Last week, Marion Sullivan, director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, and I were in Boone to explore local issues and meet with some of the local leadership.
We began at City Hall, where we met with the Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson. Later we met with Richard Sparks, CEO of the Watauga Medical Center, Tony DiSanti, chairman of the NC State Bar, Jim Deal, County Commissioner and member of the UNC Board of Governors and Dan Meyer, CEO/President of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.
In every office we discussed concerns regarding the upcoming budget and its implications at the local level. We heard thanks to the Governor for her ongoing commitment to education and job growth and support for the Gov. Perdue’s proposal to consolidate and reorganize state government.
Mayor Clawson expressed these accolades and went on to add with her usual infectious enthusiasm, “the Governor is putting her heart and soul into her job.”
Many thanks to these civic leaders for taking time out of their busy wintery day to meet with us. We appreciate their dedication and commitment and look forward to a continuing partnership.