Forum shows way; now it’s up to us
I was there. And a big “thank you” to Mr. Paul Fisher for the great “coming together” last week.
I was lucky to make the cut for the community forum, not exactly knowing whom I represent. Never has so much positive energy been brought to the tables by such an elite group. Never have so many agreed to agree. Too many city studies and “charettes” have tried to make a dent in our politics and one-sided directions, but seldom, if ever, has a group been so committed to “do something,” and do it now, even before the next election.
City and county leaders should come away knowing whom they speak for, whom they are responsible to, what programs work and should be funded, and by whom. Committees and boards should be open, friendly, prompt and responsible. Taxes should fund public services.
Money is made to spend. For 200 years, we have been the place to shop. Daniel Boone knew that when he shopped for provisions at Nesbits’ store. Crowded bars know it today. We need a downtown inventory to see why every empty storefront is not retail space. We need a kiosk on the corner with a calendar of planned arts and events. We need to go to plays, attend cultural programs (many of them free), civic groups and clubs, and we need to fill church pews.
Take part.
The Internet cannot provide live entertainment, and Lord knows, Facebook leads to tragedy. Now, I see a Kannapolis study shows Salisbury success stories. We have a comparable picture to go with most every slide the forum’s energetic speaker shared.
We have done a lot of things other towns envy. Think of the positive changes. Look around. Maybe Ed McMahon can use these examples, good ones only, in his future programs.
Let’s not waste this energy. Do not sit on your hands. Be creative.
Where are the bricks and mortar solutions? They need not be piecemeal, by special interest factions. They need not be funded only by the city, county or a few benevolent citizens. We cannot wait for philanthropists. We can look back and say the ideas were ours at that forum on a cold day back in March 2014.
— Clyde
Salisbury

Clyde (who uses only one name) is an artist who lives in Salisbury

Firing wasn’t fair
The reported firing of the county’s assistant register of deeds based solely on her filing to run for the position of register, if true, is wrong. As desperately as we need fresh ideas and new faces in politics, we should not discourage folks from running simply because they already work in government or if filing means running against their boss.
Everyone should have the right to run for any seat; however, if they win, they should be required to resign from positions which put them in conflict with their existing employment, i.e. if it puts them in the supervisory line of succession where employed. For example, a county commissioner in essence supervises the budget for all local government jobs. If elected to that position, teachers and other government employees are in the line of succession for salaries per work of the commission and have a built in conflict of interest. As such, it is my opinion that they should not be allowed to serve simultaneously in these positions while on the county commission. If the law allows such, then conflicts will continue and the law should be changed.
No one should be penalized for filing to run for office out of fear that they will lose their jobs, and if they are unsuccessful in their election quest, they should not be subjected to harassment.
— Ada M. Fisher
Salisbury