INSIDE ▼ Walkway offers a safe haven for grieving parents PAGE 1B Friday, May 6, 2022 • Vol. 15 • No. 18
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Candidate deals with mistaken identity by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
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WHAT'S INSIDE:
Jonathan Thomas certainly has the name recognition when it comes to his campaign for the Union County Board of Commissioners. At least six people by that name live in Union County, according to state voting records. The only issue is one of them was arrested in June 2021 on charges of disclosure of private images. A couple of news agencies incorrectly assumed that the man arrested, Jonathan Ryan Thomas, was the same guy serving as chairman of the county planning board, Jonathan Robert Thomas. That’s
not true. They even share the same middle initial. The Charlotte Observer reported in March that the charges xagainst Jonathan Ryan Thomas have been dropped. However, Jonathan Robert Thomas continues getting asked on the campaign trail if he’s the same guy. “During my campaign, I have run into much opposition from misinformed individuals who have linked me to the gentleman in question,” Thomas said. Others have asked why they should vote for him. see NAME, Page 5A
Jonathan Thomas uses a caricature of his face on campaign signs to not only be memorable but to also differentiate himself from others with his name. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Thomas
Head of school inks contract extension
Live music Find listings for more than six dozen acts, 2A
Clean plates See health inspection scores, Online
Merv Massey never gave up on the idea of getting a bachelor's degree – even when faced with challenges like a health scare and the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos courtesy of Wingate University
Keeping the faith
Pastor perseveres through pandemic, health scare to earn degree
Body safety Nonprofit explains how to keep kids safe, 1B
Giving a voice Child advocate advises healthy expression, 1B
Been there She wrote the book on motherhood, 1B
Barely four months into his second stab at a bachelor’s degree, Merv Massey nearly had to throw in the towel. Four decades after he attended Fayetteville State for a couple of semesters before entering the Air Force, Massey was attending Wingate University. A full-time pastor at New Living Word Church in Waxhaw, he was learning more about his cultural heritage to better serve his primarily African American congregation, beefing up his already substantial biblical knowledge and fine-tuning his writing skills to improve his sermons. Then, Massey says, his dreams were dealt a serious blow: “My pancreas quit working.” Near the end of his first semester, in spring 2020, Massey started falling behind in his classes and losing weight. He was more tired than usual, something he chalked up to his oversized workload and the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as the fatigue hung around, the religion major eventually relented and went to see his doctor, who asked him some questions, drew blood and said he’d be in touch on Monday. “I got a call that Saturday morning,” Massey says. “They see PASTOR, Page 5A
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I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's crazy but it's improved my preaching. It's improved my presentation. I came to school to improve myself. • Merv Massey, pastor and college student
MONROE – The Union Academy Board of Directors has approved a five-year contract extension for Head of School John Marshall. Marshall has been head of school since July 2020 and has spent much of the past two years leading students and staff through the pandemic while also acclimating to a new school culture. “I am deeply honored the board has given me this opportunity to serve our great school in this next chapter,” MarMarshall shall said. “Despite the immense challenges of the pandemic, UA has grown stronger and more cohesive. I am proud of our staff, especially our teachers: we are pulling together. Teacher retention and parent volunteerism is outstanding, and school field trips and community service projects are again going full force this spring.” Applications for the 2022-23 school year are at a three-year high. The waiting list exceeds 1,100. Union Academy has broken ground on a $4 million baseball/softball complex named in honor of former longtime star teacher Ken Stanley who passed away due to COVID. The ballfields will be completed in September. “As Union County and the surrounding areas continue to grow, UA is poised to remain a K-12 leader as a recognized national school of character with a core mission to develop the whole child,” Board Chair Kevin Sells said. Marshall is completing his 15th year as a school head and 32nd year in K-12 education. “In the years ahead, we will double down on what has made us one of the most successful charters in the country,” Marshall said. “We will raise the bar for academic achievement, character development and program innovation. We will continue to inspire families to invest themselves as eager volunteers in school life. More than ever, we will know and love every single child, preparing them for lives of purpose and service.” • Want more news? Visit www. thecharlotteweekly.com and sign up for our daily newsletter.