By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
County commissioners have taken the Rowan County Planning Board back to the future.
Voting Tuesday night, commissioners took the size of the board back to 11 members. Last year, commissioners reduced the board to nine members.
And commissioners also brought back two former members, Dr. Ann Furr and John Linker.
Commissioners picked five candidates from among the 24 applicants for four available slots ó two new ones and two vacant seats.
Commissioner Jim Sides nominated Steve Russell for reappointment, but failed to get any additional votes.
Commissioner Tina Hall nominated Linker, of Granite Quarry, and Kannapolis resident Mike Caskey. Both won unanimous approval.
Linker is a former Granite Quarry mayor and also served as chairman of the Planning Board.
Commissioner Jon Barber nominated Greg Edds, a Salisbury insurance agent and board Chairman Arnold Chamberlain nominated Furr, a veterinarian. They were also approved unanimously.
The new members will take office at the Planning Board’s Feb. 25 meeting. They will join current members Mac Butner, Melanie Earle, Carl Ford, Ed Hammill, Barbara Lomax, Donna Poteat and Terry Hill, chairman.
In other matters, the board:
– Agreed to extend until May 1 an option Keith Corporation of Charlotte has to purchase property in Summit Corporate Center. The extension will allow the county to conduct a required public hearing and vote on the sale at its March 17 meeting.
– Agreed to accept Tyler Keryluk Consultants’ bid of $71,500 for a county-owned house at 1127 S. Main St. The sale is subject to the 10-day upset bid process.
– Set the minimum acceptable value for two other former group homes. The county will start the bidding process at $155,000 for a house at 418 S. Carolina Ave., Spencer, and $225,000 for a house and seven acres at 6205 N.C. 150 W.
– Approved budget amendments to show receipt of additional funds, including $3,000 from Wal-Mart to purchase promotional materials for Salisbury Rowan Crime Stoppers.
– Approved a request from Sheriff George Wilhelm to give Lt. John G. Noble his service sidearm. He will retire March 1 after 39 years of service.
– Approved a resolution celebrating “100 Years of County Unity,” the theme for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners centennial.
– Approved a proclamation for Relay for Life designating April 22 as “Paint the County Purple Day.”
– Approved a proclamation recognizing March as American Red Cross Month.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette @salisburypost.com.