Tuesday, January 23, 2007 — Stanly County Economic Development Commission (EDC) held a forum Monday night in Albemarle to collect input from county residents. EDC Director Robert Van Geons was pleased with the turnout of about 40 people.

“This is one of a series of community forums around the county where we will bring together all information collected to map and chart where we’re going as a community and as a region,” he said.

Van Geons explained that the findings from each forum will be synthesized in order to process data and create a comprehensive report for the county.

“You are the citizens that make the difference in your community because you let your voices be heard,” he said.

Stanly County Planning and Zoning Board member Ron Crawley said it is important to grasp the big picture and look at the whole package, not just the respective municipality where the meetings are held.

“We need a full picture of the county and look for the connectors,” he said.

The leaders presented six questions for the forum attendants to discuss. When asked, “What are the top priorities for your community?”, a long list emerged. Jobs, protecting and restoring historical structures, maintaining quality of life, improving community appearance, managing and planning for growth and zoning issues were discussed.

Equity of school facilities across the county was a priority for Stanly County Schools Superintendent Sam DePaul while zoning was a major issue for Albemarle Mayor Elbert L. “Whit” Whitley.

“Zoning the properties so we can control the growth is extremely important,” he said.

Albemarle City Council-member Jack Neel said accepting where the county is going is a priority.

“We are going to be a bedroom community and we’re going to need to control it,” Neel said.

While some citizens in attendance were concerned about losing youth to “brain drain,” creating jobs to get them to come back after college and encouraging greater levels of community in-volvement, county commissioner Sherrill Smith raised a pivotal issue: “Who’s going to pay? How are we going to pay? We want a lot of things and the average citizen wants things, but who pays?”

Alcoa issues, the end of the textile industry and Kellie Pickler’s fame were mentioned when asked, “What event or trends have had the greatest impact on your community?” It was agreed that a substantial decrease of a local economic base has greatly affected the county.

When asked, “What would you like to have in your community that you do not have now?”, Vicki Coggins, director of Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation, said she’d like to see a cultural center and Neel said he’d like to see “an arena other than the Ag Center, similar to the Cabarrus Arena.”

Other ideas included a no-kill animal shelter, recycling programs, better signage and sense of community throughout the entire county.

Crime, a declining economy and road systems were some of the greatest concerns expressed.

Albemarle resident Chris Bramlett said business development is a major concern.

“We need to think more in terms of business than in industry. We have declined over the past 25 years. That may parallel the decline in the industrial base and we’re on a slippery slope. Maybe industry isn’t what we need,” he said.

Rudy Rudisill was concerned about a gap in the next generation.

“I think our youth, or those in their 20s and 30s don’t seem to appreciate the people who have put in their time and don’t appreciate that things take time. Brain drain has been mentioned quite a bit, but I think they maybe aren’t willing to get involved or sacrifice for their community.”

Peter Henkenjohann, a new county resident, said a master plan needs to be created in order for the ideas to take flight.

“We need to analyze our strengths to focus on tourism. Let’s spend the money on focusing on what is here and how to get the most back out of it. Certainly we can’t have a hen without an egg, but if it is done right, it can and will happen,” he said.

For more information about upcoming forums, contact the EDC at (704) 986-3682.

E-mail Kim Kinnecom at snaponline24@yahoo.com.