“I don’t know what your experience has been with public schools, but teachers don’t throw away a lot.” — Kay Wright Norman, Rowan-Salisbury School Board, on school materials found in county recycling center

“If it doesn’t happen, we’ll be fine, but we’re missing a great opportunity.” — Dave Loflin, Thread Shed owner, on building a central office for the schools in downtown Salisbury

“We need net new dollars.” — Carol Spalding, Rowan-Cabarrus president, on new funding formulas for N.C. community colleges

“I had so many people say, ‘Just get over it,’ but it’s not that easy after being displaced.” — Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen, singer, on losing everything in Hurricane Katrina

“I guess I’ll be doing it until I can’t.” — Roxie Linker, volunteer, on sorting clothes for the Salvation Army for 18 years

“It’s a big tax payer but we’re also a big county with a lot of taxpayers.” — Robert Van Geons, RowanWorks director, on potential impact of taking Salisbury Mall off the tax books