HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
Melinda Lowrance, the President of the Hendersonville Chapter of the NCAAP has emerged as the top candidate to replace recently-resigned City Council Member Debbie O’Neal Roundtree, and an appointment could happen as early as Thursday.
Meanwhile, Roundtree told 828newsNOW on Wednesday that she’s not ready to make a full statement about her reasons for resigning, but she hinted that her political career is not finished.
“I’m still active. I am going to pursue my career. God has something bigger and better for me,” she said. “I’m going to pursue my politics.”
An appointment of Lowrance could happen at Thursday’s Henderson City Council meeting, communications manager Allison Justus told 828newsNOW.com.
Lowrance has served on Hendersonville’s Board of Adjustment since 1998, and she was an original member of the city’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee. She also is Vice Chair of the Henderson County Social Services Board, Justus said. An online NAACP biography describes her as a business owner and board member of IAM (Interfaith Assistance Ministry), among other positions.
Roundtree surprised even some of her supporters on April 22 when she announced she was resigning with a very brief statement saying, “After careful consideration I have decided it is no longer possible for me to properly serve the needs of those who elected me.”
On Wednesday, Roundtree told 828newsNOW she still wasn’t ready to give a more complete statement on her reasons for resigning, although she planned to release a larger statement and speak one-on-one to constituents on Friday.
“I’m still gathering my thoughts. I owe that to my constituents and the people who supported me can hear from me,” she said.
Roundtree did make it clear that she plans to stay active on the issues she also pursued on the City Council, such as affordable housing.
She will be hosting an affordable housing workshop event at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe St., Hendersonville. The workshop, in partnership with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, is to help people facing credit barriers, evictions or other housing challenges, she said.
She said she would elaborate on Friday, talking about her platform and accomplishments.
Roundtree said she still plans to stay active in public life, like continuing work on affordable housing, protecting voting rights, youth development through Back-to-School Fest, supporting brown and brown veterans, protecting agricultural roots and jobs, and building a more inclusive Democratic Party.
As a former member of the Hendersonville Tree Board, and once its council liaison, Roundtree said she still plans to be active with that work. And she said she does plan to attend City Council meetings, albeit virtually.
