BY DEBBIE PAGE
Iredell Adult Day Services (IADS) Program Director Debbie Howell presented the Troutman Town Council with information about the program ‘s efforts to serve elderly Iredell County residents.
A main goal of the nonprofit is to keep seniors as independent and active as possible to foster quality of life as they age.
IADS, formerly known as Elder Center, provides adult day care for people over 50 who have physical, intellectual, or developmental challenges in a homelike setting in Statesville. The services include transportation, two meals and a snack, and professional supervision.
Daily activities help to slow the process of dementia and other illnesses. Activities also nurture participants’ personal independence and social, physical, and emotional well-being.
Without this program, many of these residents would be home alone without needed care or socialization or in a nursing home. The program also allows caregivers to continue to work and function normally in their daily routines knowing their loved one is receiving good care and developing relationships during the day but still have them living at home.
Howell noted that too many elderly are isolated and on tight budgets, having to choose whether to pay rent or utilities or buy food or medicine.
Adults are eligible to participate in the program if they can walk without assistance (wheelchairs and walkers may qualify), are mentally alert and able to communicate with others, and can feed and toilet themselves.
The program has also now obtained its certification to be a day health center, which can manage medications and help with chronic conditions with various therapies.
The program costs $60 daily for day care or $70 for day health, which is less than for-profit adult day care services or nursing home options. Many clients get financial support from the Department of Social Services, and the program also accepts Medicaid.
Those interested can submit a medical exam and an application, followed by a personal interview with staff and family. Clients must attend the program at least 2 days per week
Iredell Adult Day Services depends on private funding sources to manage expenses and services. Currently, adult day care is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
For more information, call 704-873-0720 during center hours.
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Teross Young signed and presented a joint proclamation with the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, Town of Mooresville, City of Statesville, and the Town of Troutman to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, with more than 48,000 people dying by suicide each year in the United States.
According to the group Hope for the Day, an average of 132 suicides are completed daily, and each one directly impacts more than 100 people, including friends, service members, family, social media connections, and neighbors.
Be Well Iredell is a collaboration group effort dedicated to creating a community where every person thrives with hope and resilience. The group is committed to ensure the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of all members of our community.
Through collaboration, education, and unwavering support, Be Well Iredell wants to empower residents with the protective tools they need to overcome their challenges and to foster a safe, nurturing environment, where no person feels alone or forgotten.
The leaders of Iredell County recognize that suicide is preventable and that no one should go through a suicide-related crisis alone, so all are deeply committed to tackling the mental health challenges facing the residents of the county.
SUICIDE PREVENTION/RECOVERY EVENTS
♦ The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Community Walk is on Sunday, September 29, at 2 p.m. at Statesville High School’s stadium (474 North Center Street). Registration begins at 1 p.m.
The event will feature community speakers and leaders, information booths, resources, and remembrances in addition to the walk around the stadium.
Contact Susan Tolle at Contact: Susan Tolle (704-450-6162 or bstolle@bellsouth.net) for more information.
♦ The 7th annual Iredell Walk for Recovery is on Saturday, September 28, at ESC Park in Troutman from 4 to 7 p.m. and celebrates recovery from substance misuse or mental health challenges.
This free, family-friendly event, featuring a concert by Uptown Party Band, will celebrate the hope and healing that comes with recovery from substance use and mental illness with words from three inspiring speakers as well as community leaders.
Kids activities, including magician Mr. Marvel, a balloon artist, a splash pad and playground, face painting, martial arts and other performances, photo booth, art exhibit, games, and crafts, will also add to the fun.
A free dinner of hotdogs, water, and side items will also be served. Other treats will be distributed by individual vendors.
The event spreads the word about recovery, prevention, treatment, and education assistance related to substance use and mental illness issues during National Recovery Month.
Many vendors associated with mental health, substance misuse, recovery, and other helping agencies will be on hand, and adults can take a “walk” around the event area, visiting the vendors with their stamp card. The completed stamp card will make adult attendees eligible for prize drawings. (Must be present to win.)
