The Pineville Pilot

Vol. 4 No. 3

March 2016 www.thecharlotteweekly.com

Leaving CMS Frustrated with the direction of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, leaders in Matthews and Mint Hill are establishing a task force to look at separating from CMS to form their own city school district, and hope to include Pineville. Page 9

Matthews Schools

CMS

2016 Easter Weekend Guide

Search for a superintendent

Don't miss our list of this year's Easter Sunday church services, egg hunts, brunches and more.

Page 3

South Meck back at it

CMS begins its search for someone to fill the shoes of Ann Clark after she retires next summer.

Page 10

One of the area's most storied baseball programs returns to the field in hopes of a So. Meck 8 title.

Page 12

News Briefs 6 | Faith 7 | Education 9 | Calendar 11 | Sports 12

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Page 2 | March 2016 | The Pineville Pilot

. . . t u o s s i m t ’ n Do Next Issue:

April 19th Nestled adjacent to Ballantyne and SouthPark in south Charlotte, the Town of Pineville offers the small-town feel with all the big city amenities within its borders, just across the street in south Charlotte, and only a few minutes away from Uptown.

With a current population of just over 8,000 and growing quickly with beautiful new neighborhoods from John Wieland’s McCullough to True Home’s Parkway Crossing, Pineville is on the move.

As Pineville’s only newspaper, the residents of Pineville read The Pilot cover-to-cover. Get in front of these attentive and loyal readers and turn them into your customers by advertising in The Pilot.

C G Charlotte Media Group

For advertising information, contact us at:

704-849-2261

adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

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The Pineville Pilot | March 2016 | Page 3

Celebrating Easter in Pineville Easter Sunday is March 27. Check out some of the most popular egg hunts, church services, brunches and celebrations happening in Pineville and the surrounding area.

Church services Carmel Baptist Carmel Baptist Church will hold a Palm Sunday service on March 20 to kick off Holy Week. A Good Friday service will take place at 6 p.m. on March 25 and will include the Lord’s Supper. Easter resurrection celebrations will take place March 26 at 5 p.m. and March 27 at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Carmel Baptist is located at 1145 Pineville-Matthews Road.

Covenant Presbyterian Covenant Presbyterian Church will hold Palm Sunday services on March 20 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Musical offerings will begin with the Brass Charlotte quintet and also include the Angelus and Chorister Choir, and Covenant Choir. The church will hold a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. on March 24. A Good Friday service will take place in conjunction with The Park Church at noon on March 25. The service will take place at 6029 Beatties Ford Road.

7:30 p.m. on March 25 and Easter Sunday services at 8:10, 9:10 and 10:30 a.m. South Meck Presbyterian is located at 8601 Bryant Farms Road.

St. Vincent de Paul Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church will hold a Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m. On Good Friday, the church will hold Stations of the Cross at 3 p.m. and a liturgy at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday services will take place at 8, 9:30 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and 2 p.m. in Spanish.

Egg Hunts and Celebrations Adventure Landing Egg Hunt Adventure Landing will hold an egg hunt on the mini golf course on March 26. Hunts begin at 9 and 11 a.m. and will be offered for three age groups: 4 years old and younger, 5 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old. Cost is $15 per person. Adventure Landing is located at 14000 Cadillac St.

Easter Bunny at Carolina Place Kids can have their picture made with the Easter Bunny at Carolina Place Mall, located in Center Court. He’ll be on site Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. through March 26. Carolina Place is located at 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Carmel Pres.

Carmel Presbyterian Church will hold an Easter Eggstravaganza on March 19 at 11 a.m.

The event will include an egg hunt, petting zoo, bounce house, Easter story presentation and refreshments. Bring an Easter basket. Carmel Presbyterian is located at 2048 Carmel Road.

Mount Harmony Baptist

Ballantyne Village Eggstravaganza

Egg Hunt at Providence Pres.

Mount Harmony Baptist Church will hold a “Son-rise” service on Easter Sunday at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast and a morning service at 8:30 a.m. The church is located at 2817 Mount Harmony Church Road.

Kids can visit Ballantyne Village to hunt for eggs, view live Easter bunnies, make crafts, see a balloon artist and more on March 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. The Easter Bunny will be available for free digital pictures. Ballantyne Village is located at 14825 Ballantyne Village Way.

Providence Presbyterian Church will hold an egg hunt on March 20 after the 11:15 a.m. service. Kids will watch a short movie about Easter, make Easter crafts and participate in an egg hunt. Refreshments will be provided.

Providence Presbyterian is located at 10140 Providence Church Lane.

Pineville Church of the Nazarene Pineville Church of the Nazarene will hold a Palm Sunday worship service in the Family Life Center on March 20 at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.

The church will hold a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. on March 25. An Easter Sunday service will be held at 10:45 a.m. Pineville Church of the Nazarene is located at 8614 PinevilleMatthews Road.

Pineville UMC Pineville United Methodist Church will hold an Easter Celebration on Saturday, March 26, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the church. It also will hold an Easter Sunday sunrise service at 7 a.m., a contemporary service at 9 a.m. and a traditional service at 11 a.m. Pineville UMC is located at 110 S. Polk St.

Providence Presbyterian Providence Presbyterian Church will hold a Maundy Thursday service at 6 p.m. on March 24. A Good Friday Tenebrae service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday services will begin with a sunrise service at 7 a.m. Services will follow at 8:45 a.m. with the handbell choir, 9, 10 and 11:15 a.m. with the Chancel Choir. Providence Presbyterian is located at 10140 Providence Church Lane.

South Mecklenburg Presbyterian South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church will hold a Good Friday Tenebrae service at

Easter Brunch The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge will hold an Easter Brunch on March 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $75 for adults and $35 for kids 5 to 12 years old and includes salads, decorative displays, seasonal entrees, breakfast items, carving stations, desserts, live entertainment and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Call 704248-4100 to make a reservation.

Elon Park Eggstravaganza Elon Park Elementary School will hold an Easter egg hunt with games, arts and crafts, music and more on March 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $3. Elon Park is located at 11401 Ardrey Kell Road.

Hodges Family Farm Egg Hunt Children 2 to 6 years old will hunt for eggs, pet barn animals and participate in sack races on March 26. Registration is required for the egg hunt at www.hodgesfarmnc.com. Cost is $5 per child. Hodges Farm is located at 3900 Rocky River Road E.

Hosanna: An Easter Celebration Billy Graham Library will hold a special Easter celebration on March 19. Guests

will view a special program and have the opportunity to pet baby farm animals. Cost is $5 per person and the program runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Billy Graham Library is located at 4330 Westmont Drive.

Light of Christ UMC Egg Hunt Light of Christ United Methodist Church will hold an Easter Egg hunt for kids on March 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. Activities will include an egg hunt, golden eggs with prizes, a bounce house, maze, tattoos and appearance by the Easter Bunny. The event is free and open to the public.

