Union County Weekly

Cuthbertson basketball coach Mike Helms is this week’s guest picker Page 19

September 4, 2015 Vol. 10 No. 36 Twitter @ucweekly www.unioncountyweekly.com

Wesley Chapel mayoral candidates look to restore peace with residents

Three Wesley Chapel residents hope to become the village’s next mayor on Election Day. Howard Brotton, David Kapfhammer and Elaine Rosoff plan to rally constituents after a de-annexation scare, and represent the future development of Union County’s 8.4 square-mile village.

Page 8 Former Board of Ed member charged Marcella Savage was charged with fraud on Sept. 1; Union County Public Schools moves forward.

Page 10

2015 Waxhaw Election

Local coaches adjust to changes

See our exclusive coverage on the four residents vying for two open seats on Waxhaw’s board of commissioners.

Page 8

Programs such as Piedmont and Providence adjust to the changes that come with a new coach.

Page 19

News Briefs 3 | Opinion 6 | Crime Blotter 14 | Education 9 | Faith 13 | Calendar 14 | Sports 17 | Classifieds 16

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Page 2 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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The Weekly

News Briefs Stallings seeking council members from District 3 STALLINGS – Stallings Town Council is soliciting letters of interest from individuals interested in serving as councilmembers from District 3, which includes the general area of Blackberry Ridge, Eaglecrest, Madison Ridge, Mill Ridge Estates, Shannamara and Woodbridge. The term would end December 2017, due to a councilmember’s early resignation. Letters of interest will be accepted through Sept. 11 and should be sent to Town Manager Kevin Woods at kwoods@admin. stallingsnc.org.

Weddington to host annual country festival WEDDINGTON – The town of Weddington will host its annual Wedding Country Festival, featuring Art in the Corners, on Sept. 19, a Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Weddington town hall.

The event will bring “old fashioned family fun for all ages to the heart of the community,” according to a news release, and will feature local artists, pottery, jewelry, hand painted clothing and sculptures. A “Kids Corner” will be available for children to decorate a pumpkin, make a poster, play in a bounce house and more. There also will be a petting zoo from Whispering Hope Farm.

Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 3 Senior citizens 65 years old and older will be served a free barbecue picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the picnic will be held behind town hall.

Live music featuring the Hinson Girls bluegrass band will perform throughout the day.

Town hall is located at 1924 Weddington Road.

Tickets on sale for Paws in Paris MONROE – The Humane Society of Union County will host its second annual Paws in Paris benefit on Sept. 11, a Friday, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Swan Manor, located at 219 Ridge Road.

The evening will include dinner, drinks, live music, a silent auction and a canine fashion show. Professional local artists will be on hand, as well.

Tickets cost $50 and are available online at www.hs-uc.org. All proceeds will benefit the humane society.

tor Jason Tryon in a news release. “These prints are a great way to get even more use out of the park, since they essentially are turning some of our sidewalks into five new play areas. I think the kids are going to get a real kick out of it.”

Over the next two years, PlayPrints will be installed at open play spaces across the state as part of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “Get Outside North Carolina!” program. Designs are made to last up to five years. Installation will take place next spring.

For a complete list of PlayPrints recipients and to follow progress as PlayPrints are installed throughout the state visit www.NCRPA.net/PlayPrints.

Indian Trail receives grant to install ‘PlayPrints’ to Chestnut Square Park INDIAN TRAIL – Indian Trail recently received a grant on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association to install PlayPrints at Chestnut Square Park.

PlayPrints are colorful shapes and games painted on existing pavement meant to encourage park visitors to take part in physical activities.

“We were so excited to learn that Chestnut Square Park had been chosen for this grant,” said Indian Trail Parks and Recreation Direc-

Photo courtesy of Indian Trail

Indian Trail received a grant to install ‘PlayPrints’ at Chestnut Square Park next spring.

The Weekly

Letters to the Editor Editor, Taking Back Our Town We elect representatives and must have enough trust to believe that they will have the courage to speak the truth and rise above their own weaknesses and interests. It is election time, as the presidential candidates screaming from the television remind us, but of greater importance for Indian Trail residents should be local elections which directly impact our everyday lives; specifically what should concern the voters of Indian Trail is the town council’s insistence that citizen input is a dangerous thing. By allowing residents a voice on issues like an $8 million town hall, representatives risk being told “no,” and the special interest groups who fund their candidacies risk losing their grip on power. This election isn’t, however, about town halls. It is about a right to be heard and the expectation that those we elect to represent us will do so without yoking themselves to deep pockets making a mockery of our town and its government.

