By Emily Edwards and Tylan Merkerson
Staff Writers
At Tuesday's Town of Wingate’s Board of Commissioners meeting, many of the items of business had a direct connection with Wingate University and its students. A main report was of the car break-ins that occurred on the campus over Halloween weekend. Police Chief Barry Glass stated that police had four or five “fairly decent leads” on the case after much investigation. “We have narrowed our suspect down to one person and are getting closer to making the arrest,” Glass said.
Building Inspector Brad Sellers made the commissioners aware that the 2010 Census will take place in March. Wingate has developed a committee to be sure that all in the town of Wingate will be accounted for during this Census. Sellers informed listeners that “It is imperative that everyone in Wingate is accounted for so that the town is supported accordingly”. Wingate University student Megan Wood is on the committee to help connect with students and encourage them to be a part of the Census that will help the town of Wingate.
Other continuing business was discussed and voted on without much debate during this meeting. Town Manager Dryw Blanchard talked about all the projects the town had previously discussed and bids he had received on those projects. Two main projects to the town were voted on and passed to start work on the town’s new sewer and water lines.
The next meeting will be held on Dec. 15 in the Jesse Helms Center at 7 p.m. A main order of business will be dealing with the proposal of an ABC store in Wingate. A representative from Monroe will be attending the meeting to discuss future plans. All public and university students are encouraged to attend.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Marshville council discusses dog ordinance
By Steven Grandy
Staff Writer
Coping with vicious dogs and determining what to do with the Marshville Baptist Church were just some of the issues that the Marshville Town Council discussed at their recent meeting.
The meeting began with comments from Marshville resident Rusty Johnson. Johnson told the board that he was unhappy that the council has added items to the meeting agenda without the public having the chance to make their opinions known. In particular, Johnson complained that items would taken care of when the council met in closed chambers to discuss resumes for the vacant Town Administrator position. Johnson believed that the council “needs to be respectful to citizens.” Councilwoman Gail Kiker defended the town’s position, saying that emergencies do come up and sometimes decisions need to be made instantly. Kiker did not run for reelection.
Land Use Administrator Jana Finn presented her research on a new Vicious Dog Ordinance. Finn pointed out that the current ordinance has been on the books since 1984 and only carries a $15 fine. Finn looked into the Town of Edenton’s ordinance which bans specific breeds of dogs. Councilwoman Denise Whitley believes that there are issues of animal abuse in the town, specifically with how the dogs are kept. Whitley told the council that she has seen dogs tied to trees.
Councilwoman Margaret Bivens said she carries a pistol due to her neighbors having pit bulls. Bivens believes that if the dogs get loose, they will attack a child that is playing in the community. Bivens also thinks that dog fighting is an issue that is getting worse. Finn said that if the town adopts and passes an ordinance that is different than that of Union County, the town would have to provide their own animal control units. Mayor Franklin Deese believes that there is nothing wrong with the current rule and asked at one point, “Why are we here?” After 45 minutes of debate, the council decided to address the issue at a later meeting.
Linda Smosky from the Union County Council on Aging gave a presentation to the council. In her presentation Smosky told the council that Union County’s aging residents want to live in save, healthy affordable communities. Smosky’s presentation stated that they average Social Security check in 2007 was $813. The council did not take any further action following the presentation.
The town council tackled the issue of what to do with the currently vacant Marshville Baptist Church. Councilwoman Bivens tried to persuade other members to allow a consultant to attend a future meeting and discuss the town’s options with the building. However, the consultant would have cost the town $200. Since the church is already a designated historic site and is currently for sale, several members of the council believed that the town should let the sale process work itself out before any intervention. The council voted 4-1 to do nothing with the church, with Bivens being the lone “No” vote.
Finally the council decided whether or not to hold a Christmas party and where it should take place. After much debate, the council decided to hold the party at Hilltop in early December at a cost to be determined. Councilwoman Bivens expressed some disappointment that the town would choose to spend money on a Christmas party but not to have a consultant discuss options for the Marshville Baptist Church property. The Christmas party resolution did pass.
