While I have lived in Salisbury only three out of the last 40-plus years, I have subscribed to the Salisbury Post continuously no matter where I lived. I retain an interest in my native county and appreciate the opportunity to comment on local issues (if anyone cares what I think!) Several recent articles have sparked my interest!

Paul Fisher has been a lifetime friend, beginning with our family’s association with F&M Bank in Granite Quarry. His leadership and contributions to Salisbury/Rowan have been substantial. While he would make a great public official, he probably has more influence in his current roles as a visionary and a doer. His recent comments about priorities and collaborative leadership should be heeded by Rowan County voters!
Speaking of politics, I have been surprised at the questioning of the actions of Harry Welch, the Register of Deeds, for terminating an employee who was trying to take his job away from him. While competence is important, so is loyalty and with no disrespect to his opponent whom I do not know, how could she or anyone expect to be retained and trusted while trying to take away her boss’s job?

Dr. Lynn Moody, the new superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, is to be commended for the leadership and vision she is bringing to the school system and for building on the strong foundation established by Dr. Judy Grissom and her team. Higher expectations, strategic planning, strong accountability, and the leadership skills of the principals are all necessary ingredients for the world-class school system Rowan County citizens need and deserve. Hopefully, the county commissioners will recognize that most initiatives take additional resources, especially in light of dramatic budget cuts over the past several years due primarily to the economy.

The stories about Chestnut Hill have brought back many memories, especially the mentioning of Doc Peeler’s drugstore! I remember attending Republican meetings in the back of Doc’s drugstore when I was a teenager and there were only a handful of us present. I remember Doc, Ruby Kesler, Donna Peeler, Mr. Murph, Charlie Walters, Lewis Sowers and Eugene McCombs in particular There were others. Only Charlie and Donna are still with us!
Finally, the story about Bill Stanback and his military service reminded me of how many great individuals there are in Rowan County. We often take these men and women for granted and many of their contributions are done quietly and without fanfare.
Rowan County is a good place to live, but it can become great if its citizens want it to be badly enough.
Rowan native Phil Kirk of Raleigh is former state senator, former president of the N.C. Chamber of Commerce and former chairman of the N.C. State Board of Education.