Palenick and Council Cronies to use strong arm tactics

Over in the county seat, Gastonia citizens are experiencing yet another turn from the litigious-minded city manager, Jim “Big Plan” Palenick.

 

Why not force a business to GIVE their land to the city through the eminent domain process granted to public entities? The issue is the bank building and land within “Big Plan” Palenick’s downtown renovation. The city wants the land for the “public good”, the bank wants fair market value for the property. The city says the fair market is only UP TO $600,000, the bank disagrees. Three members of city council have sided with the government - well, that’s all it takes - now it appears the citizens of Gastonia will be headed for court.

What a great use of taxpayer money! Something continues to stink in Gas-town.

 

 

Kids fly high with kites in Belmont

  (Gazette Photo - Brad Coville)

From the Gazette article:

  (Gazette Photo - Brad Coville)

Winners from Saturday’s “Go Fly a Kite!” in Belmont

2- to 5-Year-Olds

Most Unusual

Leah Bivens

Dhruv Patel

Sophie Smith

Quickest Controlled

Puja Patel

Mason Craig

Kevin Granson

Highest

Mason Craig

Leah Bivens

Dharmin Patel

6- to 8year-olds

Sarah Griffin

Maddie Deal

Niraj Patel

Quickest Controlled

Eternity Moore

Priyanka Patel

Kendal Craig

Highest

Eternity Moore

Hemali Patel

Gracie Smith (tied for third)

Ekta Patel (tied for third)

9- to 12-year-olds

Brendan Granson

Neerel Patel

Destiny Moore

Quickest Controlled

Destiny Moore

Neerel Patel

Brendan Granson

Highest

Destiny Moore

Brendan Granson

Neeral Patel

Belmont to get green this spring - Gaston towns tired of being brown

Bowing to the pressure of local small businesses dependent on public water for their livelihoods, the Belmont City Council water committee has put forth a motion to ease water restrictions in the area.

Residents would be able to hand water, drip irrigate trees, shrubs, and personal gardens.  If approved, the watering could be done during the entire day on those three days. “I don’t mind the hand held watering,” said Councilman Charlie Flowers”.

This action is occurring while other Gaston county towns are also loosening restrictions.

 

It seems that the “squeaky” (re: “leaky”) wheel gets the grease.  If City Council passes the recommendation, residents still will not be able to water their lawns.

Other communities throughout the state are still working on further restrictions and closely tracking water use, Belmont gets a bit a rain and Poof! - no more drought — in some eyes.

We admit there has been some improvement in the drought, but the area is still in what is considered exceptional drought conditions. Typically late February and the month of March are “catch up” months in regards to rain. Not this spring - so far.

A special meeting next Monday evening (6:30 PM) will have this discussion and vote. Interested people should attend this meeting and see how council members who have landscapers maintain their personal yards vote on this issue.

More information links: System Status for Belmont

Belmont Water Use Tables

Facility	Basin	Pop	2008-03-10	2008-03-03	2008-02-25	2008-02-18
Belmont	Catawba River	8,974		1,676,143	1,605,571	1,668,286

Older table dates

Facility	Basin	Pop	08-02-04	08-01-28	08-01-21	08-01-14	08-01-07
Belmont	Catawba River	8,974	1,545,286	1,672,429	1,685,857	1,568,714	1,744,143

Sure doesn’t look like water restrictions have affected Belmont’s use of water. Going back to an earlier article where the Belmont Front Porch reported on the growing practice of new wells being dug throughout the county, the County Health Department repudiated the charge that new wells were an issue with groundwater.

With this information, it seems that local “businesses” would not be affected — according to the County health department — just dig a well.

Good for business, keeps the businesses off the backs of elected “leaders”, and keeps the progeny of local councilmembers with their jobs.

It’s all good.