By Kim Kinnecom, Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 — The request for the adoption of a proclamation making April “Southern History and Heritage Month” by the North Carolina Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans died Monday night when no motion was made by County Commissioners.
Commission Vice Chair Gene McIntyre told representative Joel Fesperman he did not think it was a good idea to open a can of worms.
“I’m not sure we need to set a precedent,” he said explaining that there would not be enough months in the calendar year to accommodate all groups who would come forward wanting local recognition.
Fesperman said he wanted “standing” for his group and that teaching southern history is important. “The south has played a very big part,” he said.
McIntyre recommended the group speak with the school board to pursue the implementation of any specific history or heritage programs.
Following a quasi-judicial public hearing held for the request of the rezoning of a 3.1 acre portion of residential agriculture (RA) land to conditional use light industrial (CU-M1), the commissioners approved the change.
Greg and Gina Slack who made the request are interested in buying the 10.46 acre Running Creek property from Randy and Karen Huneycutt to move their 30-year-old saw sharpening and high performance torque converter business.
Gina told commissioners the business is at a point where it would “grow or close,” and that they would like to relocate in order to keep it open for their nine employees. The Slacks also plan to build a home on the property and keep horses there.
Numerous people spoke against the request saying they did not want a “backyard business,” increased traffic or noise.
Resident Tony Miller spoke numerous times repeating he did not want “backyard business” and he thought the Slack’s endeavor would take away the “quiet neighborhood environment.”
Mike Clay called the homes in the abutting Crystal Village “premier home sites” and said he just didn’t want people driving by his house.
Realtor Russ Hollins said he was concerned about not having a buffer between 500,000 upward homes and a saw sharpening company.
After listening to many concerns, the commissioners unanimously approved all fact finding motions which state the change would maintain or enhance public health, safety general welfare and the value of contiguous property. Adequacy of sewage disposal facilities, solid waste and water, police, fire and rescue squad protection and transportation systems were also taken into consideration.
Other action taken by the board:
• Approved Sheriff Rick Burris’ request for a budget amendment and approval of grant for 27 new bulletproof vests that will last for five years and approved his request for four additional part time Bailiff positions without a request for additional funds and
• Approved an Emergency Management Services (EMS) budget amendment to accept a Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) bioterrorism grant and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) pandemic flu grant in the amount of $52,522 which will be used to purchase personal protective equipment, mass casualty supplies and equipment, and new computers for field data submission.
Department of Social Services Director Sharon Scott reported on Medicaid and no action was required by the board.
Kim Kinnecom can be contacted at snaponline24@yahoo.com
