Hickory City Council met Tuesday night with two citizens requesting to be heard. Billy Suddreth addressed City Council about needs for the Ridgeview Community. Mayor Wright said he and councilman Hank Guess had met with Suddreth and discussed possibilities, but said it will be some time before land can be donated to the Ridgeview Community. Cliff Moore spoke about Constitution Day last Saturday followed by comments by Mayor Wright that this week will be recognized as Constitution Day in Hickory. Five public hearings were held and all passed, four by unanimous 7-0 votes.

The City of Morganton has hired Phillip Lookado as its new Development and Design Director. He spent the past 11 years in Florence serving in a very similar position, according to a news release from the City. Lookadoo worked in the late 1990's with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments and served as the first full-time planner for the Town of Granite Falls. As Development and Design Department Director, Lookadoo will supervise planning, zoning, code enforcement, building inspections and engineering. A update of the City's downtown master plan and recreation master plan is scheduled to begin in the near future, so Lookadoo will play a key role in helping to shape the vision for Morganton's development during the next 20 years. Lookadoo's first day on the job will be Monday, October 31st.