By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
Dan Nicholas Park officials say the sentencing of 19-year-old Jerry Lane Harwood brings closure to a terrible tragedy that has affected people throughout Rowan County and beyond.
“It grieved not only our staff but our community,” testified Don Bringle, Rowan Parks and Recreation director, at Harwood’s hearing in Rowan County Superior Court on Friday.
Bringle verified that 43 animals died in the March 19, 2006 Petting Barn fire. “They were there the day before when I left work,” he said, “and when our staff left there that night. I’m glad to see that we can get closure to this.”
Bob Pendergrass, Nature Center supervisor, was also at the hearing, but did not testify. He said in a telephone interview Friday afternoon that it was difficult to sit through the sentencing hearing and relive the events surrounding the fire.
“It’s hard to say how I really feel about it,” Pendergrass said. “There is some sort of closure to it, but it doesn’t really change anything. It’s just a tragedy for a lot of people, not just the staff of the park but all the children and all the people who go to the park.
“People here in Rowan County and even beyond have a personal investment and love for the place.”
Pendergrass said he hopes everyone, “including Mr. Harwood, can move forward and some healing can take place.”
County officials, with donations from the community, have rebuilt the Petting Barn and restocked it with animals. Admission is 50 cents, and children under a year old get in free.
Dan Nicholas Park is located at 6800 Bringle Ferry Road. For more information, call the park at 704-636-0154 or log onto its Web site at www. dannicholas.net.Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-7683.