Kids 1 to 4 years old will hunt for eggs at 2:30 p.m. Kids 5 to 8 years old will hunt at 2:45 p.m. and kids 9 to 12 years old will begin at 3 p.m. The church is located at 9212 Bryant Farms Road.

Matthews Easter Eggstravaganza The town will hold an egg hunt with carnival games, candy prizes, a bounce house, food vendors and music on March 19 at Stumptown Park, located at 120 S. Trade St. Children 12 years old and younger are invited to attend from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free.

Philadelphia Presbyterian Easter Eggstravaganza Philadelphia Presbyterian Church will hold an Easter egg hunt with crafts and refreshments for kids in fifth grade and younger.

The festivities begin at 10 a.m. on March 19 and the egg hunt will kick off at 10:30 a.m.

Kids should bring a basket. The hunt will take place at Wilgrove Park, located off WilgroveMint Hill Road.

Pineville’s Easter Egg Party The town will hold an Easter Egg hunt at Lake Park Shelter on March 19 from 11 a.m. to noon for kids 10 years old and younger. There will be a bounce house, coloring contest and refreshments on site. Register by calling 704889-2400.

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

Page 4 | March 2016 | The Pineville Pilot

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Pineville Communication Systems seeks to give back

by Monica Stephenson Contributor

Pineville is growing and changing. The town is ranked No. 1 in Movoto’s list of Top 10 cities in the Charlotte area for young professionals, and it topped “NerdWallet’s” list as the best place in North Carolina to start a small business.

One of the businesses making Pineville unique is Pineville Communication Systems (PCS), which offers TV, Internet, and phone to businesses and residents throughout Pineville. Did you know PCS TV customers receive the first set top box for free each month, and each additional box is $7.99?

How many times have you called a service provider only to hear the automated response system on the other end? Pineville Communication Systems doesn't have an automated response system to navigate your calls. Dur-

February 2016

Editor’s note: Information provided by the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association and www.sales.carolinahome.com

Home Sales Feb. 2016

Feb. 2015

Feb. 2014

8

9

14

$189,213

$274,263

$196,533

Homes Sold Average Sales Price

Address

Date sold

Address

Sale Price

28134

Dog Walk around lake at noon

www.facebook.com/ BlackDogAppreciationDayBlackDogWalk

C G Charlotte Media Group

Sale Price

Southcrest 11702 Southcrest Lane Feb. 26

$269,600

$164,500 $174,000

Traditions 412 Marie Way

Feb. 22

$215,000

Eden Gardens 225 Eden Circle Feb. 4

$158,000

Winghurst 12130 Saint Emilion Pl.

Feb. 23

$197,000

Ridgely 602 Ridgely Green Drive Feb. 12

$185,000

Woodside Village 14238 Quartz Lane Feb. 29

$150,605

Restaurant Scores

Special guests: • Meet & Greet with Author, Fred Levy • Caution! Blind Driver on stage • Magician Bryan Saint • Aerial CLT

Date sold

Danby 14038 Eden Court Feb. 17 13709 Gatestone Lane Feb. 9

The Monthly FREE Family Event with over 150 vendors, kids playground, demonstrations, dog rescue groups, food trucks and live entertainment.

ing regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday, when a resident calls PCS, the call is answered by a live representative. In addition, PCS customers are able to report service related issues 24/7.

PCS makes every attempt to respond and resolve service related issues within two hours or fewer when possible.

Ultimately, Pineville Communication Systems is about giving back to the community it serves. PCS is making community connections by providing volunteers to Pineville Elementary students and participating in the North Star Reading Partners Initiative.

Due to the generosity of customers, PCS also was able to collect and donate 227 pounds of food for the Loaves & Fishes Pantry during the 2015 holiday season.

Visit www.pinevilledsl.net or stop by 118 College St. to learn more.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department inspected the following restaurants from Feb. 12 to March 6.

Lowest Score: • Captain D’s, 10601 Centrum Pkwy. – 90 Violations included: No certified person in charge on site, repeat violation; knife stored as clean, but was soiled with food debris; dish washer use soiled towel at wash vat of threecompartment sink and proceeded to wipe down clean drain board with same towel; clean scoops stored in soiled area behind front counter and ice machine, repeat violation; several split gaskets on reach-in refrigerator doors; several metal wire strainers broken with loose wires; gaskets on refrigerator behind front counter accumulating heavy soil and debris, repeat violation; and storage rack located in walk-in cooler accumulating heavy soil.

• Harper’s Restaurant, 11059 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 90 Violations included: Food employee

touched cheese with their bare hands; raw chicken stored over ready-to-eat foods in walk-in cooler; pimento cheese and guacamole stored above proper temperature; cut tomatoes and cut lettuce over-stacked in preparation unit at improper temperature; ribs cooling in bulk container in walk-in cooler; clean equipment stored in container collecting water and soil; food debris and soil accumulating on top of dish machine, repeat violation; gaskets accumulating food debris and soil; and grease residue accumulating in fryer units.

All Scores: 28134 • BJ’s Wholesale Club snack bar, 11715 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 99 • Buca Di Beppo, 10915 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 93.5 • Captain D’s, 10601 Centrum Pkwy. – 90 • China Express/Ming’s Restaurant, 315 S. Polk St. – 92 • Firehouse Subs, 9101 Pineville-Matthews Road – 95 • Fresh to Order, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy, suite D18 – 97 • Harper’s Restaurant, 11059 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 90 • Tamarind Restaurant, 10416 E. Independence Blvd. – 96

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

The Pineville Pilot | March 2016 | Page 5

County targets 2019 for property revaluation

by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County is working to ensure the 2019 revaluation isn’t anything like the 2011 effort, which sparked public outcry over the accuracy and fairness of property appraisals.

Tax Assessor Ken Joyner’s work over the next 34 months will involve preparing his staff to handle the volume of appeals in 2019 so they can respond to citizens in a timely manner. “2011 had lots of issues,� Joyner recently told county commissioners. “There’s absolutely no doubt about it, but the biggest thing that did not take place was the county responding to our citizens at that point.�

North Carolina requires counties undergo a property revaluation every eight years. Mecklenburg is required by law to have its next revaluation in January 2019, but the county plans to move to a twoyear cycle in 2023.

Commissioner Trevor Fuller wanted to move forward on the revaluation in January 2018, but was willing to allow Joyner another year to help the county move toward a two-year cycle more quickly. “You can adjust to the market much better on a two-year cycle than four and certainly eight,� Fuller said. “We’re a big county. We’re blessed to be a prosperous county that’s growing. Eight years is just

too long.�

The national economy tanked between Mecklenburg County’s 2003 and 2011 revaluations.

