Valdese Town Council and municipal workers draw praise
An aerial view of the Town of Valdese looking toward the east.
TO THE EDITOR:
This letter is directed to the members of the Valdese Town Council.
Having been a resident of Valdese for 41 years, and whose husband served the Town of Valdese and its citizens for 45 years, I have seen times when actual needs for Valdese were placed on the back burner; such as maintaining and updating needed equipment, vehicles, and salaries and facilities.
I must say, it is wonderful to hear from our Town of Valdese department heads during Town Council meetings once more.
Now, the Town Council can get needed information to make correct decisions straight from those who know and understand the needs of their departments better than anyone else.
Who knows more than the people who are actually doing the work and delivery of the services to our citizens.
We are not Morganton or Hickory. This is Valdese!
It is a beautiful small town that welcomes tourists to visit our churches, restaurants, businesses and parks; to enjoy our festivals, parades and music events.
A small town that welcomes newcomers with open arms. A small town that offers above and beyond what many other towns our size do not. The special things that make us Valdese.
And we would not be this special place known as Valdese if not for our wonderful town employees. The employees who take care of us in so many ways that citizens have never considered.
The employees who repair broken water mains on Christmas Eve when the temperature has dropped into the teens.
The employees who are cutting trees and removing debris from the streets during severe weather events.
The employees who pick-up our junk and debris from the curb. Our water and wastewater employees who diligently work to ensure we have safe drinking water and our waste is properly handled.
The fire and police department personnel who serve to keep our citizens safe and respond when emergencies occur.
Our Recreation Department that provides our children the opportunity to participate in team sports and learn to swim.
The Valdese Tourism Department that brings countless numbers of visitors into our town, patronizing our restaurants and small businesses. I could go on and on talking about our wonderful employees, but my space is limited.
As citizens of Valdese, if we do not take care of our town and its employees, who will? Isn’t it our responsibility to take care of those who take care of us?
We have been blessed to live in such a beautiful place as Valdese. I ask our Town Council to stand strong and make the hard decisions.
Let us all step up for our town!
ANGELA WATTS
