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CHINA GROVE — Water, taxes, and growth are key issues in the race for Town Council, but the Nov. 6 election may be a referendum on the incumbents.
Six challengers are trying to unseat three incumbents, Harry Rogers, Vernon Johnson and John Miller.
Most of the challengers are clearly targeting Miller and Johnson. They say residents are fed up with them, the bickering, the spending and the way they do the town’s business.
Gilbert Mesimer, the dean of China Grove elections, is predicting a heavy turnout aimed at getting rid of Miller and Johnson.
Mesimer, who has won at least 14 previous elections as mayor and alderman, is also on the ballot this time.
Across the board challengers say residents want to clean house. One candidate quoted a voter as saying “there are three we want to get rid of and one we want to run out of town.”
Steve Stroud, a former police chief and veteran of the town’s political intrigue, said everybody is tired of pettiness and board members doing things for personal gain.
“We elect people who seem to be sensible … Then you wonder what happened to that fellow I used to know,” said Stroud.
Miller and Johnson are standing firm on their records of accomplishments, from hiring the first town manager, to major improvements in the town’s water system and the just concluded agreement to bring Salisbury water to China Grove.
Rogers, in his first term on the board, hasn’t been timid about expressing his disagreements with the council on several issues. But Rogers’ laser wit often fills the council chamber with laughter.
Challengers and incumbents agree on keeping taxes low, fixing water problems, and retaining the small town atmosphere.
All are caught in a bit of a quandary. They’re running for the China Grove Town Council, but the ballot will show Board of Aldermen.
The governing body opted to make the change to Council earlier this year.
Following is a brief look at the candidates:
Barbara Doby
Barbara Doby spent almost eight years on the Board of Aldermen and doesn’t like what she has seen and heard .
“I’m appalled at the way the mayor (Joseph Sloop) has been treated. He’s the man to lead the board and the town. He does a great PR job for the town.
“During the last four years, our board has lost respect of the people. The board members have been petty and selfish.”
Doby thinks the town needs a board that looks after the public good and treats the mayor with the respect his office is due.
Vernon Johnson
Vernon Johnson believes that if people look at the record, he’s certain of re-election. “Look at where we were four years ago before this board came on, and look where we are now.”
Johnson makes no apologies for the council taking the commanding role and pushing the mayor aside.
“The mayor is ceremonial. He doesn’t have power. He can only vote if there is a tie.
“If you’ve got a board that wants to get the job done, the mayor is going to get overrode and that is what has happened,” said Johnson, adding that it started when the mayor refused to sign loan agreements for the water line replacement project.
The board then empowered Johnson to sign papers, borrowing near $3 million.
Johnson can tick off a long list of accomplishments, including heading up the effort to hire the first town manager.
Rachel Masagee
When Rachel Masagee left the board several years ago, she didn’t go far.
Masagee frequently attends town meetings and pushes issues she feels strongly about.
Among her issues is the quality of water that many residents have to contend with. She claims many areas of the town were left out in the water system improvement project.
Masagee says the council should take more interest in the town and things that affect its residents.
“We need some changes. We need to replace some aldermen,” said Masagee. “We need to make sure the council services the residents.”
Gilbert Mesimer
For more than two decades, Gilbert Mesimer held the mayor’s post. He has a very definite view of the job.
Mesimer thinks the mayor should set the tone and provide leadership.
That has been turned on its ear by board members who run the show.
“I would not have a meeting without the mayor calling the meeting,” said Mesimer.
During the past year or more, aldermen have routinely called for meetings, effectively bypassing the mayor.
Mesimer makes clear he has never considered himself a politician and never viewed China Grove as a stepping stone to other political offices.
John Miller
John Miller laughs at the idea folks may want to oust him.
Miller focuses instead on the accomplishments to the town. “Look at the last four years, all of the accomplishments, and compare that to the past 10 years and the very few accomplishments. I will stand on my record.”
He cites his success in heading the Fire Department, including getting a new fire truck and in providing better medical care through a First Responders Unit. He also cites improvements in the Police Department and a major effort against drug dealers.
While calling Mayor Joe Sloop his friend, Miller has a different view of the mayor’s job.
“The mayor serves at the pleasure of the board. The mayor is not to take the lead. He has to follow the lead the board sets,” said Miller, explaining that in the past, it was turned around. “Back then, the mayors assumed the lead and they should not have.”
Miller said he is confident of the outcome and is planning a victory party.
Roy Patterson
Roy Patterson had a learning experience two years ago when he ran for the board.
He came up 25 votes short, without running much of a campaign. These days he’s putting up signs, shaking hands and doing a lot of listening.
And he’s spent several evenings attending council meetings, listening and taking notes.
“The council doesn’t show respect for the office of mayor,” said Patterson. He views the role of mayor as equivalent to chairman of the board, a leadership role.
He believes the mayor and council should focus on getting business and industry, creating more jobs.
Patterson said residents are unhappy with the curt responses they get from town employees and inability to get a straight answer.
Harry Rogers
Two years ago, Harry Rogers ran for the Board of Aldermen as a lark.
He didn’t campaign or put up a sign. He left town for a couple of weeks at election time.
Once he was sworn in, he has taken the job seriously, studying issues and asking a lot of questions.
Early on, when other aldermen weren’t sharing information with him, Rogers wasn’t shy to call names and push for equal treatment.
He concedes that most voters are mostly interested in getting rid of a couple of incumbents.
And Rogers is hopeful that after the election shakedown, the next council can build a team effort with the mayor in the lead.
Steve Stroud
Steve Stroud has been in and out of China Grove town government. Fifteen years ago, he was fired as the town’s police chief, one of many to suffer that fate. Among the allegations was that he made a disparaging remark about the town. Stroud sued the town, but the suit was later dismissed.
Stroud has continued to work in law enforcement and continues to call China Grove home.
Stroud would like to see an end to the bickering on the board and more customer friendly town employees.
He hasn’t been pleased by what he has seen from the current council.
“It’s pettiness. People do things to make them look good, rather than look after the public good,” said Stroud.
“The mayor should be pointing the direction. When you got five people in charge, its hard to guide that ship.”
Linda Williams
Linda Williams has something in common with a growing number of China Grove and Rowan residents.
She is one of thousands who have lost their jobs due to plant closings and layoffs.
She had worked at Ball Metals for over 20 years when the plant closed more than two years ago.
Williams is astounded at the difference between the China Grove Planning Board and the council. “We work together, the planning board is fabulous. We communicate. We don’t have the bickering of the council.”
She thinks the town would be better served with improved communication and more concentrated effort on improving the business district and bringing in more jobs.
Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com or call 704-797-4254.
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