Category Archives: Weekly Post Front Page

$1M investment, eight new jobs in Oakboro

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Carolina Paper Converters located in Oakboro will receive an inducement package as an incentive to make a one million dollar expansion by adding a high speed, fully automated converting machine and will provide eight additional full-time jobs.
Carolina Paper Converters opened its doors in 1999 in the heart of Oakboro with two pieces of converting equipment. The company is a national supplier of paper products, particularly bath tissue, roll tissue, and roll towels and also produces an economic paper good that is environmentally friendly.
They relocated in 2000 to the former Stanly Knitting Mills, which employed more than 600 people before it’s closing in 1999.
Since the beginning, they have expanded its operations and manufacturing practices to better the efficiency of production and quality products. The company changed the name to Carolina Paper Company in October  2010. Now, Carolina Paper Company
wants to expand its operation.
Paul Stratos of the Economic Development Committee presented a performance agreement at the Stanly County Commissioners January 7
meeting and at the Town of Oakboro Board of Commissioners January 24 meeting.
Both the county and the town have each agreed to provide an inducement to “offset additional investment in capital equipment, taxable business property, and additional machinery and equipment in an amount equal to 50 percent of assessed value on the new investment over a five-year period.”
This inducement is on condition that the company will provide proof that the minimum of eight new full-time employees has been hired and the investment numbers have been met. If all conditions have been met, the tax incentives will begin in November 2013.

Oakboro mayor disappointed with Board’s ‘unethical decisions’

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“As a mayor and as a tax payer, I am very disappointed for some of the decisions this board has made,” began Mayor Danny Long during the board comments at the end of the Oakboro Board of Commissioners’ January meeting last Tuesday, January 22.
At the beginning of the meeting during the public comments period, Allen McGuire, planning and zoning commissioner, addressed the board concerning a charity donation made by the board at a special called meeting held January 15. The special meeting was called to discuss donating $500 to St. Stephen’s Wesleyan Church for a benefit concert for Relay for Life.
“I’d like to follow up on the special meeting you had regarding the donation to the charity with tax-payer money,” said McGuire. “I was disappointed that Commissioner [Chris] Huneycutt was not forthcoming with information that he had a family member that was a chair for the community event, which to me seems like a very fair case of conflict of interest.”
Mcguire continued with another point of disappointment for the meeting.
“The second thing was, because I was concerned about tax payer money going to charities not budgeted and not of the tax payers’ choice, I came by the next morning for a copy of the check, and I found out the check had been written for the charity a week ahead of time on January 8. The special meeting to discuss the issue wasn’t until the 15. To me, it made the special meeting seem meaningless and to me, it made a mockery of the process where citizens have an input during public discussion,” said Mcguire.
Later during the meeting, Commissioner Georgia Harvey, who was not present at the special meeting, addressed some of the concerns of McGuire. Harvey explained that there was a general fund in the budget designated for grants and donations totaling $4,000, but said it may not be where the donation totaling $500 would fall. Commissioner Huneycutt then addressed the issue by pointing out a general statute for backing the board’s decision. He did not address the conflict of interest point or the issue of the check dated for a week prior to the meeting made by McGuire.
The issue was not discussed again until the closing comments made by the mayor at the end of the meeting.
“As a mayor and as a tax payer, I am very disappointed for some of the decisions this board has made. The ideology that they can call each other on the phone and call it a board meeting is unethical and is not to be tolerated by this man. It has happened on several occasions, and it is not right,” said Long. “This board has made it legal tonight by policy, but this policy was discussed by telephone. This instance with the check was done prior by conversations by telephone╔ by people calling and getting opinions and making decisions. When the check came across my desk, I put it up until a special meeting was made, because it was done unethically.” Continue reading →

Advanced police protection a hot topic in Midland

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The Midland Town Council discussed at length the need for an enhanced police protection coverage plan and what that would mean for tax payers at the December Town Council monthly meeting. Photo by Michelle Waters

