a new Web design ready to launch by August.
In other business, Town Council:
• Unanimously approved $10,000 toward the $40,000 military-themed mural the Edgecombe County Veterans Museum is planning to have painted on the south wall of the Colonial Theater. The county commissioners have also agreed to fund $10,000 and the museum directors have said they will raise $20,000.
• Unanimously approved to jointly sponsor the annual Happening on the Common May 17 and History Days Sept. 26-28 with the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council.
• Unanimously approved $20,000 to cover expenses in the police department due to higher gas prices.
“This will keep the cars running until June,” Noble said.
“Will this be enough?” asked Councilman Danny Hayes.
“I hope so,” the town manager said.
• Unanimously agreed to sell Robin O’Neal the remnants of three lots totaling less than half an acre next to her office at 401 W. Saint James St. for $100.
“We weren’t even aware we owned it,” Noble said. “Put it on the tax books,” one of the councilmen said.
• Unanimously agreed to proceed with the demolition of a house at 910 Saint David St. that has been deemed unfit for human habitation.
• Unanimously agreed to delay the painting of the Poly-Lok Elevated Tank, a $17,200 job.
“We can't wait another year or two,” Noble said, “and hold our costs down.”
• Unanimously agreed to declare a 1986 GMC flat bed truck with dump body and a 1988 Chevrolet half-ton pickup truck surplus. They will auctioned on Govdeals.com along with 31 bicycles. Police Chief Robert Cherry said the bikes were probably stolen but never reported to the police. Many were found abandoned in bushes, left behind businesses, etc., he said
• In closed session, listened to Carolinas Gateway Partnership President John Gessaman and Vice President Oppie Jordan give an update on Tarboro and Edgecombe County economic development prospects. The town contributes $35,170 annually to the Partnership. Gessaman estimated the Partnership had helped bring 945 jobs to Tarboro and Edgecombe County. Mayor Donald Morris and Noble sit on the Partnership's executive committee.