Beautification

Former students, teachers and friends of East Belmont met recently in the Life Center of Part Street United Methodist Church for a fundraising rally.

We can’t think of too many cool things to do sometimes. Neighbors from all over Belmont have taken on several preservation activities of the “old” Belmont. This project to erect a monument to the East Belmont School comes on the heels of the successful opening of the Belmont Historical Society, and the Reid Community’s annual festival.

When the discussion of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan was going on, the term “neighborhood preservation” was thrown about. These projects contribute to neighborhood preservation efforts and we feel they should be supported.

Get out and be active in your neighborhood. There are plenty of stories to share with us all, young and old, newcomers and natives.   

The annual fall “Big Sweep/Litter Sweep” cleanup sponsored by Keep Belmont Beautiful and the City of Belmont is Saturday, Oct. 6.

Volunteers will meet at Stowe Park at 8:30 a.m. for refreshments and assignments for cleanup areas. The anti-litter project begins at 9 a.m.

Gloves and litter bags will be provided. Volunteers will work in their assigned areas for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

For information call 704-825-8587.

(Gazette Photo, Benjamin Patton)

Regardless of the Fire Marshall’s comments about the nature of the Mayworth School fire on Sunday, it still is a fire that neighbors feel was deliberately set. “I wouldn’t say suspicious,” Hendrix said. “It’s just under investigation.” Good, we hope that it is thoroughly investigated.

We are not saying as much, but there have been incidents where a tight housing construction market and downturns in buying lead to “ways out” of project commitments or ways to get returns on investment.

This is an example of one of the “good projects” that we were discussing last week in an article about growth on the east side of the county. The proposed housing for seniors, is a good step. Of course, if you could afford it.

We believe that anytime an empty “big box” is going to be reused for housing or other economic development activity, that would be a good thing. In this case, Cramerton has a stated goal of becoming a bedroom community to Charlotte. In many ways it already has become just that with the growth and build out on top of Cramer Mountain. 

This fire, while a set back in Cramerton’s plans, could earn the developer a few brownie points in this struggling community, if they come back with a solid commitment to proceed with the project.

The cynics herebouts just fold their arms and hrumpppf.