Downtown site makes sense
In response to recent letters about the school offices, I believe that locating the office in the downtown is the most insightful decision the Rowan-Salisbury School System and the county could make.
The assertion that there is no parking downtown is ridiculous. There are more than 3,600 parking spaces downtown, more than any other single location in the county. There are 140 dedicated spaces in the downtown proposal, spaces that will be shared during nonbusiness hours, by those frequenting plays, events or the many restaurants open in our vibrant downtown. These spaces will also support the growth of the farmers market on Saturday.
Since 1980 some $117 million has been invested in our downtown, leading to a net gain of over 1,000 jobs. Most of this has been private investment by a variety of people. Locating the office downtown will continue that momentum and also benefit RSSS as employees will be able to walk to banks, restaurants, the library and other services rather than spending more time in their cars, traveling from a remote location to those services. The school system itself could use other close by community facilities like the Meroney or Norvell theaters when such spaces were needed.
As I read the recent letters to the editor, I think we should ask what motivates certain people to locate this office out of the downtown, away from the other county offices. The city of Salisbury represents around 3 percent of the land mass of the county and about 25 percent of the tax base. Salisbury and the downtown is an economic engine for the entire County. The responsible thing for the county to do would be to support locating the office in downtown Salisbury. It would not be in the public’s interest to do otherwise.
— Michael S. Young
Salisbury
Thanks for sharing
I just finished lunch at Rowan Helping Ministries, and I am forever grateful for those who prepare and serve the noon meal.
In February 2009, I learned about the noon meal while I was homeless for the first time in Salisbury. At the time, I did not take advantage of that situation because I still had some money. But when I returned from Lexington in April 2010, I needed the Helping Ministries’ free meal because I had no money.
Thanks to all those out there who give me gifts of cash and fast food. I am trying to influence society by being an example of a Christian who is living in a depressed economy, which may get worse. In conclusion, let’s all try to share with each other out of the goodness of our hearts.
— Michael Kondek
Salisbury
Property damaged
I own a nice piece of property and a house on Wildwood Road. But due to the fact private property does not mean anything to thieves, it has become a burden to me. I hope whoever keeps destroying what belongs to me has felt good about what they have done. You stole copper from my heating unit. Then you came back, gutted the rest of the components and broke into the house. I will get my reward when you die because I know where you will go, and that will make my day.
— Peggy Shuping
Salisbury