SALISBURY — The city needs more volunteers to serve on a dozen boards and commissions that help run the city and sometimes make recommendations to City Council.
City Council appoints members, including the 126 people currently serving. Terms have expired for 50 seats, and more than half of the members have agreed to renew their terms, said Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Blackwell, who recruits people to serve.
“That’s an indicator that serving on boards and commissions in Salisbury is a very satisfying process,” Blackwell said.
Eighteen people are unable to continue serving, many because they have already reached their limit of two terms.
Mayor Paul Woodson on Tuesday encouraged other residents to step up.
“We need your guidance, we need your help,” Woodson said. “We need private citizens to help us make these decisions.”
To receive an application, call City Clerk Myra Heard at 704-638-5224 or apply online at www.salisburync.gov and click on “government” and then “boards and commissions.”
Appointments and openings include:
• Alternate Methods of Design Commission
One term expiring, Rodney Queen reappointed, no vacancies.
• Community Appearance Commission
Six terms expiring, Raemi Evans and Shelley Harper Palmer reappointed, new member Jeremy Gardner appointed and three vacancies.
• Greenway Committee
Three terms expiring, Benjamin Davis, Amy Smith and Dr. John Wear Jr. all reappointed. No vacancies.
• Historic Preservation Commission
Four terms expiring, Acey Worthy reappointed, three vacancies.
• Housing Advocacy Commission
Four terms expiring, Anne Lyles, William Peoples and Barbara Perry reappointed, one vacancy.
• Human Relations Council
Two terms expiring, Timothy Okeke and David Post reappointed. No vacancies.
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Four terms expiring, Mary Arey, Brian Miller, Bobby Rusher and Amy Smith reappointed. No vacancies.
• Salisbury Planning Board
Four terms expiring, Will Hasselmann, Patricia Ricks and David Post reappointed, one vacancy. Blackwell commented on Bill Wagoner’s long and valuable service on the planning board. Wagoner reached his term limit.
• Tourism & Cultural Development Commission
Four terms expiring, Mark Lewis, Krista Osterweil, Barbara Perry and David Redden all reappointed. No vacancies.
• Transportation Advisory Board
Four terms expiring, Kay Boyd, Sam Faust and Price Wagoner reappointed, one vacancy.
• Tree Board
Three terms expiring, Linda Jones reappointed, one vacancy. Councilman Pete Kennedy asked City Council to waive the term limit for Johnny Safrit so he could continue serving on the Tree Board. The council agreed and Safrit was reappointed.
The council also agreed to have Darrell Blackwelder serve as an advisor and non-voting member.
• Zoning Board of Adjustment
Six terms expiring, Anne Lyles, Frank Thomason and Robert Cockerl were reappointed. Three vacancies.
Blackwell and Councilman Brian Miller also recommended that City Council change the makeup of the Housing Advocacy Commission from 12 members to nine and codify the representation of three neighborhood advocates, three landlords and three at-large members. The council approved the changes.
“That puts into the text the spirit of what we intended when we created this board two years ago,” Miller said.

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.