This is an update from a previously posted article from October 18.
It was posted in the Gaston/Lincoln Neighbors Section of the Observer.
Note: Candidate Dennis Boyce did not return a questionnaire. 
His bio and statement are linked here.
Becky Burch 
Age: 77 Birthplace: Shelby.
Home address: 500 Hawley Ave.
Office running for: Belmont City Council.
Education: GED from Cornerstone Christian School in 2002; interior decorating and design certificate from Gaston College.
Family: Husband, Harold; two adult sons.
Occupation: Retired.
Elected offices: Belmont City Council, 2003-present.
Religious/civic organizations: Attend Alexander Memorial Baptist Church.
How can voters contact you? 704-825-3028.
Last book read: “Refuge” by Dot Jackson.
Favorite movie: “The Sound of Music.”
Fictional or historical figure you’d like to meet and why: Billy Graham: “Because he had a positive impact on so many people.”
Why are you running? “Encourage and promote economic growth through development that provides jobs, lower taxes and water rates; want to see a closed textile plant remodeled for a nursing home; unfinished work like in east Belmont, north Belmont and Reid Community; I am proud of the jobs I have helped create in the past four years and I have unfinished work, like the Montcross Development.”
The three main issues facing the office you are seeking:
• Growth; we need more city employees like police and firemen.
• Roads.
• Schools.
Irl Dixon
Age: 57. Birthplace: Belmont.Home address: 1008 Damon Point Drive.
Office running for: Belmont City Council.Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, radio, television and motion pictures from UNC Chapel Hill.
Family: Wife, Trudy; one adult son.
Occupation: Broker-in-charge at Coldwell Banker-Black and Whisnant Properties in Belmont .
Elected offices: Belmont City Council, 1999-present.
Religious/civic organizations: Member of First Presbyterian Church; past deacon and Sunday school superintendent.How can voters contact you? Work, 704-829-7556; home, 704-825-2148; irl@carolina.rr.com.Last book read: “The Kite Runner.”Favorite movies: “Ben-Hur” and “Citizen Kane.”Fictional or historical figure you’d like to meet and why: Theodore Roosevelt: “The man was amazing. He was a sickly boy who decided at an early age to challenge his mind and his body. He founded our National Park System, was shot giving a campaign speech but finished his address anyway, and after his presidency he almost died exploring an uncharted river in South America. I would like to know where he got his boundless energy.”Why are you running? “My family has lived in the Belmont area for 100 years. I want to make sure that during our current growth period the city evolves into a place my son would be happy to stay and raise his family. I don’t want to just maintain, but improve the quality of life for all our citizens.”The three main issues facing the office you are seeking:• Growth: “We just developed a land use and transportation plan. It must be given teeth and used..”• Expansion of extraterritorial jurisdiction: “Our zoning control needs to be expanded to the boundaries used in the land use plan to give us more control over the sprawling growth the county allows.”
• Buy land and build more parks and fields for our kids to use.
Charles Flowers
Age: 64. Birthplace: Belmont.Home address: 307 Ferrell Ave.
Office running for: Belmont City Council.
Education: Graduate of Belmont High School; associate’s degree in criminal justice from Gaston College; associate’s degree from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute; bachelor’s degree in religion from Mid-Atlantic Bible College Seminary; master’s degrees in ministry and theology from Rock Hill Bible College.
Family: Wife Arlene; one adult son.
Occupation: Retired chief of police of Belmont Police Department .
Elected offices: Belmont City Council, 1999-present.
Religious/civic organizations: Deacon and trustee at Unity Baptist Church; past president of Kiwanis International; Gaston County Law Enforcement Association; North Carolina Police Officers Association.
How can voters contact you? 704-363-6484; 704-825-9146.
Last book read: “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.”
Favorite movie: “Dances with Wolves.”Fictional or historical figure you’d like to meet and why: Sitting Bull, leader for the Sioux Nation.Why are you running? “I love the people of Belmont. I have lived here all my life and know what Belmont means to the people. I feel that I have and can continue to represent the people of Belmont well.”The three main issues facing the office you are seeking: • Growth.• Schools.• Taxes.
Ron Foulk
Age: 61. Birthplace: Mount Holly, N.J.Home address: 101 James Drive.
Office running for: Belmont City Council.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University; master’s degree in education from UNC Charlotte.
Family: Wife, Frankie; two adult sons.
Occupation: Principal of Rankin Elementary School with Gaston County Schools.
Elected offices: None.
Religious/civic organizations: Member of Belmont United Methodist Church; member of N.C. Association of Educators; member of National Educators Association; member of National Association of Elementary School Principals.
How can voters contact you? 704-825-2798.
Last book read: “The World is Flat.”
