Friday, September 22, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
HICKORY -- It's been more than six decades since Roger Cooke, 65, created his first mural - a crayon piece scrawled above his bed.
His father didn't appreciate his 2-year-old son's artistic talents much then, but now, in Hickory's Union Square, Cooke is still decorating walls. And people are loving it.
"It's really neat," said 9-year-old Cameron Amos. "It shows how they used to live and how they traveled."
Cameron's favorite part? The Piedmont Wagon.
"I like horses and watching people ride them," Cameron said during a field trip to the mural with his Oakwood Elementary third-grade class.
Cooke is nearly finished with the 25-by-34-foot mural. He expects to finish the project next week, and the city is planning a reception to unveil the completed project during the Sept. 28 art crawl.
The horses, Cooke said, are his favorite, too.
"They were most fun," he said of the six panels, which also depict the Hickory Tavern, a historic view of Union Square, the Southern Railroad, the Huffrey Hotel and workers in front of the Hickory Manufacturing Co.
Four prominent Hickory residents - principal E.T. Moore, merchant Alex Shuford, newspaper publisher Lester Clark Gifford and manufacturer Alfred Moretz - are also featured in the mural.
Bambi Small, Cameron's teacher, says the mural not only allows her students to bring their parents downtown and share what they are learning but teaches the children about history, math and reading, as well.
Cooke, an Oregon-based artist, has been painting the mural on the west-facing wall of the Deitz & Taylor Jewelry Store in Union Square since Aug. 29. And after three years of planning, city officials are pleased with the way it's turning out.
"It's a wonderful gift to the community," said Beth Watts, a member of the city's public art commission. "It's a great way for Hickory to embrace its history."
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and may not be republished without permission.
9/8/06
Gas prices cover wide range here
IN TAYLORSVILLE, YOU COULD GET IT FOR $2.35; IN HICKORY, ONE PLACE WAS ASKING $2.79
WHY THE DISCREPANCY? IT DEPENDS ON RETAILERS' RENT, LOCATION, VOLUME AND WHOLESALE COSTS
Friday, September 8, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Like most motorists in the Catawba Valley, Robert Morrison is paying anywhere from $2.35 to $2.79 for a gallon of gasoline.
Swelling gas prices are one thing, but it's the discrepancy in what some local stations charge for a gallon of regular unleaded - a difference of 44 cents, in some cases - that he doesn't understand.
"That's a big gap," said Morrison, who moved here from California in 1995 to retire. "I've never seen anything like it."
A Wal-Mart in Taylorsville, about 20 miles from downtown Hickory, was selling regular unleaded gas for $2.35 Wednesday. Gas stations on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, by comparison, peaked at $2.79 on the same day.
For Morrison, that's $9.24 in savings every time he fills up his 21-gallon truck.
"That's a lot of money," he said. "Some people are getting bargains, and some people aren't."
Around Hickory, stores in the southwest area of the city generally offered lower prices, about $2.56 on average, than most stations in southeast Hickory, which hovered between $2.65 and $2.79, according to a survey of stations on Wednesday.
Several local gas station owners declined to discuss how they price gas.
Retailers look at a number of factors when setting prices, said Jonathan Cogin, energy information specialist at the Energy Information Administration in Washington.
Retailers often look at wholesale gas prices and competition with other stores. Rent and staff costs can also affect prices.
Some stores could see more traffic than others, he said, allowing owners to reduce what they charge per gallon.
"An isolated station in a rural area isn't going to be turning their product over as quickly as a station on a major highway," Cogin said. "There's a lot of factors and people have problems seeing that."
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.
WHY THE DISCREPANCY? IT DEPENDS ON RETAILERS' RENT, LOCATION, VOLUME AND WHOLESALE COSTS
Friday, September 8, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Like most motorists in the Catawba Valley, Robert Morrison is paying anywhere from $2.35 to $2.79 for a gallon of gasoline.
Swelling gas prices are one thing, but it's the discrepancy in what some local stations charge for a gallon of regular unleaded - a difference of 44 cents, in some cases - that he doesn't understand.
