Keep a proven leader as mayor of Conover

I have been honored to serve the citizens of Conover for 25 years; the last 12 years as chief of police. As police chief, I have been part of making Conover one of the safest cities in North Carolina. The Conover Police Department is the only accredited police department in Catawba County. I am proud to have worked with and been a friend to all the citizens of Conover. It is my affection for Conover that leads me to express my concerns for the future of such a great city.

The upcoming Conover mayoral election presents voters with several distinct decisions. Citizens may choose between candidates with little or no experience; one candidate who aligns himself with and is backed by a Political Action Committee, or Mayor Bruce Eckard with 28 years of solid leadership and experience. Mayor Eckard represents all citizens of Conover not just small segments of the population as defined by the PAC. His tenure is defined as professional government leadership not by forced retirements or reducing the professionalism of the police department by abandoning law enforcement accreditation. Bruce makes himself available day or night for economic development opportunities, recruiting new businesses, or meeting with businesses or citizens to discuss issues or concerns.

Mayor Eckard's guidance has resulted in the development of a highly functional Geographic Information System, increased technology in all the departments, support for and participation in the law enforcement accreditation process, insuring favorable fire insurance ratings are maintained, and development of a very efficient Public Works department. Mayor Eckard actively participates in local committees and task forces making Conover a leader in the Unifour. Under Bruce's leadership and guidance, the City of Conover has maintained a stable tax base and has one of the lowest tax rates in Catawba County.

I strongly encourage the voters to return the best candidate, Mayor Bruce Eckard, to the office of mayor on the Conover City Council.

Gary W. Lafone
Hickory

Hickory council needs a member with vision

I am writing this message of endorsement for my friend Harry Hipps, who is running for Hickory City Council in Ward 6. I truly believe that Harry would be the person who can transform the City Council and move that body in the direction it needs to go.

Many of you don't understand how important the role of Hickory's City Council is. Frankly, I don't think the people on the council understand how crucial their role of governance is. This city needs some direction and these people are supposed to be our leaders. Instead, they have looked at this job as a position of status and not of governance.

We need economic development, which will lead to jobs; instead we get awnings downtown and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on signs and logos, with very little citizen input. Have these issues made your life better?

Harry Hipps has vision, he sees the big picture, he has goals, and he wants to build connections with everyone in this city — both rich and poor. He wants to get the city pools opened back up in Ridgeview and West Hickory to give those poor kids something to do to keep them out of trouble in the summer and he wants to clean up the blighted sections of Hickory now. He wants to update our infrastructure, so that we aren't continuing to fall behind in this modern world. He wants to make Hickory small-business friendly and develop connections with the state Commerce Department, so we can make worldwide connections, and bring Hickory forward into the 21st century.

We need to shake up the status quo that resides on that council and get them to understand that they are getting paid to work for all of the people of Hickory.

It's time for some put up or shut up politics and I know that my friend is not afraid of the challenge. I hope that you will see fit to give him your vote in this election.

James Thomas Shell
Hickory

Hickory voters can make a difference

I was fortunate to have chosen to attend the debate at the Chamber of Commerce provided by the Young Professionals. This event provided me with the insight that I needed to understand how to vote in the upcoming Hickory City Council election.

We are suffering from some of the highest unemployment in the nation. We are not attracting new business, and we cannot keep our young people from staying in this area because we are not pursuing new business with a vengeance and provide no new jobs for graduates to return to.

Z. Anne Hoyle believes we must change (even after 18 years in the council). She has genuine ideas and is a forward thinker.

Hank Guess has new ideas and we need to give his ideas some consideration.

Jill Patton believes in what the council has done in the past. Is that why we are where we are today?

Harry Hipps has some outstanding ideas that should be given a lot of merit. He is a forward thinker. I believe what he said should be given the vote of our people. His ideas could move this city forward into a positive future.

If you feel that the City of Hickory is in a stagnant state, and you care where we go in the future, Go vote in this city council election. Make a difference in our city and move us forward.

Do you want your tax rate to increase because we cannot afford services because of the loss of jobs and revenue? Speak your opinion and give the City of Hickory a chance to grow and prosper.

We can make a difference today. Go vote!

Pam Connelly
Hickory

Group encourages Conover citizens to vote

I have been involved with this group of friends, neighbors and citizens during the last three municipal elections.We set about finding candidates with integrity that we could endorse. We were tired of a council serving the interests of themselves instead of the citizens of Conover. We organized as a political action committee, and legally registered with the Board of Elections, which has the most stringent of reporting guidelines for financial activity and personal reporting.

One of the key goals of the Conover Votes is to encourage candidates with integrity to pursue political office. We want to invigorate the Conover voter to participate again in the decision about who will best lead.

We have been up front about all our activities from the outset, records will back that statement up. We push no agenda, no personal interest and no strings attached when opting to support a candidate or candidates.

An informed Conover voter is our goal. Please go to the polls and vote for your candidate of choice.

Ed Lethcoe
Conover

Best choice for Conover mayor is Eckard

The choice for mayor of Conover is Bruce Eckard. His commitment to his community and his visionary leadership are largely responsible for much of what makes Conover a great place to live.

Under Bruce's leadership, ideas like Conover West Industrial Park, which created jobs and tax base, and downtown improvements including decorative street lights, sidewalks, city facilities, and the downtown park were implemented.

I was fortunate to have had the best seat in the house from 1989-2006 to watch Mayor Eckard lead a great collection of Conover City Council members as they made these outstanding but sometimes difficult decisions about the future of Conover.

It is rare for a community to find an individual like Bruce Eckard who will spend his entire career serving his city. He has proved he will spend the time, has the experience, and can build the partnerships necessary to lead Conover through trying economic times like these.

Vote Bruce Eckard for mayor of Conover.

Rick Beasley
Boone