By Mark Wineka
mark.wineka@salisburypost.com

GRANITE QUARRY — A smoky haze still lingers over the question of whether Granite Quarry should have tobacco-free parks.

Each member of the Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen weighed in on the matter Monday night, but Mayor Bill Feather asked whether he could table the matter for more discussion later.

Feather said he has never smoked himself and has family members whose cancer has been the result of smoking. He described himself as “very much an advocate for non-smoking.”

But Feather said he was uncomfortable in telling smokers they should not have that privilege. They are taxpayers, Feather noted, and government should be cautious about over-regulation. The board should be careful in what it does to limit smoking in the parks and try to be fair to everybody, Feather said.

The smoking debate in Granite Quarry started last month with a presentation in support of tobacco-free parks from the Rowan County Health Department.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim LaFevers described himself as a confirmed non-smoker of 10 years, and he said smoking in the parks should not be allowed at all.

“I just don’t want it around me,” he said.

Alderwoman Mary Ponds said she solicited opinions from residents since the September meeting. She asked why designated areas for smokers couldn’t be set aside in Granite Lake Park and Civic Park. Ponds doesn’t smoke.

As the only smoker on the board, Arin Wilhelm said he agreed with Ponds, though he didn’t think smokers should be segregated as far away from the rest of the park as Ponds had suggested. Some parents who smoke, for example, might need to be close enough to the playground to be able to supervise their children, Wilhelm said.

LaFevers said if it comes to the point that smokers are given a designated area, they shouldn’t have the sense they are banished.

“I don’t think we should ban it at all,” alderman Mike Brinkley said. He suggested the erection of signs which would encourage smokers to be courteous of others and clean up their butts. Parks have to be looked on as open-air, public places, said Brinkley, who is a former smoker.

Aldermen touched on several other topics Monday night. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Closner reported a demolition permit taken out for the old Exxon station at 241 N. Salisbury Ave. has expired, but two different parties are interested in the property and both have said they would demolish the old station if they become the owners.

Closner said the town should know something more in 60 days. If those potential buyers don’t follow through, Closner said she expects this same site to be a key property in any revitalization plan resulting from the Arnett Muldrow study now under way.

Closner also reported “a big business” is actively looking at two sites in Granite Quarry on which to locate a company office. Engineering studies have been ordered on both potential sites, she said, adding the company does not yet want to be identified publicly.

“We know it’s a definite-almost,” Closner said.

Deputy Clerk Sarah Cross gave a report on the Granite Quarry Family Fun Fest, held in September. Even though the weather was great, the turnout during the daytime hours could have been better, Cross said.

The nighttime attendance for live music was “awesome,” she said.

Cross asked the board for suggestions on how to make the Family Fun Fest a bigger annual event. Should it have a larger promotion budget? Should alcohol be an option? Should it be scheduled at a different time because it’s too close to other events such as Autumn Jubilee, the Rowan County Fair and the Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention?

“I don’t know if that’s an issue or not,” Cross said of when Family Fun Fest is held.

Wilhelm said if the town’s slogan is “Granite Quarry Rocks,” then the event probably should offer some rock ‘n’ roll music. He suggested having live music at both parks and trolley shuttles in between the two venues.

But Wilhelm agreed with Cross that “it’s all about the money,” and having an adequate budget to enhance the event.

In another matter, aldermen approved an updated travel policy for town employees. The mileage rate will be 57.5 cents a gallon. On meals during out-of-town day trips, the town will reimburse employees up to $7 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $25 for dinner.

For overnight trips, a meal allowance up to $40 a day is allowed. The town’s travel policy also reimburses employees for any registration fees, books, tuition or hotels related to training or education for their jobs.

After Feather mentioned complaints about certain business banners abusing the intent of the sign ordinance, aldermen pushed for stricter enforcement.

“They look terrible,” Brinkley said. “Tell them to take them down.”

Businesses are allowed to have one banner, but the time banners can be up is limited to certain time periods (30 days). Aldermen asked Closner to notify the businesses which have been in violation.

“Let’s enforce what we have,” Ponds said.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.