Rowan County commissioners should not rezone the property at the corner of Back Creek Church Road and N.C. 801 in Mount Ulla to the commercial, business and industrial classification.

The rezoning would destroy the historical and scenic landscape of this rural, agricultural community. This community likes the simpler way of life, with less traffic and the ability to experience nature first hand.

My family has been here since 1835. We live on a registered North Carolina Century Farm and are descendants of Michael Braun, of the Old Stone House in Salisbury. Our son represents the seventh generation living on the farm.

In 1830, Mount Ulla was named by the second preacher at Back Creek Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Andrew Y. Lockridge, which I attend. This is home, and we love the way of life here.

Rural areas would not be rural if it were not for farms. There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into what we do to provide the rural, scenic landscapes that others like seeing as well, not to mention providing food for others too. We do it for the love of it, a sense of duty, and being stewards of the land and livestock that God has created with the hopes that future generations can enjoy the same environment.

When I go outside at night, I want to see either darkness, moonlight, starlight or maybe tractor lights because a crop is being planted or hay is being stacked in the dry before it rains. I don’t want to see a bunch of artificial light from businesses.

I love this community and way of life. Please, Rowan County commissioners, do not rezone this property.

— James W. Brown III

Mount Ulla