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Residents raise senior-center grievance and urge local limits on cryptocurrency mining during Burke County public comment
Summary
Two preregistered speakers used the informal public-comment period to raise separate concerns: a senior-center patron said he was banned and sought a hearing, and a Morganton resident urged the county to strengthen local zoning and noise rules to restrict cryptocurrency mining.
During the informal public-comment period at the Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting, two preregistered citizens spoke on separate issues.
Charles Erskine, a resident who identified himself as a senior-center patron, said he had been barred from the senior center for 30 days following alleged “multiverbal confrontations” that he said he did not start. He asked the board for a hearing and said staff and specific individuals had used their positions to mistreat him. "Justice is what I'm asking for," Erskine said.
Anne Moncrief of Morganton spoke about concerns over cryptocurrency mining. Moncrief said crypto-mining operations “produce no tangible product, employ virtually no one locally, and ruin the quality of life for those who must contend with noise pollution 24/7, 365 days a year.” She asked the county to consider stronger countywide zoning and noise ordinances to protect residents and landscapes, and noted state legislative actions that she said limit local authority to regulate such industries.
Why it matters: The comments flagged two distinct community issues—an individual grievance with county senior-center operations and a broader policy concern about decentralized, high‑energy industrial uses in rural counties. County staff did not respond to the comments during the meeting; the speakers requested follow-up.
The board closed the public comment period and proceeded to the consent and decision items on the agenda.
