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Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville | Volume 79 • Issue 14 • Wednesday, April 2, 2014
75¢
New truck can take the heat! $393k truck brings more fire, rescue capabilities to Belmont FD By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
#6 Anna Winkler (left) and #5 Hannah Cooke battle for the ball in a soccer match between Stanley Middle School and Chavis, Thursday, March 27. Chavis claimed a 6-1 victory. Photo by Bill Ward
Willy Wonka at EG April 3-5 The East Gaston High School Theatre Arts Department will present Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka on April 3, 4, and 5. Based on the novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the musical tells the story of Charlie Buckett who wins a golden ticket to tour the local chocolate factory. The play features forty-six students from ages 4-18 from East Gaston High School, Stanley Middle School and several area elementary schools. Senior Blake Moran portrays Willy Wonka, and Issac Black, a sophomore, plays Charlie Buckett. The play opens on Thursday night, April 3 at 7pm with additional shows on
Friday and Saturday nights April 4, and 5 at 7pm. There will be one matinee performance on Saturday afternoon, April 5 at 2:30pm. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. A group rate of one free ticket for each group of ten tickets is available. Group tickets may be reserved by e-mailing the director, Janice Harris at jjharris@gaston. k12.nc.us. You may also call the school office at 704-8377251. This is one of the final opportunities theatre goers will have to see a live performance of this beloved musical, as MTI will be required to stop licensing Willy Wonka indefinitely at the end of June.
New twist in coal ash debate By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The issue of what to do with the approximately 4 million tons of coal ash stored in unlined lagoons at Duke Energy's Riverbend Steam Station has taken a new twist, with one plan calling for moving the material environmentalists say contains toxic chemicals to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to be used as landfill. It has been estimated that to move the coal ash from Riverbend to the airport would take at least 160,000 truckloads on a route down NC16. That route would pass through a section of the Mount Holly city limits near the Riverbend plant. Concerns have been raised about coal ash dust blowing out of the trucks
and landing on cars. Also, the upscale Stonewater development near the Riverbend station on Horseshoe Bend Beach Road, and in the Mount Holly city limits, would only be about a half mile from where the coal ash would be dug up for transport. Mount Holly City Manager Danny Jackson says officials have an eye on the situation. “In regard to the coal ash going to the airport, I am aware of the proposal,� Jackson said. “As a matter of fact, me and some of my staff attended an informational meeting at the Riverbend Steam Station recently. We were then made aware of the possibility.� The Riverbend Station, now closed and slated for demolition, is set to be annexed into Mount Holly on See COAL ASH, 5A
The City of Belmont Fire Department has a new truck and it's one of just four like it in Gaston County. The vehicle, which arrived just a couple of weeks ago, is a 2007 Pierce powered by a 515 horsepower engine. It cost $370,000 and was purchased from the fire department in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Financing for the truck is over a five year period at 2 percent interest bringing the total price to $393,200. But enough dollars and cents. What are the truck's capabilities and how will it help keep Belmont safer? Fire chief George Altice had some of the answers. “The truck is 40-feet long and 15 feet wide with outriggers,� he said. “It weighs over 70,000 pounds. "The ladder is 105 feet
long and with its vertical and horizontal reach can support firefighting as well as rescue efforts.� Altice cited a recent rescue in Texas where a similar truck plucked a person from a burning building. The ladder tip is also equipped with a water cannon. There is an intercom system where the firefighter on the ladder can stay in touch with the person below that maneuvers it. According to Altice, the truck's ability to direct a concentrated stream of water makes it ideal for situations where buildings are close together, as more and more are these days. The truck was a long time coming and acquiring one was discussed by Belmont officials for several years. Other trucks similar to it are located at LuciaRiverbend VFD, the City of
Firefighter Alex Hardin scales the 105 foot ladder on Belmont's new truck while instructor Willie Warren looks on. Photo by Alan Hodge
See FIRETRUCK, 5A
Traywick named Citizen of the Year By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
After months of anticipation and planning, the Belmont Historical Society held its annual banquet last Tuesday and named long-time civic activist Frank Traywick as 2014 Citizen of the Year. The event took place at Park St. United Methodist Church fellowship hall and was sponsored by Belmont Federal Savings and Loan and South Point Pet Hospital. It was attended by a large gathering of local officials, friends and family of the recipient, and members and supporters of the BHS. “This is one of the most important community events of the year,� said emcee Ted Hall, president of the Montcross Chamber. BHS President Roger Helton referred to Traywick in describing the evening.
“This is really a celebration of dedication,� Helton said. “It's about someone dedicated to seeing that his neighbors and city are taken care of.� Traywick was selected for the Citizen of the Year honor for his many decades of helping others as well as public service in Belmont including volunteering at the Belmont Community Organization, serving on the Belmont Planning and Zoning Board, and serving on the Catherine's House Board of Directors. Traywick has also put his professional skills to good use by designing ramps for handicapped folks as well as planning the gazebo at Stowe Park. Traywick has been a member at Park St. UMC for fifty years where he led the effort to install an elevator as well as the Columbarium, the first in Belmont. Traywick was introduced
Frank Traywick (right) was honored as the 2014 Belmont Historical Society Citizen of the Year last week. Seen with Traywick is his pastor and the person who introduced him, Rev. Gary Richarson of Park St. UMC. Photo by Alan Hodge by his pastor, Rev. Gary Richardson who alluded in a countrified way to the fact that Frank has done a lot locally. “Tonight we honor a man
who has gone a fer piece without going very far,� he said. Traywick accepted the Citizen of the Year award See TRAYWICK, 5A
Hansil honored for years of service By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
When Belmont city clerk Shyrl Hansil walked into the council chambers last Wednesday the look on her face was priceless. That's because the place was packed with well-wishers who were there to celebrate her retirement and recollect the many years of service she has given to the city. Once she regained her composure at being totally surprised by the reception, Hansil had a few words to say about her three decades of working as an employee of the municipality. “The City of Belmont has been awesome to me,� she said. “One of the things I've enjoyed most has been the many wonderful other employees I've worked with over the years.� Hansil began her career with the city part-time in 1994 and went fulltime in 1998. She began at the Parks See HANSIL, 4A
Belmont City Hall was the site last week of a surprise retirement party for City Clerk Shryl Hansil seen with Mayor Charlie Martin and Public Works Director David Isenhour. Hansil put in 30 years with the city. Photo by Alan Hodge
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