As the new chief of the Rowan County Rescue Squad, I find our squad has come a long way in the last 62 years of service to the citizens of Rowan County.
Just in the last 10 months, we have rebuilt our operating budget, cut out thousands of dollars of cost and reassigned that savings back into capital purchases. So far in 2013, the squad bought a new ambulance and refurbished the mobile air supply truck. With the addition of seven new volunteers on our roster this year and more on the way, we are focused on our mission of providing superior medical and rescue services to all citizens. With an aging fleet of ambulances and rescue trucks, a five-year capital improvement plan was established, approved by the executive board and off we went.
As a United Way member agency, we pride ourselves on helping others in time of need. Whether we’re at a school football game ready to respond to an injured player or on the scene of a terrible wreck, the members of Rowan Rescue Squad are always ready and happy to utilize their expertise and lend a hand to anyone.
The squad receives about 8 percent of our operating revenue from the Rowan County United Way. As the chief, I would like to reach out to all citizens and employees of Rowan County and ask that you look a little harder, dig a little deeper and help us to make our goal again this year.
— Eddie G. Cress
Salisbury
Cress is the chief of the Rowan County Rescue Squad.

This letter is to endorse Brian Miller for re-election to the Salisbury City Council.
Last fall, Brian attended a meeting at the Milford Hills Methodist Church to hear from the Milford Hills and Meadowbrook neighborhoods concerning Statesville Boulevard between West Innes Street and Jake Alexander Boulevard — whether Statesville Boulevard should be restriped as it is now or whether it should be reduced to one lane in each direction with a center turn lane and bicycle lanes.
With a large turnout, the overwhelming sentiment was to leave the road the way it is now. Reducing lanes would have made it unsafe and almost impossible to make left-hand turns out of Milford Hills and Meadowbrook. The city’s traffic counts show 13,500-14,500 vehicles per day on Statesville Boulevard. City engineers are taught that at 9,600 vehicles per day, you should widen a street from two to four lanes.
Brian Miller paid attention to the facts and the feelings of the neighborhood in leading City Council to not change Statesville Boulevard. Brian deserves the vote of our neighborhoods and all of Salisbury.
— Harold Poole
Salisbury

Darrell Hinnant served 12 years on the Kannapolis City Council. He also served on the Cabarrus County Water-Sewer Authority, setting policies to ensure adequate water supply beyond year 2040. Using his AB and MAT in chemistry from UNC-CH, he spent 27 years in corporate America. He’s been COO and CFO for a Charlotte multinational chemical company. Darrell has 35-plus years of business experience, understanding small and large businesses and operating his own technology business for the past 12 years.
He served North Carolina for over three years, working for Governor Martin’s Department of Commerce. Darrell acquired valuable skills and knowledge of state government.
He’s a longtime advocate for our-well trained, professionally equipped police and fire departments. He’s supported Village Park, amphitheater, concerts, splashpad and picnic facilities. He is committed to Kannapolis being a community of business and citizen-centered opportunities.
Current members of City Council have endorsed Darrell Hinnant with letters to the editor stating that he is the most qualified, with “institutional knowledge” (background and experience) to lead our city forward.
Darrell has served Trinity Methodist in leadership positions since 1975, currently as chairman of the Church Council. For over 30 years he has been a Sunday School teacher where class members come to be challenged through stimulating discussions yet respecting diverse viewpoints. His knowledge of the Bible is as deep as his faith.
He is a family man with a married son, daughter and five grandchildren. Connie, his wife of 44 years, died this year after a long illness. Darrell was her primary caregiver.
During the mayor’s forum, it became obvious that Darrell’s positive vision for Kannapolis is creative and an effective path to bringing jobs, jobs, jobs to our community. He thinks on his feet, expressing thoughts clearly with answers and opinions with substance. Darrell Hinnant, our next mayor!
— Martha Macon
Kannapolis

Over the past four years I have had the opportunity to see Kannapolis leadership in action. Only one mayoral candidate stands out as having been actively engaged. That is Tom Kincaid.
He attends new business openings and ribbon cuttings, participates in community watch meetings, has been a leader in different organizations and traveled as a councilman with the city to promote Kannapolis in Washington and other places. What I like about Tom is that he doesn’t make empty promises. He’s creative and works with his resources to make things happen. He doesn’t take individual credit for things it took a team to accomplish.
I recently heard someone say that being mayor is more than ribbon cuttings. They are right. It’s about partnering and teaming with businesses and the community. A ribbon cutting typically celebrates a new business or a new office. Why would a council member or mayor put themselves above this task? Tom understands our first priorities are economic development through a vibrant school system and successful businesses in the community. These are the base to build the economic engine for employers and residents to choose Kannapolis.
Anyone who promises a certain number of jobs without letting others know how it can be accomplished is spitting in the wind. The mayor doesn’t bring jobs. A team effort of community, city council, city staff and economic development with a willing suitor makes this happen. Vote Tom Kincaid for Kannapolis mayor.
— Joe Trull
Kannapolis

It is my honor and pleasure to support and endorse Doug Wilson for the Kannapolis City Council. Doug has contributed countless volunteer hours to support our community through his involvement with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Kannapolis Boosters Club.
He always acts with integrity, caring and thoughtfulness — traits that are useful during City Council deliberations. He has a commitment to public safety, increased parks and recreational programs and economic development within our city.
I believe Doug has an excellent background to contribute in serving on the Kannapolis City Council. His leadership and thoughtfulness will be evident in working with other council members and in applying decision-making for Kannapolis.
Thank you for your consideration of Doug Wilson for Kannapolis City Council.
— Roger Haas
Kannapolis