About two-thirds need legal speech translated
Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
It has been 30 years since the Hmong began settling in Western North Carolina, but community leaders say they are still trying to fully bridge the language barrier and need more and better trained translators in the courts.
About a third of the 15,000 Hmong living in the Catawba Valley and McDowell County speak English well enough to communicate and understand the law, said Tong Yang, executive director of the United Hmong Association of North Carolina, leaving many others dependent on translators if they have to go to court.
"Even though they can communicate well enough to get by in everyday life," Yang said, "they might not be able to fully understand what a judge or a lawyer is saying in a court proceeding."
And that creates several hurdles for the Hmong, who have been trying to adjust to this county's culture and still maintain their Southeast Asian identity.
Court administrators, judges and lawyers, Yang said, often don't understand the Hmong culture and the complexity of the language, making it, in turn, difficult for non-English-speaking Hmong to grasp how the system works.
"There's a lot of legal jargon ... and we just don't have those terms," Yang said. "Sometimes one word in English would take a couple of sentences in Hmong to explain."
That's a common challenge in the legal system, said Jenny Fernandez Griffin, a state certified interpreter, and one that she has been working with Yang and Hmong translators to overcome.
Her company, Bilingual Consulting, coordinates contracts between interpreters and the courts and has been training Hmong translators about the court system and introducing them to some of the more complex legal terms.
"Even though they can be very good interpreters, they might not understand how the court system works fully, and that can cause interpreters to freeze up," she said. "What they need is a little bit of direction on how to operate in a courtroom and the mechanics of the system."
Currently, courts only provide Spanish translators but will work with other groups, including the Hmong, who need to provide their own translation services, Yang said.
The United Hmong Association works with all Hmong needing translation services, Yang said, but only gets reimbursed if the court requested the translator to work on criminal, child protection and domestic violence cases.
Since the association doesn't charge clients for translation services, and the courts will only pay for time spent in court, Yang said, it is difficult to recruit translators and have them available when needed.
"Nobody can make a living out of that, and it's hard to find someone who is willing to make that sacrifice to be a court translator," he said.
The solution, Yang said, would be for the association to hire a full-time translator to work on cases, both criminal and civil, in Burke, Catawba and Caldwell counties and have a few other interpreters on call.
And while members of the Hmong community say there's a need in the court system for more translators, there may not be enough Hmong going through the courts to justify paying for a full-time interpreter.
District Judge Bob Brady, who has been talking with Yang on ways to provide better translation services, said he doesn't see Hmong in court very often and thinks the state would prefer to pay for translators on a case-by-case basis rather than fund a full-time position.
"It's always better to have someone on staff," he said, "but you have to look at the need for it."
And as fewer Hmong immigrate to the United State and younger Hmong learn the language, the need for translation services will likely diminish over the years, he said.
"Many of the second generation and the young people learn to speak English," he said. "It doesn't seem like it would be a long-term need and goal."
Who are the Hmong?
Originally from China, the Hmong fled to the mountains of northern Laos in the early 1800s, where they remained until after the Vietnam War. When the Communist Pathet Lao overran the country in 1975, thousands of Hmong fled to refugee camps in Thailand and then to the United States.
More than 300,000 Hmong have sought refuge across the United States, and about 15,000 have settled in North Carolina. Most of those live in Catawba, Burke, Alexander, Caldwell and McDowell counties, where the foothills terrain and climate are similar to their Laotian homeland.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
11/28/07
D.A. dismisses murder charges against husband
Wife's body found in truck's toolbox
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Almost two years after Emily Anderson's body was found stuffed in the toolbox of her pickup, the district attorney's office on Tuesday dismissed murder charges against her husband and said it would re-evaluate the case if new evidence comes in.
But lawyers for Jerry Anderson, 48, who has been free since his murder trial ended with a hung jury in July, say they doubt new charges will be brought against the Caldwell County dairy farmer.
"For all practical purposes, I think this is it," said his attorney Lisa Dubs.
