Laurel to Nancy Evans and her years as Rowan County elections director.

Evans retired at the end of July after a long career at the Rowan County Board of Elections. She started as an elections deputy in 1981 — a much different time for elections law. Then, she took a break to take care of her son, turning in 1987 after some prodding from the then-director Patricia Nelson.

Evans has run Rowan County elections with integrity and is what voters and non-voters alike should think of when considering the meaning of the word “public servant.”

A plaque provided to Evans during Monday’s commissioners meeting said it best when noting her work was trustworthy and professional.

We think new director Brenda McCubbins will serve in the role well, too, and we wish Evans a happy retirement.

Laurel to the news that Landis sought out help from the N.C. State Treasurer’s Office as it looks to rebound from allegations of embezzlement by the former town manager and finance officer.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell told the Post in an interview last week the town has been cooperating with the Local Government Commission staff to resolve its financial problems following a request from the town.

It’s a refreshing break from the recent practice of Landis officials brushing off letters of concern from the state, which have been frequent and varied. At one point, the town’s fund balance, which partially functions as a savings account, was 0.8% or just $26,168.

The Local Government Commission will not make a decision to step in and, perhaps, take over until someone is indicted, the town is borrowing funds or it can’t pay its bills, Folwell said. And whether the LGC decides to do that will be an indicator of how willing the town has been to make needed changes between now and the time that any charges come, if they do, and when it needs to borrow money.

Laurel to the leadership by Catawba College Board of Trustees Chairman Bill Graham and the board for getting a committee together quickly to begin the search for a new president.

Catawba College announced last week that Graham had named Bob Arnold, a consultant and retired furniture industry executive from Hickory, to be chairman of the committee, and Mark Alexander, a Florida attorney, to be vice chairman.

It’s important to get a group started on the search shortly after outgoing President Brien Lewis’ announcement he would not seek a contract renewal. Catawba College is an important part of the Salisbury and Rowan County community. It will be a benefit for the institution to have a leader in place by the time Lewis leaves or shortly after.

More importantly, the search must produce a quality finalist, and we feel confident the committee will balance the need to get a leader in place with his or her qualifications.