Favorite movie: No response.Fictional or historical figure you’d like to meet and why: Harry Truman: “I liked his idea of `the buck stops here.’ He had a sense of responsibility and could make the tough decision.”Why are you running? “There are many challenges facing our town: rising water and sewer rates, increased taxes, loss of jobs, increased traffic and over-crowded schools, to name a few. I would like to be a part of guiding the community through the period of rapid change. I want Belmont to be a quality community.”The three main issues facing the office you are seeking:• To be able to promote growth that enhances the community and has a positive impact on the tax base.• Budget responsibility — holding all departments accountable for being good stewards of taxpayer money.• Evaluating, maintaining and upgrading infrastructure to meet the demands of a rapidly growing community and work with community and other elected officials to address school and traffic needs.
Curtis Gaston
Age: 43. Birthplace: Charlotte.Home address: 123 McLeod Ave.
Office running for: Belmont City Council.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in speech communication and master’s degree in fine arts from UNC Greensboro.
Family: Single.
Occupation: Filmmaker, visual artist.
Elected offices: None.
Religious/civic organizations: Member of Belmont Abbey; Belmont Historical Society.
How can voters contact you? 704-968-4772; curtisgaston@gmail.com; www.curtisgaston.com.
Last book read: “Last Night of the Earth Poems” by Charles Bukowski.
Favorite movie: “Point Break.”
Fictional or historical figure you’d like to meet and why: Charlie Chaplin. “He’s just been my all-time favorite filmmaker. I just think he’s a very interesting person.”
Why are you running? “Each resident in a community should participate with their local government in shaping public policy. I grew up in Belmont and want to preserve its small-town charm. At the same time, I believe in the overall vision our current city leaders have and will help reach their goals. I support a smart and workable moratorium on housing developments.”
The three main issues facing the office you are seeking: • Sustainability, ensuring that Belmont maintains its high quality of life and high level of service by creating long-term, resilient and flexible strategies regarding a new economic direction and strong protection from over-development.• The need to create a new city identity.• Formulating a workable plan to make Stowe Botanical Garden and Belmont Abbey College more visible and important in everyday Belmont life.
Martha Stowe
Age: 55. Birthplace: Lincolnton.Home address: 3132 Channelview Landing.
Office running for: Belmont City Council.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in math and German from Wake Forest University.
Family: Husband, Sam; three adult children.
Occupation:
Math teacher at South Point High School in Belmont.
Elected offices: None.
Religious/civic organizations: Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Belmont; education committee; Connect Gaston greenway; Keep Belmont Beautiful, Botanical Garden Board of Visitors; Belmont Housing Authority.
How can voters contact you? 704-825-2683; marthastowe@hotmail.com.
Last book read: “Building the Bridge as you Walk on It” by Robert Quinn.
Favorite movie: “The Devil Wore Prada.”
Fictional or historical figure you’d like to meet and why: George Washington: “I would enjoy discussing `then and now’ with regard to life and politics with him.“
Why are you running? “Many residents have encouraged me to run because I received strong support from voters in the previous election. I have good people skills, negotiating skills, and have no fear to speak out for principles. My interest in managing growth in Belmont began in 1994 as a result of my participation in the forum used to design a new zoning ordinance framework.”
The three main issues facing the office you are seeking:• I will work with the county and state to ensure that local schools and roads keep up with local growth.• I will work to control and manage new growth on the Belmont peninsula.• I will work to protect and preserve our quality of life (parks, greenways, tree canopy, public recreation facilities for all ages, fire and police protection and diversify the tax base).
Richard Turner
Age: 45. Birthplace: Charlotte.Home address: 315 Dogwood Lane.
Office running for: Belmont City Council.
Education: Graduate of Charlotte Catholic High School, East Mecklenburg.
Family: Wife, Marie; three children.
Occupation: Import-export broker.
Elected offices: None.
Religious/civic organizations: PTO board member, legislative representative, for Belmont Central Elementary.
How can voters contact you? 704-825-3302; 704-685-3139, home; fax: 704-825-3302; e-mail: richardturner@carolina.rr.com.
Last book read: “In Dubious Battle.”
Favorite movie: “The Homecoming.”
Fictional or historical figure you’d like to meet and why: Did not respond
Why are you running? “I would like to see Belmont’s growth managed better. An adequate public facilities ordinance will do this. Essentially it stipulates that a community cannot grow beyond its ability to provide services at the city (water, sewer etc.) and county level (primarily school capacity). Seek new revenue streams which do not burden the citizens of Belmont who now shoulder an excessive amount in property taxes.”
The three main issues facing the office you are seeking:
• Managing growth to conform to a vision of what Belmont’s citizens want in their community. I intend, if elected, to pursue mechanisms to maintain Belmont’s identity and quality of life.
• Taxes: I would pursue reviews of franchise fees and the implementation of specific revenue stream such as hotel and entertainment taxes to reduce the present property tax rate.
• Developing recreation facilities for adults and youth.
The Belmont Front Porch 