"That's a big gap," said Morrison, who moved here from California in 1995 to retire. "I've never seen anything like it."
A Wal-Mart in Taylorsville, about 20 miles from downtown Hickory, was selling regular unleaded gas for $2.35 Wednesday. Gas stations on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, by comparison, peaked at $2.79 on the same day.
For Morrison, that's $9.24 in savings every time he fills up his 21-gallon truck.
"That's a lot of money," he said. "Some people are getting bargains, and some people aren't."
Around Hickory, stores in the southwest area of the city generally offered lower prices, about $2.56 on average, than most stations in southeast Hickory, which hovered between $2.65 and $2.79, according to a survey of stations on Wednesday.
Several local gas station owners declined to discuss how they price gas.
Retailers look at a number of factors when setting prices, said Jonathan Cogin, energy information specialist at the Energy Information Administration in Washington.
Retailers often look at wholesale gas prices and competition with other stores. Rent and staff costs can also affect prices.
Some stores could see more traffic than others, he said, allowing owners to reduce what they charge per gallon.
"An isolated station in a rural area isn't going to be turning their product over as quickly as a station on a major highway," Cogin said. "There's a lot of factors and people have problems seeing that."
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and may not be republished without permission.
9/6/06
Man apprehended and charged in robbery of credit union
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer
Staff Writer
Hickory police charged a man in the Tuesday robbery of a Hickory credit union.
Edward Leon Foushee, 47, was charged in the robbery of the Telco Credit Union on U.S. 70, said Sgt. Scott Hildebran of the Hickory Police Department.
A man walked into the bank around 1 p.m. and passed a teller a note saying he had a gun. The man, who did not conceal his face or reveal the weapon, demanded $20, $50 and $100 bills. He then ran into a wooded area, where several officers quickly surrounded him, Hildebran said.
Foushee was being held with bond set at $25,000, and he was scheduled to make his first court appearance today.
Police would not disclose how much money was taken but did say they were able to recover all of the money. Responding officers did not find a weapon, Hildebran said.
© THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer
Staff Writer
Hickory police charged a man in the Tuesday robbery of a Hickory credit union.
Edward Leon Foushee, 47, was charged in the robbery of the Telco Credit Union on U.S. 70, said Sgt. Scott Hildebran of the Hickory Police Department.
A man walked into the bank around 1 p.m. and passed a teller a note saying he had a gun. The man, who did not conceal his face or reveal the weapon, demanded $20, $50 and $100 bills. He then ran into a wooded area, where several officers quickly surrounded him, Hildebran said.
Foushee was being held with bond set at $25,000, and he was scheduled to make his first court appearance today.
Police would not disclose how much money was taken but did say they were able to recover all of the money. Responding officers did not find a weapon, Hildebran said.
© THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER and may not be republished without permission.
The Dart: More than a market
SURE YOU CAN BUY TERRIFIC PRODUCE AT B AND S - BUT THERE'S ALSO A SENSE OF HISTORY AND COMMUNITY HERE, TOO
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
MORGANTON -- The sign painted on the building's outside wall has weathered and faded from years of exposure, but the letters - U.S.B. Dale's - are still visible.
For more than 106 years, the grocery that Grant Dale started just off Enola Road has flourished in a single-story, red-brick building that made the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The three-aisle market is stuffed with jars of pickled eggs, honey from a local beekeeper and vegetables.
In the early 1900s, items were stacked high in shelves, and customers would point out the items they needed so store employees could fetch the goods. Credit accounts would allow regulars to go shopping and carry a balance until payday.
"When Old Man Grant was in here, it was just like what you saw in the movies," said owner Tim Buff. "It's a thing of the past."
When he was just a kid, Buff would wander into Dale's while his mother washed bedding at the Laundromat next door. He'd splurge on a piece of candy or two, wait for the laundry to finish and head back to the family farm.
"I would have never dreamed I'd even work in the grocery business," he said, eyeing the shelves stocked with canned goods, vegetables and spices.
