County supports naming part of highway for ‘Poochie’ Cox

ASHEBORO — In their January meeting, Randolph County Commissioners voted to support a proposal to rename a portion of a highway running through south Asheboro in honor of the late Gary “Poochie” Cox.

The renaming was proposed by Stephen Cox, son of Gary Cox. The highway section would begin at Cox's Harley-Davidson, 2795 NC 134, and end five miles south just north of the Bethel Lucas Road intersection. The preferred name of the section of roadway would be Gary "Poochie" Cox.

The naming process must go through the NC Department of Transportation’s Road, Bridge, Ferry Naming or Designation Application. Strong local support of the road naming, such as the Board of Commissioners, is recommended.

According to the resolution the commissioners approved, Gary “Poochie” Cox “was an outstanding citizen in Randolph County” and “made numerous contributions to the community, the State, and the nation. …” Those contributions include fund-raising and donations to benefit Hospice, Relay for Life, the Jimmy V Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Pediatric Brain Foundation. “In 1986, he established the annual NC Baptist Children’s Home Toy Run which continues to this day.”

•Approved the naming of new roads as recommended by the Randolph County Planning Board after it conducted hearings. The six roads are located near the Toyota Battery Manufacturing Plant west of Liberty.

The new roads are:

— Michael Lee Lane from the intersection of Old Red Cross Road and a new state road to the intersection of Shiloh Road.

— Old Red Cross Road from the intersection of Old Red Cross Road to the intersection of Shiloh Road.

— Pierce Denny Road from the intersection of Julian Airport Road to the end.

— Camela Way from the intersection of Dogwood Way to the end.

— Dogwood Lane, a new road going into the west side of the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite.

— Dodson Lake Road, a new road going into the south side of the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite.

•OK’ed the purchase of six Dodge Durangos by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Greg Seabolt told the commissioners that the new vehicles were needed to replace those coming off patrol with “well over 100,000 miles.” He said the old ones are so worn out that they can’t be resold as excess inventory.

Bidding for the new vehicles was done under the NC Statewide Vehicle Contract; Performance Automotive has been awarded its bid of $258,592.98. The funds are in the Sheriff’s budget for 2023-24.

•Authorized the purchase of three Chevrolet Tahoes by Randolph County Emergency Services. The bid of $171,126 was from Modern Chevrolet of Winston-Salem.

Emergency Service Chief Donovan Davis said the Tahoes are quick-response vehicles and the contract pricing is from the NC Sheriff Association’s competitive bidding process.

•Received the annual report from the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority.

Amber Scarlett, TDA executive director, said that in 2022 visitors to Randolph County spent $178.63 million, an increase of 4 percent from 2021. Tax revenue distributions to the TDA were $1.343 million, a 16 percent increase from the previous year.

Scarlett said the total payroll generated by tourism in the county was $42 million with more than 1,130 direct tourism jobs. Total state and local tax revenues from visitor spending resulted in tax relief to each county resident of $86.20.

•Agreed to transfer a portion of a state grant of $4 million to the Northwest Randolph Human Services Project and $1 million for the principal payment for the Rural Health Stabilization loan.

The Northwest Randolph Human Services Project will receive a transfer of $3,245,875 from the Hospital Psychiatric Renovation Capital Project.

•Heard the annual audit report from April Adams of Cherry Bekaert LLC. She said the audit gave the county a clean opinion, “the highest level we can give.”

•Agreed to hold the commissioners’ annual retreat at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, at Randolph County Cooperative Extension at the Hillside Center on South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro.