Charlotte Observer

Friend and neighbor, Pam Stowe, was recently selected as Teacher of the Year at Belmont Middle School.

Congratulations Ms. Stowe !

Leigh Pressley, a Neighbors columnist with the Charlotte Observer wrote a great article in the Sunday paper. Read it here.

The Charlotte Observer gave an update on the development plans of the biggest land area in Belmont in last Sunday’s paper.  

 State Senator Robert Pittenger purchased the land from Crescent Resources (Duke Power) several years ago. Crescent had years earlier voluntarily annexed the land into the city limits.  Pittenger now is planning to sell the land to real estate developers, “…from up north…”, accrding to the article.

This is a BIG test for the power of the Planning & Zoning Board, city staffers, and the City Council. As council candidate Richard Turner suggests, “…give teeth…to land use plan…”.

One of the Front Porch visitors, settin’ over in the rocking chair, has offered her opinions, some of which we had to edit out or she wooda been pickin’ out pricklies from her behind.

Things came through like, ‘be careful”, “plan of action”, “vision”, and, “get people’s support”, among other things.

Words that politicians use, even in their own personal business dealings can and should be parsed. When Pittenger says, “that’s private”, he is saying, “there is no real buyer, I am trying to run up the price on my property”. The term “real estate investor”, means that capitalism is working at its best. But this form of capitalism affects the quality of life in a community he has never lived in, or spent the night in.  

We suggest that everyone should be wary about the term “property rights”, especially in this city election.

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.