Valdese Council Quotebook

Notable quotes from Monday’s Valdese Town Council meeting:

Councilman Paul Mears on the Weavers Mill Housing project.

“This is very exciting. All the citizens in town have been watching this project progress, slow down a little bit, and speed back up. We’ve been watching this building for a number of years, we’re just excited that we’re going to have that many units here in the center of town. This is going to be an economic boost to our community.”

Councilman Glenn Harvey on the architectural firm Talley & Smith Inc. and their recommendation for public safety employees to relocate.

“They recommended that these employees be moved within 30 days and if we don’t do that, the Town is exposing our employees to unlimited liability… We need to address this, this is a problem.”

Harvey on the housing project.

“The problem, with the citizens of Valdese, frankly is how does this benefit the Town of Valdese? Our residents don’t get first preference, our town of our police officers, maintenance workers, and our school teachers can’t even qualify to live there…We get no property taxes. We’re going to have to provide public police and fire support…It’s not to criticize what you’re doing, it’s just a statement of the facts of life in Valdese.”

Valdese resident Rick McClurd on Police Chief Marc Sharpe and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

“I would like to say ‘thanks’ for our new Police Chief Marc Sharpe on his article in The Paper and what he’s doing for the drug enforcement and the homeless which is no small matter. It appears that the contract/negotiations with the WPCOG, looks like it’s off and running, doing a good job. Marc, we appreciate all of your hard work.”

Outside water customer Eula Shook on rising in water rates to $18.

“Infrastructure covers a lot of territory and a lot of ground but I do know that it covers water pipes. That ought to be first before you start raising the rates on the customer….It’s every human being's right to have water at a decent rate. I could see three/four percentage increase but $18 a month? Come on! It’s God’s water and I’m thankful for the water.”

Triple Community resident and water customer Frank Hurton on his water bill, showing the increased water rate.

“My water usage from the 16th of June to the 15th of July was 2,800 gallons, that’s all I used because we were gone…The highest I had since last year was December. I used about 3,900 gallons, but my water bill for 2,800 gallons is a good deal more than what I used for December. I don’t understand why you’re going to kick us up that much. That’s the only service we get.”

- Compiled by Saydie E. Bean