In recent years, the county has hired coordinators for the revaluation and George Dunlap quality control, as well as focused on upgrading its computer equipment and online appeals.

Assessors have visited at least 100,000 parcels since late March 2014. The International Association of Assessing Officers recommends the county visit properties once every six years.

Plans are to arm assessors with tablets to enter data in the field, rather than inputting it back at the office. “We have to know what is on the ground on these parcels in order for us to do an adequate job of evaluating them,�

Joyner said.

Staff also has gone back and looked at how they have delineated neighborhoods, especially older ones. They will analyze sales and market data from those neighborhoods to determine values. “If you don’t have proper neighborhoods drawn, you could end up with values that do not match what is the ac(see Revaulation on page 9)

Pineville Parks and Recreation

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www.thecharlotteweekly.com

Page 6 | March 2016 | The Pineville Pilot

The Monthly

News Briefs

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

Pineville’s Syvrud recognized for ‘outstanding performance’ PINEVILLE – Anthony & Sylvan Pools, the largest in-ground swimming pool and spa builder in the country, announced its 2015 year-end rankings to recognize employees who excelled last year. Pineville’s Brian Syvrud earned a Top 10 finish in the firm’s sales rankings.

“We pride ourselves on a top-notch team here and these awards are well-deserved acknowledgements of the outstanding work these employees and their teams have done this year,” said Anthony & Sylvan CEO Mark Koide. “Along with our customers, our employees are the indispensable foundation on which our company is built and I look forward to working with them in the year ahead to continue the company’s growth.”

The company will celebrate its 70th anniversary this year.

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

Advertising Mike Gianpetro Natalie Grendel Johane Hirschfield

Design Art Director Maria Hernandez Layout Editor Erin Kirby

Town enters into agreement with ElectriCities on April 7

Business President Jonathan McElvy Publisher Kelly Wright Associate Publisher Frank Vasquez Business Manager Brent Epling Advertising: kelly@cmgweekly.com Letters to the Editor: hannah@cmgweekly.com Press Releases: hannah@cmgweekly.com

The Pineville Pilot is published by Charlotte Media Group. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

PINEVILLE – The town announced March 10 that it has entered into an agreement with ElectriCities for the operational management of the town’s electric system, beginning April 7.

The company is a nonprofit membership organization that includes public power communities throughout the state, as well as South Carolina and Virginia. ElectriCities currently provides full operation and management for the towns of Huntersville and Cornelius.

Pineville’s electric operations will continue to operate out of the existing operations center, with management oversight provided by the company’s Electric Systems Manager at its Cornelius operations center.

“The regional relationship with the towns of Huntersville and Cornelius provide Pineville the unique opportunity to partner with a group that has proven to provide stable, effi-

cient and safe power, while allowing Pineville to maintain ownership and control of its electric utility,” the town said in a statement.

Local customers should not experience any changes in their service, and the town anticipates a smooth transition.

Call Haynes Brigman, town manager, at 704-889-4168 for more information.

Fifth annual Paws in the Park slated for Saturday, April 2 PINEVILLE – The fifth annual Paws in the Park, presented by Black Dog Appreciation, will take place on April 2, a Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, at Pineville’s Park Lake.

The free family-friendly event will feature more than 150 vendors, kids activities, food trucks and more than 25 dog rescue groups.

Dogs will be available for adoption, and the annual Dog Walk will take place at noon.

Local band Caution! Blind Driver will provide live entertainment, and magician Bryan Saint will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to dress up their pets for the dog walk. All dogs present must be friendly, neutered, up to date on shots and walked on a non-retractable leash. Puppies should be carried.

Pineville Park Lake is located at 1000 Johnston Drive.

The Monthly

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, My name is Dharma Dogood, and I come from a long line of letter writers, going back to my famous great-X a-zillion-granny Silence Dogood. I'm a stay-at-home mom of a crazy little toddler whom I love very much.

I want him to inherit a world better than my generation. However, I'm really worried that if Trump wins, he's so unstable he’d blow up the world in nuclear Armageddon if, say, Putin were to crack a joke about his hands.

To paraphrase those sage poets of Outkast, I think that y'all who might be considering voting for Trump in the primary should marinate on exactly what that vote means. We aren't voting for who sings best or who gets fired: this is voting for who you think is the most competent person to control the nuclear "football" and have the fate of billions of lives at their fingertips. Do you really want to pass the football to someone who has tantrums that rival my toddler’s on almost a daily basis?

To assist you in marinating, here's my Marvelous Marinade recipe, which is good on any meat or vegetable: 1 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon each: sesame oil, Sri racha sauce, molasses, ginger powder, turmeric powder and garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper. Twenty-four to 48 hours for smack-your-mama good flavor, but your mama should smack you silly if you vote for that goon Trump.

Dharma Dogood

We want to hear your opinion!

Photo courtesy of Black Dog Appreciation

The Pineville Pilot values the opinions and insights of our readers. Send your letters to the editor to hannah@cmgweekly.com.

Send news briefs to hannah@cmgweekly.com

Letters may be edited for clarity.

CMPD Animal Care & Control

Orphaned Animals Available for Ad❤ption Name: Bo ID: A5141422 Breed Mix: Shorthair Age: 6 years Weight: 10 lbs Sex: Spayed Female Date of Arrival: 2/3/16 (Surrendered) Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations.

Has been microchipped.

Name: Susi ID: A1089173 Breed Mix: Pit Bull Age: 2 years Weight: 58 lbs Sex: Spayed Female Date of Arrival: 2/11/16 (Stray) Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations. Has been microchipped.

Susi is an athletic, fast blond girl who has learned how to “sit” in our Train to Adopt program. She is very food motivated and enjoys learning new things. She pulls at first, but then walks well on the leash outside. Susi loves ball and will retrieve them, especially if you will pet her on the ears! She can be a bit rough in her play style with other dogs; a dog/dog interaction is recommended. She would do best in a home with kids over 10. She did great at the SouthPark mall adoption event; though excited at first she settled down and greeted everyone that came up to her.

I’m working undercover to keep an eye on you and your household. You may not even know you’re under surveillance. I can vanish into thin air if anyone or anything interferes with my investigation. If you need a cat who knows how to stay out of trouble and will always keep your secrets, I just might take your case. I came in with other cats so I could go into a home with other cats; just make sure to introduce me slowly to the others.

CMPD Animal Care & Control also holds an adoption event

8315 Byrum Drive / animals.cmpd.org

SUSI

the first Saturday of each month at the SouthPark Mall located at 4400 Sharon Road

BO

ADOPTION FEES RANGE FROM $63 TO $103

C G Charlotte Media Group

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

The Pineville Pilot | March 2016 | Page 7

Faith

The Monthly

‘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” with Rev. Tony Marciano 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.

I was proud of myself until my son questioned why I was packing the truck. I ex-

plained 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.

