Union County Weekly

Union County’s Realtor

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Vol. 11 No. 10 March 4, 2016

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www.unioncountyweekly.com

Waxhaw's retail roadblock

Weekly launches new website Union County Weekly launched a new website to improve access to community news. Page 6

The town hopes to attract new retail concepts to the area and prevent homeowners from spending their money outside of Waxhaw, but the population and day-time traffic isn't convincing yet.

Page 3

Stallings PD dives in

Summer Camp Guide This issue's Summer Camp Guide will feature some of the area’s most popular sports camps. Page 7

Buster the Bus makes debut UCPS unveiled 'Buster the Bus,' who will help teach students about bus safety. Page 10

Officers from three public service departments, and council members from across Union County, joined the Stallings Police Department's Polar Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics of North Carolina. Photo courtesy of the Stallings Police Department

!

Opinion 4 | News Briefs 6 | Education 10 | Faith 11 | Sports 12 | Classifieds 15

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Page 2 | March 4, 2016 | Union County Weekly

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Union County Weekly | March 4, 2016 | Page 3

Waxhaw continues pursuing retailers, dining options

by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

WAXHAW – Waxhaw is reaching out to potential retailers in hopes of convincing them to open stores in town.

The town talked to at least 12 retail concepts last month, with most saying they weren’t currently looking to open locations in the market. One fast-casual restaurant said the town didn’t have enough day-time traffic.

“Just because a certain retail concept may not be a fit today doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be a fit at some point,” said Cody Howell, general manager for Buxton, a research analytics firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. “It’s important to start the outreach to those retailers as well to get on their radar.”

Waxhaw contracted with Buxton in December to develop a plan for recruiting retailers.

The goal is not only broaden the town’s tax base, but also help retain existing businesses and improve quality of life for residents, according to Curt White, the town’s Main Street manager.

“A lot of potential retail dollars are leaving the community, simply because there’s not the options available for residents,” White said. “So they’re having to leave Waxhaw and go elsewhere for those options.”

Buxton will work with Waxhaw for three years on the recruitment. The first year of the partnership will consist of communicating with potential retailers that fit with Waxhaw.

The town has been reaching out to gyms; quick service, fast casual and casual dining concepts; and stores specializing in crafts, hardware, sporting goods, apparel and shoes.

“Retailers literally have hundreds of people saying come to my market, but retailers see that as just a cold call,” Howell said.

Waxhaw is attempting to woo retailers with detailed demographic and market research.

The process starts with understanding the town’s demograph-

Photos courtesy of town of Waxhaw

ics and how its residents spend money.

Waxhaw consists of 12,000 people and 4,000 households, with 20 percent growth expected by 2020.

“From a retailers perspective, this is a very attractive market,” Howell said, noting that as rooftops continue to expand it will become more enticing for retailers.

Considering the demographics within a 20-mile drive time, Waxhaw’s market offers a population of well over 200,000 people and 80,000 households. This statistic is more convincing to retailers who aren’t impressed by Waxhaw’s political boundaries.

“One of the challenges that I think we are going to have to continue to work through is day-time population,” Howell said.

“Not only fast casual but really any dining concept, an important component to their business model is looking at sales by day.”

A fast casual restaurant told town officials that Waxhaw had too light a daytime population. The concept requires a daytime population of 20,000 in a two-mile radius, while Waxhaw has closer to 5,000.

Such restaurants generate about 60 percent of their sales at lunchtime, Howell said.

Buxton’s data uses market segmentation to show lifestyle behaviors of those demographics.

Retailers also might consider the level of competition, accessibility or other development, such as the number of grocery stores, big box stores, restaurants or hotels.

One of the most beneficial pieces of information Waxhaw can give retailers is a comparison of the town to similar locations where a company might have a store, Howell said.

“What they’re really looking to do is mitigate risk of opening a poor performing location,” Howell said.

Buxton tipped retailers off in February that Waxhaw had recently partnered with the company and intended to reach out to them in regards to being a good fit for the town.

Howell was pleased to see this level of engagement so early in the process. He credits White for aggressively following up with the companies.

Howell emphasized the importance of realizing that Waxhaw is trying to build a network with contracts.

“Success is honestly getting into a meaningful dialogue, getting them to engage with you,” Howell said.

Next month, Waxhaw will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers Conference in Charlotte to meet with targeted retailers and market the town as a great place to do business, White said.

Town Manager Warren Wood said Waxhaw leaders have held two economic development workshops over 10 months and identified the need to recruit retail, office, industrial and medical type companies.

“There is no silver bullet,” Wood said. “This takes time and effort and isn’t going to happen overnight.”

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 4 | March 4, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Opinion

Maybe local businesses should answer the phone My wife and I bought a house almost two years ago, and the previous owners were a nice retired couple.

As we all know, retired folks have many hobbies and chief among them, namely in Jonathan McElvy the spring, summer, fall and winter, is to plant stuff. And when I say “plant,” what I really mean is that nearly every square inch of our property line includes some sort of mini-boulder border wall with exquisite pieces of foliage sprouting from behind the rocked protection.

When we bought the house, my wife and I loved all the gardening these folks had done. I think the Realtors call it “showing well.” The problem, as you’ve no doubt discerned by now, is neither my wife nor I is technically retired.