Our town representatives feel their intelligence and decision making capabilities are so far superior to yours that they cannot risk allowing you a say in your own life. This is insulting and goes against the very foundation of a good and fair government. Major changes to our town are now taken out of our hands.

Representatives can’t hear you speak because your voice is drowned out by the shouts of developers and special interest groups and (see Letters to the Editor on page 5)

GENERAL AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

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JOHN RUOCCO, DDS

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www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 4 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly

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Business Briefs

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Managing Editor Hannah Chronis Business Editor Josh Whitener Education Editor Courtney Schultz Development Editor Justin Vick Sports Editor Ben Doster Faith Columnist Mark Harris

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Design Art Director Maria Hernandez Layout Editor Erin Kirby Advertising: adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Letters to the Editor: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Press Releases: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

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Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

the base, designer handbags, jerseys, Air Jordan shoes, cartoon characters, chess boards and more,” read the release.

Scruse also plans to offer cake decorating classes in the near future, as well as host parties in which the “birthday child” receives a custom cake and party guests can decorate their own cupcakes, according to the release.

N’Credible Edibles is currently open Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 98020-CAKES or visit www.ncredibleedibles.net for more information.

Chamber, Scott Clark Toyota to sponsor 26th annual Auto Reunion Photo courtesy of N’Credible Edibles

N’Credible Edibles offers a variety of custom cake designs, as well as ondemand desserts in its new Indian Trail storefront.

Custom cake shop opens in Indian Trail INDIAN TRAIL – Shoppers in Indian Trail now have a new option when seeking cakes for special occasions – N’Credible Edibles in Indian Trail.

The business began about 10 years ago, when then-Connecticut resident Anthony Scruse began experimenting in his home with fusing his love for art and his love for baking. Scruse, who relocated with his family to Indian Trail, operated N’Credible Edibles out of his home using the Internet and word of mouth for marketing, until recently.

N’Credible Edibles now has a permanent store location at 313 Indian Trail Road, next to Indian Trail Laundromat and near Common Things Thrift Store. The storefront allows the company to offer cakes, truffles, cupcakes, decorative rice krispy treats, cake pops and other desserts on demand. Scruse also takes orders from a central point and has the opportunity to showcase “what he can do” to visitors, according to a news release.

“There is not much Scruse can’t do. His custom cakes have been regulation sized basketballs with team towels draped around

MATTHEWS – The Matthews Chamber of Commerce and Scott Clark Toyota will cosponsor the 26th annual Matthews Auto Reunion & Motorcycle Show this weekend, in conjunction with the Matthews Alive Festival.

The auto show will take place on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, with registration from 8 to 11 a.m. The show will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and an awards presentation will take place at 2 p.m.

Entry fees are $15 in advance for cars, $20 on the day of the event for cars and $10 for motorcycles. Call 704-847-3649 or email office@matthewschamber.org for more information.

The auto show will take place at the Matthews Town Green, at 210 Matthews Station St.

Monroe-based company named ‘Vendor of the Year’ MONROE – Geological Resources, Inc. was recently chosen as the recipient of the 2015 Dean Cline Vendor of the Year Award.

The Monroe-based company has supported the programs of the North Carolina Petroleum & Convenience Marketers (NCPCM) of years by allowing its employees to serve on several of the association’s committees as members and chairs.

The company’s outreach goal is “to make a difference in the areas where they work and live,” according to a news release. “They give back to their communities through com-

Photo courtesy of Lisa Hilbish

Tomie Benton., David Alexander, Terry Kennedy and Dean Cline munity service, volunteer programs, and inkind support, particularly in the focus areas of cancer research, health and well-being of children, local law enforcement, shelter for families during crisis, and education.”

Geological Resources supports a variety of local nonprofits and charitable organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, through various volunteer efforts and sponsorships; Union County Community Shelter, through a sponsorship for one of the shelter’s annual fundraisers; Union Academy Charter School, by participating in an annual auction and other fundraising efforts; and more, according to the release.

Find more information about the company at www.geologicalresourcesinc.com.

ACN Inc. the ‘top sponsor’ for upcoming Storybook Ball The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte recently announced Concord-based telecommunications company ACN Inc. as the top sponsor of the nonprofit’s 2015 Storybook Ball.

The event will take place Sept. 19, a Saturday, at 6 p.m. at The Hilton Center City in uptown Charlotte.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House, which provides lodging and other support for families of children facing extended stays in Charlotte-area hospitals.

