By Imari Scarbrough, for the SNAP

The Red Cross Town Council hired a new zoning enforcement officer during its regular meeting on Monday evening.

Wayne Krimminger was unanimously approved by the board during the meeting.
Before the vote, Krimminger briefly spoke to the council about his experience. He has 16 years of experience in planning and zoning and is a building inspector, he said. He has already met with the town’s planning and zoning board.

Krimminger will replace Robbie Foxx, who will retire on around Nov. 1. Foxx recommended Krimminger for the position, according to Mayor Larry Wayne Smith.

Sales tax discussion

Council members spoke approvingly about the one-quarter cent sales tax increase that will appear on Stanly County residents’ ballots this fall.

If it passes, the revenue will be used by the county school system to pay for security and safety upgrades at the schools.

“I had this put on here because I think it’s something myself, personally, that we need in the county to help the school system, help the children,” Smith said, noting that it could draw revenue from tourists.

Councilman Jerry Jordan said he has supported the increase since it was first placed on the ballot. It has always been voted down in the county.

“The people in the county don’t understand that it’s going to save them money in the long run,” Jordan said. “When you say, ‘tax,’ people turn and run. What they don’t understand is that everybody that buys something that comes inside this county is going to pay taxes when they buy something, and it’s going to keep it down on them.”

Smith said he wants to see the measure succeed this fall.

Jordan agreed, saying he hopes Stanly County superintendent Jeff James is given the chance to make changes using the sales tax funding.

“Our schools are in bad shape, any way you look at it,” he said, adding that public schools face a good deal of competition from private schools. He said he believes supporters of the increase will face an “uphill fight” to get it approved.

The Red Cross representatives also unanimously passed a proclamation supporting the “Thank You For Your Service” event that will be held in the county on Nov. 15 by the Stanly County Register of Deeds. The proclamation also names Nov. 14 as “Thank You For Your Service Day” in Red Cross.

The veterans event will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. For more information, visit stanlyrod.net.

Candidates Thai Vang and Mike Lambert, candidates for district court judge and Stanly County commissioner, respectively, each spoke to the council about their campaigns.

The next regular council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 12.

Imari Scarbrough is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News and Press.