What that means is we get one hour with our tasmanian son in the morning and two hours to chase him at night, leaving our weekends as the only time we get a full complement of hours to have him order us around. And at no point does our son order us to spend 10 hours pulling the six billion weeds that have grown between all the exquisite pieces of foliage once carefully planted behind the mini-boulders.

For fear of being expelled by our neighbors for living among poorly manicured flower beds, Meghan and I decided to share a kidney and sell the other three to hire a landscaping company.

We didn’t know which landscaping outfit to choose, so we did what all good citizens should do; we opened our local, community newspaper and found the section where lawn and garden companies advertise.

My wife called all of them one evening, leaving voicemails with each of them because none actually answered the phone.

Two days later, after not hearing back from any of these local companies, who we wanted to pay money to perform their advertised services, my wife grunted at me and hesitantly called each of the companies back. She finally got a return call the next day from someone who said he could meet us the following week to look at our project.

Let’s not hurry this along, by any means.

Two weeks ago, I wrote a column bemoaning my concerns about small, locally owned business. If you didn’t happen to read, my thesis was online sales are going to change the entire scope of brick-andmortar stores owned by our friends and neighbors.

I didn’t offer an exact solution in that column; instead, I asked readers to send their thoughts about why they would consider spurring the convenience of Amazon. com for a locally owned store. The answers were what we should expect.

Noah wrote about a local hardware store: “Their employees are excellent with advice and can answer my questions immediately.

They don’t need to radio someone from that department to answer my questions.”

Rich shared a similar sentiment.

“One-on-one service to a customer can never be substituted by the impersonal, nonexistent website salesperson. When you shop online you actually are exchanging places with a salesperson and become your own – hope you can answer all your questions on the purchase you are about to make.”

In all the letters I received, the same theme seemed to echo.

“Sure, I do buy some things from Amazon – mostly DVDs or books that I can’t find locally, but both my wife and I much prefer to walk into a brick and mortar store to shop,” John wrote. “Sometimes, however, the clerks at those stores seem to have little interest in customer service. We have found that where the owner is at the location, we are more likely to get good service and a fair price. Not usually the cheapest, but some things are worth paying a little extra to receive.”

And among the many letters I received, Peter was most poetic: “… The fact remains that small business is a fundamental to human liberty as a smile and a handshake are fundamental to human interaction, and the loss of small businesses is the canary in the coal mine for the loss of human freedom.”

I was overwhelmed by the number of responses I received from readers, most of which I don’t have room to print. Interestingly, I did not receive a single reply from an actual business owner fighting to keep his or her business profitable.

Why? I have no idea. What I do know is the consumers who wrote all focused on one specific advantage to shopping at local stores – they care about interacting with humans, they like local service (when it is good), and they are as passionate as a canary trying to escape the gas of a coal mine.

So when my wife and I tried to hire someone – anyone – to help with our yard work, I was reminded maybe it isn’t Amazon and Google we should fear most. What local businesses should fear before anything is losing the desire to serve the people who ardently care about supporting your business.

Maybe local businesses should fear Caller ID, and maybe we should consider answering local calls when a potential customer is on the other line.

Maybe we should return a phone call, even if it’s after 6 p.m.

Maybe we should treat our customers like they might be the last people to walk in the store.

Local businesses that survive will always keep their customers first. If they don’t, their last worry in the world should be a mouse click and a credit card.

Email jonathan@cmgweekly.com

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | March 4, 2016 | Page 5

Stallings Police dive into fundraising efforts

by Hannah Chronis hannah@cmgweekly.com

STALLINGS – It was a chilly 54 degrees on Feb. 27 when 18 law enforcement officers and public servants from across Union County jumped into a frigid outdoor pool at Quality Inn & Suites in Stallings to raise money for Special Olympics North Carolina.

Officers had to raise a minimum $50 to compete in the “Polar Plunge.” Citizens were allowed to participate as well, by raising at least $25. All money was donated directly to Special Olympics. The Stallings Police Department is one of 100 law enforcement agencies across the state that partners with Special Olympics North Carolina to help more than 40,000 athletes participate in the games without paying a fee.

“It was great,” said Corporal Ben Davis, community relations officer for Stallings PD. “I’m very pleased with the turnout. It was amazing and we’re going to try and grow it each year.”

Enthusiasm for the event spread quickly; nearly 100 spectators showed up to watch officers from Stallings, Monroe and Waxhaw police departments take the plunge. Stallings Mayor Wyatt Dunn, councilmembers Shawna Steele and Regis Griffin and town manager Kevin Woods joined officers by diving in for a good cause.

Stallings Police Department held a similar event in 2014, but Davis said he hopes they can grow the event into a county-wide fundraising effort to look forward to every year.

“Our goal is definitely to keep growing and make it an annual event,” he said.

Plungers from 8 to 65 years old helped raise more than $2,500 toward the Special Olympics.

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Page 6 | March 4, 2016 | Union County Weekly

First Step, an addiction treatment center in Monroe, will join families in honoring the event by hanging a black balloon in front of its facility. The center also has reached out to families it has worked with to encourage them to participate, including a mother who lost her 25-year-old son to heroin last year.

