Hardin named Independence football coach
Celebrate Easter in Matthews and Mint-Hill
page 25 page 19 Locally Owned & Operated www.matthewsminthillweekly.com
Volume 8, Number 13 • March 26 to April 1, 2015
Local veteran to climb for a cause by Ryan Pitkin ryan@matthewsminthillweekly.com
Sean Fisher pledged as an Eagle Scout on March 7
See more in Crystal O’Gorman’s story on page 11.
Mint Hill resident Sean Fisher carries out landscaping work at Blair Road UMC during his Eagle Scout Leadership Service project. Photo courtesy of Steve and Tracey Fisher
Matthews approves three zoning changes MARA stealth tower decision deferred to April 27
by Josh Whitener editor@matthewsminthillweekly.com
MATTHEWS – The Matthews Board of Commissioners voted to approve three separate zoning changes during the board’s Monday, March 23, meeting. The first and, according to commissioners, most complicated zoning change concerned the Matthews
Athletic & Recreation Association (MARA). Commissioners voted to change the zoning of MARA from an RU Rural District zoning – something town and MARA leaders previously said was outdated – to an R/I zoning. “With the current construction on South Trade Street and change that project is causing on the MARA site, we feel that this is an excellent opportunity to (update) the zoning in a way that is beneficial to the athletic association,” town staff said in their report.
MATTHEWS – While Matthews resident Jameson Knight was serving as a Cavalry scout for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, he gained an appreciation for the mountains that can only be understood by someone who’s been to war. Knight’s unit was stationed in the mountainous northern region of the country for one year, beginning in June 2008, and he began to feel a certain level of comfort in the ranges they would patrol together. “When we were in the mountains, I had a bit more peace of mind,” Knight said. “I enjoyed it. It was more rural than any area I’d ever been in.” Knight, who was scared of heights before joining the Army, brought his newfound passion for hiking home and now takes to the trails in his free time. It wasn’t long before he took it a step further and decided to put a cause behind his climbs. Knight is currently training to climb Mount Rainier in Washington to raise (see Local Veteran on page 12)
Commissioner John Higdon reluctantly voted to approve the zoning change, claiming he didn’t feel it was the best zoning option for the property, but that his support for MARA as an organization was strong enough to convince him to vote in favor of the change. “I’d like to say, for the record, that I will support this, but I don’t think this is the best zoning designation for the property, and I would prefer to see a special sports field or park designation made,” Higdon said. “It’s unfortunate that so much time and effort’s (see Matthews Zoning on page 8)
INDEX: News Briefs, 6; Crime Blotter, 7; Education, 13; Arts, 18; Calendar, 21; Sports, 24; Classifieds, 27
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