I’ve witnessed a lot of change at the Rowan County Animal Shelter since I started volunteering my time photographing the adoptable animals. My “proactive bug” bit me when I went to a HSUS meeting at the Rowan Public Library. The speaker mentioned getting out in your community and making a difference … so I did. Besides speaking out for a program that allows rescuers to pull shelter animals for free, I also spoke to the shelter manager about starting a weekly trip to photograph the animals. Having pulled basset hounds for Carolina Basset Hound Rescue, I couldn’t stand to look at all those sad, pleading eyes, knowing most would never see the outside of those concrete shelter walls. I started the Friends of Rowan County Animal Shelter Facebook page in February 2012.
To put the impact of the Facebook page in perspective: In 2011, there was a total intake of 6,863 animals — 438 adopted, 380 reclaimed. In 2012, the intake was 6,885 animals — 1,409 adopted, 413 reclaimed. In 2013, the total intake was 5,561 — 2,460 adopted, 319 reclaimed. 2014 is looking to be even better for the shelter animals. The Friends page now has close to 15,000 followers from all over the world.
I cannot express how grateful I am to both the women who help me manage the Friends of RCAS page and all who follow and support our efforts. These adoption numbers and changes to the shelter would not have occurred if not for you, the community. The public has done so much for the shelter animals, without care of recognition or award. These animal lovers work behind the scenes and at all hours to help these animals. Again, I thank each and every one of you! All it takes is one person to make a difference.
— Candace Terry
Rockwell

When the Post reported the story about the mutual termination of the city manager and a co-worker’s resignation and their receiving significant severance packages paid for by Salisbury citizens, I expected huge uproars so horrendous that even NBC would report the story and the Moral Monday folks would be marching on City Hall. I expected outrage not only because of the unjustifiable severances, but also what was contained in the city manager’s contract that guaranteed severance even if he failed and the fact that an employee who just plain quit also gets a severance package. Nowhere on this planet could employees get benefits like that — not only cash, but medical insurance as well.
So instead of an uproar, there’s been a whimper. A few caring folks expressed their concerns in letters to the editor wondering how all of this could have happened. Why were the mayor and council shocked and surprised and what else may be going on they don’t know about? Makes you wonder what their role really is. Are they simply a rubber stamp for the city manager, allowing him do what he pleases with our citizen’s tax money, or don’t they care to know? Have they called for investigations or audits?
Giving one individual full authority to spend city funds any way he wishes without any form of oversight or without appropriate internal controls is not only ridiculous, it’s against all standard accounting principals. Folks, if you care about your city, let the mayor and council know how you feel.
— Donald Schumacher
Salisbury