The hope is to spread awareness about the dangers of drug use, to let people know they have a place close to them that can treat anyone who may be suffering and to help break down the stigma that families face after losing someone to drugs.

The Weekly

10100 Park Cedar Drive, Suite 154 Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704-849-2261 • Fax: 704-849-2504 www.unioncountyweekly.com

Editorial Managing Editor Hannah Chronis Education Editor Courtney Schultz Development Editor Justin Vick Sports editor Ben Doster Faith Columnist Rev. Tony Marciano

Advertising Charlotte Conway Mike Gianpetro

Design Art Director Maria Hernandez Layout Editor Erin Kirby

News Briefs Big Guy's Pizza hosts fundraiser INDIAN TRAIL – Big Guy’s Pizza will hold a fundraising dinner on March 19, a Saturday, to raise money for Indian Trail-based nonprofit Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. The restaurant will donate a portion of all sales from 5 to 8 p.m. to the rescue. Raffle prizes – including Charlotte Checkers hockey tickets, NASCAR Museum tickets and restaurant gift cards – will be available. Tickets cost $2 each or three for $5 (cash or check only) and guests do not need to be present to win.

Big Guy’s Pizza is located at 6914 Matthews-Mint Hill Road.

The evening also will include a “meet and greet” with some of the rescue's resident birds, including mascot Charlie, a black Indian runner duck. Carolina Waterfowl is the region's only facility to care for sick, injured and abandoned waterfowl and other wildlife.

Find more information online at www.cwres cue.org.

Business President Jonathan McElvy Publisher Kelly Wright Associate Publisher Frank Vasquez Business Manager Brent Epling

Letter to the Editor

Union County Weekly readers now have a better way to experience the paper’s digital footprint at www.unioncountyweekly.com. The new website went live last week and includes not only an updated home page, but increased coverage as well. The website will serve as a daily source of local news as we continue to strive to bring readers the best source of community news possible.

All content posted on the website will be exclusive to our coverage area, updated on a daily basis and relevant to our community, so readers will not have to filter through state and national news.

Please note our email address also have changed to the following:

Dear Editor, I would like to acknowledge the diligent and considerate people who must have worked very hard to clean the litter-strewn highway along Monroe Road from the Sun Valley area toward Indian Trail. For weeks, that particular roadside has been a disgraceful mess and I, for one, am grateful that a group has taken on that thankless and daunting task. They are to be commended.

It is difficult to understand why many people allow so much trash to be thrown out along our roadsides. It doesn't seem to show much pride in our community to allow this disrespect for our environment. I saw a large number of orange and blue bags waiting to be disposed, so I know a very big effort was made to improve that roadway. However, there are still a number of other roads in this area that need a similar effort. My neighbor and I try to do our part along Wesley Chapel Road to frequently collect the litter thrown near our homes. I would hope others would consider doing the same.

Kudos, again, to the group who certainly improved the looks of that section of Monroe Road. I applaud you.

Lynn Domras Indian Trail

Education Editor Courtney Schultz: courtney@cmgweekly.com Charlie, the Carolina Waterfowl mascot

Letters to the Editor: hannah@cmgweekly.com

Wesley Chapel Youth Service to hold talent show March 12

Union County Weekly is published by Charlotte Media Group. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Union County Weekly launches new website, email addresses

Editor Hannah Chronis: hannah@cmg weekly.com

Advertising: kelly@cmgweekly.com

Press Releases: hannah@cmgweekly.com

The Weekly

WESLEY CHAPEL – The Wesley Chapel Youth Service Committee will hold “Wesley Chapel’s Got Talent” on March 12, a Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. at Dogwood Park, located at 121 Lester Davis Road. The event is open to high school students in the performing arts who have a talent to share.

Contact danielle.acker@aol.com for more information.

Grand Opening!

March 2016

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Development Editor Justin Vick: justin@cmgweekly.com Sports Editor Ben Doster: ben@cmgweekly.com Publisher Kelly Wright: kelly@cmgweekly.com

Black Balloon Day to raise awarness for drug addiction MONROE – On Sunday, March 6, people across the country will hang black balloons in front of their homes to recognize friends or family who died from drug abuse.

Send letters to the editor to hannah@cmgweekly.com. Letters must not exceed 300 words.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | March 4, 2016 | Page 7

Summer Camps

2016 Summer Camp Guide This week, we're featuring some of the most popular sports camps in the area. Stay tuned for our next summercamp issue, out March 18, which will feature area Bible Schools and faith camps.

Hornets Hoops Camp

Flag Football Camp

June 13 to 16; June 20 to 23; June 20 to 23; June 27 to 30; June 27 to 30; July 11 to 14; July 18 to 21; July 25 to 28; Aug. 8 to 11.

