A company wanting to do a Christmas light show in the county-owned industrial park isn’t getting a glowing invitation.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners discussed, mulled and debated the issue this week, coming to no conclusion.
Chairman Steve Blount said he and Commissioner Arnold Chamberlain had met with representatives of the company which would like to use the Summit Corporate Center for a show like the one at Tanglewood Park near Winston-Salem.
Blount said the company considered Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium a year ago.
County Manager Tim Russell said the stadium had two major drawbacks. Sufficient electricity wasn’t available, and holding the event in Kannapolis was not attractive to the sponsoring Salisbury Merchants Association.
Blount expressed some reservations about holding the show in the industrial park. He pointed out that while it would be very attractive at night, there would be a mass of wires and bulbs in the daytime.
Commissioner Leda Belk agreed, saying Summit is not suitable.
Chamberlain said he didn’t think the light show would have a negative impact on the park.
Commissioner Frank Tadlock lobbied for putting the show at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.
“Do we have to be involved?’ asked Vice Chairman Gus Andrews after an extended discussion.
He suggested that the county would be giving a stamp of approval and perhaps an unfair edge to the company.
Tadlock agreed that such a show could be detrimental to churches that put on various Christmas-related events.
County Manager Tim Russell said Summit may well be off the table, since the roads within the park are public roads.
Unable to reach a consensus, Blount said he will invite company representatives to meet with the board, if they are still interested.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com
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