GRANITE QUARRY — Town staff members have given Grateful Heart Ministries a thumbs up to continue operations after visiting its old Shuford School location.
Town Manager Dan Peters said a zoning inspection found Johnny Morgan and Grateful Heart to be in compliance with a conditional-use permit approved by the town last June.
“The inspection of the fire and police chiefs found everything in order and no code violations,” Peters added.
Peters said the town staff and Morgan had a good, cordial meeting. He also praised the ministry for having a nice, clean operation and distributing a large percentage of its food to local residents.
Asked how many people were on the site, Peters put the number at 13 to 14 “guests.”
Peters made his report at Monday’s meeting of the Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen.
Meanwhile, the town has arranged for Morgan to meet with neighbors around the old school at 6 p.m. May 20 at Town Hall.
In April, members of the Granite Quarry Community Development Club had plenty of questions for the town board about what was going on at the old school on Dunns Mountain Road.
They cited concerns about vandalism, possible drug use, the theft of copper, new construction and what was described as “a growing number of people in that building.”
One resident wanted to know whether the place was a halfway house, and residents have questioned why so many people are staying on the site.
In another matter Monday, Peters reported that several residents already are driving their golf carts on city streets, thanks to a new golf cart ordinance.
Police Chief Mark Cook said his department had no documented accidents or complaints connected to golf carts so far. He estimated that six to seven are being driven on the streets with more coming in the future.
“We’re probably going to wind up with about 10,” Cook said.
During a budget work session earlier Monday, aldermen discussed the probability the town will charge golf cart owners a $5 annual fee for a sticker to be displayed on the vehicle.
Mayor Pro Tem Jim LaFevers asked why police officers couldn’t stop golf carts they see to make sure they are in compliance with the ordinance.
Cook said officers usually can tell without stopping the carts, except for knowing whether the driver has a valid driver’s license. He hinted that he didn’t necessarily want his officers stopping the carts without good reason.
In other Granite Quarry business:
• Aldermen approved the hiring of Kim Rabon as the new town clerk. She will begin work May 12. Aldermen went briefly into executive session to discuss Rabon’s hiring, emerged to approve it, then watched as Rowan County Clerk of Court Jeff Barger swore her in.
She replaces Lydia Larios, who went to work for the Salisbury Housing Authority.
• Sarah Cross reported the town’s annual Plants in the Park Day at Granite Lake Park was “very successful.”
Other events coming up include Let’s Get Connected Day with its installation of a Peace Pole from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 17 and a Fish for Fun Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 7. Sign-ups for the fishing start May 19.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.