The ribbon cutting celebrating the rededication of Old Rock School was Thursday, Nov. 21. Mayor of Valdese, Charles Watts, and Director of Community Affairs and Tourism, Morrissa Angi, cut the ribbon alongside colleagues, friends, and many supporters. Also in attendance was NC State Representative, Hugh Blackwell; Burke County Commissioner, Randy Burns; Director of Burke County Tourism Development Authority, Ed Phillips; Valdese Town Council members, Glenn Harvey (not pictured), Rexanne Lowman, Gary Ogle, and Heather Ward; Chair of the Chamber Board, Kevin Farris; and President and CEO of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Tonia Stephenson. For more information, visit www.visitvaldese.com.
At the start of 2024, several major events unfolded in the Town of Valdese that captured residents’ attention at levels not seen in 40 years.
The ribbon cutting celebrating the rededication of Old Rock School was Thursday, Nov. 21. Mayor of Valdese, Charles Watts, and Director of Community Affairs and Tourism, Morrissa Angi, cut the ribbon alongside colleagues, friends, and many supporters. Also in attendance was NC State Representative, Hugh Blackwell; Burke County Commissioner, Randy Burns; Director of Burke County Tourism Development Authority, Ed Phillips; Valdese Town Council members, Glenn Harvey (not pictured), Rexanne Lowman, Gary Ogle, and Heather Ward; Chair of the Chamber Board, Kevin Farris; and President and CEO of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Tonia Stephenson. For more information, visit www.visitvaldese.com.
FOR THE PAPER
Conversations and decisions that persisted throughout the year included Town Manager appointments, the Old Rock School’s renovation project; solutions for the public swimming pool amenity; plans to relocate or combine the town’s police and fire buildings; commencement of a 2024 strategic plan; and the swearing in of WHO council members Heather Ward, Glenn Harvey, and Gary Ogle, who were the victors of the 2023 election.
Heather Ward, Glenn Harvey, Gary Ogle
These and other events drew increased public engagement with concerned residents attending council meetings, submitting public records requests, and offering guest editorials to the media.
One of the key ongoing issues in Valdese has been the public safety facilities project. Since 2018, the council has been working on plans to address the needs of the police and fire departments, which relocated to temporary spaces due to the condition of their former shared building at 121 Faet St. SW. After reviewing a structural engineer’s report, the council began exploring options for new facilities.
In August, the council approved the purchase and renovation of 215 Main St. E, the former law office of Marc Mitchell, for the police department. A new building was proposed to be constructed at 200 Massel Ave. SW, beside town hall.
Other options that have been considered and debated include the construction of a new combined facility for police and fire at the Massel Avenue site, or building only a fire station at that location if the first option is feasible.
The interim town manager position, substituting for the year-long vacant position, has been handed to many individuals from Eddie Perrou to Bryan Steen to CFO Bo Weichel on Aug. 23. Weichel continues as CFO while serving as an interim town manager.
In December, the council began active discussions on a permanent town manager.
After a strenuous budget process, the council lowered the property tax rate to 41.5 cents, retention of essential services, and a 5% raise for employees. These decisions followed considerable debate among council members and community stakeholders.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.