Emily Anderson was last seen alive Dec. 29, 2005. Ten days later, the 49-year-old woman's Chevrolet Silverado pickup was found in a Duncan, S.C., restaurant parking lot, about 100 miles from their farm in the town of Sawmills. She had been shot twice.
Jerry Anderson was charged in the death, but Gaston County jurors split 11-1, with the majority voting not guilty.
Since being released, Anderson has been living with friends near the farm. He could not be reached Tuesday evening. But Dubs said he was "obviously very pleased."
"He's avoiding attention right now and taking some time for himself," she said. "(But) he's always told us that the right thing was going to happen, and he has never faltered in his faith that he would be exonerated."
But for Mike Griffitt, Emily Anderson's brother, the dismissal doesn't end the case.
"We're not through with him," said Griffitt, who lives in Nicholasville, Ky. "Dismissing the case doesn't mean he can't be recharged with a crime. ... There's no doubt in my mind that he did it."
Court documents showed that Emily Anderson had more than $4 million in life insurance, and authorities originally said they believed at least part of the motive in her slaying was financial gain. Witnesses said they saw the couple arguing, and lawyers on both sides agreed the marriage of more than four years was strained.
District Attorney Jay Gaither's office, in a press release sent by the lead prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Eric Bellas, said it will look at any new information in the case. The office "remains committed to the prosecution of the person or persons responsible for Emily Anderson's murder," the statement said.
Several messages left with Gaither and Bellas were not returned Tuesday, and the statement did not say whether Jerry Anderson is still a suspect or whether the district attorney's office would consider charging him again.
The case's lead investigator, Maj. Jeff Stafford of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, said authorities are looking for more evidence that could help solve the murder.
"If we feel comfortable bringing something against this man again, then we'll bring what we find to the D.A.'s office. Or if we find something else, we'll bring that to the D.A.'s office," he said. "We'll go where the evidence points us."
Family and friends of Emily Anderson, including some of Jerry Anderson's supporters, are offering a $3,500 reward for information that leads to a conviction in her killing and have created a Web site, http://www.emilygriffittanderson.com/, to solicit information about her death.
Friends of Jerry Anderson, many of whom attended most of his 10-week trial, said they hoped investigators would be able to figure out who killed his wife.
"I'm thrilled that he's able to get back with his life," said Jennie Wilson, a friend of Emily and Jerry Anderson. "I just hope they can find who did it."
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Almost two years after Emily Anderson's body was found stuffed in the toolbox of her pickup, the district attorney's office on Tuesday dismissed murder charges against her husband and said it would re-evaluate the case if new evidence comes in.
But lawyers for Jerry Anderson, 48, who has been free since his murder trial ended with a hung jury in July, say they doubt new charges will be brought against the Caldwell County dairy farmer.
"For all practical purposes, I think this is it," said his attorney Lisa Dubs.
Emily Anderson was last seen alive Dec. 29, 2005. Ten days later, the 49-year-old woman's Chevrolet Silverado pickup was found in a Duncan, S.C., restaurant parking lot, about 100 miles from their farm in the town of Sawmills. She had been shot twice.
Jerry Anderson was charged in the death, but Gaston County jurors split 11-1, with the majority voting not guilty.
Since being released, Anderson has been living with friends near the farm. He could not be reached Tuesday evening. But Dubs said he was "obviously very pleased."
"He's avoiding attention right now and taking some time for himself," she said. "(But) he's always told us that the right thing was going to happen, and he has never faltered in his faith that he would be exonerated."
But for Mike Griffitt, Emily Anderson's brother, the dismissal doesn't end the case.
"We're not through with him," said Griffitt, who lives in Nicholasville, Ky. "Dismissing the case doesn't mean he can't be recharged with a crime. ... There's no doubt in my mind that he did it."
Court documents showed that Emily Anderson had more than $4 million in life insurance, and authorities originally said they believed at least part of the motive in her slaying was financial gain. Witnesses said they saw the couple arguing, and lawyers on both sides agreed the marriage of more than four years was strained.
