Rowan County Commissioners couldn’t help themselves on Thursday, when given a chance to flex their comedic muscle as part of planning retreat exercises.

During the first day of this week’s annual planning retreat, commissioners were required to draft hypothetical stories for a magazine profiling Rowan 20 years in the future. They were split up into two teams. Commissioner Craig Pierce and Chairman Greg Edds were a team. Commissioners Mike Caskey, Judy Klusman and Jim Greene were the second team.

Both teams drafted ideas that, in many ways, represent current goals. The stories were only headlines not full stories. Edds’ and Pierce’s headlines, for example, included: Rowan County continues on economic roll, more plant openings announced; Rowan poverty rate plunges, becomes a model for region; and West End Plaza — from failure to transformative force.

As they were drafting ideas, however, neither team could resist speculating about comical ideas, though still possible, 20 years in the future.

Edds and Pierce went the serious route, and didn’t include jokes in the assignment. Commissioners chuckled at a quote included in Pierce and Edds assignment — Craig Pierce was a good man, God rest his soul — though they’d surely say something similar about Pierce at a funeral.

Caskey, Klusman and Greene were the comedians.

Their quote was from a Governor Jim Sides, who said “I still do not support state or local tax incentives.” A former County Commissioners chairman, Sides was known for not supporting tax incentives regardless of the proposed business. One of the headlines in the team’s hypothetical magazine stated: 2,000 graduate from Pierce Charter School. It was a nod to current commissioner Craig Pierce.

Two other notable moments from the retreat:

• When asked how fast they’ve gone over the speed limit, all but one commissioner responded more than 20 mph. Commissioners answered anonymously with small remotes, disguising the one reasonable driver among the group.

• While discussing whether it might be a good idea to market Rowan to retirees, Greene joked “Rowan County — a good place to die.”

China Grove Mayor appears on Fox News

The small town of China Grove made national news this week after placing “In God We Trust” motto on police cars, fire trucks and in town hall.

China Grove ‘s most recent controversy with the nation’s motto began when its police department posted a photo of a vehicle on Facebook. Thousands “liked” and shared the post. Several hundred commented on it, with a majority in support of the decision. A number of local media outlets, including the Salisbury Post, covered the news. Fox News also jumped onto the story this week, when it interviewed Mayor Lee Withers one of the network’s morning shows.

“We’re just excited that we’re getting the word out about the motto,” Withers said when interviewed. “It’s nothing to draw controversy to. We’re just happy to be Americans.

Withers said people tend to “blow things out of proportion”  in the 24-hour news cycle age.  When asked to respond to criticism, Withers said it’s great that Americans can be “for” or “against something” and have coffee together afterwards.

On the TV show, Withers said China Grove doesn’t have plans to remove “In God We Trust,” which was named the U.S. Motto in the 1950s.

Obamacare repeal gets to president’s desk

They’ve tried a number of times, but finally got an Obamacare repeal bill to President Barack Obama’s desk this week.

As expected, Obama vetoed the bill. It was the first time, however, that Congress managed to get an Obamacare repeal to the president’s desk. Members of both houses have discussed a repeal dozens of times and passed bills to do so. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8, and Virginia Foxx, R-5, both issued statements publicly praising the bill. Hudson also denounced Obama’s veto.

“President Obama had the opportunity to confront his failing health care law today,” Hudson said Friday. “Unfortunately, his veto signals that he is still not listening to the American people and instead is doubling down on protecting his legacy. We’re going to vote to override this irresponsible veto and continue to work to advance patient-centered health care North Carolinians deserve.”

Among other things, the bill would’ve repealed mandates for individuals to have medical coverage and repealed employers to offer coverage. It also would’ve eliminated the 2.3 percent tax on medical devices and the 40 percent excise tax on high-cost employer plans.

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, also publicly voiced his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in a statement.

“ObamaCare has proven to be a disaster for far too many hardworking Americans, and our nation is in desperate need of healthcare reform that will actually help control costs and allow families to start making their own healthcare decisions that work best for them,” Tillis said.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.