Health& Wellness

Social Media Posts

Hiram Abiff @KingJaffee_82 Feb. 27 The entire city of Charlotte is trying to exit 485 on Pineville Matthews.

Leah Bailey @lbailey<3 March 9 My blood is 98% Chick-Fil-A sauce, 2% sadness.

Julian Okwara @704jo March 5 Respect to Charlotte Catholic, get that dub in the ship.

King of Lasagna @benbutler65 March 7 Plan for tomorrow: go to Carolina Place and get clothes b/c summer came out of nowhere, clean my car, maybe find a friend to get pancakes with?

Kristen @kristen_lauren Feb. 27 Carolina Place Mall is so nasty.

Zack Poore @zackpoore March 2 South Meck Golf with the dub today baby.

Taylor Powell @Taylor335 March 5 Donald Trump flies into NC Monday. Allie and I fly out of NC Monday. I am thankful.

Amanda @cxssiopeia March 6 There are people who prefer Popeyes over Bojangles??? Really??? Are they okay???

2016

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Page 8 | March 2016 | The Pineville Pilot

The Monhtly

Crime Blotter The following incidents were reported between Feb. 8 to March 6 in Pineville, according to the Pineville Police Department.

Property Theft • 10800 block of Pineville Road: Larceny. Feb. 8 • Hollister, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Larceny.

Feb. 9 • 10900 block of Park Road: Larceny. Feb. 10 • 9100 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Lost and stolen phone and debit cards. Feb. 10 • Sams Mart, 8924 Pineville-Matthews Road: Felony larceny. Feb. 11 • Horizon Eye Care, 10520 Park Road: Larceny.

Feb. 11 • 10600 block of Centrum Parkway: Larceny. Feb. 12 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Feb. 13 • Food Lion, 317 S. Polk St.: Larceny. Feb. 14 • Rite Aid, 10020 Pineville-Matthews Road: Shoplifting. Feb. 14 • Zumiez, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Larceny.

Feb. 14 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting; aid and abetting larceny. Feb. 14 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 15 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Feb. 15 • 10100 block of Johnston Road: Larceny from buildings. Feb. 16 • The Finish Line, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting. Feb. 16 • Sear’s, 11033 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 16 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Feb. 17 • 13000 block of Jacks Lane: Felony larceny. Feb. 17 • 10700 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Motor vehicle theft. Feb. 18 • 12000 block of Sabal Park Drive: Motor vehicle theft. Feb. 19 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 19 • 9100 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Larceny. Feb. 20 • Kmart, 10500 Centrum Pkwy.: Shoplifting. Feb. 20 • Belk, 1009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Larceny. Feb. 20 • Forever 21, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Larceny.

Feb. 20 • Macy’s, 11001 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Larceny.

Feb. 20 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 23 • 10600 block of McMullen Creek Parkway: Felony larceny. Feb. 23 • 900 block of Lakeview Drive: Larceny. Feb. 24 • Lowes, 10625 McMullen Creek Pkwy.: Shoplifting. Feb. 25 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Feb. 25 • 500 block of North Polk Street: Larceny. Feb. 25 • Macy’s, 11001 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 25 • 10600 block of Park Road: Larceny. Feb. 26 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 27 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. Feb. 27 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 27 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

Feb. 29 • JCPenney, 11017 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Larceny.

March 1 • Macy’s, 11001 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

March 1 • DTLR, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

March 1 • LensCrafters, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Felony larceny. March 1 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

March 2 • Sprint Mobile Now, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting. March 3 • JCPenney, 11017 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Larceny; contributing to the delinquency of a minor. March 3 • Hollister, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting. March 3 • Dick’s Sporting Goods, 9600 Pineville-Matthews Road: Shoplifting. March 3 • JCPenney, 11017 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting. March 4 • 8400 block of Habersham Point Circle: Motor vehicle theft. March 4 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

March 4 • Lowe’s Home Improvement, 10625 McMullen Creek Pkwy.: Shoplifting. March 5 • 9200 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of stolen property; possession/concealment of weapons; contempt of court; all traffic violations. March 5 • JCPenney, 11017 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting. March 5 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. March 5 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Larceny.

March 5 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Larceny.

March 5 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Shoplifting. March 6 • Macy’s, 1101 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Shoplifting.

March 6 Home/Business Break-in • 10200 block of Plum Creek Lane: Residential burglary with forcible entry. Feb. 8 • 1000 block of Plum Creek Lane: Breaking and entering into a building. Feb. 12 • 8300 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Burglary with forcible entry. Feb. 19 • 9000 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Commercial burglary with forcible entry; damage to personal property; felony larceny. Feb. 23 • 8800 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Breaking and entering into a business. Feb. 23 • 13000 block of Dorman Road: Burglary with non-forced entry; felony larceny. Feb. 25 • Public Storage, 10811 Pineville Road: Commercial burglary with forcible entry. Feb. 29 Vehicle Break-in • 400 block of Towne Centre Boulevard: Breaking and entering into a vehicle. Feb. 9 • 10500 block of Stone Acre Court: Breaking and entering into a vehicle. Feb. 17 • 12000 block of Sabal Point Drive: Breaking and entering into a vehicle. Feb. 20 • Hampton Inn, 401 Towne Centre Blvd.: Breaking and entering into a vehicle. Feb. 25 • 1100 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Breaking and entering into a vehicle. March 1 • 10600 block of Centrum Parkway: Breaking and entering into a vehicle. March 2 • The Cottages Clubhouse, 10120 Bishops Gate Blvd.: Breaking and entering into a vehicle. March 4 Drugs and Alcohol • Burger King, 10000 Lee St.: Simple possession of marijuana; possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Feb. 8 • 9900 block of Lee Street: Simple possession of marijuana; possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Feb. 8 • Zumiez, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Possession of Methamphetamine; larceny; possession of drug paraphernalia; simple possession of marijuana; possession of marijuana paraphernalia; resisting,

delaying and obstructing arrest. Feb. 8 • I-485 at N.C. 51: Possession of schedule I controlled substance; possession of schedule II controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana. Feb. 9 • Lowry Street at Johnston Drive: Driving while impaired; all traffic violations. Feb. 10 • I-485: Possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver; driving while license revoked. Feb. 11 • I-485 On Ramp: Possession of marijuana. Feb. 11 • Main Street at Johnston Drive: Possession of marijuana. Feb. 12 • 9900 block of Oakbrook Drive: All other liquor law violations. Feb. 13 • 9100 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of schedule I controlled substance; possession of schedule IV controlled substance; possession of schedule VI controlled substance; using drug paraphernalia. Feb. 13 • 9600 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of schedule I controlled substance. Feb. 13 • 12000 block of Sabal Point Drive: Possession of marijuana; suspicious person. Feb. 13 • Extended Stay, 10930 Park Road: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 14 • Carolina Place Parkway near Lancaster Highway: Simple possession of marijuana. Feb. 14 • N.C. 51 at Blue Heron: Possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 17 • I-485 on ramp at N.C. 51: Simple possession of marijuana; possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Feb. 17 • 400 block of Main Street: Possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine. Feb. 18 • Marine Drive at Lowry Street: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 18 • 8800 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of marijuana. Feb. 20 • 8500 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Drunk and disruptive. Feb. 22 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance.