District Attorney Jay Gaither's office, in a press release sent by the lead prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Eric Bellas, said it will look at any new information in the case. The office "remains committed to the prosecution of the person or persons responsible for Emily Anderson's murder," the statement said.
Several messages left with Gaither and Bellas were not returned Tuesday, and the statement did not say whether Jerry Anderson is still a suspect or whether the district attorney's office would consider charging him again.
The case's lead investigator, Maj. Jeff Stafford of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, said authorities are looking for more evidence that could help solve the murder.
"If we feel comfortable bringing something against this man again, then we'll bring what we find to the D.A.'s office. Or if we find something else, we'll bring that to the D.A.'s office," he said. "We'll go where the evidence points us."
Family and friends of Emily Anderson, including some of Jerry Anderson's supporters, are offering a $3,500 reward for information that leads to a conviction in her killing and have created a Web site, http://www.emilygriffittanderson.com/, to solicit information about her death.
Friends of Jerry Anderson, many of whom attended most of his 10-week trial, said they hoped investigators would be able to figure out who killed his wife.
"I'm thrilled that he's able to get back with his life," said Jennie Wilson, a friend of Emily and Jerry Anderson. "I just hope they can find who did it."
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
11/27/07
Driver critically injured when truck crashes into gas station
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
A Lenoir man was critically injured Saturday when the truck he was driving slammed into a gas station, police said.
David Shawn Miller was driving his 2004 Dodge Ram north on Blowing Rock Boulevard about 6:50 p.m. when the truck veered off the right side of the road, police said.
Miller, 34, was not wearing a seat belt when the truck hit a utility pole and sign before colliding with the steel column over the Gas n' Go's pump station.No one else was injured in the wreck.
Miller was taken to Carolinas Medical Center, and police said he will be charged with reckless driving to endanger, driving while impaired and failure to wear a seatbelt.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
A Lenoir man was critically injured Saturday when the truck he was driving slammed into a gas station, police said.
David Shawn Miller was driving his 2004 Dodge Ram north on Blowing Rock Boulevard about 6:50 p.m. when the truck veered off the right side of the road, police said.
Miller, 34, was not wearing a seat belt when the truck hit a utility pole and sign before colliding with the steel column over the Gas n' Go's pump station.No one else was injured in the wreck.
Miller was taken to Carolinas Medical Center, and police said he will be charged with reckless driving to endanger, driving while impaired and failure to wear a seatbelt.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
Low water levels close last public ramp at Lake James
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Low water levels at Lake James have forced the state to close the lake's last open ramp, officials said Monday.
Officials at the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation closed the Canal Bridge boat access point because water levels have dropped so low that the ramps are no longer safe.
The ramp was the last open public access point on the 6,510-acre lake. Officials closed ramps at Hidden Cove and the Linville River in August, and the Black Bear access point was closed in October.
Water levels at the lake are about 12 feet lower than normal, and officials said the ramps will remain closed until enough rain falls to raise the water level.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Low water levels at Lake James have forced the state to close the lake's last open ramp, officials said Monday.
Officials at the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation closed the Canal Bridge boat access point because water levels have dropped so low that the ramps are no longer safe.
The ramp was the last open public access point on the 6,510-acre lake. Officials closed ramps at Hidden Cove and the Linville River in August, and the Black Bear access point was closed in October.
Water levels at the lake are about 12 feet lower than normal, and officials said the ramps will remain closed until enough rain falls to raise the water level.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
11/25/07
Hickory police get ready for more giving
Department collects for Cops for Tots program
Sun, Nov. 25, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Santa's helpers at the Hickory Police Department are starting to work on getting toys and gifts ready for the holiday season.
Every year, the department collects new and slightly used toys for Hickory-area children who might not otherwise have gifts waiting for them, said Sgt. Bob Winters, the department's community services supervisor.
The Cops for Tots program has been growing steadily since the early 1980s, when the department first started gathering games and toys -- and asked officers to play Santa and make deliveries to Hickory homes.
As the program grew more popular, the department started thinking about ways it could reach more kids and give more gifts, Winters said.
