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- April 2004 -
“State of the Community” Event Encourages
Community Involvement
(Shelby,
NC) – “We need to be led by the invisible hand for
the common good if we hope to have a positive impact
on the community,” said Ted Alexander, Mayor of
Shelby as he quoted writer Adam Smith during the
Chamber’s annual “State of the Community” breakfast
in Shelby this morning.
“Although Shelby and Cleveland County have
experienced trying times, we are still widely known
for our philanthropic spirit and commitment to
volunteerism,” Alexander said during his brief
speech to the Shelby Breakfast Rotary Club and
Chamber members during the event at the Cleveland
Country Club. Attendees also heard similar themes
from Cleveland County Board of Education Chairman
Dr. George Litton and Cleveland County Commission
Chairwoman Mary Accor.
Alexander focused on a variety of topics ranging
from economic development efforts, the Rogers
Theater project, crime, and city appearance. “What
is the city’s role?” Alexander queried. “Well,
sometimes it may be to encourage, other times it may
be to take the lead. And sometimes, we will need to
get out of the way.”
As the
meeting shifted to the education update, Dr. Litton
discussed the challenges and opportunities that the
newly-merged school system might face. “Our system
has now been in existence for 85 days,” he said.
“And every day we work toward expanding our outlook
to include all schools and all students in Cleveland
County.”
One of
the main issues that will be reviewed within the
coming year is in the area of redistricting. Litton
said that initial meetings have shown that the Board
of Education will be moving slowly toward a
resolution in this area and that a plan will
hopefully be ready for implementation by the
2005-2006 school year. “We could not in good
conscience put together a redistricting plan by this
fall,” Litton said. “There are too many factors
that need careful consideration and we want to be
certain that our students’ needs are met.” He said
community involvement and support will be crucial
throughout the redistricting process.
County
Commission Chairwoman Mary Accor also discussed the
importance of citizen engagement. “At the beginning
of the year, I gave each of the commissioners an
‘assignment,’” said the former educator. “We have
developed a schedule so that commissioners will be
attending town and city council meetings in each
municipality. We need to be proactive in our
approach as we work to represent the needs of our
citizens.”
Accor
also reviewed recent efforts and successes related
to economic development. During a recent trip to
Washington D.C., county and Chamber representatives
met with Senators Dole and Edwards to begin the
process of adding Cleveland County to the membership
list of the Appalachian Regional Commission. The
ARC is a group of over 400 counties who are
considered eligible for federal grant dollars to
enhance economic development. “Getting Cleveland
County added to the Appalachian Regional Commission
is considered a number-one priority,” Accor said.
Another effort to achieve temporary Interstate
designation for Highway 74 between Interstate 85 and
Interstate 26 was not successful. “We were told
that it would be nearly impossible to get an
Interstate designation for Highway 74 since the new
bypass would not be built to the specifications of
an Interstate highway.” However, she continued, by
being named a part of the Appalachian Regional
Commission, federal dollars could be allocated to
expedite the completion of the 74 Bypass project.
Common
themes from the event included the concept of
citizen involvement in all areas of local
government. The next “State of the Community”
breakfast will be held in Kings Mountain on May 13
at the Patrick Senior Life & Conference Center. For
more information or to register for that event,
please call the Chamber office at 704-487-8521.
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