Feb. 22 • Willow Ridge Road at Park Road: Possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 23 • 100 block of Marine Drive: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 24 • Pineville Church of the Nazarene, 8614 Pineville-Matthews Road: Drug violations. Feb. 24 • 10200 block of Feldfarm Lane: Simple possession of marijuana. Feb. 25 • 8900 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver; counterfeiting a trademark; possession of drug paraphernalia. Feb. 27 • 10900 block of Park Road: Possession of a needle, grinder an spoon for drug use; possession of marijuana; possession of a schedule II controlled substance; possession of oxycodone; possession of Xanax bars. Feb. 29 • Circle K, 8925 Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of marijuana paraphernalia; order for arrest.

March 2 • N.C. 51 near I-485L Simple possession of marijuana; possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

March 2 • 10200 block of Feldfarm Lane: Possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; warrant service. March 4 Fraud • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Embezzlement. Feb. 11 • Lowes, 10625 McMullen Creek Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 15 • 10600 block of McMullen Creek Parkway: Credit card fraud. Feb. 15 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Impersonation. Feb. 15 • Sear’s, 11033 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Impersonation. Feb. 15 • Belk, 11009 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 15 • Macy’s, 11001 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Obtaining

money/property by false pretense. Feb. 16 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Fraud.

Feb. 17 • Lowes, 10625 McMullen Creek Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 19 • Home Depot, 10210 Centrum Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 19 • Forever 21, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 20 • Bath & Body Works, 110025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 20 • 14000 block of Green Birch Drive: Impersonation. Feb. 20 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Impersonation. Feb. 23 • 100 block of South Polk Street: Credit card fraud. Feb. 23 • 9600 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 27 • 10400 block of Centrum Parkway: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 27 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. Feb. 27 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Credit card fraud. Feb. 27 • Victoria’s Secret, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense.

March 1 • Chipotle Mexican Grill, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense. March 1 • Bath & Body Works, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Obtaining money/property by false pretense.

March 1 • 300 block of North Polk Street: Fraud. March 2 • 12000 block of Meadow Creek Lane: Identity theft. March 4 • 9100 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Defrauding an innkeeper. March 4 Property Damage • 10600 block of Park Road: Damage to personal property. Feb. 11 • 10200 block of Plum Creek Lane: Damage to personal property. Feb. 15 • 400 block of Towne Centre Boulevard: Damage to personal property. Feb. 16 • Park Road at Pineville-Matthews Road: Hit and run. Feb. 17 • 11000 block of Carolina Place Parkway: Hit and run. Feb. 17 • 200 block of South Polk Street: Damage to personal property. Feb. 18 • Carolina Place Parkway at Lancaster Highway: Hit and run property damage. Feb. 20 • 10200 block of Feldfarm Lane: Damage to personal property; communicating threats. Feb. 21 • Sear’s, 11033 Carolina Place Pkwy.: Damage to real property; damage to real property with bolt cutters; larceny of motor vehicle; trespassing; larceny; breaking and entering. Feb. 21 • South Polk Street at Pineville-Matthews Road: Damage to personal property. Feb. 24 • 10600 block of Kettering Drive: Damage to personal property. Feb. 25 • Suburban Lodge, 10225 Feldfarm Lane: Damage to personal property. Feb. 25 • Home Depot, 10210 Centrum Pkwy.: Damage to personal property. Feb. 25 • Kmart, 10500 Centrum Pkwy.: Damage to personal property. Feb. 25 • 10600 block of Kettering Drive: Damage to personal property; shooting into an occupied property; assault in the presence of a minor; assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Feb. 27 • 10200 block of Park Road: Hit and run. March 1 • 10700 block of Park Road: Damage to personal property. March 3 • 200 block of Lowry Street: Criminal damage to property. March 4 • 10400 block of Osprey Drive: Damage to real property. March 5 • Catherine’s Plus Sizes, 10412 Centrum Pkwy.: Hit and run. March 5

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

The Pineville Pilot | March 2016 | Page 9

Education

Matthews, Mint Hill leaders look at leaving CMS

by Courtney Schultz courtney@cmgweekly.com

After the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education (BOE) did not guarantee neighborhood schools in its controversial student assignment goals, local leaders are looking for other options.

Matthews Mayor Jim Taylor and Mint Hill Mayor Ted Biggers are working to form a task force with the objective of small towns in Mecklenburg County forming their own city school districts.

Taylor said the BOE not guaranteeing neighborhood schools in its goals was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” and urged him to look at other option for Matthews schools.

“Matthews has always taken the position that neighborhood schools are important to the board and to the citizens,” Taylor said.

CMS is ‘too big’

Taylor said high parental involvement and effective teachers and administration have helped create successful Matthews-area schools. Matthews has four “B” schools and two “A” schools, as established by state performance grades, while Mint Hill has one “A” school, two “B” schools, two “C” schools and one “D” school.

“Schools are integral to our neighborhoods and vice versa,” Taylor said.

Taylor added that area citizens aren’t being

heard by the board, and other options should be considered, since Mecklenburg County is “too large” to address the concerns of the individual parts of the county. He pointed to the dysfunction during the January snowstorm that caused CMS to close for three days, with the northern part of the district inundated with ice, while the southern part of the county was clear.

Taylor ideally would like to see the county broken into three zones – south, north and central – that could make independent decisions about their area, so the entire county wouldn’t be affected by those decisions.

Biggers and Taylor met last week and plan to create a task force of “concerned citizens” to investigate forming their own school district in hopes to gain a greater focus on the community. Taylor said he also plans to reach out to Pineville Mayor Jack Edwards.

Forming a city school district requires state legislation, according to DPI spokesperson Vanessa Deter, and legislators would have to redraw district lines.

Forming a new district

State law says a “city school administrative unit” would have to be supervised by a city superintendent and would fall under the authority of state school authorities. City school district funding would fall back on the city, but Taylor believes area residents would be willing to pay to retain schools in proximity.

Taylor already has spoken with state Senate

and House members and said they understand his frustration and will work with them, but won’t guaranteed they’ll receive passed legislation.

“The more that we explore it, ultimately we’ll find what the benefit would be,” Taylor said. “We can’t just sit back and say, ‘We can’t do it,’ or ‘We shouldn’t do it,’ until we see our options.”

