Elect-Granite Quarry: Growth, downtown revitalization, bypass provide talking points in Granite Quarry
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 31, 2017
By Mark Wineka
mark.wineka@salisburypost.com
GRANITE QUARRY — Growth and how to manage it, high employee turnover, downtown revitalization and the possible impacts of a U.S. 52 bypass are among many issues discussed by candidates this year in Granite Quarry.
The 2017 election has incumbent Mayor Bill Feather seeking re-election for another two years. On the official ballot, Feather is unopposed, A write-in campaign has risen for former Mayor Mary S. Ponds, though she has not endorsed that effort.
Two seats for four-year terms are up for election on the Board of Aldermen. Incumbents Mike Brinkley and Arin Wilhelm seek to return and challengers include Kim Cress, John Linker, Wes Rhinier and Doug Shelton.
Feather, Brinkley and Wilhelm point to numerous things the present town board has accomplished and continues to work on, including a new industrial park off Heilig Road, plans for a 250-home subdivision by LGI Homes off Faith Road and continuing efforts to recruit a grocery store.
As some of their accomplishments, they point to their efforts to resurface streets; attract new businesses such as the State Employees Credit Union, Family Dollar and Novant Health office; clear up confusion on Granite Quarry mailing addresses; maintain a low tax rate; establish a Downtown Master Plan; purchase a new fire truck; and buy land for athletic fields.
But some of the challengers fear too much emphasis has been focused on the industrial park and proposed housing development at the risk of ignoring other areas of town that need attention.
Shelton says he can bring a fresh pair or eyes and a knack for strategic planning to the board. Cress says code enforcement seems to have been completely ignored in the recent past. Tying into that, Linker questions why the town’s administrative budget costs twice as much as maintenance.
“I think we’ve taken our eye off the maintenance of the town,” Linker says.
Linker also expresses concern for “an inordinate amount of employee turnover.” Over the past two years, the Granite Quarry board has seen a town manager, town clerk, town planner, deputy clerk and two maintenance directors leave the town’s employ.
Rhinier often takes a conservative, big-picture approach in speaking for the need to cut taxes and shrink government, to make the town more attractive for business. He has opposed the town’s purchase of land for youth athletic fields off Faith Road. He also is a strong opponent of annexation.
Feather and Brinkley speak strongly for downtown revitalization and also think it’s important to have the planning in place to take advantage of economic development opportunities a U.S. 52 bypass could bring, while also keeping the central business district viable.
Wilhelm, a community engagement specialist with Cardinal Innovations, has spoken out strongly for keeping Granite Quarry alert and out in front of the opioid crisis that has hit the county, state and nation.
During his time on the board, Wilhelm also has been a strong advocate for youth recreation programs and development of athletic fields off Faith Road.
Shelton, a retired accountant, says it’s important for Granite Quarry to have a more vibrant downtown and find ways to “keep this town’s vitality growing.” “We haven’t grown like Rockwell and other communities close to us,” he says.
Rhinier, an IT technician for Dillard’s, was an unsuccessful candidate for the board in 2013. He once owned Sight & Sound Electronics in Granite Quarry.
Retired from McCormick & Co., Linker previously served on the town board as a mayor and alderman from 1985-96. He is a past chairman of the Rowan County Planning Board and is current chairman of the Granite Quarry Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Cress served as the town’s maintenance director for almost 19 years, until his retirement in 2016. By appointment, he served a brief stint on the Board of Aldermen back in the 1990s before taking the maintenance director’s job.
Brinkley owns a construction business and was elected to the board in 2013. He had previously served as an alderman for 10 years, mostly in the 1990s. He also spent many years working with the Fire Department.
Feather was first elected as an alderman in 2003, and he has been mayor since 2013. He was the first person to be elected mayor in 2015 after a change in the town charter set up a separate mayoral election. Mayors serve for two-year terms in Granite Quarry.
Feather says the current town board over the past four years has been more proactive than reactive.
Wilhelm strongly supported the town’s purchase of land along Faith Road for athletic fields, and he leads the newly formed Granite Quarry Athletic Club, which is trying to help kids and adults be more active.
Rhinier has opposed that purchase of land on Faith Road, saying a bee proprietor next door should be given the opportunity to buy it.
The town “should not be in the real estate business,” Cress has said, describing himself as a firm believer in taking care of the things the town has and the services residents depend on.
Shelton says he’s a voice for the future. His primary goal would be to help residents and businesses deal with change and look for the best ways to help the maximum number of taxpayers.
Linker says the whole downtown needs a facelift, but he warns a $1.6 million price tag for renovations to Town Hall would be too much.
Aldermen Jim LaFevers and Jim Costantino are not up for election this year.