Commissioner Refuses to Apologize to 82 Year Old “Miss Rachel”

Rachel RobinsonPhoto byRachel Robinson

Rachel Robinson, known around town as "Miss Rachel" and wife of the late Bishop Dr. Elmer N. Robinson, was born and raised in Elm City. At a recent Town of Elm City Board Meeting held October 15, 2024, 82 year old Miss Rachel stood to address the council during the public comment period. Miss Rachel shared an encounter that she had with one Commissioner; Gil Wheeler.

Wheeler visited Miss Rachel at her house asking if she would let the Town of Elm City have her street. After talking the matter over with her children, she decided that they were not going to give her street up to the town. Miss Rachel stated that years back she only paid $1 to have her 'privately owned' street paved.

Commissioner Wheeler did admit at the meeting, that the street was a private street, and after she said "No" to giving her street away, he then asked her if she would consider an easement. After Miss Robinson told Wheeler "no" to an easement on her privately owned street, she claims that Wheelder said, "So you would do charity like that". She alledges that Wheeler then threw up his hands and walked away with the words, "I'm through".

"It made me feel bad because I've been knowing Mr. Wheeler a long time. He's done some positive things, but for him to say something like that to me... I couldn't do nothing but cry". My husband was on the planning board and when he said something like that to me and just walked off. It just broke everything about me" claims Rachel. While the Commissioner denied that he said any such thing to Miss Rachel added, "I wouldn't stand up here and lie. I don't lie on nobody".

Mayor pro-tem Tammie Atkinson, who led the meeting, added that none of the remaining Board members knew anything about Commissioner Wheeler having gone to Miss Rachel's house, but that she did get a phone call after the fact. Miss Rachel's children were also unaware of the visit until after the fact. Pro-tem Atkinson assured Miss Rachel that although she did not get an apology from Commissioner Wheeler for the apparent disrespect, that her name an dignity around the town of Elm City would still remain and be honored! Commissioner's Tim Bridgers and Bridget Wimberly also addressed Miss Rachel with an apology on behalf of Commissioner Gil Wheeler.

Miss Rachel's final remarks to Commissioner Wheeler was, "Whether you apologize or not, I still love you, and will still respect you when I see you around town".

Miss Rachel is a lone beautification and floral expert who can be seen almost daily watering flowers, picking weeds out of flower beds, or beautifying the entrance gates to the city. Her house is on her 'privately owned' street " where other houses enter and exit without issue. Her house is easily recognized for being the house with all the flowers.