Two weeks ago I asked (county commissioners) for details regarding the purchase of the Salisbury Mall property; today, I express my sincere appreciation for your responses, particularly to the chair, vice chair and county manager for meeting in person to provide information. I wish to publicly thank Carolyn Barger, board clerk, for gathering all available documents and seeing to their posting on the county government website.
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 three to four 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.
This past weekend, I visited Washington, D.C., with my grandchildren. As we stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking back across the National Mall, I shuddered at the gridlock paralyzing the leadership of our nation and resolved to do anything humanly possible to prevent the same in Rowan County. Therefore, I call upon all parties: 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 municipalities including Salisbury, to create a strategic development plan which preserves the economic viability of the entire county. 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.
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!
— Eva GeoRene Jones
Salisbury

I am so glad that I do not have to “fight” with the aggressive geese at Rowan Memorial Park any more. They would try to attack me when I tried to get out of my car to visit my husband’s grave site. This happened several times. Another flock of wild geese were at the cemetery today. Find a new home now for these birds before they get tamed and start marking their territory. Drain the lake or do some decorating around it to keep the geese from living there year round.
— Connie Shipwash
Salisbury

I just wanted to say well done and a big thank you to the Lazy 5 veterinarians. Tuesday morning on a trip down Red Acres Road near the Rowan County Airport, I spotted a small Yorkie dog lying on the roadside.
I figured it must have been hit. I slowed to a stop and saw a slight movement. I turned my truck around and went to the aid of this helpless creature. With no collar and no one around, I took a box from the back of my truck. The puppy hardly moved as I put him in the box. Blood was still moist on the side of his head, and the left front leg was bleeding and heavily bruised.
I backtracked to the Lazy 5 and told the receptionist my plight. I said I couldn’t let the poor thing suffer. She said to wait just a minute until one of the doctors was free. They asked me to bring the puppy in.
I am sure the dog didn’t make it, but it was good to know he was at least in the hands of someone who acted with professionalism and compassion. Thanks and well done to the Lazy 5. I went back to the area where I found the dog to try to find an owner. The lady living adjacent to where the dog had been found said she didn’t have any neighbors with a Yorkie, and they often get animals dropped off down Red Acres Road and abandoned. I guess since the Animal Shelter and landfill were previously located there, folks still get rid of their unwanted animals, TVs and computers in that neighborhood. How sad!
I went home and gave both my puppies a big hug. Again, a tip of the hat to Lazy 5.
— Jack E. Neubacher
Salisbury