I am proud of Kannapolis and its people and pleased that I grew up here. It was good to return some nine years ago to become a resident again and serve as superintendent of Kannapolis City Schools until my retirement in 2001.

While I have great pride in Kannapolis, I am also deeply worried about the city’s future. The strong economic surge in the area that carried cities like Concord, Mooresville, Statesville and Salisbury to strong business growth has largely bypassed Kannapolis. Painfully, we have watched job losses and business closings and decisions by some businesses to locate elsewhere.

I have given careful thought to the vote for alcohol sales in Kannapolis. There are many good people on both sides of this issue, and we should respect those who differ from us. The legal sale of alcohol will not by itself solve all Kannapolis’ problems. But it is a key factor in an economic package, which can revitalize our sleeping economy.

If I thought for one second that alcohol sales as proposed would in any way harm our young people and adults, I would strongly urge defeat of the issue.

I do not think passage will harm our youth and adult citizens. I base my conclusion on the experience of a number of North Carolina cities that have had the legal sale of alcohol for a number of years.

We would serve our city and its people well by approving the March 5th referendum for a brighter future for Kannapolis.

— Edward B. Tyson

Kannapolis