[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H6243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO CONNELLY SPRINGS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, let me just say, nestled halfway between 
Raleigh and Asheville in North Carolina is a little town called 
Connelly Springs. It is a small town built around an old stagecoach 
stop which now serves railroad passengers.
  Named for its healthful spring waters, Connelly Springs was 
incorporated in 1920; but due to taxes, licenses, fines, and other 
onerous government impositions, residents decided to repeal the town 
charter in 1933.
  As time passed, residents needed a water supply system as local wells 
became less productive. Residential roads needed paving, and the State 
only paved highways. To address these community needs, a group of 
citizens petitioned the State legislative bodies to allow a vote on 
reincorporation; and in 1989, 266 out of the 400 town voters approved 
the effort.
  Amazingly, the first government decided a nickel per hundred dollar 
property tax would cover the cost of government. City offices were 
established in the old filling station with a volunteer clerk to handle 
the details. In addition, six volunteer council members would set town 
policy.
  The council did an outstanding job meeting the community's needs. 
When two larger towns on either side of Connelly Springs decided to run 
a large water line connecting those two, the town of Connelly Springs' 
council realized the lines would pass near the northern boundary of the 
new town. They decided to go into the deal for $200,000 paid over 20 
years.
  The plan worked beautifully. With several backhoes and other 
equipment to aid in the installation, Connelly Springs installed the 
water lines and became the first North Carolina self-help program 
member whose local residents provided the time and the resources to 
install their own water lines.
  With the aid from their Rensselaerville Institute and the Appalachian 
Regional Commission, a $60,000 loan from the Ford Foundation, and local 
funds, the town reached the necessary projected cost of $282,000.
  Three years ago, I shoveled a little dirt to prepare the land for a 
new town hall. This September 7, I helped cut the ribbon to open the 
finished town hall. The upper floors contain offices and the council 
chamber, and the lower floor will be a community center for all local 
groups to use whenever they need it.
  We ate hot dogs and hamburgers to celebrate the grand opening. It is 
all paid for, and they have money in the bank. In all my life, I have 
never seen a more dedicated group of citizens who manage their efforts 
and money so carefully. I only wish I had some of that dedication in 
Raleigh, North Carolina, and also in Washington, D.C.

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