After one council member pushed to open Valdese鈥檚 art galleries in the Old Rock School on Saturdays, the Valdese Town Council tabled a decision on the issue Monday night.
The Valdese Council discussed at its May 5 meeting whether to open the Old Rock School Arts Foundation鈥檚 Galleries I and II on Saturdays. A decision was delayed until its June meeting.
Councilman Glenn Harvey said that about $750,000 was spent to renovate the Old Rock School and thousands more dollars have been spent to promote tourism in the town. He said many people come through the Old Rock School for special events, and there are residents who have contributed significant funds to the Rock School Arts Foundation and volunteers who work to make the art gallery something to be proud of.
鈥淲e have artists who bring their shows, and every month there鈥檚 a new show opening at the Old Rock School art galleries, but it鈥檚 not open on Saturdays,鈥 Harvey said.
He said it鈥檚 one of a few art galleries closed on Saturday.
Harvey noted the Waldensian Heritage Museum and the Waldensian Trail of Faith are open on Saturdays.
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Council Member Rexanna Lowman said the hours and operation of the art gallery should be under the direction of new Town Manager Todd Herms, not the council.
鈥淗e is very well schooled in what needs to be done,鈥 Lowman said. 鈥淎nd I would say that this should be something that Mr. Herms should study and decide. He should talk to all parties involved, with the Trail of Faith, with the Waldensian Museum, with the Rock School Arts Foundation, with the community affairs department, and make the decision as to what hours they should be.鈥
She said, 鈥淚 do not think it is the job of this council to be doing that kind of management. That is not our job. That is the job of the town manager.鈥
Harvey disagreed.
Harvey
鈥淚 adamantly take the position that this is indeed a town council responsibility to have town facilities that citizens who elected us are funding open to those citizens,鈥 he said.
Council Member Melinda Zimmerman said while the Waldensian Heritage Museum and Trail of Faith are open a number of Saturdays throughout the year, they aren鈥檛 open every Saturday. Likewise, she said, the Old Rock School is open on some Saturdays for events throughout the year, which presents an opportunity for people to visit the art galleries.
Lowman
Zimmerman said when people are planning a visit to the town they look up when places are open.
鈥淧eople don鈥檛 tour the way we鈥檝e toured in the past,鈥 Zimmerman said. 鈥淪o I think that鈥檚 why our tourism office is arranged and developed the way it is.鈥
Harvey asked for a vote on the item, but Council Member Heather Ward made a motion to table the discussion until June.
Ward said some tourism offices have modified hours on Saturdays, such as 9 a.m. to noon or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. And, she said, some don鈥檛 typically have their regular staff. They鈥檒l either have volunteers come in or they will have a part-time staff member there, she said.
Ward said the council needs to give Herms time to adjust to the job and time to talk to people and consider how to staff the galleries for Saturdays.
The council approved, 4-1, with Harvey voting against, to table a decision until the council鈥檚 June 2 meeting.
Monday was the first meeting for Herms, who became town manager on May 1.
During the meeting, the council recognized Finance Director Bo Weichel for his work as interim manager.
The council will hold a 2025-26 budget review at 9 a.m. May 12 in the council chambers. The budget is expected to be presented at the board鈥檚 June 2 meeting and a public hearing on it is expected on June 23. A budget has to be adopted by June 30 by state law.