In the early 1990s, the department decided to open a Christmas Wish House where parents could browse toys and pick which toys they wanted for their children, he said.
The Wish House worked so well, Winters said, that it grew over the years, and police were able to get gifts to hundreds more children. Last year, more than 2,100 children opened Cops for Tots gifts, he said.
The department sets up donation boxes across the city and, for three days, opens the Wish House to parents and legal guardians shopping for infants, toddlers, elementary and middle school-aged children and teenagers.
Gift collection will run through Dec. 14, and the department will give the toys away at the Wish House -- the multipurpose building at Winkler Park, next to L.P. Frans Stadium -- Dec. 17-19.
Want to give?
Police are collecting gifts for children of all ages, including infants and teenagers. Gifts can be dropped off at several locations across Hickory, including most of the city's middle schools.
Monetary donations can be sent to: Hickory Police Department, Cops for Tots, 347 Second Ave. S.W., 28602
Drop-off locations
Hickory Police Department, 347 Second Ave. S.W.
The Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley, 243 Third Ave. N.W.
Jenkins Elementary School, 3750 N. Center St.
Viewmont Elementary, 21 16th Ave., N.W.
Oakwood Elementary, 366 Fourth St. N.W.
Details: 828-324-2060
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
Sun, Nov. 25, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Santa's helpers at the Hickory Police Department are starting to work on getting toys and gifts ready for the holiday season.
Every year, the department collects new and slightly used toys for Hickory-area children who might not otherwise have gifts waiting for them, said Sgt. Bob Winters, the department's community services supervisor.
The Cops for Tots program has been growing steadily since the early 1980s, when the department first started gathering games and toys -- and asked officers to play Santa and make deliveries to Hickory homes.
As the program grew more popular, the department started thinking about ways it could reach more kids and give more gifts, Winters said.
In the early 1990s, the department decided to open a Christmas Wish House where parents could browse toys and pick which toys they wanted for their children, he said.
The Wish House worked so well, Winters said, that it grew over the years, and police were able to get gifts to hundreds more children. Last year, more than 2,100 children opened Cops for Tots gifts, he said.
The department sets up donation boxes across the city and, for three days, opens the Wish House to parents and legal guardians shopping for infants, toddlers, elementary and middle school-aged children and teenagers.
Gift collection will run through Dec. 14, and the department will give the toys away at the Wish House -- the multipurpose building at Winkler Park, next to L.P. Frans Stadium -- Dec. 17-19.
Want to give?
Police are collecting gifts for children of all ages, including infants and teenagers. Gifts can be dropped off at several locations across Hickory, including most of the city's middle schools.
Monetary donations can be sent to: Hickory Police Department, Cops for Tots, 347 Second Ave. S.W., 28602
Drop-off locations
Hickory Police Department, 347 Second Ave. S.W.
The Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley, 243 Third Ave. N.W.
Jenkins Elementary School, 3750 N. Center St.
Viewmont Elementary, 21 16th Ave., N.W.
Oakwood Elementary, 366 Fourth St. N.W.
Details: 828-324-2060
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
11/18/07
Drought helps drug agents in fight against marijuana
Illegal crops drying up across region and state as rain levels plummet
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Severe drought has baked the state, leaving crops withered and the water supply dangerously low, but law enforcement officials say the extreme weather isn't all bad.
It's dampened the production of marijuana.
Through October of this year, drug agents have seized 16,139 plants, compared to the 92,614 plants found during the same period in 2006, due at least in part to the drought, said Noelle Talley, a spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Justice.
In Caldwell County, for example, pot plants usually grow to be between 6 and 8 feet tall, said David Barbour, a narcotics agent with the Sheriff's Office, but this year, the tallest outdoor plants seized barely cleared 2 feet.
"A marijuana plant is just like any other plant," he said. "If it doesn't receive enough water, it just won't grow."
The dry conditions have helped curb outdoor pot production across the state and the Southeast, as well, said Special Agent Chuvalo Truesdell, a spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration whose division includes North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
"I've been an agent for 18 years, and we've never had this much help from the weather," Truesdell said. "We'll take a victory wherever we can."