Price: $325

June 13 to 17 Member rate: $165 Program rate: $240

Children ages 7 to 14 years old learn the fundamentals of basketball through skills stations, drills, lectures, coaches, speakers and games, and will receive a camp swag bag. www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-hoopscamps

Sports Camp June 13 to 17 Member rate: $165; program rate: $240 Children 3 to 4 years old will learn and try new and different sports, ranging from flag football to dodgeball by participating in games, drills and obstacle courses. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Rising first-through second-graders will learn the basics of flag football, while playing games. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Ultimate Sports Sampler JV Camp June 13 to 17 Member rate: $195 Program rate: $255 Rising first – through second – graders will learn the fundamentals of various sports, while participating in drills and play games. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Gymnastics Camp

Ultimate Sports Sampler JV Camp Add-on

June 13 to 17 Member rate: $175 Program rate: $250

June 13 to 17 Member rate: $75 Program rate: $105

Rising kindergartners through fifth-graders will learn the basics of gymnastics, while participating on bars, beams and floor. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Rising first–through second–graders will learn the fundamentals of various sports, while getting to participate in drills and games. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Berger/Fullwood Basketball Camp June 13 to June 17 and July 11 to July 15 Early Hawk: $160 Regular price: $175 This is an opportunity for children 7 to 14 years old to boost their individual basketball skills through instruction, practice and play. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Latin Wrestling Camp with Coach Paige June 13 to 17 Early Hawk: $160 Regular price: $175 This camp is for children 7 to 14 years old, who are new or experienced wrestlers. They will learn techniques through drills and wrestling. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Field Hockey Camp June 13 to 17 Early Hawk: $160 Regular price: $175 Children 8 to 15 years old will learn the fundamentals of field hockey, while sharpening skills through drills and competition. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Girls Basketball Camp with Coach Mapp June 13 to 17

Early Hawk: $125 Regular price: $140 Girls 8 to 17 years old learn the fundamentals of fundamentals of ballhandling, passing, defensive and offensive footwork, shooting and agilities, which are all integral in becoming a complete basketball player. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Nike Tennis Camp June 13 to 17 Half day price: $205 Full-day price: $405 Children 7 to 18 years old will get to hit a bunch of balls, improve their technique, and get to compete with their top peers. www.ussportscamps.com/tennis/nike/charlotte-latin-school-nike-tennis-camp/

Flag Football with Coach Mac June 20 to 24 Early Hawk: $160 Full-day price: $175 Children 7 to 12 years old will learn the importance of sportsmanship, fair-play and team concepts, while getting to have fun playing flag football. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Girls’ Lacrosse Camp with Coach Williams June 20 to June 24 Early Hawk: $125 (see Summer Camps on page 8)

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 8 | March 4, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Are you a nanny, babysitter, or daycare?

Reach busy parents all over Union County for as low as $12 per week in our Summer Service Guide!

Plus, an additional 10% off to run at least 4 times!

Summer Camps (continued from page 7)

Regular price: $140 Girls 7 to 15 years old will get to develop their lacrosse skills, while getting to play and scrimmage with other players. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Boys Day & Morning Camps June 13 to 17 Day Camp price: $195 Morning camp price: $110 Boys, 5 to 13 years old will learn the fundamentals of soccer, playing games. www.charlottesoccercamp.com/content/charlotte-boys-soccer-academy_day-morning-camps

Boys Juniors Advanced Camp

Contact Brent for details, by phone at (704) 849-2261 or by email at brent@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

CHARLOTTE LATIN SCHOOL

SUMMER PROGRAMS

July 10 to 13 Commuter price: $380 Residential price: $480 Boys, 9 to 13 years old with recreational and club experience will learn the technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects of soccer. www.charlottesoccercamp.com/content/ charlotte-boys-soccer-academy_junior-advanced-camp

Boys College Showcase Camp July 15 to 17 Price: $300 Boys 14 to 18 years old will learn the technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects of the game. The camp includes lectures, video

20I6

JUNE I3 – JULY 29, 20I6 CHARLOTTELATINSUMMER.COM SouthCLTSummerProgramsAdMARAPR.indd 1

2/26/16 3:44 PM

analysis and games. www.charlottesoccercamp.com/content/ charlotte-boys-soccer-academy_collegeshowcase

Girls Junior Niner Camp June 13 to June 17 and July 25 to July 29 Half day price: $110 Full day price: $195 Girls 4 to 10 years old will learn the basics of soccer through exercises and games. http://www.charlottesoccercamp.com/content/charlotte-girls-soccer-academy_juniorniner-camp

Girls Junior Advanced Camp June 12 to June 15 and July 24 to July 27 Commuter price: $380 Residential price: $480 Girls 9 to 14 years old will improve their skills, while learning basic game tactics. www.charlottesoccercamp.com/content/ charlotte-girls-soccer-academy_junior-advanced-camp

Girls Summer Residential College Showcase July 22 to July 24 Residential price: $300 Commuter price: $275 Teenage girls who hope to play college soccer will learn the demand of competing at the collegiate level through high quality (see Summer Camps on page 9)

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Summer Camps (continued from page 8)

training and an in-depth look at the Charlotte 49ers women’s soccer program. www.charlottesoccercamp.com/content/ charlotte-girls-soccer-academy_summercamp-dates

Fencing Camp Aug. 1 to Aug. 5 Matthews resident price: $185 Non-resident price: $195 Children 8 to 16 years old will learn Olympic style fencing through Charlotte Fencing Academy. Coach Colleen Gallant will teach kids fundamental footwork, blade work and tactics.

