Light display could have drawn interest
At our Aug. 17 commissioner meeting, we asked staff to work with Miller-Davis to develop the framework for a contract that would be a “win-win” for all. Specifically for Rowan County, there were to be no costs and liabilities for this initial one-year contract. I was ready to discuss and vote on such a contract but didn’t have the opportunity.
There was more at play than a contract for Glittering Nights, and I looked at this opportunity not just in isolation but as a much broader benefit to citizens.
This is what Rowan County needs: Jobs, jobs and more jobs! With unemployment around 14 percent, we cannot afford to miss any opportunity to bring one short- or long-term job to Rowan! Our citizens need jobs, our merchants need customers ó not a single Rowan business is turning work away!
Also, think about the other economic development opportunities this would bring to Rowan: increased exposure. For example, McAdenville’s annual Christmas display entertains about 300,000 cars. If we only entertained 30,000 cars during this event, this is still an excellent opportunity to fill restaurants and stores with paying customers!
With Rowan in the center of half the U.S. population, this event could have attracted new prospects for our EDC that aren’t even on its prospect list yet.
Salesmanship 101 is that you build a relationship over time and with conscious effort so that when the time is right, you can make the sale. The same is true in politics. We can debate and differ in our opinions; however, we should always give the upmost respect to those who bring economic development opportunities to Rowan County.
Rowan County must become more business friendly, with a vision of moving our county forward.
ó Jon Barber
Mt. Ulla
Barber is vice chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.
Christmas unlit
I was disappointed that Salisbury didn’t get the Christmas Light Park. I understand and know how the commissioners drag their feet on something that should have been done earlier.
Rowan could have had tour buses and cars come in from out of town; we drive to Tanglewood and McAdenville to see the lights. How nice it would have been for Salisbury to have one so close. As for hot chocolate, most buses stop at restaurants; this would have been a lot more revenue for our county. Meals amount to a lot more than hot chocolate.
Tina Hall and other commissioners, maybe you don’t have or get the Christmas spirit or travel to other towns. Maybe you should put this on your Christmas list. Rowan will never grow because you don’t want to try new things. If it didn’t work, who said you had to do it next year? As the saying goes, “Don’t knock it until you try it.”
I’m sorry Midwest won’t relocate in Rowan, all the citizens don’t feel the way you do. I’m also sorry that 20-50 people who might have found work still won’t have a job this Christmas.
ó Jane Fuller
Salisbury
Bush left problems
Regarding the Sept. 3 letter from Lee Jacobs (‘Cost of living’):
Where were you when former President Bush was taking us down the road to destruction?
Where were you when Social Security was being loaned out at no interest and not paid back?
Where were you when Medicare was being broken by fraud and greed?
The above did not happen on President Obama’s watch.
Food prices have shown signs of decreasing, and why not use our most powerful source of energy and have windmills? You can get a kit to build your own windmill off of the Internet and the price is right. A generator can be installed to keep the windmill running when there is no wind.
Former President Clinton gave former President Bush a balanced budget, a payment on the national debt and a surplus. In turn, Bush gave President Obama a war and a depression. Therefore, we all have to make sacrifices such as giving up Social Security raises and state retirement raises.
Mr. Jacobs, President Obama has a direct phone line into the White House for questions, solutions and concerns. You may wish to call it.
ó Beverley Monroe
Salisbury