Eva GeoRene Jones, Salisbury, NC
♦Two weeks ago I asked for details regarding the purchase of the Salisbury Mall property; today, I express my sincere appreciation for your responses, and particularly to the Chair, Vice Chair, and County Manager for meeting in person to provide information. I wish to publically thank Mrs. Carolyn Barger, Board Clerk, for gathering all available documents and seeing to their posting on the County Government website.
After reviewing documents & info you shared, I – as promised – shared with my colleague citizens of Rowan County. Today, I share more than 400 citizen responses gathered over the past week alone.
Clearly, Statutes give you the right to proceed with capital improvements and you bid in accordance with pre-determined expenditure needs. You also confirmed the project is a “leap-of-faith”, requiring 3-to-4 years before we will know how best to proceed past our immediate needs
State Statutes require you to assume fiduciary responsibility for all citizens of this County. But, DO NOT interpret this as license to ignore the citizens who elect you. We give you no right to use our resources for any “leap-of-faith” without appropriate planning. Here (handing-over Petition) is input from citizens of Faith, Cleveland, Spencer, China Grove, Landis, and even Salisbury, many of whom added words more succinct than any I can summon.
This past weekend, I visited Washington DC with my grandchildren. As we stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking back across the National Mall I shuddered at gridlock paralyzing the leadership of our nation, and resolved to do anything humanly possible to prevent the same here at home in Rowan County. Therefore, I call upon all parties here today: DECLARE AN END to the Hatfield and McCoy Politics between Salisbury and Rowan County.
Commissioners, go back to the seller and tell him we demand a six-month extension to the closing date. During that period, work together with representatives of all Rowan County municipalities INCLUDING the City of Salisbury to create a strategic development plan which preserves the economic viability of the entire County. And I’ll make it easier for you: I’ve already gotten a commitment from the City of Salisbury to work together with you on such a plan.
WE DO NOT want to hear anymore about prior political posturing and bickering. To BOTH the City and the County hear this: We don’t care about who-shot/robbed/ outmaneuvered /whom in past political “boondoggles”. Put down the grudges and the acrimonious public grandstanding. Lay down your hatchets and pick up a shovel. We’ve got real work to do here.