The subject of safety and future plans for police protection were heavily debated at the Midland town council meeting last Tuesday, December 11.
For several months, the council has looked into an enhanced police protection coverage plan with Cabarrus County. The plan encompasses a 2×2 match, which would give the town four officers, with 12-hour shifts each. The town would provide the income and costs for two of the officers and the county would provide the same for the remaining officers. The town would also cover the cost for purchasing two cars.
The complete initial cost for the enhanced police protection would be around $200,000 the first year and  around $105,000 per year, following.
Sheriff Brad Riley was present at the meeting to answer questions posed by the council as well as explain the benefits of such a plan as opposed to the town beginning its own police department. He described the enhanced protection as the “Biggest bang for your buck.”
Although the need for enhanced police protection is acknowledged as needed, the council was split at times, over the effect that an increased tax would be for the citizens of Midland.
Riley stressed several times that at some point the town would have to make the decision to make a change.
“I’m not against police protection,” council member Don McSheehan said adamantly, “I am just against a four percent raise in taxes.”
Council member Doug Tucker was also concerned about the increase in taxes.
“I’m all for police protection, but we have to justify the tax raise, and do we have enough tax base right now or wait for the tax base to come in to cover it,” said Tucker.
Council members Rich Wise and Mike Tallent pointed out the low tax rates the average resident pays now and what the tax increase would look like for the tax payers.
“If you put it down to dollars and cents,” said Wise. “On a four percent increase just for police protection, a $100,000 home would cost approximately $3 a month for that protection. Where can you go for $3 a month?” Continue reading →

Seniors recognized by Midland Magic

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Seniors in the Town of Midland were honored at a luncheon funded by the Celebrate Midland Magic festival.

Midland senior citizens were honored Sunday at a Christmas party and luncheon at the Union Lodge #618 hosted by the Midland Magic Committee.
Approximately 100 seniors were in attendance for the day’s festivities where they enjoyed food and fellowship. The seniors also got a surprise visit from Santa and goodie bags filled with items from local merchants. Seniors unable to attend the party were delivered a plate by the Midland Volunteer Fire Department.
“We (the Magic Committee) enjoyed the event as much as the Seniors. We definitely would like to continue this event and find other ways to make a difference in our community,” said Phyllis Crump, on behalf of the Celebrate Midland Magic Committee. “We appreciate the use of the lodge and special thanks to Polly Knight and the Eastern Star for preparing a wonderful meal.”
The Christmas party was possible because of funds that were raised at the Celebrate Midland Magic festival held the first weekend in October of this year. The committee hopes to make the party an annual event in honor of the seniors in the Midland community.

Stanfield commissioners discuss safety, concerns

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The following comes from the drafted minutes of the Town of Stanfield Board of Commissioners meeting held last Thursday, December 6.
• During the financial portion of the meeting, the percentage reports were handed out and discussed. The town is still on target with finances.
• Commissioner Jason Smith informed the board of drainage problems occurring around town and said they have been corrected.
• The next leaf pick up will be January 8.
• Commissioner Jerry Williams plans to inform the board that he wants to start building the picnic shelter at Pete Henkel Park December 10. Williams presented his idea for the new shelter built in-house at the November Board of Commissioners meeting. The commissioners decided at the past meeting to put a green metal roof on the shelter.
• Commissioner Greg Lucas brought up a matter of concern for the ball fields at the park. Lucas asked the board if anyone had heard about foul balls going into the new playground area. This concern has been mentioned to Lucas. After the board discussed the matter, town administrator Bob Harvey decided to check and see how much it would cost to purchase and install netting to keep foul balls from entering the playground.
• The next contract meeting with West Stanly Sewer will be December 11 at 5 pm.
• Commissioners Williams informed the board of the land purchase behind the fitness center. Williams said the new owner is asking to put a dog kennel there. The matter will go before the zoning board.
• After a closed session, Lucas made a motion to refinance the remaining balance of the sewer construction loan with Bank of Stanly. The motion carried.
• The meeting schedule for the 2013 year is as follows, January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, June 27, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, and December 5. All meetings are regularly scheduled for the first Thursday of each month beginning at 7 pm with the exception of the July meeting, which will be held Thursday, June 27.

Locust council honors former mayor, elects new one

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New mayor of Locust, Steve Huber, was sworn in at the December City of Locust council meeting.

The City of Locust council honored former mayor Scott Efird for his service to the City of Locust with a plaque of appreciation and voted for council member Steve Huber to take over as the new mayor for the remainder of the current term.
“Steve, we are extremely del

ighted to have you as mayor,” said council member Larry Baucom in closing statements.

