Gaston Day Students win EPA Award!
INSIDE...
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Business ............... 2A Obituaries ............. 2A Angel Tree............. 3A Opinion ................. 4A Sports................... 7A
Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville | Volume 79 • Issue 17 • Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Candidates
Mount Holly Council
ready for primary One-stop voting will be available at the following locations for the upcoming May 6 primary: Gaston County Board of Elections, 410 W. Franklin Blvd., No. 30, Gastonia; Gaston County Citizens Resource Center, 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Highway, Dallas; Mount Holly Citizens Center, 400 E. Central Ave., Mount Holly. Candidates: – NC Senate District 43Kay Hagan, Republican – NC Senate District 44David Curtis, Republican – NC House District 108John Torbett, Republican – NC House District 109Mickey Price, Dana Bumgardner, both Republican – NC House District 110-
Kelly Hastings, Republican – District Attorney, Locke Bell, Republican – Board of Commissioners Dallas Township- Tracy Philbeck, Republican – Board of Commissioners Gastonia Township- Tom Keigher, Jim Gallagher, Dale Burkett, all Republican – Board of Commissioners Riverbend Township- Chad Brown, Republican – Clerk of Superior CourtLarry Brown, Republican – Sheriff- Alan Cloninger, Democrat, Jeff Clark, Jeff Baker, Jeff Bryson, all Republican – Superior Court Judge District 27A- Jesse Caldwell – District Court Judge District 27A- Ralph Gingles Jr., Michael Lands.
Santmire retires after 15 years with city of MH
eyes growth, development By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Contributed Photo
This baby, yes baby, bald eagle fell out of its nest near Belmont and was taken to Carolina Raptor Center for x-rays where it was found to have a rat and fish in its stomach. It was then returned to its nest where it has since gained strength and flown away. In this shot a volunteer from CRC holds the bird which even at its youthful age is much larger and a lot meaner than a chicken.
Wade honored as Patriot of the Year By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Mike Santmire and Kathy, his wife of 39 years, plan on taking a nice cruise after his upcoming retirement as Streets and Solid Waste Director for the City of Mount Holly. By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
“It's been a good ride.” When Mike Santmire says that, he might be referring to a spin on his Harley, but this month it's about the upcoming end to his 15 years as City of Mount Holly director of Streets and Solid Waste. A native of Ohio, Santmire and Kathy, his wife of
39 Years, came to Mount Holly in 1999 via Volusia County, Florida where he was general manager of a firm responsible for keeping beaches like the one at Daytona groomed and clean. “We chose Mount Holly because it was near the amenities of Charlotte but at the same time had a small town feel,” he said. Santmire, who will be 64 in June, began his career with the City of Mount Holly as assistant supervisor in the solid waste department under Charles Cupps. He moved up to the role of solid waste director in 2003. Santmire was quickly
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When 64-year-old Ron Wade of North Belmont was in the U.S. Army fighting in the Vietnam War back in 1967, he had no idea what being twice wounded would do to his life, but from that ordeal something good has evolved. Several years ago, Wade joined the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 634. The group consists of Purple Heart veterans who work together to raise awareness of all wounded veterans of all wars our nation has fought against foreign enemies. Recently, Wade was named Patriot of the Year for his tireless work on behalf of Chapter 634. He was chosen after Chapter 634's rank and file of 140 or so members
cast ballots. The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Golden Corral in Matthews on April 12. Chapter Commander Miles Stubbs explained why Wade came out on top. “Ron is very dedicated and attends all our events,” Stubbs said. “He goes above and beyond the call of duty in Chapter activities. He is our front person when it comes to getting places being designated a Purple Heart city or county. When it comes to camaraderie, he is second to none.” Wade had no idea the Patriot of the Year award was heading his way. “It was a complete surprise,” he said. “I was shocked. It didn't register at first. I had admired other Patriot of the Year recipients and never thought it would be given to me.” Last year, Chapter 634 member Larry Rick of Cramerton was named Patriot of the Year. Rick is Wade's brother-in-law and was instrumental in getting him to join Chapter 634. So, what are the particulars of Wade's work on behalf of Chapter 634? To being with he has been vital in having programs presented to city councils and county boards of commissioners explaining exactly what the Military Order of the Purple Heart is and
See SANTMIRE, 9A
See WADE, 9A
The Mount Holly City Council met last week and examined a number of issues dealing with growth and development. The council held a public hearing on proposed updates and revisions to the 2006 Land Development Code. City Engineer Dave Johnson guided the council through what some of the possible changes could be for infrastructure improvements including right-of-ways, water distributions systems, stormwater management, drainage systems, and more. The proposed changes would incorporate updated technical criteria, clarify details, and promote better project designs. Broadly speaking, some of the proposed changes would include provisions to reduce vehicle speeds in new residential projects, improve the quality of infrastructure before turnover and acceptance by the city, increase pavement life, provide design flexibility in street layouts for different types of terrain, bolster developer financial guarantees for new projects, clarify inspection and maintenance requirements for private stormwater facilities, and reinforce design compliance for watershed district projects in the interest of quality and quantity. As far as residential development, street design 2014 revisions to the 2006 guidelines would see a variety of changes including shortening street segments where possible, orienting cul-de-sac openings toward pedestrian destinations, and realigning streets to eliminate through connections to busier See COUNCIL, 9A
Man & Woman of the Year Mount Holly's 64th annual Man and Woman of the Year event will take place May 1 at 6pm in the Grand Hall of the Mount Holly Municipal Complex. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation office, Charlie's Drugs, BB&T, Park Sterling Bank, and David's Detailing. The event is sponsored by Duke Energy, Man and Woman of the Year Committee, Mount Holly Chamber, and Mount Holly Community Development Foundation. In addition to the Man and Woman of the Year, a number of other awards will be presented that same evening.
Cramerton budget meeting set for May 1 The Town of Cramerton’s Board of Commissioners will hold a budget meeting on Thursday, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. at 155 North Main Street. The Town of Cramerton does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need an auxiliary aid or service or other accommodation in order to attend or fully participate at this meeting, please contact the clerk’s office as far in advance of the meeting as is possible so that your request can be considered. For more information contact Wilene Cunningham, Town Clerk, 704-8244337.
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