Taylor feels parents want “stability” and, because the board has not made a statement that they won’t consider forced bus across the county, they can’t rely on the county to retain neighborhood schools.

“If their intent is not to do this, they need to communicate it out,” Taylor said. “They made the conscious decision to not make that statement. We’re making the conscious decision to take action and control our own destiny.”

The board’s next step

District 6 BOE member Paul Bailey said Taylor’s actions reflect a reaction to the Feb. 23 meeting, in which the BOE identified the student reassignment goals. Bailey did not attend the meeting due to weather complications in New Orleans, but he called in during the board’s discussion, supporting the extraction of the goals’ preamble, which passed.

He also held a community forum a week before the meeting in which community members shared their thoughts and Bai-

ley stated his support for neighborhood schools.

Bailey suspected some of the “rhetoric” used during the meeting “sent some folks over the edge.” He expressed concern over towns forming their own school district, as well as the fact that his email has gone “quiet.”

“Typically when the email goes quiet, it means people have given up and they’re looking for other options,” he said.

Bailey said the next step is for the board to reevaluate the goals’ preamble to include a clear designation that the board supports neighborhood schools and won’t have a forced busing approach to student assignment.

“We need to state what we’re trying to achieve,” Bailey said. “People need to understand that they may not be going to the school they go to presently, but I hope it will be a school in proximity (to the student’s home) and ensure that students have a choice and that they predominately have the choice.”

He points to natural migration into different parts of the county has pushing a need for students reassignment. He looked at Crestdale Middle School, which is at around 98 to 100 percent capacity, and South Charlotte Middle School, which is at 120 percent capacity, as an example for a need for a shift in students.

Revaluation (continued from page 5)

tual reality of buyers and sellers for those properties,” Joyner said.

Processes are also getting fine-tuned when it comes with interacting with the public, particularly with appeals.

“As we go through the appeals processes, we’re talking to our citizens and we’re trying to discuss and come to a basis of understanding how we generated the values,” Joyner said.

If there is a concentration of appeals for a given geographic area, such as Mint Hill, the county is interested in meeting residents, like at its town hall, rather than Uptown Charlotte.

Commissioner George Dunlap said he’d like to see better customer service for people who make appeals online.

The 2011 revaluation continues to be a hot topic among elected leaders.

Dunlap gloated last month after an independent analysis conducted by a statistician found the county’s response to correct the 2011 revaluation was statistically more accurate than a private firm’s attempt.

Dunlap chalked up the “revaluation debacle” to a few people not wanting to pay for their property, prompting the county

to incur costs for devaluing the property.

“This reaffirms that nobody did anything wrong, but people for political reasons got behind folks in the community, embarrassed people, didn’t care about careers for political gain,” Dunlap said.

Matthew Ridenhour, who represents the southern part of the county, described Dunlap’s sentiment as a “slap in the face” to the work that went into correcting the process. Ridenhour said many people petitioned the county, because they didn’t think the revaluation was fair.

Ridenhour said his colleagues call for fairness in every topic discussed by the county and shouldn’t dismiss similar calls for equity for the revaluation because it’s coming from residents in Myers Park or Lake Norman.

“The problem is that mentality that people were trying to get something from government,” he said. “They wanted money back. They wanted a big check.

They wanted a payday. Maybe that’s how some people think, but a lot of the folks I spoke with, they just wanted the revaluation to be redone. They didn’t feel it was equitable.”

Send development news and briefs to justin@cmgweekly.com

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

Page 10 | March 2016 | The Pineville Pilot

Education

CMS board confirms superintendent search timeline weeks total for organizations to respond. Each firm will submit its RFI to the superintendent search committee, who will review and narrow After more than a year of inaction, the down all the submitted applications to up to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education four firms.

Those firms will meet and interview with (BOE) moved forward with a superintendent the BOE on April 5, a Tuesday, at 4 p.m. in search during a special meeting on March 3. an open session and the board will then select Trent Merchant, a former CMS school the firm. board member with former experience with an Superintendent Ann Clark said she plans to executive search firm, presented board memhelp the board form questions for the interbers, except Eric Davis who was not in attenviews and will provide a candidate perspective dance, with a proposed process and timeline to the board. for a search.

However, Merchant said beyond selecting “There has been some back and forth and the firm, the specific timespan for the search is angst of what’s the timeline to hire the supervague, as the firm will determine how long the intendent,” Merchant said. entire search lasts.

He said firms will confidenMerchant participated in superintendent tially narrow down candidates, but there is no searches with the board and had candid advice specific date the firm will stick to. for the board. He set a plan for them to select a “You’re already on search firm and form the clock. You need to a superintendent Timeline to Find hire somebody as soon search committee.

Search Firm as possible,” Merchant The board ultiMarch 3: Board approves RFI and said.

“If you’re going mately approved timeline for search firms to do this, you got to Merchant’s timeline focus on it and be seand process with an March 4: District staff emails search 8-0 vote during its firms and keep RFIs available to all rious.”

Merchant also enmeeting. firms that request it couraged individual He encouraged the March 16: All firms submitted respons- board members not board to administer a es to RFI by the close of business to give their opinions request for information (RFI) rather than March 17 to 21: The Superintendent about the search or specific candidates, Search Committee selects up to a request for proposal but rather share the four finalist firms.

(RFP) to potential board’s opinion in search firms the board March 22: Finalists firms invited to the form of a spokeswould select to help meet the board for interviews. person, such as the hire the new superinApril 5: BOE interviews all finalist firms superintendent search tendent, because it’s in open workshop and selects a firm. committee chair. less formal and the “The community process itself has to be April 4 to 8: General Counsel seand potential canemphasized. cures contract with selected firm didate need to hear Board members April 12: BOE announces the search from the board and approved Merchant’s firm partner during meeting. not individual memRFI, which ultimately bers,” Merchant said. included 11 questions “There is nothing for the community to gain to solicit specific information about the search to hear from you (individually) about the firm, such as how many searches the firm is search.

You must maintain confidentiality. currently engaged in, management of candidate confidentiality and current and former Violating confidentiality will make the board legal claims against the company, among other look foolish.”

McCray alluded to board members breakconcerns. ing a confidentiality agreement in a previous After the approval of the questions, district search during the Feb. 9 board meeting, but staff submitted the RFI to various firms and she did not disclose to whom she was referfirms from a list provided by Michael Casserly, ring. of the Council of Great Schools. The board will Merchant encouraged more open comwelcome RFIs from all firms until the close of munication and transparency from the board business on March 16, a Wednesday. regarding the search, citing greater public The board also decided on a superintendent engagement.

He pushed for open opinions search committee. Chairperson Mary McCray about superintendent candidates in front of all nominated District 1 BOE member Rhonda board members, rather than individually and Lennon as chair and at-large member Elyse to work to agree on a superintendent and “disDashew and District 2 member Thelma Byersagree about anything else,” he said.