The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte called ACN a “generous supporter” of the organization in a news release.

Find more information about the Storybook Ball including sponsorship and ticket details at www.rmhofcharlotte.org.

Union County’s tastiest Google Map bite-size descriptions

by Justin Vick and Josh Whitener news@matthewsminthillweekly.com

The first step to stopping a growling stomach and racing mind when you’re in an unfamiliar part of town is to log onto Google Maps and search for nearby restaurants.

Click on a fork-and-knife icon and you might see a one-line description of the restaurant. Stumble upon a McDonald's, for example, and you'll read “Iconic fast-food burger & fries chain.”

Brian Koerber wrote a story for Mashable. com about the 23 most hipster-sounding Google Maps descriptions of restaurants in Brooklyn, Boston and Chicago.

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly has taken Koerber’s approach into its own backyard.

Here are 15 of the most creative one-liners:

Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders

• Description: No-frills pie & sandwich chain

• Address: 7800 Stevens Mill Road, Stallings • Details: www.bellacinos.com or 704893-2040

Brooklyn Pizza Parlor

• Description: No-frills joint for all kinds of pizza • Address: 6400 Monroe-Weddington Road, Wesley Chapel • Details: www.brooklynsouthpizzeria. com or 704-821-0974

Chili’s Grill & Bar

• Description: Lively chain for Tex-Mex & American eats • Address: 2861 W. Hwy. 74, Monroe • Details: www.chilis.com 704-225-8499

Firehouse Subs

• Description: Sandwich chain with lots of hot sauces

• Address: 14039 Hwy. 74 E., Indian Trail; 2319 W. Roosevelt Blvd., suite D, Monroe • Details: www.firehousesubs.com; 704893-2888 (Indian Trail) or 980-269-8025 (Monroe)

Fox’s Pizza Den

• Description: Easygoing pizzeria chain • Address: 407 E. South Main St., Waxhaw • Details: www.carolinafoxs.com or 704843-1439

Hickory Tavern

• Description: Sports bar with a variety of pub grub • Address: 6400 Monroe-Weddington Road, Wesley Chapel; 6455 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail • Details: www.thehickorytavern.com; 704-684-0000 (Wesley Chapel) or 704238-9111 (Indian Trail)

Hilltop Fish Fare & Steakhouse

• Description: Seafood stalwart plus an oyster bar • Address: 1602 E. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe • Details: www.hilltopfishfare.com or 704-289-3733

Little Country Kitchen

• Description: Casual chain for homey American fare • Address: 2526 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe • Details: 704-289-3030

Logan’s Roadhouse

• Description: Low-key chain for American grub & booze • Address: 2336 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe • Details: www.logansroadhouse.com or 704-225-7240

www.unioncountyweekly.com

The Weekly

Development Briefs Transit study could aid commuters

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Transit System is studying mass transit opportunities from uptown Charlotte to the Union County line, which could result in light rail, streetcar and additional bus service.

The LYNX Silver Line/Southeast Corridor Transit Study doesn’t extend past the Union County line because CATS is funded in part by Mecklenburg County’s half-cent sales tax.

That won’t stop CATS from talking with potential stakeholders to understand what the needs are, according to project manager Jason Lawrence.

Stallings Mayor Wyatt Dunn said his town would support light rail going through the Union County line.

He believes the light rail would be convenient and relieve traffic congestion for commuters.

“I know several Stallings residents who currently drive into Matthews and take the Express bus to downtown,” Dunn said. “The same citizens would enjoy light rail and take advantage of opportunities Charlotte has as far as dinner and recreational activities.”

New firms form in county

The following is a list of new corporations filed by registered agents with the N.C. Secretary of State from Aug. 24 to 28 in Union County.

• Antetek LLC – Shannon Boyle, 1117 Hansler Lane, Waxhaw.

• Distinct Tech Solutions LLC – Horace

Letters to the Editor (continued from page 3)

the money trail they leave behind them. Look around Indian Trail. This is your home, but it is the developers’ town.

I have listened as David Cohn has demanded that your voice be heard. I have heard gross distortions take the place of truth in describing Mr. Cohn’s motivations. Mr. Cohn has never said that the town hall shouldn’t be built. He has repeatedly urged that the issue be taken where it belongs – before the voters.

This is exactly what his fellow members of the council don’t want – the input of the people they were elected to serve. Mr. Cohn has the courage and integrity to rise up and let you know what your representatives are doing.

