SALISBURY — Cold weather would not deter Salisbury residents who were eager to wave in the new year. It was not just Salisbury residents getting in on the fun.

Sophie and Eric Hampton were in town from Georgia, having wrapped up a family wedding nearby.

“My sister got married in Yadkinville, and we decided to parlay it into coming and visiting here,” Eric said. 

Sophie added, “The whole thing was absolutely magical. I did not expect that. The whole setting was beautiful and a lot of fun.”

The couple lives outside Atlanta. However, on Sunday, they were happy to be in Salisbury for the unveiling of 2024.

“The whole place has a very cool small-town vibe,” Eric said. 

As the new year approached, Sophie indicated that she would like to be a little more patient in 2024. 

“We are currently experiencing a full house,” she said. “All the college kids are returning home, presumably to roost.”

During the evening at Bell Tower Green, Salisbury’s Livehouse Band provided the musical entertainment. The band is known locally for its high-energy music. 

Between and during the upbeat sets, visitors helped themselves to a spread of food trucks lining Salisbury’s downtown park as they awaited the momentous turning over of the calendar. The new year brings new opportunities and chances to improve upon projects from 2023.

Local resolutions

A few local officials, recently elected to represent municipalities around Rowan County, responded to requests from the Post about their plans for 2024.

Rich Luhrs was just elected to serve on the Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen. 

“My goals for 2024 are to energetically seek successful public/private partnerships, where the town and the developers share a positive, high-quality, mutually rewarding vision while reducing the costs of improvements to our current tax-paying citizens,” Luhrs said. “This certainly means casting a wider net for true partners with 21st-century ideas, capital and designs aimed at making some of these projects multi-use destinations. 

“This is opposed to the single purpose, maximum density cookie-cutter developments so rampant today, which often yields fewer tax revenues than the increased municipal costs to serve them, and is frequently not complimentary to their surrounding neighborhoods.”

Other officials, like George B. Jackson, East Spencer’s newest alderman, are eager to improve upon a personal character trait.

“My goal is to finish what I start and not to procrastinate,” Jackson said. “In 2023, I could be a procrastinator, so I’m looking to improve on that.”

Although Ryan Nelms is no stranger to Landis legislation, he won an election in November to earn a seat on the town’s governing board. He’s excited about what the opportunity means and said he is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. 

“One of my resolutions is to actively engage with my community, volunteering my time and skills to contribute positively, fostering connections and making a meaningful impact on the lives of those around me,” Nelms said.