Editorial: A wake up call

There is a healthy, ongoing public debate in Troutman regarding how residents, elected officials and the town’s professional staff can best prepare for and manage the growth that’s destined to reshape the town.

While it’s important that Troutman hold onto its small-town charm for as long as possible, as residents and some members of the town board have stated, that sentiment cannot be the over-riding focus of these discussions.

Public safety must be priority No. 1 for town aldermen.

As Troutman’s population and retail base expand, the town’s fire and police personnel undoubtedly will be challenged to answer the increasing calls for service that accompany growth. The police and fire departments are going to need more trained patrol officers and detectives, more firefighters, more vehicles and more money for training.

It’s prudent to have these resources in place before they are needed. And the need is probably months – not years – away.

Several major hotel projects are in the development stages in Troutman and, if a liquor-by-the-drink ballot initiative passes in May, you’ll see some major chain restaurants popping up around town.

Restaurants and hotels are good for residents and good for the town’s tax base. Travelers who would normally stop in Statesville or Mooresville for dinner and a place to sleep will find Troutman to be a good alternative with decidedly less traffic congestion.

But it’s naive and unrealistic to believe everyone who moves to Troutman or who pulls off Exit 42 or Exit 45 will be a law-abiding citizen.

The discovery of a woman’s body buried near the town limits last week should serve as a wake-up call for everyone who lives in and loves Troutman. What’s worked for the past 100 years will not suffice in the future.