Outdoor marijuana crops usually hit peak heights in the late summer, Barbour said, but the dry weather stunted growth early in the season.
Most of the state's marijuana, he said, is grown in rural areas, planted near creeks so tending to the plants is more convenient and less conspicuous.
But as the smaller streams dried up during a year of record heat and little rain, so have the crops. Dragging bucket-loads of water through rural parts of the state is not only a difficult task, Barbour said, but could draw attention and increase the grower's risk of getting caught.
"Growing a patch of marijuana is harder than growing a garden ... and the lack of water makes it even more difficult," he said. "The drought isn't a good thing, but it did help us out with this."
And growers can't easily move their operation indoors, where water is easily accessible.
"Hydroponic growers are quite a different operation," Truesdell said. "It's a lot more scientific and requires a lot more work ... it's a totally different commitment level."
Outdoor marijuana production in N.C.
According to a 2006 study by Virginia-based researcher Jon Gettman, North Carolina is the fifth-largest outdoor producer of pot in the county, and marijuana is the state's top cash crop.
DEA officials said that marijuana is one of the most common drugs in the state and has recently become more prevalent. Though the drought has helped stunt the plants' growth this year, Special Agent Chuvalo Truesdell said, large outdoor marijuana operations are being planted in rural areas across the state and the Southeast.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Severe drought has baked the state, leaving crops withered and the water supply dangerously low, but law enforcement officials say the extreme weather isn't all bad.
It's dampened the production of marijuana.
Through October of this year, drug agents have seized 16,139 plants, compared to the 92,614 plants found during the same period in 2006, due at least in part to the drought, said Noelle Talley, a spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Justice.
In Caldwell County, for example, pot plants usually grow to be between 6 and 8 feet tall, said David Barbour, a narcotics agent with the Sheriff's Office, but this year, the tallest outdoor plants seized barely cleared 2 feet.
"A marijuana plant is just like any other plant," he said. "If it doesn't receive enough water, it just won't grow."
The dry conditions have helped curb outdoor pot production across the state and the Southeast, as well, said Special Agent Chuvalo Truesdell, a spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration whose division includes North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
"I've been an agent for 18 years, and we've never had this much help from the weather," Truesdell said. "We'll take a victory wherever we can."
Outdoor marijuana crops usually hit peak heights in the late summer, Barbour said, but the dry weather stunted growth early in the season.
Most of the state's marijuana, he said, is grown in rural areas, planted near creeks so tending to the plants is more convenient and less conspicuous.
But as the smaller streams dried up during a year of record heat and little rain, so have the crops. Dragging bucket-loads of water through rural parts of the state is not only a difficult task, Barbour said, but could draw attention and increase the grower's risk of getting caught.
"Growing a patch of marijuana is harder than growing a garden ... and the lack of water makes it even more difficult," he said. "The drought isn't a good thing, but it did help us out with this."
And growers can't easily move their operation indoors, where water is easily accessible.
"Hydroponic growers are quite a different operation," Truesdell said. "It's a lot more scientific and requires a lot more work ... it's a totally different commitment level."
Outdoor marijuana production in N.C.
According to a 2006 study by Virginia-based researcher Jon Gettman, North Carolina is the fifth-largest outdoor producer of pot in the county, and marijuana is the state's top cash crop.
DEA officials said that marijuana is one of the most common drugs in the state and has recently become more prevalent. Though the drought has helped stunt the plants' growth this year, Special Agent Chuvalo Truesdell said, large outdoor marijuana operations are being planted in rural areas across the state and the Southeast.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
11/11/07
Late shakeup in Lenoir race
Mayor narrowly fends off last-minute challenger
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Seven days before last week's election, David Barlow thought his third term as Lenoir mayor was clinched.
No one had filed to run against him, and he hadn't heard any murmurings around town that anyone was planning to seek the seat as a write-in candidate.
But then, with a week to go before the Nov. 6 election, Debra Venti, a downtown merchant, launched an intense write-in campaign, nearly ousting Barlow.
