Granite Quarry welcomes new doctor, junior firefighters

By Mark Wineka

mwineka@salisburypost.com

GRANITE QUARRY — The town will have a new, full-time physician in November when Dr. David Caron of Novant Health starts practicing at 113 Brown St. in the center across from the Post Office.

He will be assisted by Christy Smith, a registered nurse.

Caron introduced himself to the Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen Monday night, and his announcement was greeted with a standing ovation.

A native of New Jersey, Caron moved to North Carolina about a year ago. He specializes in internal medicine and pediatrics.

Town officials received more good news Monday night when they were introduced to members of the Granite Quarry Junior Firefighter Muster Team, which recently came in first at the second annual Rowan County Junior Firefighter Muster.

It is the second year in a row the Granite Quarry team won.

Members of the team, coached by Jimmy Barnette, included Nick Price, Eric Beaver, Jeremy Blevins, Candace Fraley and Parker Gobbel.

Team members showed off some of their muster trophies to the board Monday night. Fire Chief David Morris said the department may have to build a new trophy case to hold all the hardware.

In other business, town officials are hoping that Fred's Department Store, the Brinkley Center and Oglesby Center can be designated stops in Granite Quarry for the proposed East Rowan Express, which will provide daily bus service linking the eastern part of the county to Salisbury, southern Rowan and Kannapolis.

Mayor Pro Tem William Feather will be Granite Quarry's liaison to Rowan Transit as the service is developed.

Town Manager Dan Peters said the town will start conversations with property owners to make sure the proposed stops are OK with them.

Elsewhere in Granite Quarry:

- Aldermen approved Carolina Siteworks' bid of $191,820 for a culvert replacement and street repair on Bank Street. The company's bid was lowest out of seven considered.

- Maintenance director Kim Cress said a new lens has been installed on the side of the Granite Lake clock facing U.S. 52. The lens looked as though it had been damaged by shots from a pellet gun, Cress said.

- Fire Chief Morris reported that his department was able to purchase 1,200 feet of 1-year-old hose at the same price it was going to buy 700 feet of new hose. The slightly used hose comes with a five-year guarantee, Morris said.

- Jim Lefevers, a member of the town's recycling committee, expressed concern about a lack of recycling in the town. In his neighborhood of 25 homes, he said, only two are participating in the town's recycling program, he added.

He called on town officials to find ways of making it more advantageous for citizens to recycle.

- Granite Quarry resident Crystal Lambert, 25, told the board she is trying to become a contestant in an upcoming Miss North Carolina pageant and is in the process of looking for sponsors.

Lambert is an employee at the Wallace and Graham law firm while also pursuing a degree in political science with hopes of entering law school later.

- A recent pancake breakfast sponsored by the Fire Department's ladies auxiliary raised about $400, Morris reported.

- The Parks and Recreation Committee will hold its quarterly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 15.

- Aldermen agreed to Dr. Carol Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, as the municipal replacement for Phil Kirk on the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission. Municipalities are being asked to approve the appointment.

- Aldermen approved resolutions making changes to the town's personnel and safety policies. A risk management consultant with the N.C. League of Municipalities recommended the changes.

- "Story Telling in the Park" will be held from 10 a.m.-2p.m. Oct. 17 at Granite Lake Park, with "Music in the Park" to follow.