A cool welcome for new residents?
I am a new resident to North Carolina as well as Salisbury. My husband grew up here. We thought this would be a great place for our children to complete their high school education.
However, I have been searching for employment here for the last eight months, in every setting you can think of. I have worked in the medical field, and I am an experienced receptionist with 10-plus years.
I do not understand what the problem is. Is it the fear of the unknown? Those of us who come here from large cities want to feel welcome. We don’t feel welcome, and I have spoken to others that have the same problem. We are not looking for something to tide us over. We have bills to pay, just like the lifelong residents of Salisbury. We are good hard-working people, with morals and values just like you have.
Give us a chance, we want to work, we need to work. Help us be productive, contributing members of our new home.
ó Gayle Watson
Salisbury
Inspiring example
What a pleasure it was to read the March 30-31 articles about Lynne Scott Safrit in the Post. With all the negative things getting our attention, it gives one a lift to see in black and white an individual, “home-grown” if you will, who has accomplished so much and yet has her feet firmly on the ground, with her family and church etc.
ó Robert Pollara
Salisbury
Everybody will pay
Most city residents are probably now aware that the city of Salisbury is proposing to involuntarily annex the N.C. 150 West corridor. As a city resident, perhaps you think that there is no need to “get involved” because it won’t affect you. But city residents, beware!
This is one of the largest annexations in city history and is sure to be the most expensive. Maybe you think that all these costs will be covered by the increased revenues coming only from the newly annexed residents ó so no skin off your back. But look again. Even using the city’s optimistic estimates, these costs cannot be covered by the newly annexed revenues alone if taken at current tax and utility rates. So where will it come from? There are only a few choices: reduce spending on services to existing city residents, increase the existing property tax rate and increase existing utility rates. These would affect all city residents ó not just the newly annexed ones.
As a city resident, are you willing to pay more taxes and utility fees to support the involuntary annexation of county residents that neither need nor want the city services that you will be helping to pay for? I am a city resident on a fixed income, and I know what my answer is. I do not support this costly annexation. City residents have a stake in this, too, and should let the City Council know that we oppose this annexation.
ó Sandra Bearden
Salisbury