Belmont

Gazette Article reporting that the Eagle Mountain Finishing Millis closing. It is located at Eagle Road and Eastwood Drive on the Belmont-Cramerton limits line.

Speculator/Developer, Mark Godley of Charlotte, trying to keep his investment listed as a “hot property” says that there is a “suspect” that will be bring 250 jobs and $75 million of investment to the huge “big box”.

It is difficult to believe.

We hope Cramerton town officials and the developers from the Eagle Park project, just across the street, have all participated in any of Mr. Godley’s discussions. Cramerton Town Manager Michael Peoples, said, “…having Eagle Mountain close will mean $25,000 lost in tax revenue.”  (Notice he didn’t say, Per Year, ??)

Sounds like “government-speak”  for water rate increases to us —

This property also borders the proposed Belmont-Mt. Holly Connector road. Belmont officials are pinning a lot of development hopes on the success of an additional spine artery down the Belmont Peninsula.

Let’s just say everyone is smart enough to have discussed this, and the artery south is just what a warehousing business needs to connect to the Garden Parkway and make connections to I-485 and I-77 for south and east. North to an intersection at I-85 is also a possibility. It will still probably take a good 20 years to get these roads built. In the meantime, the Lakewood, Timberlake, and even Glenmere subdivisions will see property value decreases (from a decreased resale market and resistance to buy nearby this major road and industry).

But hey, we are just citizens, not town planners with Masters degrees in Public Administration.  

The Wachovia Bank branch, located at the corner of Wilkinson and North Main Street was robbed this morning. Two people were injured by knife-wielding robbers. Officers were searching the wooded area near the new Lowe’s box next to our beloved Wal-mart

This is just one more in a string of robberies in the Belmont area. Just recently the Waffle House and NAPA Auto store were victims of robbers. Is there a pattern ?

With growth, comes greater frequency of opportunity for criminals and citizens alike. Helping to “preserve a small town atmosphere” (that so many politicians broadcast), is a community responsibility. Now suggesting that locals can control when and where crimes such as this one will occur is downright silly. Being aware of what is going on around you in parking lots, on your walks through town, and while driving in your car can help send a message. That message is that “we see you — and we see what you are doing”.

Our hearts go out to those injured in today’s incident.

If you are looking for money for your community project, there is a program called, My Hometown Helper sponsored by General Mills Corporation.

Currently, no projects have been submitted from either Belmont or Mt. Holly community groups.

With all the groups selling wrapping paper and candy bars, it seems that some would be interested in applying for funding. The grant requests can be up to $15,000.

Of course, the Gastonia Police Department submitted a request for fitness equipment. Go figure, they get free food at most restaurants and convenient stores, reduced rates at the area fitness clubs, and are allowed to drive with cell phones attached to their ears — and now they NEED fitness equipment.