Bailey were named fellow members. District 3 “Whatever happened in the past –whether member Ruby Jones spoke out about a lack of is was last week or years ago – this is your moinvitation to be on the committee, stating she ment for a one-time reset for the board,” Merwould have liked to participate, but McCray chant told the board. said she felt Jones was participating in other Contact Lennon at rhonda.lennon@cms. important discussions, such as student reask12.nc.us for more information about the signment. search process.

Now that the board has submitted RFIs to various entities, they will give about two

by Courtney Schultz

courtney@cmgweekly.com

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

The Monthly

Calendar March

15

Life Line Screening

Life Line Screening uses ultrasound to view the plaque build-up in arteries that carry blood to the brain, which could cause stroke.

Register for a Wellness Package, which includes four vascular tests and osteoporosis screening, by calling 888.653.6441 or going to www.

LiveLineScreening.com/Community-Partners.

Screenings take 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

Belle Johnston Community Center, 1000 Johnston Drive

15

Election Primary

Residents head to the polls to vote for county, state and national races. Go to the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections page at www.charmeck.org to get registration information, as well as where you’re supposed to vote.

6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Various sites

19 Easter Egg Hunt

Pineville Parks & Recreation hosts an Easter-themed party in which children, ages 1 to 10, can play in a bounce house and color eggs. Bring a basket. Register for the free event before 5 p.m. March 11 by calling 704-889-2400. Registration is free for Pineville kids and $5 for guests.

11 a.m.; Lake Park Medium Shelter, 200 Dover St.

19 Charlotte Catholic Gala 26 Egg Hunt at Regency

The Pineville Pilot | March 2016 | Page 11

Charlotte Catholic High School Foundation will host a Gala at The Fillmore.

The Gala fundraiser will feature a live and silent auction, food and dancing. Cost is $75 per person. Visit www.cchsfoundation.org for more information.

6:30 p.m.; The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St., Charlotte

Regency Retirement Village will hold an egg hunt for residents and friends on the first floor. The hunt begins at 2:15 p.m. Call 704-542-9449 for more information.

2:15 p.m.; Regency Retirement Village, 9120 Willow Ridge Raod

20 Free Italian Ice at Rita’s

Guests will learn about Dr. Annie Alexander. Born in 1864 in Mecklenburg County, Annie Alexander became the first female physician in North Carolina. Learn more about her journey to become a doctor and her life, which was devoted to the service of others.

Must be 18 years old or older. Register at 704416-6600.

6 p.m.; South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road, Charlotte

Rita’s Italian Ice will give away free Italian ice to celebrate the start of spring. Rita’s has Charlotte locations in Plaza Midwood and Ballantyne 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Rita’s Italian Ice, 16631 Lancaster Hwy., Charlotte

101: The 24 College Princeton Review High school students will learn how to for college and find out how tests are designed and scored. What’s on the SAT and ACT? View sample problems and test strategies, along with testing timelines. Registration is required at www.princetonreview.com/prod uct/offerings/284093.

6 p.m.; South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road, Charlotte

26 Overnight Laser Tag

Play for intergalactic glory and prizes in an overnight laser tag battle inspired by Batman and Superman. Reservations are recommended. The event costs $35 in advance or $40 on event day. Call 704-567-6707 or go to www.laserquest.com.

11 p.m. to 6 a.m.; Laser Quest, 10403 Park Road.

2015 Spring Fling APRIL 30th 9am – 4pm Jack Hughes Park 513 Main St., Pineville, NC 28134 Spring Fling is PCAA’s Annual Fundraising Festival This event is the largest fundraiser that PCAA holds during the year. Plan NOW to support your athletic association!

Food, Fun, Inflatables & Games for the whole family.

T-Ball, Softball & Baseball games will be played all day.

Players will participate in hit-a-thon on the stadium field!

Contact Andy Reim @

fundraising@pcaasports.org

for vendor and/or sponsorship opportunities

30 A Lifetime of Service

April

2

Paws in the Park

Residents and their four-legged friends will enjoy more than 150 vendors, demonstrations, activities for kids and have the opportunity to learn from 25 rescue groups and adopt dogs on site. A dog walk will take place at noon. Provided by Charlotte Black Dogs.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Pineville Park Lake, 1000 Johnston Drive

12 Council Meeting

The next Pineville Town Council meeting will take place on April 12. Residents are encouraged to attend. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month.

6:30 p.m.; The Hut, 413 Johnston Drive

Summer Camp Spotlight at James K. Polk Historic Site Positively Presidential President James K. Polk Historic Site will hold Positively Presidential day camp, which runs June 21 to 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Campers will learn what it would be like to run for political office and create their own ironic political campaign. Campers also will learn how the election process has changed over time and embark on a campaign trail to gain debating and public speaking experience.

Cost is $80, which includes lunch and materials.

Work & Play in Young Polk’s Day Campers will discover what it was like to work and play during the childhood era of President James K. Polk. The one-day camp will take place on July 19 and 21. Campers will explore traditional chores, popular children’s games and more through guest demonstrations and hands-on activities.

Camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $40 per student, per session, which includes lunch and materials.

Call 704-889-7145 for more information.

www.thecharlotteweekly.com

Page 12 | March 2016 | The Pineville Pilot

Sports

South Meck baseball mixes young and old in search for another title

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

First round exits from the state playoffs are difficult to swallow, especially for a program like South Meck that’s accustomed to competing for championships.

Seniors Lawson McArthur, a center fielder/ pitcher who signed with N.C. State, and Christian Umphlett, a pitcher who signed with Francis Marion University, are the only two remaining players left from South Meck’s 2013 state championship team.

“We’re the only ones that can revert to that time and share our experiences there and how they may help us with this team,” McArthur said.

McArthur’s leadership role expands this season, especially now that second baseman Max Bazin and catcher Eric Jones have taken their talents to Davidson College’s baseball program after playing vital roles as leaders and go-to players.

Coach Jon Tuscan said his team is “weird,” because it has proven, experienced guys at some positions and young, inexperienced players at others.

Umphlett, McArthur, Colby Bruce, John Bagyi and Reid Hedberg return to give the Sabres a strong and experienced pitching staff, but sophomores are getting plugged into third base and shortstop and Bazin’s replacement at second, and first base is played by committee.

Tuscan said sophomore shortstop Andrew

(From left) Coach Jon Tuscan and Lawson McArthur.

Montsinger has made a jump and improved dramatically since last year.

“He’s going to be something special, I think, down the road,” Tuscan said.

The same goes for Hedberg, a sophomore, who also plays third base.

The mixed personnel of older and younger players has effected communication, and the Sabres have it all in terms of ages and experience.