Courage and integrity are hard qualities to come by in our town government.

This election leaves you with an opportunity to take your town back. You can elect David Cohn, who has never and will never take a dime from the developers or the Super PACS, or you can vote for the status quo guaranteeing that the developers will gain their final foothold on Indian Trail. If you are discounted on a major decision like an $8 million town hall, do you really think that the council will feel the need to consult you at all? Take your power back from the developers. Protect your tax base and this town you call home. Candidates have no choice but to listen to you on Nov.3 when you cast your ballot. Tell the status quo that your voice will be heard by reelecting David Cohn.

Judy Silberquit Indian Trail

Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 5 Moore, 2700 Merryvale Way, Waxhaw.

• DTSB Enterprises Corp. – Dennis Mercurio, 1409 Skyler Drive, Waxhaw.

• Mama's Sweet Pickin's LLC – Michelle Alexander, 4000 Sardis Church Road Suite C, Monroe.

• Phil Kretsch LLC – Clyde Roller, 9704 Saddle Ave., Marvin.

• RPD Truck'n Inc. – Debora Plyler, 6624 Medlin Road, Monroe.

• Serenity Network Inc. – Vatashia Thompson, 3905 Richard Coffey Lane, Waxhaw.

• True Cleaning LLC – Victoria Plaza, 3318 Brooktree Lane, Indian Trail.

• Vape Holdings LLC – Carl Boggs III, 1613 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe.

Taylor Morrison acquires housing

WEDDINGTON – The Arbor Oaks and Lake Forest Preserve communities in Weddington are under new ownership.

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation announced the $166 million acquisition July 21 of the Charlotte, Raleigh and Chicago divisions of Orleans Homes. These comprise 24 communities and 2,100 lots.

“Consistent with our focus on building quality homes in core locations, these Orleans businesses are in high-growth areas where consumers want to live,” CEO Sheryl Palmer said in a news release.

Visit www.taylormorrison.com or www.dar linghomes.com for more information.

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New gas station underway INDIAN TRAIL – Murphy USA broke ground Aug. 28 on a gas station scheduled to open in mid-November in the Walmart parking lot, the town posted on its Facebook page.

Company officials said the store will employ 15 people and have eight pumps.

Editor, Union County is blessed to have such great sheriff’s office deputies patrolling and responding to calls for service to more than 136,000 people, which includes nine of the county’s 14 municipalities. Five Union County towns contract for additional designated UCSO deputies in order to meet their law enforcement needs. Indian Trail’s contract with UCSO, which protects over 36,000 people, is the largest in North Carolina and surrounding states. The program, popular with town residents, has been highly effective and saves the town several million dollars per year in law enforcement costs.

These are perhaps the most difficult times our American law enforcement agencies have ever faced. They need our support now more than ever. To show our appreciation for the men and women who keep us safe, we are hoping to significantly increase the number of UCSO supporters (members) to the “We support the Union County Sheriff’s Office” Facebook site. Please invite your Union County neighbors, friends and families through email, sharing or other means to join this group.

Many thanks to all of the members for offering encouragement and inspiration to our UCSO heroes. It means a lot.

John Quinn Former mayor of Indian Trail (2007-2011) Readers are welcome to submit endorsements of political candidates, which are less than 250 words. Letters must not attack other candidates.

A Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group publication

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 6 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Don’t take swim lessons from someone who can’t swim

T

Social Media Posts

Union County residents have a lot to say on social media about both the community and current events. Keep checking in and tagging Union County Weekly on Facebook and Twitter to have your posts featured in the paper!

Sean Garvey @SeanGarvey5 Aug. 29 Can’t wait til the day Wesley Chapel has its own SnapChat filter. That will be a good day to be alive.

Jonathan McElvy

Hannah Schott @hannah_Schott Aug. 28 Never thought I’d say I was so excited to be Waxhaw bound

Publisher jonathan@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

know the family. It was more crushing because Bentley – a Republican through-andthrough (well, until he pulled a George H.W. and announced Alabama would raise taxes) – proclaimed his faith to the entire nation.

A few years ago, when giving a speech, Bentley earned national attention for calling out those who are not Christians. “… If you’re a Christian and if you’re saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me… It makes you and me brothers,” Bentley said.

“And it makes you and me brother and sister.”

He continued: “… Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I’m telling you, you’re not my brother and you’re not my sister, and I want to be your brother.”

Those words were met with anger across many pockets of the country. I wasn’t angry back then, but I am today, and it’s not just with Robert Bentley or any specific leader in our country.

