NCLM Volume 71, Issue 1, 2021

NCLM.ORG 41 The ongoing pandemic has changed the pace or complexion of virtually every- thing in business, government, and personal life. Subsequently, municipal- ities—the governments closest to the people—have set their own, appropriate pace for delivering timely services and needed morale. In one sense, nothing could check both of those boxes more sufficiently than the facilitation of the COVID-19 vaccine, par- ticularly as the state reports persistently alarming hospitalization figures. Out- reach from towns like Elon are inform- ing residents about the state’s vaccine implementation plan with dedicated sec- tions on the town website. “Our staff has developed a flexible action plan to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to provide essential Town services to our residents. As the situation continues to develop, the action plan will be updated,” it says. The Town of Beech Mountain too has created a clean place online to help locals schedule their shots. Lincolnton has been posting steady updates on the number of local active cases, with context, according to the data they’ve received from the county health department. “At this time, active cases remain lower than in past months, and continuance of control measures around the 3 W’s’ is strongly encouraged to reduce the risk of transmission within our community,” the city’s January 29 online update reported. Scores of North Carolina municipalities are doing the same, tailoring timely and vital informa- tion to the context of their communities. It’s not solely the direct news from the pandemic front that communities need. The sense of place, connection, and pride remain essential ingredients of thriving communities. Sanford and Waxhaw are among those doing it well as we work to emerge from dark times and rediscover what it’s like to be together. The League’s podcast, Municipal Equation, highlighted a novel public art program Sanford had developed to bring eyes downtown, with vibrant murals telling the story of Sanford’s history, all with money raised outside of the government’s coffers. Just recently, the city announced $20,000 in more public art, lighting, and security enhancements, sourced from commu- nity nonprofits and the City of Sanford Public Arts Fund. The project will unfold on Charlie Watson Lane, named for a resident who for decades delivered the local newspaper to downtown businesses. “Charlie Watson Lane already attracts peo- ple to downtown Sanford,” Liz Whitmore, the city’s Historic Preservation Planner and liaison to the City of Sanford Appear- ance Commission, said in a news release. “We want to continue building it as a safe, visually interesting space that welcomes visitors and makes it convenient for them to patronize our restaurants and shops.” In Waxhaw , the city is rallying local artists to beautify a beloved local butterfly sculpture. As reported in the Charlotte Weekly, “There’s many different ways that we can help promote art for the town and different ways to actually see it and have interaction,” said Dena Sabinske, the local parks and rec director. “It gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling of coming down into Waxhaw and to have that interac- tion and pops of color we all know that provokes happiness.” The town is taking applications on its website from quali- fied artists for what they’re calling the Butterfly Project. “Downtown Waxhaw is a vital center of community activity, and we would like all residents and visitors to aesthetically enjoy their experience while walking the main shopping area,” the solicitation says. Despite the forced change of pace and the emphasis on perseverance in the moment, municipalities haven’t taken their eyes off long-term growth planning. Leland , which has experienced stellar growth over the past decade, kicked off 2021 by welcoming participation in its Leland 2045 project, with a home on the web at www.leland2045.com, to create a comprehensive plan for land use. A news release on the town’s main website cited the U.S. Census Bureau in reporting a population jump from 13,614 in 2010 to 23,544 in 2019, a 73 percent mush- rooming, with projection models figuring similar growth in the decade to come. “Leland 2045 will create a community- driven vision for the growth and develop- ment of Leland while balancing the need for open space, environmental resiliency, housing opportunities, and places for the social well-being of residents and visitors” Ben Andrea, Leland’s planning and inspections director, said in the news release. “To be successful,” he added, Talk of Our Towns It’s not solely the direct news from the pandemic front that communities need. The sense of place, connection, and pride remain essential ingredients of thriving communities . Despite the forced change of pace and the emphasis on perseverance in the moment, municipalities haven’t taken their eyes off long-term growth planning . continues on page 43