Despite a relatively light agenda on Easter Monday, Rowan County commissioners approved appointments to a joint planning committee formed with Rowan-Salisbury Schools aimed at developing an acceptable capital improvement plan.
Approved April 14, the $40.5 million mediated settlement agreement between commissioners and members of the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education necessitated the formation of a committee bringing together leaders and experts from both entities.
Commissioners approved appointing Vice Chairman Craig Pierce, Commissioner Mike Caskey, County Manager Gary Page and Leslie Heidrick, assistant county manager and finance director, to the committee.
The committee is slated to have monthly public meetings until commissioners adopt a capital improvement plan acceptable to both boards.
“This committee is about keeping the momentum from last week going and making sure we hit those benchmarks in time with the $40.5 million,” Page said. “We are going to ask if they have a site, have they done a survey, an appraisal and a phase one evaluation.”
That criteria will be necessary in getting the green light from the Local Government Commission for the capital projects the school district needs, Page said.
“The committee was formed to make sure we are meeting our list of things to do. We’re knocking them out and moving forward,” Page said. “The idea is that, as long as we’re sitting there and knocking those things off and talking to each other – nothing gets stagnant and no finger-pointing goes on. This is how the situation stays open.”
Pierce said the committee was formed to foster communication between the two boards and ultimately establish a constructive dialogue on how to formulate a plan to move forward with the construction projects associated with the $40.5 million agreement.
Caskey and Pierce were picked to serve on the committee since they are not up for re-election this year, Pierce said.
“It is kind of ridiculous to appoint people who wouldn’t be around for much longer, and then you have to bring whoever comes in next up to speed on everything that is going on,” Pierce said.
The school board has appointed Superintendent Dr. Lynn Moody, Chief Financial Officer Tara Trexler, Assistant Superintendent of Operations Anthony Vann and board members Josh Wagoner and L.A. Overcash to serve on the joint planning board.
The public comments section of the meeting served as a platform for La Resistance members to attempt to blast commissioners, and for La Resistance members to receive some criticism from Larry Wright of the Rowan County Planning Board in return.
Eric Phillips, owner of Skinny Wheels Bike Shop, is a self-proclaimed member of the La Resistance political action committee and directed his comments toward Pierce.
“In response to your recent Facebook posts, I do not live in my parents’ basement and I do not eat Cheerios in my underwear,” Phillips said. “I own and operate a business in Salisbury with two other full-time employees and contribute to the Rowan County tax base. Therefore, I do not appreciate these accusations and being called a loser by an elected official.”
Phillips’ comments garnered applause from several audience members.
The recent Facebook post Phillips spoke of targeted La Resistance members as “fruits,” “nut jobs” and “losers” who eat Cheerios in their parents’ basement in their underwear.
The name over the post read “Craig Pierce.”
Pierce said his Facebook account had been hacked, and he since has contacted Facebook to get his password changed so it is more secure and will not happen again.
“I wasn’t even aware of it until the next day when somebody I know told me about it,” Pierce said. “I don’t put anything past them. They are trying to get their people elected. I wasn’t going to qualify (Phillips’) comment with a response.”
Heather Teeter, owner and operator of Sweet Meadow Café, went after commissioners for pay raises.
“As county commissioners, you are supposed to represent the public, and everyone. You are a public servant. However, most of you would rather spend my tax dollars playing politics,” Teeter said. “Why is it that most of you have accepted pay raises over the years but refuse to give pay raises or increased supplements to teachers?”
Wright, a member of the county’s planning board, said Rowan County has its own paparazzi.
“It is none other than GeoRene Jones. A few days ago, when our Republican meeting here in this very room dismissed, she was outside,” Wright said. “She could have attended our meeting where candidates were speaking. Everyone is welcome, but she was lurking outside waiting for us. GeoRene Jones was sticking her camera in the face of unsuspecting targets and taking pictures. She was about two feet from me taking pictures compulsively like a woman possessed.”
According to Wright, the reason Jones allegedly was taking pictures was to use them as “evidence against unsuspecting targets.”
“GeoRene, with your contemptible attempt to bait us into an adverse or illegal reaction to your paparazzi tactics, you have brought dirty tricks to a new low in Rowan County,” Wright said.
Wright alleged the actions Jones may or may not have taken are “dirty tricks” used to facilitate the election of Republican commissioner candidate Judy Klusman.
Contact reporter Jim Holt at 704-797-4246.