Buff bought the business in 1980 and renamed it B and S Discount Foods - B for Buff and S for Shuffler, his wife's maiden name. Together the couple would chat with customers and stock shelves while their young daughters curled up for naps on cardboard boxes.
Last week, a longtime neighbor and customer pulled up to the store on his lawn mower to pick up a few items and joke with the staff.
Gone are the days of credit at the store, but Buff has worked hard to hang onto the things that make the vintage store special - great deals and a sense of community.
"That's the biggest accomplishment," he said. "We've been able to make money and save people money."
Last week, asparagus sold for a dollar a bunch - far below the $4-plus asking price at local chains. The week before, it was strawberries at $5 for two cases. Shoppers have come to expect great deals, becoming regulars and cultivating the sense of community.
Over the years, Buff has made contacts in the grocery business and has learned that larger chains will often pass over quality produce if a shipment is late by even a few hours.
By snapping up the fruits and vegetables at discount prices, Buff has been able to pass the savings on to his customers.
"Some people come by just to connect and visit," Buff said. "This is the kind of place where everybody is somebody."
When Buff's girls got older, they joined their parents in the store, serving customers, sweeping the floor and doing whatever they could to make the store succeed. Now, Buff is excited to see his grandchildren starting to learn the family business.
"We've raised our family in here," he said, watching his 4-year-old grandson carry large stalks of celery. "We're trying to train another generation."
Mike Dale, the great-grandson of the store's founder, has worked beside Buff for 23 years and says the tight community Buff has cultivated is the most appealing thing about the business.
"It's just a family business," he said. "I know all the customers, and I know how we want it done."
A few years ago, Buff, who serves on the Burke County Board of Education, had an offer to sell to business. It was a substantial offer, he said, and he gave it a long thought. But, in the end, Buff decided the loss far outweighed the gain.
"What would I do if I lost that family?" he said.
The Point of the Dart
The idea behind the Dart is simple: We're looking for the kind of news the media don't usually report. We throw a dart at a map of one of the counties in the Catawba Valley, and we'll write about what's happening at that spot. We hope this feature will bring out stories that too often are ignored and will help you meet some of your neighbors in the region.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
MORGANTON -- The sign painted on the building's outside wall has weathered and faded from years of exposure, but the letters - U.S.B. Dale's - are still visible.
For more than 106 years, the grocery that Grant Dale started just off Enola Road has flourished in a single-story, red-brick building that made the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The three-aisle market is stuffed with jars of pickled eggs, honey from a local beekeeper and vegetables.
In the early 1900s, items were stacked high in shelves, and customers would point out the items they needed so store employees could fetch the goods. Credit accounts would allow regulars to go shopping and carry a balance until payday.
"When Old Man Grant was in here, it was just like what you saw in the movies," said owner Tim Buff. "It's a thing of the past."
When he was just a kid, Buff would wander into Dale's while his mother washed bedding at the Laundromat next door. He'd splurge on a piece of candy or two, wait for the laundry to finish and head back to the family farm.
"I would have never dreamed I'd even work in the grocery business," he said, eyeing the shelves stocked with canned goods, vegetables and spices.
Buff bought the business in 1980 and renamed it B and S Discount Foods - B for Buff and S for Shuffler, his wife's maiden name. Together the couple would chat with customers and stock shelves while their young daughters curled up for naps on cardboard boxes.
Last week, a longtime neighbor and customer pulled up to the store on his lawn mower to pick up a few items and joke with the staff.
Gone are the days of credit at the store, but Buff has worked hard to hang onto the things that make the vintage store special - great deals and a sense of community.
"That's the biggest accomplishment," he said. "We've been able to make money and save people money."
Last week, asparagus sold for a dollar a bunch - far below the $4-plus asking price at local chains. The week before, it was strawberries at $5 for two cases. Shoppers have come to expect great deals, becoming regulars and cultivating the sense of community.
Over the years, Buff has made contacts in the grocery business and has learned that larger chains will often pass over quality produce if a shipment is late by even a few hours.