Most Christians in our society choose to take the moral high ground when it comes to social issues. We believe in a strong criminal justice and defense system because Christians believe in bringing immorality to justice.

Christians – back to the beginning of our nation – have fought for free markets and a free society, because we believe that good people will act honestly, whether in financial dealings or in the way we treat our neighbors and colleagues.

And over the past year, Christians have fought harder than anyone to keep the sanctity of traditional marriage – man and woman.

When Christians choose to take the moral high ground on societal issues, and then fail the way we have, we lose the ability to influence, and the news over the past week (and it’s really every week these days) has been one of those moments of great awakening.

Christians can’t fight for honesty and continually be dishonest. Christians can’t fight for strong criminal justice and skirt the laws.

Christians can’t promote the sanctity of marriage while sleeping around on a wife of five decades. The greatest enemies Christians have today are Christians themselves.

You don’t trust an obese nutritionist, a judge in jail or a swim instructor who can’t swim. Why is this any different?

Cuthbertson Football @CHSCAVSFOOTBALL Aug. 29 The Cuthbertson football program has nothing but respect for Parkwood HS both on and off the field. We wish them the best this season.

Tyree Helms @biggwiggle285 Aug. 22 I miss Parkwood and Union County Blaire @Blair_Brown Aug. 21 If you go Weddington and you’re not at the game tonight, don’t bother coming to school anymore Cristian @Cris_Mosqueda12 Aug. 22 I got robbed again…

Oscar @ssj0scar Aug. 22 @Cris_Mosqueda12 how do you get robbed twice in Indian Trail?

Adrianna Barrett @adrie_cooper Aug. 21 Traffic in Indian Trail is beyond ridiculous. Can they speed this whole bypass thing up??? @jrhayesOfficial @ucweekly

facebook.com/UnionCountyWeekly

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here’s a statistic from Gallup that says about 50 percent of all Americans want to lose weight. Some college-level math would say that’s one out of every two of us who wants to drop a few pounds – count me in.

So let’s say we take the professional approach to dropping these pounds, and we hire a nutritionist who will shape our diet and explain all the science of processed food versus raw, natural, blah, blah.

You make a call to a local nutritionist, ask for an appointment and when you walk in the door, you see a 320-pound guy who has a bag of fries in one hand and an insulin pump in the other. He looks frazzled, his face is red because he can’t chew the French fries fast enough, and he asks you to have a seat because he has the perfect diet plan, you know, if he doesn’t have a heart attack first.

Besides the whole curiosity thing, are you sticking around?

Here’s another scenario: It’s election season, and there’s a race for district court judge. One candidate has served the legal profession with class, dignity and nary a blemish on the record for three decades. The other candidate has been arrested three times – twice for armed robberies and once for an attempted escape from prison.

Who you got?

You’re a young parent and you want your 2-year-old to learn how to swim. You search for a swimming instructor, sign your child up, and on the first day of class, your child is the only one there. The instructor, meanwhile, is down at the deep end kicking and splashing and gurgling for help. Between the spews of water and the hysteria of the whole scene, you reach your hand into the pool and grab the instructor’s hand because, as it turns out, he can’t actually swim.

How fast are your packing the inflatable arm floaties and getting the heck out of dodge?

Absurd questions – all of them – right?

Those who have read my columns for the past few years, and even those who have only read them recently, know a couple of things about me. First, I am an Alabama native and I’m usually proud of that. Second, I am a Christian, and while there should not be shame in telling readers that, I’ve got to admit my shame-meter has been put on alert.

Last week, news out of my beloved home state broke that Alabama’s governor, Dr. Robert Bentley, was served with divorce papers by his wife, Dianne. Divorce isn’t unimaginable these days, but this is more than a divorce.

I actually grew up with the Bentley’s children. We went to church together; Bentley was a deacon in our church. After just celebrating their 50th anniversary together, the reports out of Alabama are pretty solid that the marriage will end because the Good Governor has been involved in an affair with a staff member.

This was crushing, personally, because I

The Weekly

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Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 7

Waxhaw race full of challengers The town will elect two new commissioners on Election Day

by Justin Vick justin@unioncountyweekly.com

Coming Soon

WAXHAW – Two new faces will join the five-member town commission due to incumbents Stephen Maher and Mike Stewart opting not to run for re-election.

Fred Burrell, Amina Lee, Mike Osborn and Brenda Stewart are vying for those two seats.

