Library Manager Louise Gerhard smiled as she greeted patrons Tuesday morning. It was a proud moment for her- it was the opening of the new Wilkes County Library. “I think it’s been a long time coming,” Gerhard said. “I’ve never seen anything met with so much pride throughout the whole county.” Construction of the 24,000 square-feet library began last January. Gerhard’s staff completed the major part of the move to the new building on 10th Street last week. That move included packing up more than 50,000 volumes and placing them on their new shelves. Standing among the spacious, well-lit main floor Gerhard spoke with excitement in her voice. Overhead, a large domed skylight showed blue skies above the building.

         Giving a tour of the new building, the first thing Gerhard pointed out was the Local History Room. Shelves of large bound books could be seen through the rounded glass enclosure. Genealogy research will be a key function of this room, Gerhard said. Over the years interest in family history has grown, she added. “People come here from all over the country to do research. Some people take their vacations to do this.” The old library’s genealogy room was in the basement and wasn’t handicapped assessable. Those obstacles are gone. Passing the brass-handrailed stairs, Gerhard showed the Young Adults section. Shelves of paperback books flanked the open area. “This kind of gives them their own area, away from the younger kids,” she said.

         Reference, non-fiction and local history books filled the middle section of the top floor. The Casual Reading Area is at the rear of the floor. There, patrons can pick from the 100 magazines and 10 newspapers the library subscribes to. One man sat and read near a large window. “This will be a popular spot,” Gerhard said. “People can come here during their lunch hour and read.” An open area nearby will soon feature nine computers. There, patrons can sign onto the Internet for information. “All they need is a library card and to sign our Internet user agreement,” Gerhard said. Walking down the broad stairway, Gerhard told how the lower level was the main handicap entrance. From there, patrons can use an elevator to go upstairs. At a large, custom-made desk, circulation assistant Carolyn Hansen helped Pat Billings check out a book.

         Ed Stanford was next in line. “He’s a brand new patron said assistant circulation manager Wendy Barber. A few feet away, Gerhard showed the children’s reading area. Behind a colorful desk Youth Services Librarian Elizabeth Keatley stood ready to assist patrons. This area also offers a children’s workshop where arts and crafts can be created. Walking through another door, Gerhard showed the “Friends of the Library Room.” This room will be used for meetings. Non-profit organizations and governmental groups will use the room in the future. “We’ll start scheduling it in March,” Gerhard said. “We’ve already had a lot of phone calls about it.” Downstairs also features videos, books on tape, adult fiction, new books and large-type volumes. As more patrons came in, Gerhard broke away to talk with them. “We’re really pleased with this,” she said. “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

         With the filing period three weeks away, political maneuvering is gearing up among likely county commissioner candidates. Incumbent Wilkes commissioners Roy Absher and Jack Welborn say they will seek reelection. Board Chairman Robert Handy is expected to do the same. All are Republicans. “You just get it in your blood,” said Absher, who is completing his first four-year term. He added that building four new middle schools would be a top priority if reelected. Welborn told The Record that he will “run again.” Welborn read a prepared statement to The Record on Tuesday morning. “I told the people of Wilkes County, when I ran for county commissioner one year ago, that I would bring common sense the office. I believe I have done that. I will, if reelected, continue to do that. We need it. “I supported the schools. This is where the future of this county lies. I will continue to do so as much as I feel we can afford to in this area.” “I will be working very hard to get a one-cent sales tax passed to build the middle schools. I voted for building a senior center on the courthouse property. I support the seniors and their programs. We owe it to them to provide activities and a place to hold those activities. I will continue to support them as much as I possibly can.

