Small Town

Ran across this blog entry after searching Food and Recipes. We thought it looked good:

http://jasonmichael24.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/arkansas-green-tomoto-relish/

“This is a favorite of many southern cooks. It’s actually a friend’s recipe, and it tastes great!

12 large onions, chopped

8 cups chopped green tomatoes

½ cup salt

6 red peppers, chopped

6 green peppers, chopped

6 cups sugar

3 cups vinegar

1 ½ tablespoon celery seed

Put onions, tomatoes, and salt in saucepan.  Cover with boiling water.  Cook 5 minutes.  Drain for ½ hour.  Combine vegetables with remaining ingredients in saucepan.  Bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes.  Seal in jars.

To “drain for ½ hour” simply pour the mixture into a colander and let set in your sink at least 30 minutes.  Do not press on the mixture or attempt to remove excess liquid.  Simply let the mixture sit and drain naturally.”

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.

(Gazette Photo, Benjamin Patton)

Regardless of the Fire Marshall’s comments about the nature of the Mayworth School fire on Sunday, it still is a fire that neighbors feel was deliberately set. “I wouldn’t say suspicious,” Hendrix said. “It’s just under investigation.” Good, we hope that it is thoroughly investigated.

We are not saying as much, but there have been incidents where a tight housing construction market and downturns in buying lead to “ways out” of project commitments or ways to get returns on investment.

This is an example of one of the “good projects” that we were discussing last week in an article about growth on the east side of the county. The proposed housing for seniors, is a good step. Of course, if you could afford it.

We believe that anytime an empty “big box” is going to be reused for housing or other economic development activity, that would be a good thing. In this case, Cramerton has a stated goal of becoming a bedroom community to Charlotte. In many ways it already has become just that with the growth and build out on top of Cramer Mountain. 

This fire, while a set back in Cramerton’s plans, could earn the developer a few brownie points in this struggling community, if they come back with a solid commitment to proceed with the project.

The cynics herebouts just fold their arms and hrumpppf.