Lee, who has worked as a social worker for Union County, could not be reached by phone or email by Union County Weekly’s press deadline.

Meanwhile, the other three candidates talked about their post-Labor Day campaign plans.

Pick up a future edition of Union County Weekly to read about Waxhaw’s mayor race, which features incumbent Duane Gardner, commissioner Stephen Maher and Dustin Williams, a member of the Board of Adjustments.

Fred Burrell

Burrell said he would like to help the board establish a framework to systematically address potential issues and questions before they evolve into problems that require reaction.

That involves determining the town’s needs and wants, establishing priorities Fred Burrell and implementing effective policies and procedures.

Burrell keeps notebooks for different projects, and has one for Waxhaw in which he identified upward of 17 items the town needed to address in July 2012. By 2015, only one of those was addressed.

Burrell, retired after 38 years of being in the development and construction industry, has served appointments on the Waxhaw Planning Board and Waxhaw Historic Preservation Commission.

During his time on the preservation commission, Burrell recalls an issue in which two groups were opposed to the other. He’d like to help those split on an issue find common ground through dialogue. “Without being a commissioner or having the ear of a commissioner you really aren’t going to accomplish much,� Burris said on his decision to run for office.

He’ll soon start putting up campaign signs and handouts in his neighborhood.

Mike Osborn

Osborn said Waxhaw has grown significantly in the five years he and his wife have lived in town. “From what I understand, it’s no longer a city government of 3,000,� he said. “It’s 15,000 and growing.�

Osborn stresses the importance of managing growth, as well as a growing Mike Osborn budget. He’d like to broaden the tax base so that individuals don’t hold as much of the burden – with-

out sacrificing the town’s uniqueness. He’d like to see more long-range planning and increased communication with county and state officials to get ahead of the curb on infrastructure and transportation issues.

The fiscal conservative emphasizes the importance of the town spending within its needs by prioritizing and building consensus while not losing that sense of community.

Osborn has strategic planning and capital development experience working as a partnership development coach at Wycliffe Bible Translators.

He’s been catching up on issues by attending board meetings and engaging in talks with the new town manager and commissioners. He also plans on canvasing neighborhoods. “I’m preparing by getting out and listening to people,� he said. “I don’t know about kissing babies, but I’ll shake hands.�

Brenda Stewart

Stewart may be a political newcomer, but she’s been involved in the town for about 23 years.

Stewart said she’s attended many board meetings and knows all of the commissioners. “The board has done a really good job in bringing the Brenda Stewart issues to the forefront, particularly the traffic situation on N.C. 16 and the tax issue where we want to bring the right kind of business to Waxhaw,� she said. “I believe they have brought a lot of the issues to a point that those elected next can carry through with those, especially with new town manager in place.�

She wants to grow smart businesses here that will add jobs to employ local residents.

Working as a caretaker for Caring at Heart Home Care gives her more time to engage in town politics. She’ll also promote her managerial experience in accounting, information technology and income properties. “I’m a very detail-oriented person,� she said. “I like to get a plan and follow it.�

She’s especially proud of restoring what was a dilapidated home on Main Street in 1992. “I made an old house into a beautiful home,� she said. “I’m really proud of that.�

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Page 8 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Wesley Chapel mayoral candidates look to restore peace with residents

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Wesley Chapel residents are two months away from choosing their next mayor, and the memory of disgruntled de-annexers still lingers.

Current councilmember Elaine Rosoff, former councilmember Howard Brotton and newcomer David Kapfhammer all hope to rally the community and prevent the threat of de-annexation.

Earlier this year, a group of Wesley Chapel residents, and many area landowners, called to de-annex from the village because of their aggravation with efforts to sell their land.

Village land rules restricted development of anything other than one-house-per-one-acre minimum lots.

Wesley Chapel Mayor Brad Horvath, who isn’t running for reelection to spend more time with his family, said the current council has alleviated some of the issues regarding de-annexers’ concerns by allowing senior housing and looking into conservation subdivisions, N.C. Sen. Tommy Tucker’s suggestion.

“We are looking at some language (for conservation housing) and looking to ‘Wesley Chapel-ize’ it, as I like to say,” Horvath said.

Preventing future de-annexation will be on the minds of all mayoral candidates as they hope to positively lead Wesley Chapel’s future.

The Weekly

Restaurant Scores The Union County Health Department inspected the following dining locations from Aug. 24 to 30.