Staff writer Jennifer Jacobs also contributed reporting to this article.
Staff Writer
Coping with vicious dogs and determining what to do with the Marshville Baptist Church were just some of the issues that the Marshville Town Council discussed at their recent meeting.
The meeting began with comments from Marshville resident Rusty Johnson. Johnson told the board that he was unhappy that the council has added items to the meeting agenda without the public having the chance to make their opinions known. In particular, Johnson complained that items would taken care of when the council met in closed chambers to discuss resumes for the vacant Town Administrator position. Johnson believed that the council “needs to be respectful to citizens.” Councilwoman Gail Kiker defended the town’s position, saying that emergencies do come up and sometimes decisions need to be made instantly. Kiker did not run for reelection.
Land Use Administrator Jana Finn presented her research on a new Vicious Dog Ordinance. Finn pointed out that the current ordinance has been on the books since 1984 and only carries a $15 fine. Finn looked into the Town of Edenton’s ordinance which bans specific breeds of dogs. Councilwoman Denise Whitley believes that there are issues of animal abuse in the town, specifically with how the dogs are kept. Whitley told the council that she has seen dogs tied to trees.
Councilwoman Margaret Bivens said she carries a pistol due to her neighbors having pit bulls. Bivens believes that if the dogs get loose, they will attack a child that is playing in the community. Bivens also thinks that dog fighting is an issue that is getting worse. Finn said that if the town adopts and passes an ordinance that is different than that of Union County, the town would have to provide their own animal control units. Mayor Franklin Deese believes that there is nothing wrong with the current rule and asked at one point, “Why are we here?” After 45 minutes of debate, the council decided to address the issue at a later meeting.
Linda Smosky from the Union County Council on Aging gave a presentation to the council. In her presentation Smosky told the council that Union County’s aging residents want to live in save, healthy affordable communities. Smosky’s presentation stated that they average Social Security check in 2007 was $813. The council did not take any further action following the presentation.
The town council tackled the issue of what to do with the currently vacant Marshville Baptist Church. Councilwoman Bivens tried to persuade other members to allow a consultant to attend a future meeting and discuss the town’s options with the building. However, the consultant would have cost the town $200. Since the church is already a designated historic site and is currently for sale, several members of the council believed that the town should let the sale process work itself out before any intervention. The council voted 4-1 to do nothing with the church, with Bivens being the lone “No” vote.
Finally the council decided whether or not to hold a Christmas party and where it should take place. After much debate, the council decided to hold the party at Hilltop in early December at a cost to be determined. Councilwoman Bivens expressed some disappointment that the town would choose to spend money on a Christmas party but not to have a consultant discuss options for the Marshville Baptist Church property. The Christmas party resolution did pass.
Staff writer Jennifer Jacobs also contributed reporting to this article.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
"This Is It" a must for Jackson fans
By Samantha Schipman
Staff Writer
In March, Michael Jackson held a press conference in London announcing that he would be playing 50 shows in the city starting in July. This was to be the culmination of his storied career.
Aptly titled “This Is It”, the concerts would be his final bow. Tickets for each show sold out. Just three weeks before the first show, the King of Pop died suddenly as he was to embark on the biggest set of performances of his career.
Shortly afterwards, AEG, who was putting on these shows, decided to show the world what Jackson had been working so diligently for. Over 120 hours of footage had been captured, mostly for home video. At midnight on Oct. 27, "This Is It" made its worldwide debut. The movie is a combination documentary- concert film. It shows dancer auditions, interviews and meticulous rehearsals. The film also shows the passion and perfection that Jackson strived for.
About 16 songs are used in the rehearsal stages, including a Jackson 5 medley. Also featured is a new song, also titled “This Is It”.
Jackson is very precise in the way he wants the songs to sound. He says that they are performing fan favorites and that the songs should sound exactly like the record. At one point,he is correcting a musical director and tells him, “I say this with love. L-O-V-E.” Jackson is also very encouraging to those around him. His presence exuberates love and positivity.
