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the county commissioners to force one of the school board members to run in mid-term. There was an
additional 350 signatures expressing outrage at the Chamber for their support of consolidation.
There were approximately 1900, 1900, signatures opposing consolidation because it said, "Consolida-
tion could lead to widespread busing of young children, and require a big increase in county taxes."
Had I been presented that petition, I probably would have signed it. I think all of us are against
widespread busing of young children and a big increase in county taxes, unless warranted. The
remaining approximately 6,700 signatures were on a very straightforward petition requesting a vote
on the subject of consolidation. I understand from a call from Mr. Austin this morning there may be
even more signatures. I have no reason to suspect this would not be the case.
I cannot contest the point that there are several thousand people in this county who wish to
vote in this issue. When people have suggeted to me that they want to vote on consolidaton, I have
been asking them how would they vote. I have yet to find one who said they would vote in favor,
which should not be surprising. This makes sense. I then follow up with the question, Why?
Of those I've talked to, fully one-third to one-half, cite fears not included in the plan. Things
such as a 30t tax increase, or busing from one end of the county to the other, splitting families up
when they weren't going to be split, and a lot of these calls came from the fringe areas that are
not affected by the pairing. The increase of the school size, when, in fact, 17 schools are
actually going to decrease in size and 4 others increase less than 75 students, and further loss of
discipline. All of these items are not included in the plan.
If I had any idea this plan would be given a rational review I could and would support the call
for a referedum. It has become evident that this will not happen. I'm fully convinced consolidation
of the school systems in this county is in the best interest of all. Yes, some will never accept
this. That has occurred in almost every consolidation in history. Unfortunately this is an
emotional issue. I believe this is why the legislature provided for merger to occur in this manner.
Other regions of this state have realized this. Only one of the past 14 mergers over the past
twenty years has been by vote. How many of you would have voted for consolidation in the mid 60's?
I'm convinced that's one of the best moves ever made for education in Iredell County. I did not go
to a consolidated high school. There were 25 in my senior class. I went to college and had to
compete with kids from large school systems. It was tough; it was unnecessary. How many of you
would have voted to invade Panama? I don't know if I would have or not. How many of you would have
voted for integration in the mid 60's? Unfortunately hard decisions must be made. Sometimes county
commissioners must make hard decisions that are unpopular, but are, in the long term, in the best
interest of all. Had this board responded to the outcry from the public over the location of the
industrial park in south Iredell a few months ago, Iredell County would have missed the most
significant industrial announcement in 1989 in North Carolina.
Our duty required us to use our best judgment as to what was the best interest of the entire
county. You elect individuals in our form of government to represent the best interest of all the
people. This requires judgment and a willingness to make decisions that might not be popular. The
day an elected official relies primarily on what might be popular for the basis of a decision is the
day he has lost his effectiveness. The easy thing to do is go along with the public sentiment. It
has been portrayed that a lack of referendum is an effort to call the citizens of this county
ignorant. In my opinion, this has nothing to do with the question, and I would counter that those
saying that are not in touch with the sensitivity of this question. This issue is emotional and
this clouds the subjectivity of all. This is perhaps the toughest issue a county government can
ever address.
Once again, with the board's indulgence, I feel compelled to make a further comment regarding
the role of all of us as citizens of this county. The letters, the phone calls, and the personal
contacts have been appreciated by me, at least for the most part. I have received two phone calls
at which I became a little short in patience, for which I apologize. I think one of those
individuals is here today, and I do regret. I received comments from individuals who feel some have
suffered intimidation because of their stand against consolidation. I have asked that anyone who
personally felt intimidated to contact me. I have not received a response. Never should anyone
feel retaliation because of a stand taken on any issue. I hope that never becomes a routine part of ._
the American political process. I guess in speaking for myself as well as others, but threats,
whether it be psychological, physical, or financial, are unacceptable, and I hope I never hear such
again. We have elections periodically to settle how I represent you. I prayed for wisdom; I prayed
for guidance; and I even prayed for the question never to get to me. After all is said and done, as
a commissioner, I am bound to do what I feel is right and in the best interest of all the people.
As a citizen, my children are in a paired area. Whether I'm on the prevailing side of this
issue or not, I intend to support the school systems in this county in whatever form it takes. I
ask that each of you consider doing the same. The only people you will hurt by not supporting the
schools are yourself and your child.
SLOAN: Are there further comments? If not all in favor of the motion to adopt this resolution,
please say "Aye."
Ayes - 4 (Sloan, Hedrick, Bryan, Murdock)
Noes - 1 (Stewart)
Let the record reflect a 4 - 1 vote.
We had a couple of other items the county manager would like to discuss.
Mr. County Manager.
CORRECTIONS IN CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THE KEWAUNEE PROPERTY: The county manager apprised the ,
board of some typographical corrections that need to be made in the contract to purchase the Kewau-