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IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COMMUNITY MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 21, 1991
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met at Union Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Union
Grove, NC, on Monday, January 21, 1991, 7:00 p.m. Those present for the meeting were:
R. B. Sloan Jr., Chairman
Alice M. Stewart, Vice Chairman
Sara K. Haire
Doug Madison
Frank Mitchell
Staff present: Joel Mashburn, County Manager
Alice Fortner, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Sloan called the meeting to order and made some statements pertaining to the county's
position at this time. He said the Iredell County Board of Commissioners is confronted with one of
the most uncertain periods faced in several years. He mentioned cutbacks from the State and said
the State is unwilling to raise taxes or cut back on spending. Most of the services are mandated by
state to local government. The federal level is anticipated to be very critical and the local
governments will feel the impact of this. The needs on the local level will not go away. He
mentioned that the economy is slowing down. New construction is falling off and, among other
things, unemployment has increased by 50% in the county, from 4% unemployed to 6%. After making
other comments, he asked those present to make comments. Those speaking were:
Mr. Ladd: He was concerned with hunters on his property who were under the influence of
alcohol. He reported they were trespassing on his property. He inquired if there is a fine on
public drunkenness. He said he calls the Sheriff's Department when these hunters come on his
property but it takes a while for the department to respond.
Victor Crosby: Spoke about the telephone system that would allow people to call more areas
without paying long-distance tolls.
Commissioner Haire reported on the status of the toll-free telephone line to the county seat
from all over the county. A meeting is set for Monday, January 28th, in Raleigh on this matter,
Victor Crosby: Also spoke about the Williamsburg Sanitary District. He said they had been
waiting for water for 28 years. He had some ideas on how he thought it could be financed.
Mrs. Trivett: Spoke about her situation on Tabor Church Road. She lives in the middle of
Tabor Church Road and there are water on both ends, but she does not have access to either line.
Both lines belong to Iredell Water Corporation.
Mrs. Mary Ann Sloan: Spoke about the school merger and inquired what the board thought about
having a two-year delay in consolidation, which will give the superintendents time to finish their
contracts.
Chairman Sloan recommended the people call their school board members in reference to these
school matters.
Sam Hall: He welcomed the county commissioners to North Iredell County. He spoke of his
involvement with the committee to consider placing another ambulance in South Iredell County. He
urged the board members to accept the committee's recommendations. He said he would be happy to
answer any questions commissioners may have about the committee's findings.
Chairman Sloan said Commissioner Haire reported to the county commissioners at the last board
meeting (January 15, 1991). He said this is one of the items that would be discussed on the
retreat.
Commissioner Madison said he appreciated the people from North Iredell coming out. He spoke of
the very positive aspects of Iredeil County and said this is a good opportunity for citizens to
become involved in the local government.
Mr. John Huie spoke about a satellite library in Union Grove to serve North Iredeil County. He
said there is vast growth in the northern part of the county; they have a library in Mooresville.
The Ruritan Club has purchased the old principal's house at the Union Grove School site. They are
currently using the house for Ruritan meetings and other community gatherings. The Ruritans would
be willing to offer this building rent-free for the county to house a library. People in the
community would be willing to do volunteer work to staff the library, Mr. Huie said. Mr. Mashburn
said he thought there were rules about the qualifications of a library staff person, if the county
receives state grant funds. There will be a need for bookcases, a telphone, and for the county to
pay the utilities, should the county decide to consider this program, The books that are currently
stored were addressed. White there are quite a few books in storage, they are not what is currently
needed and wanted by students and the general public, Mr. Mashburn said. He said books have become
quite expensive, and it would be very costly to stock a satellite library.
The new mobile library unit was discussed. This has been helpful to rural areas over the
years, especially for the rest homes.
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