LANDIS — Only one resident spoke during the board’s Monday night public hearing regarding annexation of some town-owned property, and the board completely agreed with her suggestion.
The town acquired six lots from the family of D.C. and Frances Linn that, if sold, could fund the passive park the town has been working to create for the last four years. Resident Nadine Cherry inquired about the board’s plans for the land, which sits on the east side of U.S. 29 behind Sonic Drive-In and Landis Plumbing, and suggested the town sell it.
The board plans to sell the property. The board approved incorporating the property into town limits. No one gave an opposing view during the meeting.
“D.C. Linn gave the property to the town and we were going to market the lots and use the money for the passive park,” said Town Manager Reed Linn.
The town has been working on the project since 2009 following the sudden death of the longtime residents. This puts the town a step closer to making the passive park a reality.
The couple owned the property at North Central Avenue, near the Landis Police Department, and dreamed of having a passive park downtown. The family wanted the property to get some use.
The town has pursued some grants and other funding sources, but most recently were given a home owned by the Linns to sell.
The board also:
• Approved Kenny Isenhour as school resource officer for Corriher-Lipe Middle School. Isenhour is a retired principal for the Rowan-Salisbury School System and a Landis reserve police officer.
“He’s got a good knowledge of how the school system works, he’s a reserve officer and we didn’t have the added expense of a vehicle and uniforms,” Linn said.
He added the town looks forward to working with Isenhour and feels as though he’s going to be a “great asset to our community.”
Resource officers were removed from the middle schools during the 2009-10 school year when the state cut funding to the school system. The state awarded the school system a grant of $234,000 a year for two years to help cover the cost of the officers.
The school system has said it expects to have officers in place by March.
China Grove made a similar decision to begin the hiring process for a school resource officer at China Grove Middle School.
• Approved a request from dentist Dr. Lucas Merrell regarding parking in the 100 block of West First Street.
Merrell has expanded his practice and will merge with Dr. John Kesler, who has a practice in Landis, and Dr. Raymond Lassiter in China Grove. The practice, which sits at the corner of South Main and West First streets, will need additional staff parking. Currently the parking is two hour, but will change to be designated as no overnight parking.
The board was scheduled to receive a presentation from Waste Pro, but the representatives canceled because of the weather.

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.