Lee Sharpe, longtime owner and publisher of The Taylorsville Times, received two honors at the Monday, April 4, 2022, meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. Sharpe was first presented a “Key to the County” and was then surprised with the prestigious “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” award, which is an honor granted by the State of North Carolina to individuals who have shown extraordinary service to the state.
Former Sheriff and State Representative Ray Warren and Dr. Warren Hollar worked with county staff and community leaders to secure the state award for Sharpe in recognition of his many years of dedicated community service, both as a citizen and as a newspaper publisher. Both awards were also presented in honor of Sharpe’s upcoming 80th birthday on April 9 and for the newspaper’s 100th anniversary, celebrated last fall.
“Thank you so much for this great honor. I am very honored to have had the opportunity to spend almost fourscore years in Alexander County. I am very thankful for my family and for the opportunities that have been afforded to me. Jane [his late wife] and I were very delighted to be able to pursue our vocation and to raise our family here. The pastures are green in Alexander County – the place that I relish as home,” Sharpe stated.