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2020 Year in Review

VOICES HEARD

VOICES HEARD: McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

By MIKE CONLEY
Dec 30, 2020
Dec 30, 2020 Updated Feb 4, 2022
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Voices lifted: McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

One of the biggest and most noteworthy of the public events in McDowell happened as a result of the killing of George Floyd during an arrest in Minnesota. The death of Floyd, who was an African-American, sparked outrage and anger and protests against police brutality all over the United States. The killings of Ahmaud Arbery in south Georgia and other African-Americans also brought attention to the issue of systemic racism in America. Here in McDowell, peaceful vigils took place on the evening of Thursday, June 4 in Marion and Old Fort to “shine the light” on racial hate and injustice as well as promote unity among all people. The vigils brought hundreds of people of different races and economic backgrounds together to show their opposition to racism and hatred and voice their support for justice and unity.

FILE PHOTO, JOSH DAVIS

Voices lifted: McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

At the May meeting of the Old Fort Board of Aldermen, a crowd of up to 200 people gathered in support of economic growth and Sunday beer sales in the town. Many of them carried signs in the rain outside the Old Fort Town Hall. The signs carried such messages as “We support growth in Old Fort” or “Please let our town grow” or “Vote yes for Sunday beer sales.” In June, the aldermen agreed not to pass an ordinance against Sunday beer sales.

FILE PHOTO

Voices lifted: McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

In August, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Marion. They were there to show their support for Lowe’s employee Garett Crisp, who was informed by management that he could not wear a face mask supporting law enforcement. He is also the son of U.S. Forest Service Officer Jason Crisp, who was killed in the line of duty in March 2014. Officer Jason Crisp’s K9 partner Maros was also killed at the same time. In this photo, Chris Marsh spoke to the crowd about how he wanted to support Crisp and his family. He said that he hopes this crowd would include Republicans, Democrats, people of all races, gay and straight united to show their support for law enforcement not only here but throughout our nation.

FILE PHOTO

Voices lifted: McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

Monday, Aug. 31 was Overdose Awareness Day in McDowell County, the city of Marion and the town of Old Fort. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness that overdose can be prevented and to reduce the stigma around overdose death. Organizers conducted vigils in both Marion and Old Fort. At the county courthouse in downtown Marion, a crowd gathered for the vigil. At the Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort, a similar vigil took place during the same time as Marion’s. Lavita Logan with People on the Move Old Fort and Alderman Andrew Carlton (pictured) were there to show their support. Young and old held candles to remember those affected by substance abuse and overdoses.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Voices lifted: McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

The commemorative mural in downtown Old Fort celebrates the courage and activism of Albert Joyner and George Sandlin while they confronted systemic and institutional racism. It was dedicated in mid-September.

MIKE CONLEY, THE MCDOWELL NEWS

Voices lifted: McDowell’s people speak their minds on the issues during 2020

The West Marion Community Forum announced it will get a $500,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation to address the problem of childhood obesity in McDowell County. The West Marion forum will receive this four-year grant as part of its community-centered health initiative. This project is titled “Shift Happens: For the Health of Our Community” and was awarded after an intensive 15-month planning process led by a core team of partners. The team consists of (from left) Mary Snow, Equitable Community Strategies; Ginger Webb, Community Engagement Project; Emily Roberts, McDowell Local Food Advisory Council; Paula Swepson Avery, program manager; Kim Freeman, Mission Hospital McDowell; and Kathy Arriola, Centro Unido Latino Americano. Heather Edwards with the Foothills Food Hub was unavailable for photo.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

By MIKE CONLEY

Not all of McDowell County’s major events in 2020 were about COVID-19. Throughout the year, the county’s people voiced their concerns and opinions on matters that were not related to the pandemic.

Staff writer Megan Gouge contributed to this story.

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