Residents press Catawba County commissioners on courthouse monument and data‑center concerns

Five members of the public addressed the Catawba County Board of Commissioners during the May 18 public comment period, raising competing views about a monument on the grounds of the Old 1924 Courthouse and broader concerns about data centers and water resources.

Michael McRee spoke in favor of a proposed school merger, thanked county staff for landscaping work around the Old 1924 Courthouse, and asked the board not to remove the monument on the courthouse grounds. Sherrill Watkins likewise asked that the monument remain. In contrast, Kenyon Kelley urged the board to remove the monument and raised concerns about racism.

Several speakers also raised questions and concerns about data centers. Resident Dwight Bowman expressed worries about data centers' water and sewer infrastructure needs and questioned aspects of the upcoming recommended county budget as it relates to infrastructure. Heidi Rice expressed environmental concerns and called for attention to water conservation in decisions about data-center development.

The board did not take formal action in response to the public comments at the meeting; members heard the remarks and proceeded to scheduled agenda items. County staff did not provide an immediate policy response or timeline for any formal review of the courthouse monument at the meeting.

Because these remarks were made during the public‑comment period and no ordinance, resolution, or staff directive was proposed or adopted, the comments remain part of the public record and may inform future agenda items or staff follow-up.