Why is the county getting into the mall business? While commissioners may be legally correct to hold a closed door meeting, why are they authorizing spending taxpayers money without any input from the taxpayer?
While Belk and Big Lots continue to pay taxes J.C. Penney will not. What are they doing to replace that tax revenue? How will evidence storage ever do that? How will county office space do that? Exactly what is the experience that the county commissioners have in retail or has landlords? The mall is poorly run, with many residents not aware of the stores in the mall. Did you know there is a Books A Million there? Few people do. Wait until local government takes over.
As of July 31 the mall’s occupancy rate was 63.19 percent with a net operating income of $1,183,142. Does that income include Belk, Penney and Big Lots? It may because this is how auction houses generate buzz for a sale. The mall has 316,964 square feet. The county is so excited in gaining 300,000 square feet. With the big three retailers gone, will the stores still in the mall be evicted by the commissioners?
Does a county residents buy a piece of property and ponder what the property can be used for? No. They have a clear business plan and have done their research. Then again, the commissioners are not operating with their money, so what does a million or so dollars mean to them?
The public fight over a new central school building continues while the mall is not being considered for housing the central office. Don’t believe this, but believe if you are disgusted with these “leaders” you have a voice, and it is called an election.
— Jim Whalen

Salisbury

Regarding the Sept. 7 letter from Carolyn Osian:
I don’t know who has been scaring you with images of someone “pulling the plug” on you because of the Affordable Healthcare Act, but I hope you will get correct information rather relying on them.
If you are 65 or older and on Medicare, your coverage does not change, except to get better. Seniors now get free annual exams, get free flu and pneumonia shots, get free screening for bone mass, cervical, breast and prostate cancer, diabetes and cholesterol screening … now with no co-pays.
Drugs are getting cheaper as the “donut hole” is shrinking and more generic drugs are available. If you have children or grandchildren, there are equally positive changes for them. If you know anyone who has been denied coverage or charged extra because they have been sick, that will change.
I hope you don’t leave this world for a very long time, and that you will avail yourself of good health care to keep you here.
— Nan Lund

Salisbury