The film also shows some of the elaborate numbers that were being planned. The filmed opening for “Thriller” takes place in a cemetery. His dancers are dressed as an array of ghoulish characters. It is much like the landmark video, but with a fresh update. The dancers in character provide a dancing backdrop on stage with Jackson. “Earth Song” shows a young girl frolicking in a lush, green field. After a nap, she finds a changed world. Jackson sends a message of what
will happen if we don’t change the way we treat our world.
“Smooth Criminal” is a complete 180. Jackson “appears” in a film with Humphrey Bogart. They are competing for a woman’s
affection and a chase scene ensues. Jackson crashes through a window on screen before appearing on stage to begin singing.
I had been preparing for weeks for the movie premiere by watching the trailer. However, I was shocked by reaction upon seeing Jackson. I felt an overwhelming urge to cry. This man was alive and seemingly healthy. As he moved about the stage, interacted with dancers and crew, I kept thinking, “This man should not be dead.”
His voice was strong and sounded exactly as it should. He moved with ease, showcasing the dances that made him famous. His own dancers would surround the stage and watch in awe as their hero performed the very moves that they idolized and memorized. The film also reminds us that though Jackson is the greatest entertainer of our generation, he is also human. He was big on family, love, the environment and entertainment.
The film is happy and sad, heartbreaking and inspiring. It will leave you
wishing that this wasn’t it.
"This Is It" can be seen locally at the Regal Union Square 8 Cinema, 1911 Dickerson Blvd., Monroe
Staff Writer
In March, Michael Jackson held a press conference in London announcing that he would be playing 50 shows in the city starting in July. This was to be the culmination of his storied career.
Aptly titled “This Is It”, the concerts would be his final bow. Tickets for each show sold out. Just three weeks before the first show, the King of Pop died suddenly as he was to embark on the biggest set of performances of his career.
Shortly afterwards, AEG, who was putting on these shows, decided to show the world what Jackson had been working so diligently for. Over 120 hours of footage had been captured, mostly for home video. At midnight on Oct. 27, "This Is It" made its worldwide debut. The movie is a combination documentary- concert film. It shows dancer auditions, interviews and meticulous rehearsals. The film also shows the passion and perfection that Jackson strived for.
About 16 songs are used in the rehearsal stages, including a Jackson 5 medley. Also featured is a new song, also titled “This Is It”.
Jackson is very precise in the way he wants the songs to sound. He says that they are performing fan favorites and that the songs should sound exactly like the record. At one point,he is correcting a musical director and tells him, “I say this with love. L-O-V-E.” Jackson is also very encouraging to those around him. His presence exuberates love and positivity.
The film also shows some of the elaborate numbers that were being planned. The filmed opening for “Thriller” takes place in a cemetery. His dancers are dressed as an array of ghoulish characters. It is much like the landmark video, but with a fresh update. The dancers in character provide a dancing backdrop on stage with Jackson. “Earth Song” shows a young girl frolicking in a lush, green field. After a nap, she finds a changed world. Jackson sends a message of what
will happen if we don’t change the way we treat our world.
“Smooth Criminal” is a complete 180. Jackson “appears” in a film with Humphrey Bogart. They are competing for a woman’s
affection and a chase scene ensues. Jackson crashes through a window on screen before appearing on stage to begin singing.
I had been preparing for weeks for the movie premiere by watching the trailer. However, I was shocked by reaction upon seeing Jackson. I felt an overwhelming urge to cry. This man was alive and seemingly healthy. As he moved about the stage, interacted with dancers and crew, I kept thinking, “This man should not be dead.”
His voice was strong and sounded exactly as it should. He moved with ease, showcasing the dances that made him famous. His own dancers would surround the stage and watch in awe as their hero performed the very moves that they idolized and memorized. The film also reminds us that though Jackson is the greatest entertainer of our generation, he is also human. He was big on family, love, the environment and entertainment.
The film is happy and sad, heartbreaking and inspiring. It will leave you
wishing that this wasn’t it.
"This Is It" can be seen locally at the Regal Union Square 8 Cinema, 1911 Dickerson Blvd., Monroe
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