Crews Recreation Center 1201 Crews Road – (704) 708-1287

Muggsy Bogues Fundamental Basketball Camp June 20 to June 24; Aug. 8 to Aug. 12 Matthews resident price (June 20 to June 24): $280 Non-resident price (June 20 to June 24): $285 Matthews resident price (Aug. 8 to Aug. 12): $290 Non-resident price (Aug. 8 to Aug. 12): $295 Children 6 to 13 years old will learn the fundamentals of basketball through coaching, skills development, games and tournaments.

Crews Recreation Center 1201 Crews Road – (704) 708-1287

Union County Weekly | March 4, 2016 | Page 9

Muggsy Bogues Girls Basketball Camp

of flag football through fun and games.

Crews Recreation Center 1201 Crews Road (704) 708-1287

July 11 to July 15 Matthews resident price: $270 Non-resident price: $275

Basketball Camp

Girls 6 to 13 years old will learn the fundamentals of basketball through coaching, skills development, games and tournaments.

Crews Recreation Center 1201 Crews Road – (704) 708-1287

Flag Football Camp June 27 to July 1 Matthews resident price: $85 Non-resident price: $95 Children 7 12 years old will learn the basics of flag football through fun and games.

Crews Recreation Center 1201 Crews Road (704) 708-1287

Soccer Camp July 18 to July 22 Matthews resident price: $85 Non-resident price: $95 Children 7 to 12 years old will learn the fundamentals of soccer through fun and games.

Crews Recreation Center 1201 Crews Road (704) 708-1287

Flag Football Camp

July 18 to July 22 Matthews resident price: $85 Non-resident price: $95 Children 3 to 6 years old will learn the fundamentals of basketball through fun and games.

Crews Recreation Center 1201 Crews Road – (704) 708-1287

Baseball Camp June 13 to 17 Member rate: $165 Program rate: $240 First, second and third graders will learn the fundamentals of baseball, while getting to participate in drills and games. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Triathlon Camp June 13 to 17 Member rate: $175 Program rate: $250 Third, fourth and fifth graders will learn the basics of what it takes to triathlete through teaching, training and participation. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

June 27 to July 1 Matthews resident price: $85 Non-resident price: $95

Ultimate Sports Sampler Camp at Community House Middle School June 13 to 17 Members rate: $195 Program rate: $255 Rising third – through fifth – graders will learn the fundamentals of various sports, while getting to participate in drills and games. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Ultimate Sports Sampler Camp Add-on Community House Middle School June 13 to June 17 Members rate: $75 and Program rate: $105 Rising third – through fifth – graders will learn the fundamentals of various sports, while getting to participate in drills and games. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Sports & Athletics Development Camp at Community House Middle School June 13 to June 17 Members rate: $165 Program rate: $240 Rising sixth through 12th graders will learn about sports athletic development. www.ymcacharlotte.org/camps

Children 3 to 6 years old will learn the basics

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Page 10 | March 4, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Education

UCPS investigation shows no foul play

by Courtney Schultz courtney@cmgweekly.com

Union County Public Schools top officials have been cleared of any wrongdoing regarding their third party companies, according to the Union County District Attorney’s Office.

UCPS Superintendent Mary Ellis, Deputy Superintendent Mike Webb and Chief Technology Officer Tony Burrus came under fire last November regarding their involvement with a private consulting firm, EDUcatr(X) Inc. and MWEB LLC, which were formed with former executive director for public sector sales Jason Mooneyham.

Board of Education member Kevin Stewart called for an investigation into the company to determine whether UCPS’s purchases from Lenovo, a multinational computer company, derived a personal benefit or payment as a result of their involvement with the companies and their ability to influence the purchase of UCPS computer equipment from outside vendors, such as Lenovo.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office formally gave the investigation to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

SBI Public Information Officer Shannon O’Toole said the SBI made the investigation available to the district attorney’s office on Thursday evening and would allow the DA to make choices about prosecution.

District Attorney Trey Robison said his office reviewed the case file and consulted with the investi-

gators and found the SBI investigation showed no evidence that “any crimes were committed by Dr. Ellis or other UCPS employees.” He thus declared the county would not pursue any actions further and considered the matter “concluded.”

The Union County Board of Education met on Monday, Feb. 29, in a special meeting to receive and review the decision from the Union County District Attorney’s Office to not pursue charges.

“This is a personnel matter and no additional details will be shared. The Board of Education will continue to focus its efforts on providing a quality education for students and serving the community,” UCPS wrote in a statement.

UCPS Spokesperson Tahira Stalberte did not say on Monday whether the district would pursue an internal investigation.

Board members said they wouldn’t pursue an internal investigation until they received the SBI report. Some community members suspect UCPS will not conduct an internal investigation based on SBI finding no evidence of foul play.

O’Toole said the SBI would not release the report from the investigation, but the district attorney’s office has the authority to release some or all of the report for public record.

He said sometime in certain cases of public and media outcry, the district attorney will make parts of the investigation open to parties involved in the investigation and the media.

Robison said on Monday his office would not be releasing any part of the investigation to the public.

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A Charlotte Media Group publication

‘Buster’ makes his debut for UCPS bus safety

by Courtney Schultz courtney@cmgweekly.com

INDIAN TRAIL – Indian Trail Elementary School (ITES) third graders received a visitor on Feb. 25 that stands about threefeet tall, is yellow and talks to children about bus safety.

