China Grove candidates discuss growth, police

CHINA GROVE — One of the candidates for Town Council wore a bulletproof vest and carried a Glock automatic.

It wasn’t that Steve Stroud was expecting any heavy flak. The Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy took his dinner break to join six other candidates at a forum Tuesday night.

A former town police chief, Stroud was one of several challengers calling for improvements in the Police Department.

The Police Department and growth were the two dominant issues in the forum sponsored by the China Grove Board of Trade. The forum, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, drew about 30 spectators.

Incumbents John Miller and Vernon Johnson repeatedly cited the board’s record during the past four years. Johnson declared at several points that China Grove is in the best shape it has ever been in.

“We have the best Police Department we have ever had …” said Johnson, in support of Miller, who headed the department for more than a year.

But former Mayor Gilbert Mesimer, a candidate for the council, blasted the department. “We demand services,” he said. “Somebody needs to take hold.”

He went on to suggest that the only time people see police officers downtown is when they pick up their paychecks.

Stroud agreed that the town’s officers aren’t visible. Citing his 26 years in law enforcement, Stroud contended that there is more to being a small-town police officer than writing traffic tickets.

Stroud added that the Public Works Department has a similar image problem.

Miller pointed out that police officers concentrate on high crime areas, not the downtown. He cited figures comparing drug arrests in the 1990s that averaged 10 to 11 a year. “We had 122 drug arrests in 2009,” said Miller. “We’re getting the job done.”

Former Alderman Rachel Masagee suggested that the town has more police officers than towns of similar size. “They should be all over town,” said Masagee.

The forum gave all candidates a chance to answer three questions and make brief statements. About half of the session was devoted to written questions from the audience. Candidates responded at will to those questions.

Two candidates, incumbent Harry Rogers and former alderman Barbara Doby, were out of town.

The forum drew nearly four decades of mayors, including Mesimer, who served for 22 years, Jim Morton, Harold Simpson and current Mayor Joseph Sloop, who is serving his fourth year.

At one point, Mesimer took note of Sloop in the audience, saying that respect is needed for the office of mayor. “Mayor Sloop, you have my respect. If elected, I will give you my respect, ” said Mesimer.

“Thank you,” replied Sloop from the audience.

Mesimer also gave guarded support to the office of town manager and its current occupant, Ron Sutphin. “Your ears may be burning, and you may be red-faced, but I’ll support you.”

Mesimer expressed concern about the economy and its effect on China Grove. “Times are not good. We need to tighten our belts and get ready,” said Mesimer, suggesting the area faces a real disaster.

Miller responded that he doesn’t see gloom and doom and went on to cite tremendous strides in building the town and readying it for growth.

Most of the candidates advocated growth through annexation and work to bring in business and industry.

Roy Patterson said the Interstate 85 corridor is the town’s one shot at attracting quality industry. He pledged that if elected, he would work to set up a recruitment effort to go out and help bring in industry and business.

Patterson, who is making his second bid for the council, said the town must act to control areas around it to protect its future and quality of life.

Linda Williams also strongly endorsed recruitment of business and the need to deal with the town’s problems in an affordable manner.

Stroud provided the lightest moment during a generally grim-faced event. He pointed out that he has a proven track record for frugal spending. “I’ve raised five kids on a policemen’s salary. That proves I know how to squeeze a dollar.”

Masagee cited her long record of working on various community projects, including recreation and beautification.

She called for greater efforts to improve the streets, pick up trash and generally keep the town cleaner.

Masagee took issue with the recent $3-million project to replace water lines in large areas of town. While some may have good water, Masagee said, other areas have rust, dirt and very little pressure. She said she frequently runs two cycles on the washer to get water clean enough to wash her clothes.

She also called for testing to make sure that water is safe to drink.

Sue Williams, president of the Board of Trade, urged residents to go vote.

The election is Tuesday. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m. Polling places for the China Grove election are China Grove Middle School library for the North precinct and China Grove Community Building for the South precinct.

Voters will select three positions on the Town Council.

Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com  or 704-797-4254.