Lowest Score: • Tienda Romeros, 405 1/2 Sutherland Ave., 28110 – 90 Violations included: No certified food preparation safety manager on duty; raw, frozen chicken in freezer bags stored above raw beef in freezer bags in upright freezer; chlorine sanitizer in three-compartment sink not held at correct concentration; refried beans and shredded pork on steam table, reheated one hour prior, held at improper temperature; grilled cactus and onions held on flat top grill, cooked one hour prior, at improper temperature; numerous foods held inside sliding door cooler in grill area without date marks; ice scoop laying inside ice cooler; white, upright freezer door not closing properly; numerous domestic equipment used inside establishment; and kitchen hand sink had low water pressure.

All Scores: 28110 • Food Lion, 2118 Roosevelt Blvd.

Meat Market – 99.5

Deli – 100 • Mac's Fish and Chicken, 2399 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 98.5 • Mr. G's Grill, 427 Morgan Mill Road – 92.5

Elaine Rosoff

Rosoff, who has served on council for the past four years, said the threat of de-annexation is “very serious” for the town and hopes the threat never arises again.

If elected, she hopes to build a relationship with landowners. Rosoff said she served as the liaison for the de-annexing group and had difficulty speaking with members.

She believes growth is important to the village, but must occur in a “solid manner” with quality establishments.

“The idea is that we don’t live in a vacuum.

When you live in a town, you agree that will you care for each other and do things for the good of the community. You don’t live all by yourself somewhere else in a vacuum,” she said.

Rosoff also hopes to address school redistricting issues, so the village is not split between two schools because of two consecutive years of redistricting.

“That is an area I want to see more input from the citizens, so the board of education is aware that this is a strong element in our community,” she said.

She also hopes to see the third phase of Dogwood Park complete, which would include a community center for families.

David Kapfhammer

Newcomer Kapfhammer, an adjunct and visiting professor at Northeastern University Charlotte and DeVry University, has a long history in the information technology industry, and owns

a small strategic IT consulting company.

His campaign is based on three proponents, which he feels are intertwined: connected community and branding, transparency, and “smart” growth.

He moved to Wesley Chapel from Loudoun County, Virginia, five years ago and saw similarities in the tremendous growth in both areas; however, he saw the negative byproducts of rapid growth back in Virginia.

He saw overtaxed infrastructure, improper use of land for wrong types of development and overcapacity retailors. He didn’t want to see those consequences in Wesley Chapel, so he decided to take a shot at the mayoral chair.

Kapfhammer said the de-annexation crisis in the village was a consequence of a lack of two of his campaign pillars: a miscommunication between landowners and the village council and a lack of community connectedness.

“I don’t support de-annexation; however, what I do support is open-minded communication,” he said. “I do support the constituency being represented.”

Kapfhammer desires for Wesley Chapel to develop a strong sense of a brand and connectedness that he feels can carry into other village issues, such as UCPS redistricting.

He also believes in “smart” growth is inevitable in Wesley Chapel and recognizes residents want to see the development of undeveloped areas, such as vacant land near the Target at the corner of Weddington and Waxhaw Indian Trail roads.

Kapfhammer hopes to create a new Mas-

• Scott Safety, 4320 Goldmine Road – 97.5 • Showmars, 2398 Roosevelt Blvd. – 96 • Tienda Romeros, 405 1/2 Sutherland Ave. – 90 • Tortilleria Los Paisanos, 1404 Skyway Drive – 96 28112 • Carolinas HealthCare System Union, 600 Hospital Drive – 99.5 • Oasis of Monroe, 116 S. Main St. – 100 • Pig-N-Vittles, 2585 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 97.5 28173 • China II Buffet, 1309 N. Broome St. – 93 • El Vallarta Mex Express, 1201 N. Broome St. – 93.5 • JB's Lazy Pig, 116C East S. Main St. – 98 28104 • China Cafe, 15080 Idlewild Road, suite I – 92.5 • The Friendly Moose, 4320 Potter Road – 97.5 28079 • First China, 6640F Old Monroe Road – 95.5 • Nana's Restaurant, 240 Chestnut Pkwy. – 97 • Panera Bread, 14035 Hwy. 74, suite B1 – 97 • Starbuck's Coffee, 6701 Old Charlotte Hwy., suite A – 99 • Stone Theaters, 6449 Old Monroe Road – 100 • The Trail House, 6751 Old Monroe Road – 93

ter Plan for the village as well, since it was developed in 2007-08 and believes there is a need for an update.