Union County Public Schools’ Transportation Department rolled out the newest member to the team, “Buster the Bus” – an automated, talking school bus.

“Buster is all about teaching school bus safety,” Richard Kingsberry, the UCPS director of transportation, said. “This is an introduction to the opportunity to share school bus safety to schools throughout the district.”

The department applied for a grant to obtain Buster to use him as a teaching tool in all the elementary schools.

Buster is an interactive character, whose movement and voice is controlled by transportation department members, and physically demonstrates some of the bus procedures. The toy responds to the students’ immediate actions and questions; he doesn’t just have automated messages.

“We always want to remind students about bus safety in an effort to either avoid or reduce any kind of injuries as it relates to school buses, so Buster is a way of reinforcing school bus safety,” Kingsberry said.

Buster talked about safety regarding how to approach the bus, enter and leave the bus, ways to stay safe on the bus and the “don’ts” regarding bus safety, including stranger-related dangers.

Courtney Schultz/UCW photo

Eight-year-old Abby Navarro said Buster reminded her of a time when she forgot to hold the railing getting on the bus and fell.

Abby said she will use Buster’s tips in the future.

Nine-year-old Vincent Moye said he liked how Buster shows the students the “danger zone,” behind the bus, through an alarm and interactive activities.

“Buster being here helps out a lot because it really breaks down the little pieces into kid-friendly terms, so that the kids can understand that bus safety isn’t just something adults talk about, but it’s something maybe has a better perspective for the kids,” said ITES Assistant Principal Gina Chisum.

“As the administrator, they always hear (bus safety tips) from me, but this way they also hear it from somebody else and it’s the same message, it’s just in a different way.”

Indian Trail is the first school to meet Buster, and the transportation department encourages principals to reach out to the department to bring Buster to their schools.

Contact the transportation department at 704-296-3015 for more information.

Ellis announces retirement in June

by Courtney Schultz courtney@cmgweekly.com

In the wake of a cleared investigation from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Union County Public Schools Superintendent Mary Ellis announced she will retire June 1, 2016.

Ellis has served as UCPS superintendent since July 1, 2012 and has been with UCPS for nearly 38 years.

“It has been an honor to serve as superintendent of Union County Public Schools,” Ellis said in a news release. “This is an outstanding school system and I am proud to say that I was educated in Union County and have worked as a teacher and administrative leader in this district.”

Ellis, a Union County native, began her career in education as an eighth-grade language arts teacher at Sun Valley Middle School. She taught middle and high school English for 18 years before moving into administrative roles, including as assistant principal at Walter Bickett Elementary School, assistant principal at East Union Middle School, principal at Parkwood Middle School and inaugural principal at Porter Ridge Middle.

During Ellis’s tenure, UCPS has increased its graduation rate from 89.5 percent in

2012 to 93.1 percent in 2015, the highest in the district’s history.

Last year also marked 3,000 UCPS graduates that earned academic scholarships at a value of $104 million, the highest in district history.

Mary Ellis Two schools, Shiloh Elementary School and Weddington Middle School, were named Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 2013 during Ellis’s tenure.

Other district accomplishments include: the district leading the state in providing dual language programs through VIF International Education SPLASH immersion programs; expanded academic options and developed more than 25 career and technical education academies and the launch of the 1:1 instructional technology initiative has earned UCPS national recognition.

Ellis also has one numerous awards individually, including the ASCD Distinguished Educators of the Year; Professional Administrator of the Year and the North Carolina Region 6 Superintendent of the Year.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | March 4, 2016 | Page 11

Faith

‘The person with the most control issues can pack the trunk’

by Tony Marciano tonym@charlotterescuemission.org

When my kids were growing up, we had a “rite of passage” for them.

It involved vacation, camping gear and a mini-van.

When they were little and we went on vacation, I declared I was the only one “fit” Rev. Tony Marciano with the knowledge from “on high” to properly load the mini-van in such a way that the gear never blocked the view out the rear window. My kids brought the luggage out of the house and put it outside the van. They put nothing inside of it. I would turn to my kids and said, “Now watch the master pack the van.” When they were little, they would “ooh” and “aah” at my ability to squeeze everything into it.

Each year, we repeated the same ritual. If someone joined us on vacation and accidentally put something in the van, my kids knew better and would take it out and put it on the ground. They told their friend, “Wait, the master has not yet stepped out of the house. When he does, he will show us the

wonder of his trunk packing knowledge.”

(Think of Yoda and Luke Skywalker).

My daughter thought this was great.

She would bring down a 27-inch Pullman suitcase for a weekend get away, drop it off behind the mini-van and step back into the house, believing that I would find space for it in the trunk.

It worked great until my sons were older.

One day, one of my sons asked if he could pack the trunk. I thought I was in the play “Oliver” where the young boy says, “Please sir, can I have some more?”

“More?” the house manager shouts.

“Pack the trunk?” I replied. “You’re not yet ready. You will be ready one day but not today.”

One day, I was distracted while the gear was placed outside the mini-van. One of my sons decided today would be his “rite of passage.” He packed the trunk and had it ready, waiting for my approval. After that day, master Yoda never packed the minivan again.

