Elections

The Belmont Chamber of Commerce is endorsing both Bond Referendums on the November 6 ballot.

We are agreeing to this endorsement as well.

Vote yes for the $12 million Parks and Recreation Bonds.

Vote yes for the $175 million School Bonds.

School Bonds Information:

school-bonds-critical-to-our-children.pdf

What a great evening !  

Food, drink, friends and neighbors. Discussing politics among friends can get touchy from time to time, but the great food made up for it.

Everyone walked away with a good feeling about the following recommendations:

• Your vote is crucial to the foward movement of Belmont, its extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), and the next generation of families and citizens.
• Every vote counts. Do not underestimate the power of one vote, just remember to get out and make the effort. Multiply your effectiveness by calling your neighbor and offering to help them get to a polling station.
• Becky Burch and Charlie Flowers need to be retired by election out of office. Both have continued to perpetuate the good ‘ol boy backwoods emotion of pitting newcomers against the hometown-born and raised. They are inneffective as a team and inconsequential as free-thinkers.

The Belmont Front Porch is endorsing Dennis Boyce, Martha Stowe, and Richard Turner for City Council.

Dennis Boyce, no relation to Mayor Richard Boyce, has demonstrated a willingness to become involved with the community politics and represent the North Belmont Community that for years has been underserved. Mr. Boyce will represent the community in an educated manner, listen to both sides of a story, and not have preconceived notions about his own pocketbook.

We feel that Martha Stowe deserves your vote and support because she too will bring a sense of fairness to the council discussions. Martha is knowledgeable about the issues, has a good connection to the younger people of the community, and continues to work hard in a number of community activities that are not always sports-related. She will not be anybody’s patsie.

Richard Turner was the toughest decision for endorsement. However, we do feel that ultimately he too will be fair in his council decisions and processing of the issues. Our concern is over his axe-grinding on public-private partnerships. He has demonstrated a willingness to  learn more about an issue, even if he openly disagrees, he is civil in his overall behaviors and will talk to opponents.

Independent voices for an independent and thriving community. It is your choice, we still love you Belmont, whether you agree with our choices or not.

See ya’ll on Tuesday !

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