BY JESSIE BURCHETTE
SALISBURY POST

CHINA GROVE — For those who think committees and commissions talk a lot but never get anything done, take a drive along China Grove’s Main Street.

As dark settles on the town, dozens of snowflake lights brighten the street through the business district.

The new Christmas lights are the work of a new group, the Community Appearance Commission.

Former county commissioner Jamima DeMarcus heads the panel, which is a marriage of sorts between the town board’s old China Grove Beautification Commission and the China Grove Board of Trade. It has members from both groups, as well as others who want to make improvements in the appearance of the community.

The team expected to take three years to raise the money for the Christmas lights project and planned to buy a few lights each year. But with new zeal and vigor, the community has already raised enough money to buy 85 wrought-iron snowflakes.

While the Christmas lights may be their most visible success, commission members have been hard at work on assorted projects.

When merchants complained that the downtown crape myrtles were scratching cars and making a mess by dropping blooms, the commission stepped in to trim the trees and clean the sidewalks.

More recently, more than 20 residents turned out to plant pansies around the crape myrtles. Allan Goodman of Goodman’s Farm Supply directed that effort.

For Christmas, the commission decorated the Municipal Building and the town gazebo in Hanna Park. The commission also sponsored the annual business and home decorating contest.

Visions of future

DeMarcus said the group already has visions of what will come next. The January meeting will feature a brainstorming session where members will put forth ideas on new projects.

The board meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building. DeMarcus urged residents who have ideas or who want to help to attend the meetings.

One idea that is likely to be adopted is planting flowers or shrubs and adding signage at the recently redesigned North Main Street and U.S. 29 intersection. The town has requested permission for the project from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The signs would mark the entrance to China Grove.

Plan for parks

DeMarcus said the commission also hopes to work toward increasing participation in recycling and boosting the town’s parks. The commission supports the town’s decision to develop several small parks all over town.

“Instead of having one big park,” DeMarcus said, “it’s great to have small neighborhood parks where families can walk to. It’s a good idea.”

The commission is involved in several other projects, including the selection of a Yard of the Month. Julia Wilson and Terry King head up that effort.

Commission members can also get plenty of exercise picking up litter along a 2-mile section of U.S. 29 North. DeMarcus noted that the South Rowan ROTC has helped with several trash pickups.

The commission has also provided help for older residents by raking leaves and doing minor yard work. DeMarcus hopes to expand that service.

Getting a lot done

Judy Haire, a former president of the Board of Trade, said the new commission is getting a lot done.

“It’s has worked real well,” Haire said, “and accomplished a lot in a short time.”

Haire, a member of the commission, is eager to see what ideas are advanced at the January meeting.

At a recent meeting of the Board of Trade, outgoing president Jerry Hagler praised the commission for its work.

“It has done a lot of good things,” he said, “and advanced our Vision 2010 goals dramatically.”

Hagler gave credit for much of the success to the leadership of DeMarcus.

“When she decides to do something,” he said, “it usually gets done.”