A traffic accident early this morning left a homeless man dead. The 51-year-old man — whose identity has not been released because the family hasn’t been notified — died after a car struck him about 2:30 a.m.
Mark Timothy Whitaker, 20, of 235 Newport Drive, was driving a 1986 Chevy north on Old Concord Road when, according to the accident report, a man suddenly appeared in the road. Unable to stop the vehicle, Whitaker struck the pedestrian, throwing him 117 feet.
Neither Whitaker, nor passenger Harrison Wiggins, 69, of 3650 Spencer Forrest, were taken to the hospital after the accident that occurred near the intersection of Old Concord Road and Gold Hill Drive. The Rowan Rescue Squad transported the man’s body.
Whitaker’s car was traveling about 40 mph in a 45 mph zone. Police found no indication that Whitaker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They do suspect, however, that the pedestrian had been under the influence of some substance. Autopsy reports will clarify that.
Deputy Chief Mark Wilhelm said that no charges will be brought in the case. Police are working to locate the family of the man who had no known home in Salisbury.
More power companies interested in Rowan
BY JESSIE BURCHETTE
County officials have confirmed that more power companies are looking at Rowan County as a site for generating facilities.
And the welcome mat is out.
“Several other companies have expressed an interest,” said County Manager Tim Russell.
Carolina Power and Light’s peak generating facility off U.S. 70 is scheduled to go on line this summer. Entergy, one of the nation’s largest energy companies, has announced plans to build a similar peak load facility next to CP&L.
Late last week, Duke Power announced it is considering building a nearly $300 million peak load facility at its Buck Steam plant east of Spencer on the banks of the Yadkin River.
The three projects would represent nearly $1 billion in investment in the county.
The county’s current property value for its entire tax levy is just over $7.3 billion.
County officials aren’t naming the companies that have looked or may be looking at Rowan sites.
But they are enthusiastic that the same elements that attracted CP&L, Entergy and Duke will bring others.
Those elements are a major power distribution line, an intercontinental natural gas line and water from the Yadkin River.
Russell said that once the county was able to work with CP&L and find the company a site, other companies started looking.
Russell and County Commission Chairman Steve Blount cite the long-term potential benefits to the county — a substantial boost in the tax base without significant demands on the roads, schools or other county services.
Another big plus for the county is that utilities tend to keep their value.
“These are not companies that will close up and move,” said Russell.
The county will continue to offer its incentive package of up to 85 percent of the taxes due for the first five years, minus the cost of utilities.
“In North Carolina, we have taken electricity seriously,” said Russell, pointing out that the generating facilities are good for the county, the region and the state.
While the numbers of jobs attached to the facilities are small, the potential boost to the tax base is enormous.
Companies based in North Carolina are regulated through the state Utilities Commission which will play a large role in deciding the tax value.
All of the assessed value of property owned by companies outside the state, such as Entergy, are taxable.
With the tax rebates or refunds coming in the first few years, it will be three years or more before the major tax benefits come into the county coffers.
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