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After ballots cast in November yielded no changes to the makeup of Albemarle City Council, the board’s four re-elected council members and the city’s mayor were sworn in for new terms at the board’s Dec. 2 meeting.
Following administration of the oaths of office by Stanly County Clerk of Court Ginger Efird, the five re-elected members each spoke briefly.
Mayor Ronnie Michael thanked his wife and family in addition to the city’s voters.
“Thank you to all the residents of the city for allowing us to continue to represent you,” Michael said, “and I think the next four years are going to be important to our city as we will be seeing tremendous growth.”
Michael referenced the new Albemarle Business Center as a catalyst for growth, describing it as “a product that will bring economic development to the city.”
Councilmember Martha Sue Hall (who was selected later in the meeting to continue as Mayor Pro-Tem), described the recent election season as “very tough,” but added that it illustrated to her the importance of local government.
“One thing I learned from this election is that local government, and city government in particular, is where it all happens. We don’t see the president, we don’t see congressmen, we don’t even see our state representatives daily, but residents do see their local elected folks.”
Hall noted that “people want to be heard,” even though it may not be possible to do everything each person wants to see done.
“We may not always be able to answer or do what those individuals want us to do, but knowing that we will take the time to genuinely listen to them is what they want,” she said.
Councilman Benton Dry expressed appreciation for recent support his family has received, as well as the citizens who supported his re-election bid.
“I think the citizens felt they were in good hands and that we could continue to build on the things we started back in 2013,” Dry said. “It seems like it was just yesterday when we started setting some goals and since that time one after the other has continued to come to fruition…and that’s because of everybody sitting up here and working together.”
Councilman Dexter Townsend echoed Dry’s observations on the council’s cooperative nature.
“There’s a lot of good things going on in the city, especially with this team we have up here,” he said. “On a lot of councils and administrations people don’t see the synergy that we have amongst each other. We may not always agree, but when we take that vote we move the city forward as an elected body.”
Councilman Bill Aldridge added that while the members of the council may not agree on all matters, their common goal is the same.
“I think there’s one undeniable trait that each of us at this dais share, and that’s our love for this city and the people of this city, and we are on the brink of some really good things,” he said, before requesting that Albemarle’s citizens pray for their elected leaders.
“I would ask for your prayers for everybody up here that we make the right decisions to move the city in the right direction,” said Aldridge.
Following a number of appointments to various positions, a public hearing on the sale of the former Albemarle Police Department headquarters at 203 N. Second St. was conducted, with city Economic Development Director Lindsay Almond presenting information on the proposed sale.
“This is a proposed economic incentive agreement that will result in the conveyance and sale of the former APD building and property,” Almond said. “It is between the City of Albemarle and a commercial developer, with a business development grant of $100,000 as a reduction in the purchase price of the property. The grant and conveyance and sale of property will aid and encourage new taxable investment within the City of Albemarle.”
According to Almond, the developer (Victas Agency LLC) will invest a minimum of $1 million and create approximately four new jobs within a two-year period.
“The City of Albemarle will recover the cost from new tax revenue, and the public will benefit from the additional property, business and sales tax revenue, stimulation of the overall economy and expanded employment opportunities in the City of Albemarle,” added Almond.
Councilman Chris Bramlett requested information on the purchaser and the terms of the sale.
“First, is Victas Agency a local group, and second, how much are we selling it for?” he asked.
“The company is registered in Charlotte,” Almond replied, “and it is owned by a native of Albemarle who formerly lived here and graduated from Albemarle High School. The appraised property value is $350,000, and with the business development grant the sale price will be $250,000.”
On a motion by Aldridge and a second by Dry, the council unanimously approved the sale.
The next meeting of Albemarle City Council will take place on Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.