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With the campaign heating up on Labor Day, this week has been quite busy: what with preparing printed items, ordering campaign materials, and of course, talking with more people about their neighborhoods.

I spoke to the Rowan County Democratic Women Saturday and received such a warm reception. Thank you, ladies.

 I was intrigued and proud at this week's City Council meeting. They heard a case from a local developer who wanted to build a Taco Bell on his property on Jake Alexander Boulevard. His land was zoned appropriately, and he already has a Pizza Hut adjacent to the lot in question.

At the last meeting, a number of concerned neighbors spoke vehemently against the project. Their neighborhood backs up to the site, and they were concerned about lights, noise, traffic, and late hours. Another group spoke out against it; they own business condominiums beside the site. Their road is a private one, and they did not want heavy trucks tearing up the road at their expense.

Two councilmen were appointed to address the issue, and at this week's meeting, they reported their progress. They had met with neighbors, business owners, the developer, and the local power company. Because the power company had torn down a privacy fence earlier, having control of the land around their transmission tower, the councilmen encouraged them to rebuild the fence to protect the neighbors from light and noise. The power company agreed.

Furthermore, they asked the developer to plant more buffering than is required by law. Buffering is plant material that is thick enough and high enough to screen undesired views between properties. The developer agreed to plant buffering 4 times the required depth.

They met with the developer regarding the private road. He offered to put $5,000 in escrow against future repairs of the road. The business owners wanted $10,000. With the help of the councilmen, they reached a compromise of $8,000.

They negotiated with Taco Bell to close two hours earlier than planned on weekdays and weekends.

Finally, they recommended approval of the site. The restaurant will create 30 to 40 new jobs in Salisbury, not including construction work. In addition, the councilmen received more calls and emails from citizens in favor of the Taco Bell than against it.

While neither the developer, neighbors, nor business people got all they wanted, they each gave a little and received a little. This is just the sort of give and take that makes being a civic leader worthwhile, and I was proud of our Council. I look forward to serving.