COUNCIL

From Page 1 the city’s history or having an “arsenic pond” located, as he noted, “down the road.” He said he has his hand on the pulse of the town and added he “knows what is going on,” this in reference to the city’s prior written statement on the Piedmont Lithium contract.

Mayor Beam told Mr. Dellinger the city’s decisions were made ahead of time at their work sessions, with Council member Jill Parker Puett adding those decisions “could have gone either way.”

Dellinger said he was “just looking at stuff logically,” and City Manager Dalton the city’s lithium plant decision was made “not to approve or disapprove” any action.

The conversation moved on to the Historical Museum debate again with Mayor Beam stating, “We have no interest in doing away with the history of Cherryville,” adding that while the museum may or may not be in the same building, he stressed to all parties present that night, “We have no intentions at this time of closing the museum.”

There then followed an interjection by museum president, Al Putnam, who came to the podium to speak.

He began be telling Mayor Beam what he had just said was “a lie,” adding, “You have spread that lie many times!”

Mr. Putnam continued by telling the Mayor he was “close minded; not transparent,” with the council having a “closed door, closed ears” policy, adding the council will, “…just go and do what (they) want to do.”

More was said until it was noted a lawsuit was filed against the city by the museum, whereupon Councilman Parker asked Mr. Putnam who had signed that lawsuit filing. At that point, the council told Mr. Putnam they could no longer, by law, talk to him about the museum and he was asked to sit down as his time to speak was up.

In answer to Mr. Putnam, Mayor Beam said he resented the accusation there is no transparency in the council, adding his original platform was based on transparency in the city’s workings. “I am 78 and I have never, ever, made a decision to harm by the owner (Mr. Brittain) to have been stolen, wrecked by an unknown person(s), then brought back to Mr. Brittain. CPD officers responded to a scene at Tot Dellinger Rd., and Roy Eaker Rd., Cherryville, where a Ford pick-up taillight was found at the scene of the accident. The RO report states the suspect vehicle arrived at the CPD, and the owner (Mr. Brittain) claimed the vehicle had been stolen and brought back to his residence wrecked. The report noted the larceny report of said MV was turned over to the county police as it occurred in their jurisdiction. Damages to vehicle listed as “moderate.” Also, damage to a stop sign, as well as dirt from the yard at 418 N. Cherry St., reported as “private property damage.”

7-8: A vehicle driven by Christian Dawn Grayson, 37, 139 Tasha Ln., Burgaw, NC, collided in the rear with a vehicle driven by Katherine Stewart Buchanan, 32, 210 Hawks Bill Dr., Lincolnton, as she was making a right turn off Church St., into the Southern Stores business, located at 1005 E. Church Street. No injuries reported. Est. damages to the this city! Everything we have ever done is to help this town move forward!” He noted he has been the mayor for 10 years and he hopes to have two more years to see things through.

Businessman Rusty Wise, one of the bidders on the museum property, spoke next and told council the entire bid process was, in his words, “A fiasco,” with “three or four things wrong with it.” Mr. Wise said he didn’t know why the bid process was scrapped in the first place, to which Councilman Abernethy said the city was contacted by Mr. Wise’s lawyer to be sued.

He continued, “We thought it best, at that time, to scrap the process and start again.”

Mayor Beam also stated, “All bids were then shut down.”

Mr. Wise said he knows the city’s museum decisions were made based on money but added he hoped the museum will be kept where it is.

Councilman Parker also noted it isn’t the first time the museum building has been sold.

Mr. Wise said, “I challenge Mr. O’Leary to keep it (the museum) where it is and make it accessible to all citizens.”

Council member Jill Puett noted that museum director, Pat Sherrill, has done an amazing job of keeping it going.

Council member Gary Freeman moved the city accept the $400,000 bid for the museum property and Council member Puett seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Council voted on and approved a budget ordinance regarding the AIA grant of $300,000 for a water and sewer study.

In other business, City Manager Brian Dalton shared photos of the work being done there and talked about the new basketball court and goals. There are also plans to work on Edwards Park, patch Johnson Drive, get the pickleball court done soon, then it’s on the Rotary Park, Ranbar Park and Aaron Moss Park. Council also talked about building a gym, similar to the one at Stanley, adding they were working with Gaston County Commissioner Allen Fraley on that matter. After discussing other items of interest, council adjourned.