INSIDE ▼ Vick: Mint Hill leaders should keep 2-year terms PAGE 5A Friday, June 24, 2022 • Vol. 15 • No. 24
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Developer reduces units by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – A homebuilder whose townhome proposal was picked apart by town commissioners last month has returned with revisions that increase its chances of approval. But commissioners still challenged the project over safety and price. Tri Pointe Homes hopes to rezone 13.8 acres at 1748 Marglyn Drive to develop 73 townhomes on the pizza slice-shaped parcel. The homebuilder not only removed six units from the site plan, but also added a central park as a
focal point of the community. Tri Pointe Homes showed elevations with large farmhouse-style buildings and eight-foot deep porches, which Commissioner John Urban said fit the town's character. “I would like to commend Tri Pointe Homes for making an incredible improvement to what was originally proposed,” Mayor John Higdon said. “This is 1,000 times better than what was proposed initially.” Mayor Pro Tem Ken McCool asked if the developer could remove three units from a corner of the site close to the road. He was concerned about sight lines for drivers.
A representative for Tri Pointe Homes said she wasn’t sure if that was financially viable for the project. McCool countered this was a serious concern to a road that is already dangerous. Commissioner Renee Garner reminded colleagues that they have 2,000 units, including 457 townhomes, in the rezoning queue. Garner added that just the projects they discussed June 13 could add as many as 70 students to schools. “We can complain about the school board and dysfunction but our role as commissioners is to keep in mind balancing growth and the pressure we put on our schools,”
Garner said. Ganer also had concerns about the price of the townhomes being in the $400,000s. “It hurts me everytime I hear a developer say they are keeping their projects affordable at $400,000,” she said. “If we lost our home, our family could no longer afford to live in Matthews. As we’re approving these projects, there’s something in my heart that is really painful thinking that what we’re approving could price out my third-generation family from the town that we’ve put roots down in.” Commissioners could vote on it as early as July 11.
GRADS SURVIVE
Class of 2022 reaches finish line after trying years of the COVID-19 pandemic Providence grads excelled in many areas by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – William Pan’s final assignment at Providence High School was a tough one in summing up the past four years in a two-minute graduation speech. But the valedictorian pulled it off. He focused his remarks on adversity – something he said connected each of the 435 seniors graduating June 13. “The definition of adversity varies for each one of us,” Pan said. “During our time at Providence, every single person has undergone unique challenges and hardships.” Because adversity hits everyone differently, he stressed the significance of empathy and turning toward others with an open mind. He said graduates overcame adversity to succeed. Principal Tracey Harrill confirmed this, reading off a list of recognition earned from various student groups. “Collectively, you can see our students have excelled in many different areas – the side effect of a well-rounded comprehensive high school education,” Harrill said. “Our students have faced some of the most rigorous standards in the country and they have surpassed those standards.” Harrill credited her staff and parents for ensuring the school’s high-achieving environment. The Class of 2022 earned 200 scholarships totaling more than $8 million. Harrill said 81% of graduates are enrolling in a four-year college or university and 18.4% in a community college.
Rocky River seniors thank supporters for their help by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MINT HILL – Dominique Barrett may have been too scared to make friends during her first day at Rocky River High School, but she held her own giving a commencement speech to thousands of supporters June 15 at Bojangles Coliseum. Barrett became valedictorian after earning a 4.43 grade point average while serving as president of the National Honor Society and Student Government Association. She credited overcoming her fears to the grace of God and the people around her. She tried to hold back her emotions while explaining how her grandparents immigrated to the U.S. and worked hard to provide a foundation for their future family.
“Although they are no longer with us, I still feel a legacy of their love today,” Barrett said. “I will never forget my grandfather telling me over and over how badly he wanted me to go to NYU or Duke to become a doctor.” She told classmates that she intends to study public policy at Duke instead. She dreams of creating equitable legislation for all people. First-year Principal Kwame Stith thanked various stakeholders that helped students get to this day. He mentioned how staff returned to mask-covered face-to-face learning, the transition in school leadership and events that changed the world. He explained how the Class of 2022 survived a journey in which some days they’d get right and others not so much. Still, they earned more than 700 awards totaling more than $10 million.
Legrand to Independence grads: Live with a purpose by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – David Legrand’s parting words of wisdom to Independence High School’s Class of 2022 were chock full of inspiration. Legrand explained how "Chicken Soup for the Soul" creator Jack Canfield and his co-author pitched the concept to 130 publishers. Now, there’s 250-plus varieties of "Chicken Soup for the Soul." “Could you imagine if he had given up on the 129th publisher?” Legrand said, noting they wouldn’t have spread across the world and made millions. He thanked parents for their perseverance and sacrifice in helping students reach the commencement stage. He also patted staff on the backs for their dedication to provide a
quality education. He credited students for adapting to online coursework and returning to in-person learning with COVID-19 protocols. Their perseverance also led to many academic, athletic and club achievements. Legrand advised graduates not to waste a minute. “Live your life with intention and purpose,” he said. “Tough times don’t last but tough people do. The worst of times brings out the best in people. "We need your generation’s creativity, compassion and strength to solve issues that face the world.” He said students will be able to meet any obstacle if they combine perseverance and tenacity with morality, human dignity and love.
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