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By Betsy Ramsbotham

For the Enterprise

COOLEEMEE – Aaron Thies, the town’s new finance and code enforcement clerk, appreciates the history of the Zachary House where town hall is located.

Pictures on the walls, plants sitting on bookshelves and comfortable chairs in front of his desk give the space a homey feel.

The hardwood pine floor leads into the adjacent rooms where Cooleemee’s rich history is documented and well-represented. There are lots of photographs of groups of people at work or in school or just smiling and having fun.

Vintage books, framed newspaper articles and tools from the old mill are eager to tell their stories of bygone days in Cooleemee.

With such an inviting space, it’s not a surprise to learn that Thies majored in hospitality and tourism at Western Carolina University where he graduated in 2018.

When he is not answering questions on the phone, preparing the quarterly tax report or handling payroll for the town’s seven employees, Thies might be reading in a code enforcement book. Code enforcement is one of Thies’ responsibilities.

“So far, the main complaint I get is that somebody’s grass is too high. I’m glad I have time to read up on and learn about more serious code violations,” he said.

Thies gives credit to Steve Corriher, his predecessor, for showing him the ropes during the week before Corriher returned to his former job at the water plant.

     Thies came on board after managing an apartment complex in Statesville.

Thies’ office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 336-284-2141.