Check out the 2013 Graduation Sections . . . 1B-6C
Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville
Volume 78 • Issue 23 • Wednesday, June 5, 2013
75¢
Brinkman receives medals 42 years after serving as an Army photographer in Vietnam ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com
When Vince Brinkman, now 63, of Mount Holly left South Vietnam on November 11, 1971 after serving over a year as a US Army photographer, his departure was so precipitous that he didn’t even have a chance to collect the awards he was due. Last week, 42 years after that swift homecoming, he received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Sharp Shooters Badge
Boards work toward 201314 budgets By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Local municipalities are currently in budget talks for FY2013-1014. North Carolina state law requires cities and towns to have a balanced budget in place by July 1 of each year. City of Mount Holly FY2013-2014 budget talks continued last week when council members met and reviewed preliminary figures for the municipality’s various departments as well as the overall revenues and expenditures outlook. It is anticipated that an increase in building permits in the coming year as well as a higher tax collection rate will put more money in Mount Holly’s municipal coffers. However, there’s a chance the State could eliminate the Beer and Wine Tax which would reduce revenues from that source. Revenues in the preliminary Mount Holly FY2013-2014 budget are projected to be $15.3 million, up 1.1 percent from the previous fiscal year. The General Fund accounts for the greatest portion of revenues with $9.5 million. The Mount Holly tax rate is expected to remain at its current 53 cents for each $100 of valuation. Also, water, sewer, and garbage collection fees are expected to remain at current levels. A public hearing on the budget will be held during the council’s June 10 meeting. In Belmont, the preliminary FY20132014 budget revenue picture is $13.6 million. General Fund revenues are up just 1.47 percent compared to the FY2012-2013 figure while Water and Sewer Fund numbers increased by 4.34 percent for the same period. The tax rate in Belmont is projected to remain at 47.5 cents per $100 of valuation. There is no salary adjustment on the table for employees at this time. Water and sewer rates in the preliminary budget are looking at some hikes. The base rate for water is up 5 percent and the usage rate up 8 percent. Sewer rates are projected to rise as well with the base rate up 10 percent and the usage rate up 12 percent. Belmont officials held a public hearing on the budget at the June 3 council meeting. In Stanley, the proposed town budget will be up a bit at $4.9 million compared to the FY2012-1013 figure of $4.8 million. The property tax rate is expected to remain at 54 cents per $100 of valuation. City workers in Stanley could see a 3 percent pay hike. Cramerton’s proposed FY2013-2014 budget is $3.39 million with expenditures down $39,500 from last year. The property tax rate is expected to remain at 47.5 cents per $100 of valuation. City workers could also see a merit-pay increase of 2,5 percent that would go into effect in January. Town officials have slated a June 4 public hearing on the budget. In McAdenville, the FY2013-2014 budget is looking to keep the property tax rate at its current 30 cents per $100 of valuation. A June 11 public hearing is planned for the proposed $1.02 million budget. Ranlo is still working on its FY 20131014 budget but the plan is to keep the current rate of 37 cents per $100 of valuation. The proposed $2.68 million budget could include a 4 percent cost of living raise for municipal workers.
with Auto Rifle and Grenade Bar during a ceremony at Memorial Hall in Gastonia that also saw Brinkman’s fellow Vietnam vet Arthur Carroll receive his long-overdue medals. Brinkman and Carroll were assisted in getting their medals by U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry and Gaston County Veterans Services employee Darryl Adolph. The medals that Brinkman received will eventually be placed in a shadow box in his home next to a US flag that was used at the funeral of his father who was a WWII Navy veteran. But what do those pieces of colorful rib-
bon and shiny badges that Brinkman held in his hand after over four decades mean? In Brinkman’s case they meant 400 days of doing his duty under arduous and dangerous conditions in a war that was growing increasingly unpopular back home. Photo courtesy Vince Brinkman Brinkman was just 19 years old This photo shows Vince Brinkman as a 19-year-old when he was drafted on May 8, combat photographer in Vietnam. He was a member 1970 and sent from his native of the 101st Airborne, 326th Engineer Battalion. Cincinnati, Ohio home to Vietnam as a member of the 101st Airborne, 326th but got a job as an assistant photographer with the 326th,� said Brinkman. Engineer Battalion. “I was trained as a light vehicle operator See BRINKMAN, 3A
Helms wins VIP treatment, prizes! By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Garrett Helms, 23, of Mount Holly loves all things related to Coca-Cola and can spout facts and figures about the product and its history faster than the bubbly stuff can flow out of a can, bottle, or fountain. He also collects Coke memorabilia and has a building at his home stuffed with it. In addition, the vintage Coke machine at his employer Time Flies Country Store is one of his favorite things there. So, given that, imagine his unbridled glee at winning the Coca-Cola/Circle K/American Restoration Sweepstakes and taking home a 1956 Coke machine completely refurbished by none other than Rick Dale of the American Restorations TV series. “I never dreamed I could win the grand prize,� said Helms. In addition to the rare, restored Coke machine, Helms also got the VIP treatment at both the History 300 and CocaCola 600 NASCAR races that were held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25 and 26. Other parts of the prize included four days and three nights at the Embassy Suite, $650 in spending money, and a chance to meet Rick Dale when the Coke machine was officially presented at the track. The approximate retail value of the whole package was over $11,000. “I also got to meet Kyle Busch, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Petty, and Martin from Duck
Contributed Photo
Garrett Helms of Mount Holly in the red shirt is seen with the Coke machine he won and Rick Dale of American Restorations who did the refurbishment. Dynasty,� said Helms. “I watched the races in a private box with Rick Dale and Danny Koker from the Counting Cars TV show. It was catered and everything.� Other racetrack action Helms took part in included signing his name on the startfinish line and going to the History 300 Victory Lane to meet
Busch. According to Helms, he’s been a NASCAR fan for a long time. “I always pulled for Dale Earnhardt, Sr.� said Helms. “Now, I go for Dale Jr.� Helms credits his perseverance in helping win the sweepstakes that was determined by a random drawing.
“I just started filling in the blanks,� he said. “I entered about ten times. I never thought I would win in a million years, but kept trying.� Helms brought home a lot of memories from the races, but as for the restored Coke machine, it takes place of honor. “It’s in my living room right now.�
Another Duke Energy coal ash lawsuit filed By Alan Hodge Alan.Bannernews@gmail.com
More legal wrangling regarding Duke Energy’s coal ash storage policy took place on Friday, May 23, when North Carolina sued Duke Energy in Mecklenburg County claiming pollution of Mountain Island Lake, the source of drinking water for approximately 860,000 people in Charlotte, Gastonia, and Mount Holly, as well as many parts of Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties. Three days earlier, on May 20, the state brought its claims for Duke Energy’s alleged pollution of Mountain Island Lake in Raleigh, in Wake County court, adding its Mountain Island Lake claims to a proceeding North Carolina had brought against Duke’s Skyland facility in Asheville. These suits followed a Notice of Intent to Sue under the Clean Water Act filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. That notice informed North Carolina and Duke Energy of the legal violations set out in the two proceedings filed by North Carolina against Duke Energy. See LAWSUIT, 6A
Photo by Alan Hodge
Workers have been busy replacing sidewalk trees in downtown Belmont. The city plans to replant many of the ones being taken up in local parks. See the story on page 3A of this edition.
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