During the Aberdeen Board of Commissioners meeting held on June 12, the main topic of discussion revolved around the potential sale of properties currently owned by the town.
Town Manager Paul Sabiston explained the upset bid process related to selling parts of the old Aberdeen Elementary School and adjacent properties that the town purchased in late 2021 and discussed the sale of town-owned property near Highway 5.
The town plans on keeping the school’s gym and auditorium for entertainment, such as concerts and plays. The town had announced plans in 2022 to sell the remaining property for mixed-use development, which will include office space, shops, and residential units.
Sabiston said he expected no action on this at the June 12 meeting but pointed out that the time is getting close to when actions and decisions must be made.
These transactions will be separate purchase contracts and separate transactions. Another separate sale of land owned by the town has been requested to be sold for a new development located near Highway 5, consisting of approximately 25 acres.
Sabiston outlined some details on how best to go through the process for these potential transactions. On the school property, Sabiston said it may be in August when decisions are made and transactions completed.
In other business, the board heard a discussion of Resolution #23-15 to support peace, love, and justice in the Town of Aberdeen.
Commissioner Wilma Laney presented a statement including a short history of this movement. On Dec. 18 of last year, during the first night of Hanukkah, an antisemitic banner was discovered hanging from a bridge over US-1 in Vass. On Christmas morning, another banner was found displayed on a US-1 bridge in Cameron.
Sandhills Coalition for Peace, Love and Justice was formed on Valentine’s Day to condemn discrimination, intolerance and hatred through education and action. The coalition is reaching out to Moore County towns and villages, requesting that this behavior be condemned.
“It’s not just Moore County,” Commissioner Laney said, “and we have a choice to say stand silent and do nothing, or we have a choice to condemn that.”
Commissioner Laney was thanked and congratulated for her work on the resolution, and the measure was unanimously approved.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Steve Biddle.
