THUMBS UP to the city of Hickory for getting the Clement Boulevard Extension off the drawing board and into the hands of construction crews. The link will ease traffic movement and relieve congestion in the area. It's been a long time coming, but the city is in the position to make the link a reality. Motorists appreciate the new pavement joining Old Lenoir Road and U.S. 321.
THUMBS UP to the refurbishing of SALT Block auditorium. The old auditorium, in almost constant use since the building was called Claremont High School, was in dire need of renovation. Its being paid for by the SALT Block endowment and capital campaign. Many people are responsible for the funding, and we thank them. The auditorium has been the scene of many memorable moments, and now it will be good for many more. The SALT Block is one of the wonders of Hickory, and the auditorium is as fit as ever for entertainment and multitude of uses that cater to people of all ages from across the Catawba Valley.
THUMBS UP to the Western Carolina University marching band for achieving two extraordinary honors this year. First, "The Pride of the Mountains" won the Sudler Trophy, the nation's highest honor for marching bands. Now, the band has been selected to march in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. Few bands are chosen to march in the signature event prior to the Rose Bowl. There are many WCU alumni in our area, and several former and current band members. They should be proud. These honors simply can't be topped.
THUMBS UP to the state Board of Elections for pulling no punches in fining former Gov. Mike Easley and his campaign for unreported airplane flights, a subversion of campaign finance reporting rules. The Easley campaign, of which Easley was the leader, was ordered to give up $60,000 for flight costs and to reimburse the elections board $40,000 for its investigation. The board also asked the attorney general's office to investigate whether laws were broken. The flights in question seemed shady at best, even though Easley denies allegations he told a political ally to file flight invoices to get money for home repairs. The ally said he flew Easley dozens of times to campaign events. Whether Easley was not watching his campaign closely enough or complicit in the finance fiasco, he gets a THUMBS DOWN for this political black eye.
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