I just returned from China Sunday. It was my 10th trip there in the past two years. I was going to return and inform local leaders that we can get the textile jobs back, and then I saw the “Textile Resurgence” article in the Salisbury Post.
Textile manufacturing is changing and going more to automation. As the technical colleges grow in China, trained workers are moving into more high tech jobs. Also, China has become the largest market for textiles as its local markets grow. Designer clothes imported from the U.S. and Europe are flying off the shelves in the modern malls.
Salisbury could very well become the new hub for textiles produced for U.S. markets and for export. We will need more skilled labor to handle the new technology in manufacturing. A lot of the textiles are now moving from China to Vietnam, which has entered the market as many companies in China are having components for their products out-sourced to other countries. The salaries are increasing in China very rapidly, and the cost to make goods there is climbing.
The growth I have witnessed in the past two years there is more than the mind can comprehend. You have to see to believe. Many shoppers want U.S.-made products. The doors are open for selling U.S.-made products in China. We just introduced a new U.S. product into the market during my visit. If you have products that you would like to have sold in China or other export markets, RowanWorks (704-637-5526) is a great resource and can provide an array of assistance.  Contact Robert Van Geons and his team to discuss the possibilities. I am also working to get a China company to build a facility in the Salisbury area. But for now let’s bring the textile jobs home.
— Rodney Queen
Salisbury

Senator Burr, it’s with regret that I feel a need to write this letter to you. It concerns a letter published in the March 3 Salisbury Post regarding your reluctance to support a bill that would assist veterans in obtaining a job at the end of their active duty military commitment.
I’m quite sure you realize how awful the Democrats make you look. Remember, sir, less than 1 percent of today’s population are serving in the U.S. military. The last time this point was referred to was in the Gore/Bush election, in which 75 percent of active-duty military voted Republican. I expect these numbers carry over to the veterans. However, should the Republicans continue to act as they currently are acting toward the veterans, these numbers will probably change.
I would like to remind you, sir, that in Rowan County there are 14,000 veterans, out of a total 91,000 voters. This is a subject that I’m deeply passionate about, In addition to myself, my two sons are veterans. Sir, the Democrats on your committee are making you look foolish. The Republicans at the local, state and federal level are taking the low road and I feel are not supporting our veterans as well as they should. We are having the same problem with our local Republican politicians in Rowan County.
To veterans of Rowan County: Ensure before you vote in your local elections that your candidate is a U.S. veteran. In the event this is not an option, inquire about the candidate’s support on veteran issues.
To you, Senator Burr, I request that you write a letter to the Salisbury Post concerning the veteran’s bill. Please allow us to understand your point of view.
— A.H. Garner
Rockwell (USN-Ret.)