Christmas to be bright at R.C.'s Greenway Park thanks to new lighting

The upcoming Christmas season will be brighter in Rutherford College’s Greenway Park thanks to an expenditure approved by town council on Monday evening.

Meeting in a still unheated town hall and without Mayor Yates Jensen who was out of town, the council approved the purchase of 12 2.5-foot white star LED snowflakes to be mounted on poles along the greenway.

The town is currently installing 12 decorative light poles along the walking path, each of which will be equipped with power outlets.

Town Manager Jessica Bargsley explained that if the decorative snowflakes were purchased before the end of March, the town would receive a discounted price of $292 per light as opposed to the $375 each, which the lights normally cost.

“I would recommend that if you want to purchase these decorations for the greenway,” Bargsley told the board, “that you do it during this clearance period because otherwise they will be very expensive.”

Veteran Town Councilman Wayne Annas supported the idea, saying “I think we need to focus on the greenway. It can be a real holiday showcase and a place where folks can safely gather.”

Council Mark Stinson agreed, noting that the town’s last Christmas parade was probably the best attended in the town’s history and that the event seems to grow more popular each year. The parade ends with a fireworks display launched from Greenway Park.

The motion to purchase the decorations passed unanimously.

In other news related to Greenway Park, Bargsley informed the council that work is continuing on restrooms for the park, with an expected opening date of late spring or early summer.

The park, which is located immediately east of Town Hall, features what will soon be a lighted walking trail, a playground area for children, a small outdoor amphitheater, and a number of benches for relaxing and for nature observation.

In other action, the council removed from the books an ordinance which prohibited the carrying of concealed weapons in Town Hall or on town property, even if the person carrying the weapon had the necessary license and permit.

Even though the ordinance had been on the books for years, it actually did not apply because the town had never purchased the necessary signs that must be posted to make enforcement of the ordinance legal.

A new ordinance approved at Tuesday night’s meeting will simply read, “It shall be unlawful for any person to be in possession of any concealed weapon without proper permit and licensing.”

Both the removal of the old ordinance and approval of the new ordinance were by unanimous votes.

Bargsley also informed the council of an Easter Egg Hunt which is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, at Town Hall. The event is co-sponsored by Faith Community Church.

More information about the event can be had by calling Town Clerk Terra Brieno at 828-874-0333.

Bill Poteat is editor of The Paper. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 or via email at bill@thepaper.media.