“It takes a while for your team dynamic to build,” Tuscan said. “It takes a while for guys to start clicking on the same page. I love our chemistry. I think it’s always the learning process. They got to keep learning and building that team chemistry.”

McArthur said if he and his teammates can have the confidence to build off each other instead of staying in the shadow of a leader, then they will start playing together as a team.

He’s trying to instill into his younger teammates the confidence he has, and a strong sense of trust in each another. That’s what led to the Sabres’ success in 2013. This season, expectations are high for South Meck following last year’s first round exit, despite the 2-2 (1-0 So. Meck 8) start to its 2016 campaign.

“You don’t ever want to lose in the first round of the playoffs,” Tuscan said. “It’s always a big blow.”

However, the Sabres have much to build on from last season after winning 16 games with six freshmen in their starting lineup, which bodes well for the future.

South Meck didn’t belong with Ardrey Kell and Providence on paper, but the Sabres were in the thick of the conference race until the end of the regular season, where it fell two games short of the league title to finish third in the So. Meck 8.

The Sabres need to improve most with onfield communication and batting. Once they get better in those areas, they will be a different team, and ultimately a contender in the So. Meck 8 and beyond.

Everyone must find a way to contribute at the plate, even if it’s just putting the ball in play, because that’ll give South Meck an opportunity to put runners on base and increase the likelihood of scoring more runs. It eliminates strikeouts, which was an area of struggle last season, and continues to be an issue.

High school kids rarely field at .1000, so connecting with a pitch – whether it’s a base hit or

a bunt – puts the ball in play and someone, at some point, is going to make an error to give the Sabres a break.

But South Meck doesn’t want to depend on the opposition exclusively, so Tuscan and his staff are using situational training along with batting practice to help the players improve their output at the plate.

“We’ll work on our plan a lot,” Tuscan said.

“When we get in the box, what pitch are we looking for in certain situations? What are we trying to do? Do we need a line drive or if we got a runner on third can we just hit a weak ground ball? If that’s all we need then why are we trying to drive a ball in the gap when we can get away with a ground ball in play and we score a run?

So we work on the plan of what we need in each situation.”

Tuscan is using the pitching machine more with his players, so they have to hit curveballs every day. Sometimes, he’ll increase the velocity of the pitching machine. Hitters can’t get good timing off of a machine.

Ultimately, the purpose of this is for each hitter to get used to being uncomfortable. Tuscan wants them to be “comfortable being uncomfortable” once they’re in a game.

The future looks promising for the South Meck program. This team is still evolving, but once it discovers its identity and shores up its weaknesses the Sabres will be a force to reckon with.

Charlotte Catholic baseball fights through injuries

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

Coach Randy Belk has been at it for 36 years.

He’s seen it all, and refuses to let his Charlotte Catholic baseball team (3-2, 1-0 So. Meck 8) make excuses for its litany of injuries that have left some significant voids in the lineup. He wants his players to step up, take responsibility and represent Catholic, which goes beyond the baseball diamond.

But it’s impossible to get around the significance of the absence of starters shortstop Dirk Masters, third baseman Lucas Plein and right fielder/pitcher Ryan Brady, who are out with injuries.

Senior pitcher Davis Sofarelli said Catholic is playing a little slow without them, and believes the team will pick up the pace when they return to the lineup.

“The guys that are filling in first and foremost right now are doing a great job,” senior pitcher Nick Bruno said. “Obviously, they’re put in a position where they never had to play.”

Junior Will Neal, a first-year varsity player, has filled in at third base during Plein’s absence. Al Womack moved from third base to shortstop, and is playing well. Center fielder Matt Stevens is having a stellar season.

These players aren’t just talented, but more importantly, they get along well and know how to play together.

(From left) Nick Bruno, McCann Mellett and Davis Sofarelli

Bruno, a North Carolina signee, has played a vital role in helping the Cougars build and maintain strong team chemistry. When they aren’t on the diamond, there’s a good chance the team is at Bruno’s house playing ping-pong.

In terms of play, Catholic has one of the more talented pitching staffs, making it comparable to South Meck and Ardrey Kell.

Bruno, who used to start at offensive guard on the football team, quit to focus on baseball, which has paid dividends as he prepares for the rigors of the Division I collegiate level. He transformed his body, losing 25 pounds in the offseason after shedding 45 pounds last year.

“I feel good about myself and everything about it,” Bruno said. “I think I’ve gotten stronger. I worked out at United States Performance

Center. I worked out there a solid six to eight months, and I got really strong. Shedding all that football weight helped.”

He struck out 15 batters in Catholic’s 11-3 win over Berry March 4, but Bruno, who has a 1.56 ERA, wasn’t satisfied. He said his fastball was working, but his curveball and changeup weren’t where he wanted them to be. That drive to be better has been key in his evolution as a player.

“He’s worked on his program and getting his body to work for the mechanics and things I think he’s got to do to pitch,” Belk said. “He’s only been out twice for us, and those games he’s pitched really well. We’re expecting a lot out of him, because he’s been around our program for a long time.”

Sofarelli, who has emerged as one of the better pitchers in the So. Meck 8, has been solid on the mound this spring with a 3.62 ERA. This season will be it for Sofarelli, who will attend the University of South Carolina at Columbia in the fall to pursue a business degree.

Belk said Sofarelli and Bruno are different types of guys. Their natures are different, but when they toe the mound, they’re there to battle.

“Davis has that perfect temperament for pitching,” Belk said. “He doesn’t let things bother him. If we make an error he just goes back out there and pitches. Nick’s got that fiery personality. That kind of fires him up, and makes him throw harder. They’re both very competitive in what they do.”

Senior second baseman McCann Mellett said this team is like a family; it’s scrappy and wellcoached, which gives him high hopes for the rest of the season.

“The addition of coach (Tony) Womack, it’s a big plus,” Mellett said. “We’ve all worked pretty hard in the offseason. We’ve done a lot of workouts… We’ve hit every day, we hit after school, and I’d say it really helps.”

Belk has changed things up a bit. In the past, he normally coached bases, but this season he’s having Womack and his other assistant coach, Kevin Glossner, handle those duties. That has freed him to focus more on the game as a whole.

“I’m trying to do a little more with the pitchers, calling some pitches, so it’s given me a chance to do some things here that I didn’t have opportunities to do when I didn’t have guys helping me,” he said.

Catholic expects to improve on last year’s 17win season and disappointing first round exit.

The Cougars have a strong nucleus of talent to work with. They know they can be a force in the So. Meck 8 and beyond, especially when looking back at the nearly four decades of excellence during Belk’s tenure.

But Catholic doesn’t have to look that far back.

The Cougars can harken back to last season when they beat Ardrey Kell and Providence, which bodes well for the rest of the 2016 campaign.

It certainly appears to be a promising one.