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Nominations for Citizen of the Year

The Belmont Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for Citizen of the Year.The award will be presented during the chamber’s 48th annual meeting and banquet Jan. 24, at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

To nominate someone who has made significant contributions to his or her community, send a letter describing the accomplishments along with any necessary supporting information to: Belmont Chamber, PO Box 368, Belmont, NC 28012.

Nominations can be also be sent by e-mail to info@belmontchamber.com. Nominations must be received by Nov. 30.

The Rev. Kenneth Alexander, senior pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, is the current Citizen of the Year.

Two websites, Topix.com and GastonPolitics.com have had some interesting discussions about the Belmont City Council elections.

Many of the same commentary that has been found here, just repeated across the different blog sites. These are both in forum style and are in real-time whereas, this site has screened responses (called, moderation) according to the “rules of civility” found on another page here.

To review, the city council election has three incumbents and 5 challenging candidates for 3 slots on council. This is a 4-year position. The new council will be sworn in at the December meeting of the City Council.

How this election impacts the citizens of Belmont:

• Planning & Zoning concerns are on the table with a need for teeth in the regulations and ordinances
• Strategic Growth Planning is crucial to a patterned response to the needs of the existing community, which includes roads, water, utilities, etc.
• Quality of Life issues such as parks, workforce housing, and recreation are focal points
• The other issues that always present themselves, such as jobs, taxes, etc.

The Belmont Banner published a special on-line page, which surprised us here on the Front Porch. The BannerNews website must be in development stages… anyway, we are glad that this page was set up to be viewed by the public. Please review that page as well.

Encourage our neighbors and friends to get out on Tuesday to vote. With the paving project going on along Central Avenue, some people may be discouraged  by the traffic issues in the morning or later in the day. Plan out your Tuesday to take time to vote.

Pictures of the Challenger Candidates:

Pictures of the Incumbents standing for Reelection:

YOUR CHOICE – YOUR FUTURE

Usually, most schools schedule lightly regarded opponents for special event nights such as homecoming, opening day, senior night, etc.

Not the South Point Red Raider Football team. Friday night’s match up with Charlotte Latin pits two unbeaten and top state-ranked teams, on South Point’s homecoming night.

 
Charlotte Latin complex

Not to be outdone on the football field, the South Point homecoming court, also has 11 “players” to take the field at halftime.

Kevin Cary at the Charlotte Observer is picking Latin over the Raiders, 34-24.

Our friends and neighbors see it just a little differently on the Front Porch. If the defensive unit can stay focused and in control, we have a shot at sending the boys from the private school back home to their mommies, crying no doubt.

Speaking of crying, two weeks in a row now, at home and away at Forestview, “Megaphone Man”, has been shut down and quieted from his exhortations at the football contests.  

At home against Ashbrook two weeks ago, Gaston County Police asked him to stop. At the Forestview game, he tried to play dumb and denied having the “artificial noise-making device”.

“Megaphone Man” has been a staple at SPHS football contests for as long as we can collectively remember. “Git-R-Dun Boys” used to be the call from the top of the stands. Recently however, this guy, your typical football, hometown former-jock, shaved bald and loud as the dickens, has gotten pretty derogatory in his calling out to players, officials, and coaches.

What was funny once, isn’t funny any more. We hope he can control himself.