By snapping up the fruits and vegetables at discount prices, Buff has been able to pass the savings on to his customers.
"Some people come by just to connect and visit," Buff said. "This is the kind of place where everybody is somebody."
When Buff's girls got older, they joined their parents in the store, serving customers, sweeping the floor and doing whatever they could to make the store succeed. Now, Buff is excited to see his grandchildren starting to learn the family business.
"We've raised our family in here," he said, watching his 4-year-old grandson carry large stalks of celery. "We're trying to train another generation."
Mike Dale, the great-grandson of the store's founder, has worked beside Buff for 23 years and says the tight community Buff has cultivated is the most appealing thing about the business.
"It's just a family business," he said. "I know all the customers, and I know how we want it done."
A few years ago, Buff, who serves on the Burke County Board of Education, had an offer to sell to business. It was a substantial offer, he said, and he gave it a long thought. But, in the end, Buff decided the loss far outweighed the gain.
"What would I do if I lost that family?" he said.
The Point of the Dart
The idea behind the Dart is simple: We're looking for the kind of news the media don't usually report. We throw a dart at a map of one of the counties in the Catawba Valley, and we'll write about what's happening at that spot. We hope this feature will bring out stories that too often are ignored and will help you meet some of your neighbors in the region.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.
Ready for a water fight?
UNIFOUR LEADERS OPPOSE PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER MILLIONS OF GALLONS DAILY FROM RIVER BASIN
OFFICIALS CONTEND THAT REQUEST COULD LEAD TO SHORTAGE IN DROUGHT; MEETING IS THURSDAY
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
A meeting Thursday on a plan to take millions of gallons of water a day out of the Catawba River basin is shaping up as a contest to see which side can turn out a bigger crowd.
Leaders from the Catawba Valley are trying to increase turnout at a public meeting in Valdese on Thursday on a proposal to transfer up to 36 million gallons of water a day from the river basin to the cities of Concord and Kannapolis.
By comparison, the city of Hickory uses about 14 million gallons of water a day, according to the public works department.
Concord and Kannapolis want the transfer to supplement the projected area's water supply shortfall over the next 30 years.
The Catawba Valley officials, whose communities draw water from the river, worry that, if approved, the proposal could create a shortage during a drought.
"Everyone is finally recognizing the importance of the Catawba River and what a crucial natural (resource) it is to this region," said Jeff Morse, Valdese town manager. "We've been through a drought and we recognize (its) impact ."
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources, is holding the meeting to hear comments on Concord and Kannapolis' water transfer request.
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission is scheduled to decide on the proposal on Nov. 7.
John Cox, president of Cabarrus Regional Chamber and Economic Development, said the chamber is planning to bring more than 100 people to the meeting, many by bus.
Many opponents, like Conover attorney Martin Pannell, hope residents and leaders from the Catawba Valley will attend to oppose the transfer.
"The gloves are off," he said. "If they want to come here and make a show, all bets are off."
The concentrated action is coming late from Hickory, the largest city in the region, but City Manager Mick Berry said officials have been paying attention to the water transfer issue for months.
Opponents of the water transfer, including Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright, aren't sure what kind of argument to expect from officials in Concord and Kannapolis but are sure proponents of the transfer will come armed with research saying the Catawba Valley won't be hurt if the action is passed.
"They'll probably have data that says this won't hurt anyone in any way," Wright said. "Don't tell me there's not potential for droughts."
Cox said Concord and Kannapolis officials have been researching, studying and planning for this water transfer since 2001 and are hoping it will finally become a reality.
"This has been a moving and an elongated process, and we have jumped through every hurdle that has been put in front of us," Cox said. "We'd like for it to conclude and be decided on science."
Leaders in the Unifour region are hoping to respond to the research with evidence that the transfer would be bad for the valley in times of drought, said Berry.
Donald Duncan, Conover city manager, has been working to prevent the transfer since it was first proposed five years ago. He said that Concord and Kannapolis have not fully explored other alternatives.
"They live in one basin, but they want to take water from another basin that other people live on," Duncan said. "If you're taking it from the river, you're taking it from the river, no matter where (it's coming out)."
