I read with interest the Butner-Creedmoor News interview with Butner Mayor Terry Turner, and what I read sounded not only outlandish, but bordering on becoming Machiavellian.

Let’s start with his last statement that “government is what keeps towns going.”  

I beg to differ, as it is the people who not only keep a town going, but also improve, and manage it. Anyone thinking different is embracing and practicing the worst form of leadership, i.e thinking that because I am an elected official, I know what’s best for and therefore can determine what happens in the town. 

As evidenced by the official statement found on the Town of Butner website regarding the Gateway Project, a direct quote: “The Butner Gateway is the area on the west side of I-85, up to C Street, between exits 189 and 191. Town staff and officials feel this area has great potential for development and envisions multi-use development....”  

See any mention of how the people feel? And not just the small group of individuals you surrounded yourself with, who think like and agree with you. News flash: People elect officials to handle the day to day details required to operate a city or town. Not to start thinking “I know what’s best”.  

That is as far from true democracy as you can get. The mayor’s statement also helps explain why SGWASA is also hell bent on expanding their sewer system to accommodate growth and the Gateway Project, even though many of their current customers are still having water quality issues. 

A project developed years ago, long before one of the most  deadly and prolific pandemics that has ever struck mankind is becoming our new normal. So more people is just what we need so our case numbers and deaths will start to increase? 

I don’t think so. And I will only lightly mention the issue of climate change, and how everyone needs to slow down on building more stuff. We are in a much different world now, and many old concepts and plans have to be changed. A few years ago, Americans didn’t have to wear masks, and we could gather together safely in numbers. All that and more has changed. The mark of true intelligence lies in the ability to adapt. Adaptation means and requires change.

Then it’s his ongoing statement that “growth is inevitable,” as if growth is some type of mystical, unstoppable force that forces its way upon you. Growth in a town is simply individuals selling land to developers who get permission from elected officials to build homes, etc.  

Therefore it can be controlled and stopped by ‘individuals’ (i.e., the hazardous waste incinerator, bio-hazard lab or the recently discussed Durham algae project. Individuals even stopped Stem from building a water park).  

Truth of the matter is growth stopped in the south Granville area last year due to the lack of sewer capacity. And guess what, even with the Covid pandemic wreaking havoc on everyone, neither town disappeared, and they won’t, because the people will keep them going. People who choose to live in the area because it is free from the noise, crime and clamor of the crowded city. 

I have known Mayor Turner for some time, and I believe him to be a decent individual. 

However, his current way of leadership thinking calls for a challenge. Butner has already developed into a nice small town. Let well alone be. There is plenty to improve, (schools, water quality, sidewalks,  town aesthetics, youth (skate) and dog parks, etc.). So better to focus on becoming better, not bigger. Those who reside here will continue to raise families, many of whom will remain here and help the towns grow.

There is no such animal as controlled growth. Once you open the door, all the things that make the current towns nice will be lost forever. I  personally saw this happen in a place called Paradise, Hawaii.  Growth turned it into a crowded, noisy concrete jungle. 

The grass is not always greener on the other side, and bigger is not always better. Growth does not always lead to progress or improvements. Quality of life is that intangible that cannot be bought. It has to be nurtured, for it can affect both the quality and longevity of one’s life. Area residents now enjoy and benefit from a relatively stress-free high quality of life.

In short, don’t mess up a good thing, everyone will regret it later. Don’t be out of touch.

John Mayo
Butner