Bring your bag chairs, lawn blankets, sunscreen, kids’ swimsuits, and towels for an afternoon of fun and inspiration!
For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/view/iredellcountywalkforrecovery/
OFFICERS HONORED AS EMPLOYEES OF MONTH
Troutman Police Chief Josh Watson honored Sgt. Ethan Windsor and Johnathon Garcia as the town’s August Employees of the Month for their exemplary law enforcement efforts.
Watson said the “C” squad had the highest number of traffic stops of any squad, the highest number of arrests, and the highest number of self-initiated police activity. Their proactive approach led to them finding multiple stolen firearms, conducting multiple arrests for possession of methamphetamine, and arresting several impaired drivers.
The squad also assists with the Criminal Investigations Unit and helped solve cases involving stolen materials from a residential construction site.
Watson said both are great examples of what what the men and women of the police department do every day and show the standard of what is expected of the department’s employees.
He thanked them for their hard work, dedication to be early to work every day, and positivity.
WATER REQUEST DENIED
The council denied Howard Culbreth’s request for water service at 203 Timber Lake Drive, which is one of a few lots not annexed into the town in the Falls Cove – Parkwood subdivision. Eight non-resident homes in the neighborhood get water service, but the town changed its policy in August of 2023 prohibiting water service without annexation.
The Culbreths began building a new home on the lot, next to their current home which is annexed within the town limits, in May of last year. They were unaware of the change in town policy until Culbreth recently went to Town Hall to get the water meter installed on the existing meter box on his lot and learned of the policy change.
Culbreth, a town resident of 11 years who says he paid nearly $8,000 in town property taxes each year, asked to be “grandfathered” because he did not know of the policy change and since the home is nearly ready for occupancy.
When town council members asked why he did not annex the lot into the town at the agenda briefing meeting on Monday, Culbreth said that he preferred to be in the county.
The council was sympathetic to Culbreth’s plight, but felt they could not set a precedent of allowing non-resident water service after the policy change.
Council member Paul Henkel noted they had turned down another non-resident request and had to be consistent. “We cannot cherry-pick. You must annex to get water,” he said.
Culbreth agreed to submit an annexation request next week.
Town Manager Ron Wyatt asked if the council would allow the water to be turned on after the completed annexation materials were submitted. The council agreed, with the understanding that continued water service was contingent on the completion of annexation process.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council also approved:
♦ Appointment of Greg Weisz to fill the remaining Planning and Zoning Board term of Karen VanVliet through May of 2027. The council chose not to fill the term of Mark Michel at this time. Both VanVliet and Michel are no longer town residents.
♦ Approved the facade for the Zaxbys restaurant at 1132 Charlotte Highway.
♦ Amendments to the Town of Troutman Schedule of Fees to increase fees only for new customers to install sewer taps and for water and sewer availability fees.
♦ An amendment to the town’s water and sewer service policy to make landlords co-signers and liable for water bills not paid by renters and denying water service to the property or apartment until unpaid bills are paid. Several renters have left bills not covered by their deposit.
♦ A UDO amendment to an ordinance regulating obstructions in public right-of-ways to define the height (14 feet) to which all limbs must be cleared from the public roadway or sidewalk by the property owner.
The UDO already states that it is the owner’s responsibility to keep any branch or vegetation from protruding into the public spaces to maintain safe and free passage on roadways or sidewalks. The town will now have authority to go on the property to remove the limbs or vegetation protruding into the public space if the owner fails to remedy the issue.
The town has received complaints from the school system and commercial vehicle operators about scratches and damage to vehicles from low-hanging limbs.
♦ A UDO text amendment regarding zero side setbacks in the Highway Business District, consistent with the neighborhood commercial district, which allows properties or units to be parceled out and sold as individual units in attached shopping centers. The HB setback is still 25 feet when adjacent to a residential district.