Officials in the Catawba Valley are anticipating what could be a decade-long battle over the water transfer, said Duncan. The city of Conover, he said, has voted to add $50,000 over the next five years to a water transfer legal defense fund.
They're hoping to avoid future fights over resources, Duncan said, by figuring out a way to manage the region's water.
"If this goes well, no one will ever know it," he said. "If this goes badly, our children and grandchildren are going to be cussing us."Want to Go?
The public meeting to discuss the Catawba River basin water transfer will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Old Rock School Auditorium, 400 West Main St. in Valdese.
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and may not be republished without permission.
OFFICIALS CONTEND THAT REQUEST COULD LEAD TO SHORTAGE IN DROUGHT; MEETING IS THURSDAY
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
A meeting Thursday on a plan to take millions of gallons of water a day out of the Catawba River basin is shaping up as a contest to see which side can turn out a bigger crowd.
Leaders from the Catawba Valley are trying to increase turnout at a public meeting in Valdese on Thursday on a proposal to transfer up to 36 million gallons of water a day from the river basin to the cities of Concord and Kannapolis.
By comparison, the city of Hickory uses about 14 million gallons of water a day, according to the public works department.
Concord and Kannapolis want the transfer to supplement the projected area's water supply shortfall over the next 30 years.
The Catawba Valley officials, whose communities draw water from the river, worry that, if approved, the proposal could create a shortage during a drought.
"Everyone is finally recognizing the importance of the Catawba River and what a crucial natural (resource) it is to this region," said Jeff Morse, Valdese town manager. "We've been through a drought and we recognize (its) impact ."
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources, is holding the meeting to hear comments on Concord and Kannapolis' water transfer request.
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission is scheduled to decide on the proposal on Nov. 7.
John Cox, president of Cabarrus Regional Chamber and Economic Development, said the chamber is planning to bring more than 100 people to the meeting, many by bus.
Many opponents, like Conover attorney Martin Pannell, hope residents and leaders from the Catawba Valley will attend to oppose the transfer.
"The gloves are off," he said. "If they want to come here and make a show, all bets are off."
The concentrated action is coming late from Hickory, the largest city in the region, but City Manager Mick Berry said officials have been paying attention to the water transfer issue for months.
Opponents of the water transfer, including Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright, aren't sure what kind of argument to expect from officials in Concord and Kannapolis but are sure proponents of the transfer will come armed with research saying the Catawba Valley won't be hurt if the action is passed.
"They'll probably have data that says this won't hurt anyone in any way," Wright said. "Don't tell me there's not potential for droughts."
Cox said Concord and Kannapolis officials have been researching, studying and planning for this water transfer since 2001 and are hoping it will finally become a reality.
"This has been a moving and an elongated process, and we have jumped through every hurdle that has been put in front of us," Cox said. "We'd like for it to conclude and be decided on science."
Leaders in the Unifour region are hoping to respond to the research with evidence that the transfer would be bad for the valley in times of drought, said Berry.
Donald Duncan, Conover city manager, has been working to prevent the transfer since it was first proposed five years ago. He said that Concord and Kannapolis have not fully explored other alternatives.
"They live in one basin, but they want to take water from another basin that other people live on," Duncan said. "If you're taking it from the river, you're taking it from the river, no matter where (it's coming out)."
Officials in the Catawba Valley are anticipating what could be a decade-long battle over the water transfer, said Duncan. The city of Conover, he said, has voted to add $50,000 over the next five years to a water transfer legal defense fund.
They're hoping to avoid future fights over resources, Duncan said, by figuring out a way to manage the region's water.
"If this goes well, no one will ever know it," he said. "If this goes badly, our children and grandchildren are going to be cussing us."Want to Go?
The public meeting to discuss the Catawba River basin water transfer will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Old Rock School Auditorium, 400 West Main St. in Valdese.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.