When my son needed to move, I parked myself inside the moving truck, bringing out once again master Yoda. I would show my daughter-in-law my superior packing skills. Everyone brought items out of the house. No one put anything inside the truck. I carefully placed items in such a way that when the driver stopped the truck, nothing slid.

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P ROVIDENCE

I was proud of myself until my son questioned why I was packing the truck. I explained to him, “The person with the most control issues can pack the truck,” said the person with the most control issues.

We laughed because it’s true. Control is an illusion. We try to control things to minimize drama and conflict. We work to control our world and prevent angst. We know from the past that when we didn’t control things, it exploded and we paid heavily for it. Rather than repeat the pain of the past, we control the present.

Unfortunately, control is exhausting.

But letting go is scary. What if they do it different than I would do it? (They will do it different than you do, and might actually do it better). In the process of letting go, you allow them to stretch their wings.

Sometimes they will succeed; other times they will fail. In trying and failing, they grow and learn. In the process, you learn you no longer have to work so hard to keep the planets spinning; that’s God’s job.

I’ll be back in two weeks. Until then, live well my friend.

Rev. Tony Marciano is the executive director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He is available to speak to your group. Find more information at www.charlotterescuemission.org.

The Weekly

Faith Briefs

Kids Consignment Sale at Indian Trail First Baptist Church March 5 INDIAN TRAIL – Indian Trail First Baptist Church will hold a Kids Consignment Sale on Saturday, March 5, from 8 a.m. to noon. The shop will open early to volunteers at 5 p.m., consignors at 6 p.m. and the public at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Indian Trail First Baptist is located at 732 Indian Trail-Fairview Road.

Team Church hosts fitness classes on Tuesdays, Saturdays MATTHEWS – Team Church will offer free dance-inspired fitness classes twice a week, on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Some classes will depend on the church’s schedule. All music played during the class will be clean and family friendly. Donations will be accepted and proceeds will support Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center. Email zumba@teamchurch.com for more information or visit www.teamchurch. com.

Team Church is located at 2301 Stevens Mill Road.

Send faith notes to hannah@cmgweekly.com

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Page 12 | March 4, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Sports

Marvin Ridge, Providence set to play for Claire’s Army

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

When the Mavericks and Panthers take the diamond at Marvin Ridge for an early season tilt Friday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m., they will be playing for more than a baseball game.

This matchup, which pits the defending N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A state champion, Marvin Ridge, against the defending NCHSAA 4A state champion, Providence, is a benefit game for Claire’s Army, a nonprofit that helps parents of children battling pediatric cancer.

“It’s great we’re playing it for a cause,” Providence Coach Danny Hignight said. “I got to meet Claire’s father (Kevin Ratliff) and hear the story. Having three children of my own, it’s definitely inspirational. The cause is greater than the game.”

Claire, the Ratliff’s first child, was born Aug. 30, 2009. She was a healthy and normal child, who never had any illnesses for the first 18 months of her life.

However, she started acting lethargic, having random bruising over her eyelids, and about a week later she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.

The cancer was discovered at stage four with a tumor the size of a grape fruit wrapped around her aorta and stomach. It metastasized to about 95-percent of her bone marrow.

The Ratliff’s fought the cancer for about eight

Last year’s 2015 NCHSAA class 4A state champions, Providence High School.

months before it eventually metastasized to her brain in the form of a tumor, sitting on one of her blood vessels. The tumor ruptured, which ultimately took her life on Jan. 17, 2012. She was two years and four months old.

Ratliff, who played shortstop for Marvin Ridge’s coach Mark Mennitt at Independence from 1994 to 97, started the nonprofit after his daughter died.

“After about a year after she died, my wife and I spent a lot of time in therapy and obviously trying to get ourselves functional in society again,” Ratliff said. “We realized we were fortunate and blessed to be supported the way we were by our community.

“We’ve had success, great fundraising, support, great support from the community, and as a result we’re supporting families in their daily endeavors, which is basically our mission statement with the goal and hopes of helping keep the family whole and eliminating the stress for

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parents having to make decisions based on their financial situation instead of what’s best for the healthcare of the child.”

Claire’s Army steps in to help parents make financial decisions during treatment. The organization works with hospital social workers to alleviate the stress of every day life families are faced with while fighting cancer.

All of the proceeds from ticket sales at Friday’s game, and money from concessions after expenses are paid, will go directly to Claire’s Army.

“We have the opportunity to team up with (Ratliff),” Mennitt said. “We are fortunate to have the platform to be able to do it. Hopefully we’ll raise lots of money. I know it’s going to a great cause.”

The game also promises to be entertaining, as the two teams will likely be in the mix for another state title.

Providence, while young and inexperienced at several spots, returns a solid nucleus of talent, giving Hignight and his coaching staff plenty of talent to work with.

The Panthers are led by senior shortstop/pitcher Logan Davidson (Clemson commit), senior center fielder/pitcher Tucker Jones (NCHSAA 2015 State Championship Series MVP), senior third baseman/pitcher Jake Holtzapple (North Carolina commit), senior pitcher/right fielder Zach Brown and senior second baseman Satchel Jerzembeck.

