“They are positive numbers and positive elements, but we still have a long way to go.”

— Robert Van Geons,

RowanWorks director,

on improvement in the
local poverty rate

“The hand that’s
extended to give is
always in the best
position to receive.”

— Wilson Cherry,

recipient of Rowan United

Way’s Jackie Award

“[The city’s] goal was to wait until they got to the three new commissioners because they were
all fostered by the downtown groups
anyway. We are going to proceed, period.”

— Craig Pierce, vice chair,

Rowan County commission,

on the time it took City Council to finalize
its decision on a special use permit
for West End Plaza

“This was not exactly somebody wanting two pool tables
instead of one.”

— Paul Woodson, mayor,

on the city’s handling of the special use permit request

“Don’t throw a
challenge in front
of him,”

—  Linda Hensley,

on grandson Jared Hensley, who earned 31 Boy Scout merit badges in one year,
a record for his troop