9/1/06
Lenoir considers rezoning for new industrial park
CITY HOPES TO ATTRACT MAJOR EMPLOYER TO ADD JOBS, BOOST AREA ECONOMY
Friday, September 1, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Lenoir city officials want to turn a tract of land into an industrial park, hoping to lure a major employer to the city, which has been hard hit by a slumping economy.
Officials from the city and the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission want to rezone about 150 acres in Lenoir from residential to heavy industrial and transfer a portion of Overlook Drive to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The Caldwell County Economic Development Commission and Duke Energy bought the land over the summer, said Lenoir Planning Manager Chuck Beatty.
Lenoir officials will hold two public hearings at the Sept. 19 City Council meeting to discuss the road transfer request and the rezoning.
Lenoir Mayor David Barlow said the goal is to make the region more appealing to major potential employers. "We're doing all the things we need to do if this company were to come to our city," he said.
A large company is looking at opening a facility in Caldwell County, Barlow said, though he would not disclose the name of the company.
Regardless of whether the company locates in Lenoir, turning the land into an industrial park would likely make the city more attractive to other businesses considering opening shop in the area, he said.
"Even if this doesn't work out, we know we need an industrial park (to be prepared) for any future prospects," he said.
State officials recently told the Observer that Internet giant Google is considering opening a data center in Caldwell County.
In July, General Assembly leaders included a Google-requested provision into the state budget that would provide a tax break on electricity and equipment for Internet data centers in counties with limited economic growth.
Google spokesman Barry Schnitt said the company is growing but would not say if Caldwell County is a site they are considering.
The lot includes land that belonged to the Bernhardt furniture factory and property zoned for homes, said Beatty.
All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.
Friday, September 1, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
Lenoir city officials want to turn a tract of land into an industrial park, hoping to lure a major employer to the city, which has been hard hit by a slumping economy.
Officials from the city and the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission want to rezone about 150 acres in Lenoir from residential to heavy industrial and transfer a portion of Overlook Drive to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The Caldwell County Economic Development Commission and Duke Energy bought the land over the summer, said Lenoir Planning Manager Chuck Beatty.
Lenoir officials will hold two public hearings at the Sept. 19 City Council meeting to discuss the road transfer request and the rezoning.
Lenoir Mayor David Barlow said the goal is to make the region more appealing to major potential employers. "We're doing all the things we need to do if this company were to come to our city," he said.
A large company is looking at opening a facility in Caldwell County, Barlow said, though he would not disclose the name of the company.
Regardless of whether the company locates in Lenoir, turning the land into an industrial park would likely make the city more attractive to other businesses considering opening shop in the area, he said.
"Even if this doesn't work out, we know we need an industrial park (to be prepared) for any future prospects," he said.
State officials recently told the Observer that Internet giant Google is considering opening a data center in Caldwell County.
In July, General Assembly leaders included a Google-requested provision into the state budget that would provide a tax break on electricity and equipment for Internet data centers in counties with limited economic growth.
Google spokesman Barry Schnitt said the company is growing but would not say if Caldwell County is a site they are considering.
The lot includes land that belonged to the Bernhardt furniture factory and property zoned for homes, said Beatty.
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and may not be republished without permission.
Plans for halfway house dropped
NEIGHBORS FIGHT PASTOR'S EFFORT TO PUT HOME FOR EX-CONVICTS ON N. MAIN ST. IN LENOIR
NEARBY HOMEOWNERS SAY TRANSITIONAL HOME IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT NOT AT THAT LOCATION
Friday, September 1, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
A Lenoir pastor has abandoned plans to open a halfway house in a North Main Street church after residents opposed bringing newly released ex-convicts to live in their neighborhood.
Sherry Hicks, pastor at the Love Walk church, had hoped to bring a number of programs to the community, including Bible study, a food pantry and a transitional home for men coming out of jail.
But close to a dozen residents came to a Lenoir Planning Board meeting Monday in opposition, Hicks said, and it was clear her plan might not succeed on North Main.
"We're trying to help the community," Hicks said. "(But) if the community doesn't want it, we're not going to go to war over it."