Last month, in a letter to the city, Efird stepped down as mayor in order to take over as Locust Planning and Zoning Director for the city. Efird has served the City of Locust as mayor for the past three years. Huber will finish the remaining year of the current term as mayor.
“I would like to thank council for entrusting me with this position for the remainder of Scott’s term. I don’t take this position lightly,” said Huber, “Everyday for the rest of this term, I will do everything that I can to put Locust first.”
The vacant position of council member, which Huber held previously will be determined at the January council meeting.
In other matters

Former Mayor Scott Efird received a plaque of appreciation from council member David Walker.

•The city spent more than $4,000 on paving and repairs for the sewer line at 200 North and the Meadow Creek neighborhood. City Administrator, Tim Fesperman, said this was the final repair that would be made.
•Two vacancies in the Parks and Recreation department have been filled. The city hired Emily Jones as a full-time employee and Andrew Smith as a part-time employee.
•The council approved a decision to donate a metal horse to the Town of Stanfield to be put on display. The horse was originally located at a park in Locust, but no longer holds up to a safety code for a recreational park and has since been in storage.
• Locust Police Department’s Captain Charles L. Connell will retire at the end of the year after serving in law enforcement since 1979.
• The new schedule of city council meetings is posted on the City of Locust website for the 2013 year.

Stanly County Unofficial Election Results

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Stanly County Unofficial 2012 Election Results

For detailed information on the number of voters and percentages, visit the Stanly County Board of Election website.

U.S. House of Representatives District 8: Richard Hudson

N.C. Governor: Pat McCrory

N.C. Lieutenant Governor: Dan Forest

N.C. Attorney General: Roy Cooper

N.C. Auditor: Debra Goldman

N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture: Steve Troxler

N.C. Commissioner of Insurance: Mike Causey

N.C. Commissioner of Labor: Cherie Berry

N.C. Secretary of State: Ed Goodwin

N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction: John Tedesco

N.C. Treasurer: Steve Royal

N.C. State Senate District 25: Gene McIntyre

N.C. House of Representatives District 67: Justin P. Burr

Stanly County Board of Commissioners: Peter Asciutto and Tony M. Dennis

Stanly County Register of Deeds: Suzanne Lowder

N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice: Paul Martin Newby

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge: Linda McGee

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge: Marty McGee

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge: Chris Dillon

N.C. District Court Judge District 20A: John R. Nance

N.C. District Court Judge District 20A: Amanda L. Wilson

Stanly County Board of Education District 1: Lonnie Chandler

Stanly County Board of Education District 2: Mitzie Almond

Stanly County Board of Education District 3: Angela C. Mills

Stanly County Board of Education District 4: Tracy Lowder

Stanly County Board of Education District 5: Mike Barbee

A Toast to Tuscany Gala Auction

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Every two years, the Stanly County community gets the chance to spend an evening bidding on trips, jewelry, wine, golf packages and more while supporting a local nonprofit that supports individuals and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the area.

GHA Autism Supports is an organization that has grown from serving five children to now helping more than 80 individuals in over 25 different programs receive the care they need. The organization began in 1978 when a group of parents sought support for opening a children’s resi- dence. GHA Autism Supports provides residential, vocational, educational, community, and in-home services.

This year’s Gala Auction is an Italian-themed event: A Toast to Tuscany. The cost of the event is $75 per couple of $40 per individual. Guests will dine on Italian dishes while bidding on a variety of items in the silent and live auctions.

Many of the items up for purchase are donated from local businesses.

Primarily funded through Medicaid, GHA Autism Supports has a great need for financial support from the community. With the political discourse over the future of Medicaid, the organization hopes the Gala Auction will help to ease the dependence on an insecure financial source.

“This fundraiser will support the quality service the organization provides to individuals with autism,” said GHA Autism Chief Development Officer, Beth Olivieri.

For reservations, call Olivieri 704-982-9600, ext. 125.

Cabarrus Family Medicine celebrates opening in Locust

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Cabarrus Family Medicine celebrated the opening of their new Locust location with a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, October 22 with local business and political leaders from the area. The new family medicine clinic has 18 exam rooms and is part of the Carolinas Healthcare System. Among those present was Rep. Larry Kissell.

“Congratulations to the community and to the town for having this facility and thanks to the folks that make it possible, the folks that work here. This is a sign of the growth of this area,” said Kissell.