         “My hope is that we can continue to grow and progress. I want to contribute to that by maintaining as low a tax rate as possible in the county.” Handy did not return phone calls. The filing period opens at noon Jan. 3. Primaries will be held on May 2 with the election on Nov. 7. As time draws near, the list of political maybes in the commissioners’ race is grows. That list includes Republicans Dr. Tom Bowman, a former commissioner, and Charlie Sink, member of the Wilkes Planning Board. Democrats Arnold Lakey and Robert Rizoti are also considering campaigns. Bowman, a North Wilkesboro physician, said, “I have done the job before,” but when asked if he plans to file, added, “I’ll have to think about it over the holidays.” Cooperation with the school board will be important in years to come, Bowman said. “The four years I was on the board we worked well with the schools. We fully funded them two out of four of those years.”

         He added, “The next four years will be very important. If those schools are going to be built, I think we need someone (on the county board) that understands these needs, not someone who is going to oppose them off the cuff. I think we just need to have a little more progressive board.” When interviewed Monday, Sink said he’d “prefer not to commit yet,” but offered, “I am considering it (filing) because so many people have asked me about it.” Chuck Elledge, also a Republican, said Tuesday that, “I have had a bunch of people ask me about running.” Elledge, 44, a loss prevention analyst for Lowe’s said, “let’s face it, we need qualified, educated and dedicated people to serve. Some of the stuff people have to deal with keeps them from running for office. I am not seeking political office, but I can’t tell you if I will run or not.” Lakey said, “it’s still a maybe,” when asked Monday if he intended to run for office. “We’ll just have to wait and see. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s a big commitment and I’m not taking it lightly.” Rizoti laughed when asked if he plans to run for commissioner. “Like the old saying goes, ‘Never say never,’” he said. “You never know what may happen down the road,” added Rizoti, owner of Oakwoods Grocery. His family has a long history in Wilkes politics, Rizoti said. His father, Ed Rizoti, is a former Wilkes Democratic Party chairman. “I’d like to see three good candidates on both sides of the fence when the primaries are over,” Rizoti said. Party leaders in Wilkes say they hope for the same.

         “We don’t back anybody in particular,” said Roger Smithey, Wilkes Republican Party chairman. When asked who he expected to run, Smithey declined to name names. “I’ve had a few comments from different people,” he said during an interview Friday. “They say, ‘I’m thinking about,’ but no one has actually committed to it.” Smithey said he expects “no big split” to occur among Wilkes Republicans when the primaries heat up. “What I ran for when I ran for chairman was to try to get rid of negative politics,” he said. “I tell them (candidates) to run on their own merits. I tell them not to run just to run against the other person.” Political action groups, like Fairness In Taxation, are not expected to play a major part in the upcoming elections, Smithey said, but added, “It’s good to have those groups out there. You need them on both sides. But, as far as playing a big roll this time, I don’t think so.” Smithey said he hopes for a large slate of qualified candidates. Wilkes Democratic Party Chairman Judith Porter wishes for the same. “I’m hoping that people interested in running will be out front ready to file.” The Democrats have formed a candidate-search committee. Phil Revis, former party chairman, is on that team. “We are in the process right now of talking to some people, but it’s just in the talking stages,’ Revis said Monday.

         “One of the Vision 20/20 goals is to have good, qualified local elected officials,” Revis said. “I believe that the Democratic Party will come forth with a group of candidates who are highly qualified and acceptable to the voters of Wilkes County.” Three of the board’s five seats are up for grabs every two years. The two top vote getters receive four-year terms; the third-place candidate gets a two-year term. The 1994 filing period was one of the busiest on record, according to Wilkes Board of Elections officials. Then, 21 candidates (12 Republicans and nine Democrats) filed. In 1996, 11 candidates (nine Republicans and two Democrats) filed to run for the three seats. The 1998 election saw six Republicans and four Democrats run for office.

Free Lead Screening for children under age 6 is available at Wilkes county Health Department on Monday through Friday 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM. Please call for an appointment.

Do you have a problem with drugs? There is a solution—Narcotics Anonymous—Monday 7-8 PM & Fridays 7-8 PM at 307 E Main Street, Wilkesboro. For more information call 838-1065.

