Invest in Community

Downtown stakeholders get the skinny on Gastonia’s big plan

At this morning’s First Friday Focus, a Gaston Regional Chamber, regular event, “Big Plan” Palenick, Gastonia’s city manager/chief litigator, presented HIS big plan for Gastonia.

Speaking before a good sized crowd of chamber members and interested others, “BP” noted that many downtown business owners supported the plan “enthusiastically”.

We already know that the city council has swallowed the kool-aid in its desperate attempt to revive a city that lost its relevance when I-85 was completed, and then again when Wal-Mart took over at both ends of town.

It now appears that the libertarian mouthpiece, the Gaston Gazette, is certainly looking more favorably on these plans as well. Their tone and style of writing is disappointing considering their distain for the TIF laws as passed in 2004.

Good luck Gastonia.

Really, we mean it…

February 1st, 2008 Leave a comment Belmont Front Porch, City Council, Community, Downtowns, Economic Development, Entrepreneurs, Gaston County, Gaston Gazette, Gastonia, Invest in Community, Jan Winters, Jim Palenick, NC General Statutes, Networking, News, People, Property Taxes, Tax Increment Financing, TIF belmontfrontporch

Belmont Citizens of the Year

(Gazette photo)

The Belmont, oops, Montcross, Chamber of Commerce bestowed its highest community award to Jack and Gearl Dean Page at its January 24 annual dinner.

We also congratulate the Pages for this award. As friends and neighbors at church and in the community, Jack and Gearl Dean have always been active and engaged in community projects.

Both the Gazette and Gaston/Lincoln section of the Observer wrote very nice stories about the Page’s involvement in a host of community activities.

(Gazette photo)

Caravan Coffee owner, Vince Hill, was recognized as Business person of the year.

Now about changing Belmont to Montcross…

January 31st, 2008 Leave a comment Belmont, Belmont Chamber of Commerce, Belmont Front Porch, Belmont Historical Society, Charlotte Observer, Citizen of the Year, Community, Community Service, Downtowns, Entrepreneurs, Gaston County, Gaston Gazette, Hometown newspapers, Invest in Community, Life, Montcross, People, Senior Citizens, Small Town, Teachers, Things to Do, Vince Hill belmontfrontporch

Palenick – past and present

Good article by Daniel Jackson of the Gaston Gazette about “Big Plan” Palenick.

However, he needs to look a bit deeper into the negatives that aren’t discussed too much in this article.

According to sources in Bay City, Michigan and Rio Rancho, New Mexico, “Big Plan” has a litigious streak — for his personal gain. Some folks in Bay City are willing to talk about it, but the Rio Rancho folks are much more tight lipped.

Again, overall good reporting by Jackson. It has been awhile since the Gazette has had a real “juicy” story that could sell papers.