Simple fix proposed for complicated Burke address problem

What if a very simple and easy solution were offered for what on the surface appears to be a complex problem?

At first glance, few problems appear more complex than that of municipal mailing addresses in Burke County.

As a front page story in The Paper noted last week, more than 3,500 Burke addresses that are within the town limits of one town have an address of another town.

Prime example. The physical address for the Rutherford College Town Hall is 980 Malcolm Blvd., Connelly Springs, N.C., 28612.

But what if mail directed to Town Hall could be mailed to Rutherford College Town Hall, 980 Malcolm Blvd., Rutherford College, N.C. 28612?

The key there?

The town named in the address has changed. The Zip Code has not.

“It’s really very simple,” said Beth Heile, executive director of the Burke River Trail Association. “We’re asking the Postal Service to agree to this change so that our small towns can preserve their identities.”

At Heile’s urging, four small towns in Burke County have approved and mailed letters to Scott Manier, district manager of the U.S. Postal Service in Greensboro, asking for their towns to have “preferred last line designation.

The Rutherford College Town Council approved the letter at its regular monthly meeting on Monday evening at Town Hall.

“On behalf of the Town of Rutherford College, North Carolina, we respectfully request that Rutherford College, N.C., be designated as the Preferred Last Line for mailing addresses within the incorporated municipal boundaries of the Town of Rutherford College.”

The letter further notes that “numerous properties located within the incorporated limits of Rutherford College carry the mailing-city name of another community. This includes residences as well as civic facilities, public spaces, and economic-development properties.”

Finally, the letter points out that, “We are not requesting a change to existing Zip Codes or postal delivery routes. Our request is specifically that USPS refine the mailing-city designation for addresses physically located within the Town’s incorporated limits.”

The governing boards of Glen Alpine, Drexel, and Rhodhiss have also approved similar letters.

“Again, it’s all about these small towns holding onto who they are and being able to take pride in their heritage and in their future.”

Heile said the confusing address situation in the county can result in folks not knowing where they should go to vote and also confusion and delay in the dispatch of emergency personnel to the correct location.

“This should be an easy thing to make happen,” Heile said. “So let’s make it happen.”

Heile did say that if a resident or business in one of the towns in question has no desire to change their address, they are not required to do so.

In another action at Monday’s meeting, the board agreed to retain the Lenoir firm of Wilson, Lackey & Hall as the town’s legal counsel.

The firm will charge the town a monthly retainer fee of $250 but will not attend town council or planning board meetings unless asked to do so.

The hourly rate for the firm will be $300 for the services of an attorney or $150 for a paralegal.

Initially, the firm had sought a monthly retainer fee of $500, but that would have included having an attorney present at each board meeting.