Foothills Family Practice will be having group therapy on tips to control diabetes, weight and to help improve movement for stroke victims at the office on Wednesdays from 5 PM-6 PM. Sponsored by Dr. Louis Yancich & Foothills Family Practice. Call for further information - Rita Brown 838-5191.

Wilkes Transportation Authority would like to announce another new transportation service for the citizens of Wilkes County. Tentatively, on the first Saturday of each month from 9 AM until 4 PM. We will provide pre-scheduled local transportation. You must make your reservation by the last Wednesday in the month. Transportation will be provided on an "availability" basis. Payment is expected before service is rendered.

During the holiday season, Wilkes Transportation Authority will offer Wilkes offer a ride to Hanes Mall for leisure day of shopping on Thursdays. The cost is $15 per person for entire trip, payment when service is rendered. There must be a minimum of five shoppers signed up by Tuesday before Thursday trip. The van will leave from WTA parking lot at 9 AM and arrive at Hanes Mall by 10 AM-day’s end 4 PM.

The Christmas play "Conrad" will be held at Traphill Baptist Church on Sunday, December 19 at 7 PM. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall after the play. Everyone is invited.

The sanctuary choir of Moravian Falls Baptist Church will present the Christmas musical, Mary, Did You Know? on Sunday, December 19 at the church. The Christmas presentation is free to the public and will begin at 7 PM. A nursery will be provided. For additional information, please call (828) 495-4221.

Register now for computer classes at the Senior Center, Keyboarding, Tuesday, 4-6, D. Cubert 1/4-4/11; Internet, Monday, 4-6, D. Cubert, 1/3-4/17; Internet Applications, Monday & Wednesday, 12-1:30, Anne Johnson, 1/3-3/15; Desktop Publishing, Wednesday, 4-6, D. Cubert, 1/5-3/15; Microsoft Excel, Monday, 6-9, Amanda Pruitt, 1/3-3/13; Microsoft Windows 95, Thursday, 4-6, D. Cubert, 1/6-3/9; Microsoft Windows 95, Thursday, 6-9, J.B. Davis, 1/6-3/9; Microsoft Works, Tuesday, 6-9, J.B. Davis, 1/4-3/7; Microsoft Works, Tuesday & Wednesday, 12-1:30, Anne Johnson, 1/4-3/9; Windows 95 Beginners, Monday & Wednesday, 10-11:30, Anne Johnson, 1/3-3/15; Windows 95 Beginners, Tuesday & Thursday, 10-11:30, Anne Johnson, 1/4-3/9; Windows 95 Beginners, Monday & Wednesday, 2:30-4, Lisa Shumate, 1/3-3/15; Word Processing, Tuesday & Thursday, 1:30-3, Lisa Shumate, 1/4-3/9.

Mountain View Baptist Church will be having their Christmas Program on Monday, December 20 at 7 pm in Deep Gap. Call 973-7305 for more information.

The Foster/Adoption Committee of the Humane Society of Wilkes is holding its last of three December Pick-a-Pet fairs at JC Penney’s in Wilkesboro this Saturday, December 18, from 10 AM until 4 PM. Come by the children’s department at JC Penney’s in the Wilkes Small Mall to see some of the many puppies, kittens, dogs and cats that are available for adoption. For more information call 838-9LUV (838-9588) or visit the Humane Society of Wilkes web site at www.hsofwilkes.org.

Harvest Time Ministries will be presenting a live nativity on Friday & Saturday, December 17 & 18 from 6 pm to 9 pm nightly. the nativity will be located on the right just past Lowe’s Food on Hwy 18N. Harvest Time Ministries is located at 501 C Street in North Wilkesboro.

There will be an in-depth Bible study entitle “The Heart of the Problem” held at the Brushy Mountain Association Conference Room, beginning January 16, 2000 at 7 pm. This study may answer some of the questions about the Christian life you have always wanted to ask but were afraid people would think you are ignorant. Call 838-4407 or 903-0506 to register. Cost for materials is $15. Registration required. Come and bring a friend.