“It’s a new year,” Hignight said. “It will be a new path for us to take, but we’re excited. We return four guys that really contributed on an every

day basis last year, so we got a lot of new pieces, but talented pieces that are working hard.”

The Panthers are strong offensively. They swing the bats and run the bases well. However, Providence needs to make considerable strides on defense, especially the mound, where it’s young.

“Logan Davidson got a handful of innings last year, and that’s it on the mound, because Zach Brown is coming off an injury,” Hignight said.

“Granted he won game three of the state finals.

We’re looking forward to him being healthy, which will improve our pitching staff.”

Like Providence, Marvin Ridge has some key voids to fill. The Mavericks don’t have as many shutdown arms on the mound as they did last season, but they return several contributing pieces from last season’s championship run.

Junior pitcher/first baseman Jake Kuchmaner, senior catcher Kevin Dobos (Kent State commit), senior shortstop Mark Glover, senior outfielder Chandler Castleberry (Anderson University commit) and junior outfielder Alex Leshock will be key.

“I think we got a lot of guys with a lot of experience, but I think we’re still trying to feel ourselves out,” Mennitt said. “We’re used to hunting somebody, and we feel like we’re being hunted.

That’s good.”

“By no means are these the two teams from 2015. They’re two totally different teams with similar goals. I know we’d both love to go back there. Even though the faces change from year to year the expectations don’t. It’s always an expectation that we play the last game of the year.”

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Union County Weekly | March 4, 2016 | Page 13

Sports

Forest Hills edges Lake Norman Charter, advances to regional finals

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

Forest Hill’s boys’ basketball team isn’t ready to go home yet. The Yellow Jackets have survived two straight close games, including a 67-63 win over No. 6-seeded Lake Norman Charter in the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A state playoffs March 1.

Freshman guard Nas Tyson scored 30 points to lead the No. 2-seeded Yellow Jackets (28-2, 10-0 Rocky River) to victory, while senior forward/guard Desmond Lindsey added 13 points and senior guard Zaccheus Rorie chipped in 12 points. Forest Hills advances to face top seed East Lincoln (27-0, 14-0 Southern District 7) in the regional finals Saturday, March 5 at noon at UNC Greensboro’s Fleming Gym. “The guys are playing really well defensively,� Sides said. “First of all, it was a huge

advantage for us to have the first four rounds at home. Our community, home crowd, our students – they were unbelievable. The elite eight game, that was the loudest high school gym I’ve ever been in. “Our guys were able to feed off of it. They gave us energy. It was just tremendous. We fed off that. Our students and our community have been a lot of fun. It’s a blessing to be a part of that. Defensively, our guys did a great job of buying in to the scouting report and game plan.�

East Lincoln will be Forest Hills’ greatest challenge yet. The Mustangs, who finished as the state runner-up last season, have plowed through the playoffs with a 26-point average margin of victory. Their closest game came in the third round when they narrowly edged conference foe, No. 9 seed Lincolnton, 64-61 Feb. 27.

The Mustangs are led by 6-foot-4 brothers Chazz and Sage Surratt, two highly touted

dual-sport athletes.

Sage, a junior guard, has been dominant all season with a 31.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.2 apg and 3.3 spg average after he caught 96 passes for 1,772 yards and 23 touchdowns in football. Chazz, a North Carolina football signee and preferred walk-on commit for the Tar Heels’ basketball team, has only appeared in 11 games after missing most of the season due to a dislocated elbow he sustained during football season.

But the senior point guard has returned and is averaging 16 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 8.5 apg and 3.2 spg.

Senior forward Hayden Duggins also will be a load for the Yellow Jackets. The 6-foot-4 wing is averaging 18.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.4 spg. Forest Hills will have its hands full defensively between the Surratt brothers and him, which might create opportunities for junior small forward Cameron Dollar (13.6 ppg, seven rpg, 5.3 apg and 2.7 spg).

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The Yellow Jackets will need Tyson to continue his stellar play against East Lincoln. Lindsey, Rorie, senior guard Jordan Blakeney and company must be at their best if Forest Hills is able to withstand this challenge and advance to the state championship.

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Union County Weekly | March 4, 2016 | Page 15

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PUZZLE BY IAN LIVENGOOD PUZZLE BY BYRON WALDEN

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Read about about and and comment comment on Crosswords solvers: nytimes.com/studentcrosswords nytimes.com/studentcrosswords..

Crosswords for for young young solvers:

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Page 16 | March 4, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Health& Wellness

2016 As the largest newspaper group covering southern Mecklenburg and Union counties, there’s no better medium to get your message in front of our 120,000 verified and affluent readers than by advertising in 4 of our most popular issues of the year.

Each of our 2016 Health & Wellness issues will be packed with hyper-local stories covering the latest trends in healthcare, powerful feature-stories of courageous battles and efforts of local organizations to raise awareness for the many great causes and needs in our community.

CONTENT FOCUSED ISSUES

April 22 July 29 Oct. 7

C G Charlotte Media Group

Circulation: 24,000 Readership: 54,675

Circulation: 17,000 Readership: 38,475

Circulation: 13,000 Readership: 26,325

Call (704) 849-2261 or e-mail adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com