Nearby homeowners say they think opening a halfway house in the area is a great idea but don't think North Main Street is the best location for a transitional home.
"This is a neighborhood that is really progressing," said Paul Stoecklein, who lives about a block from the church. "I think we all agree it's a noble cause. It's just not the right place."
Joel Kincaid, a Lenoir native, decided to restore a decrepit home next door to his residence after seeing the wood paneling inside. "This was a project not only to save a house, but to save the neighborhood," he said.
Kincaid wants to focus on revitalizing the area and said he worries that potential buyers would pass over a North Main home if they knew a halfway house was operating down the street.
The goal of the renovations, Kincaid said, is to draw homeowners to the neighborhood, encourage revitalization and develop a sense of community. "It's not just beautiful houses," he said.
Stoecklein, who moved to Lenoir with his wife less than two years ago, said the neighborhood has seen a surge in revitalization as people move into the 100-year-old homes and begin renovating.
Before, he said, many of the buildings were falling apart, and prostitution and drug use were more common. He called that neighborhood "iffy."
"We don't want the iffy to continue. We want the iffy to go away," he said. "A halfway house impedes that progress."
Although plans for opening the halfway house have been abandoned, Hicks said, inexpensive rent in the area makes North Main and the surrounding streets appealing to former convicts. Opponents "don't realize that when people get released from prison, this is the neighborhood that they are coming back to," she said.
Hicks withdrew the request Tuesday morning but said the services and Bible study will continue at the church, which opened in July. Hicks said she has not given up on the idea of opening a halfway house in the city.
"Regardless of what you've done in your past, you still deserve a chance for life," she said. "We (are) hoping to give them structure and some accountability."
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and may not be republished without permission.
NEARBY HOMEOWNERS SAY TRANSITIONAL HOME IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT NOT AT THAT LOCATION
Friday, September 1, 2006
By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer
A Lenoir pastor has abandoned plans to open a halfway house in a North Main Street church after residents opposed bringing newly released ex-convicts to live in their neighborhood.
Sherry Hicks, pastor at the Love Walk church, had hoped to bring a number of programs to the community, including Bible study, a food pantry and a transitional home for men coming out of jail.
But close to a dozen residents came to a Lenoir Planning Board meeting Monday in opposition, Hicks said, and it was clear her plan might not succeed on North Main.
"We're trying to help the community," Hicks said. "(But) if the community doesn't want it, we're not going to go to war over it."
Nearby homeowners say they think opening a halfway house in the area is a great idea but don't think North Main Street is the best location for a transitional home.
"This is a neighborhood that is really progressing," said Paul Stoecklein, who lives about a block from the church. "I think we all agree it's a noble cause. It's just not the right place."
Joel Kincaid, a Lenoir native, decided to restore a decrepit home next door to his residence after seeing the wood paneling inside. "This was a project not only to save a house, but to save the neighborhood," he said.
Kincaid wants to focus on revitalizing the area and said he worries that potential buyers would pass over a North Main home if they knew a halfway house was operating down the street.
The goal of the renovations, Kincaid said, is to draw homeowners to the neighborhood, encourage revitalization and develop a sense of community. "It's not just beautiful houses," he said.
Stoecklein, who moved to Lenoir with his wife less than two years ago, said the neighborhood has seen a surge in revitalization as people move into the 100-year-old homes and begin renovating.
Before, he said, many of the buildings were falling apart, and prostitution and drug use were more common. He called that neighborhood "iffy."
"We don't want the iffy to continue. We want the iffy to go away," he said. "A halfway house impedes that progress."
Although plans for opening the halfway house have been abandoned, Hicks said, inexpensive rent in the area makes North Main and the surrounding streets appealing to former convicts. Opponents "don't realize that when people get released from prison, this is the neighborhood that they are coming back to," she said.
Hicks withdrew the request Tuesday morning but said the services and Bible study will continue at the church, which opened in July. Hicks said she has not given up on the idea of opening a halfway house in the city.
"Regardless of what you've done in your past, you still deserve a chance for life," she said. "We (are) hoping to give them structure and some accountability."
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