Barlow narrowly won with 661 votes, but write-in candidates got 619 votes. And most of those went to Venti, said Caldwell County Board of Elections Director Sandy Rich, though she won't have the exact totals until the votes are canvassed on Tuesday.
Venti, a political newcomer, began a whirlwind campaign promoting the need for a fresh perspective in city government. She printed hundreds of flyers, posted signs, sent e-mails, took newspaper ads and booked radio spots, and within a week had garnered wide support.
"It just really came down to being motivated for change and being excited about it," she said. "And people were really supportive (of that)."
Barlow, meanwhile, said he hadn't heard about any frustrations or concerns from residents and said Venti's intense campaign caught him off guard.
"We had to respond very quickly," he said. "We were working all day long, and I didn't know if I'd win by a lot or lose."
Venti's decision to run, she said, wasn't motivated by discontent with city leaders, but by her feeling that Lenoir needed new ideas for revitalizing downtown and bringing more business to the city.
Venti, who owns Venti's Casa, She-Sha's and a downtown upholstery studio, moved to Lenoir from Greenville, S.C., more than five years ago and said the city needs to start thinking more about how it is going to adjust as factories continue closing.
"On the edges of our town, it still says, `Welcome to the furniture capital of the world,' but those mainstays are changing," Venti said. "We need to redefine who we are and what we are about today."
But Barlow, who owns a real estate company, said the city is constantly looking for new ways to bring more business to the city, improve downtown and find ways to overcome the exodus of furniture and textile jobs.
"We have a lot of good things here, and a lot more good things are happening," he said.
Bringing Google to Caldwell County, a project that Barlow worked on closely with county officials, will help attract new business, he said, but is only one of many projects the city is looking at.
"Google is not totally the answer. It's a steppingstone," he said. "(Development) just doesn't happen overnight."
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Seven days before last week's election, David Barlow thought his third term as Lenoir mayor was clinched.
No one had filed to run against him, and he hadn't heard any murmurings around town that anyone was planning to seek the seat as a write-in candidate.
But then, with a week to go before the Nov. 6 election, Debra Venti, a downtown merchant, launched an intense write-in campaign, nearly ousting Barlow.
Barlow narrowly won with 661 votes, but write-in candidates got 619 votes. And most of those went to Venti, said Caldwell County Board of Elections Director Sandy Rich, though she won't have the exact totals until the votes are canvassed on Tuesday.
Venti, a political newcomer, began a whirlwind campaign promoting the need for a fresh perspective in city government. She printed hundreds of flyers, posted signs, sent e-mails, took newspaper ads and booked radio spots, and within a week had garnered wide support.
"It just really came down to being motivated for change and being excited about it," she said. "And people were really supportive (of that)."
Barlow, meanwhile, said he hadn't heard about any frustrations or concerns from residents and said Venti's intense campaign caught him off guard.
"We had to respond very quickly," he said. "We were working all day long, and I didn't know if I'd win by a lot or lose."
Venti's decision to run, she said, wasn't motivated by discontent with city leaders, but by her feeling that Lenoir needed new ideas for revitalizing downtown and bringing more business to the city.
Venti, who owns Venti's Casa, She-Sha's and a downtown upholstery studio, moved to Lenoir from Greenville, S.C., more than five years ago and said the city needs to start thinking more about how it is going to adjust as factories continue closing.
"On the edges of our town, it still says, `Welcome to the furniture capital of the world,' but those mainstays are changing," Venti said. "We need to redefine who we are and what we are about today."
But Barlow, who owns a real estate company, said the city is constantly looking for new ways to bring more business to the city, improve downtown and find ways to overcome the exodus of furniture and textile jobs.
"We have a lot of good things here, and a lot more good things are happening," he said.
Bringing Google to Caldwell County, a project that Barlow worked on closely with county officials, will help attract new business, he said, but is only one of many projects the city is looking at.
"Google is not totally the answer. It's a steppingstone," he said. "(Development) just doesn't happen overnight."
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)