Howard Brotton

Brotton joined the mayoral race because he wanted to give resident a choice in candidates. He feels his four years of experience as a council member helps him understand the village’s issues. He’s particularly proud of participating on a council that brought Dogwood Park and town hall into fruition, as well as hired a sheriff’s deputy.

Regarding Wesley Chapel’s most hot button issue, Brotton believes what went wrong was a lack of communication.

He believes the town’s growth is vested in the rural landowners who see their properties as life investments.

“It’s all about getting folks back to the table,” he said.

He also hopes as mayor to bring cohesion and forethought rather than divisiveness to the board. The Wells Fargo employee said he felt the current council has experienced personal tension amongst each other. Brotton said he felt debate is a positive component, but resolution should arise after discussion.

Union County Weekly will continue to follow Wesley Chapel’s mayoral race until Election Day.

The Weekly

Recipe Union County Weekly introduces a new column, which will feature locally submitted recipes from our readers each week. Do you have a tried-and-true recipe your family has loved for years? Let us know! Email news@unioncountyweekly. com with the subject line, “Recipe” to have your recipe featured in the paper.

This week’s recipe is Mandarin Orange Waldorf Wedding Salad, submitted by Carolyn Voorheis, of south Charlotte.

Many recipes have a story behind them and my “Mandarin Orange Waldorf Wedding Salad” has a very special meaning.

When Carrie, our youngest daughter, and I were planning her summer wedding to be held up in Connecticut, I told her about this recipe and she agreed it would go really well with the lobster tail and filet mignon entrée we had already selected. I then called the chef at the country club where the reception would be held, gave him the ingredients, and he agreed it was a wonderful choice.

Nearing the end of the reception, the chef came up to me and told me that his kitchen preparation staff did several taste tests both before and during the actual reception and gave the recipe rave reviews. He then told me that, because it had been so well received, that it was going to become a selection on the country club’s menu.

So, following, is this very refreshing summer recipe for “Mandarin Orange Waldorf Wedding Salad” which serves 6 to 8 people.

Mandarin Orange Waldorf Wedding Salad Ingredients 3 golden delicious apples, unpeeled and chopped 2 celery ribs, chopped 16 seedless red grapes, cut in half 1 15oz. can of Mandarin orange segments, drained 3/4 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup orange juice 8 cups Romaine lettuce, cut into large pieces

Mandarin Orange Dressing Ingredients 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 6 oz. containers of orange yogurt 1/2. tsp orange peel

In a medium bowl, combine apples, celery, grapes, Mandarin oranges and almonds. Add the orange juice and toss. Refrigerate this mixture for 1 hour.

Place the Romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl then add the apple, celery, grapes, Mandarin oranges, etc. mixture to the salad bowl.

Mix the salad dressing ingredients together. Add to the salad ingredients, toss together and serve.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 9

Education

Six quick questions with Marcus Leake fective school. Through their guidance and tutelage, and the positive feedback and ongoing support of teachers, parents, and students, I feel like I’m prepared for this role.

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Marcus Leake started off the school year moving up into the principal’s chair at Weddington Middle School. Leake began his foray into administration with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and has a background in psychology, with experience in health care.

Why did you originally go into education?

I wish it were a cool story about the pursuit of passion or a calling, but I actually moved to Charlotte and heard about teacher scarcity being such that the state had created something called “lateral entry.” I started teaching in August 2000 without formal educational training, and I loved it. I earned my teacher certification at UNC-Charlotte during the evenings, and then pursued administration after five years in the classroom.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Situational. Education is a people business, and working with people requires some situational versatility. Some need a push, some need a pull, and others need someone to walk alongside them. It might be, in fact, that all of us need a little bit of each of these, depending upon the circumstances.

How do you feel your years of experience as an assistant principal will help you as principal?

I’m blessed to have worked for the best of principals. I can’t duplicate any of them, but I’d like to think I can take a little of this, and a little of that, and make it my own. My principals exposed me to whole school operation, so I’ve at least dabbled in much of what’s involved with running an ef-

How will your background in psychology help you as an administrator?

Like I said, education is a people business. Although we teach and learn core academics and a host of other subjects, it’s the ability to problem-solve and effectively interact with others that kids take into and beyond high school.

Psychology involves the human psyche and examination of why we do what we do; much of that’s still a mystery to me, but understanding the basics has proven an asset in the microcosms of society that are our public schools.

Social Media Posts

Union County schools and their students are always sharing their stories on social media. Keep checking in and tagging Union County Weekly on Facebook and Twitter (@ ucweekly) to have your posts featured in the paper!

Grace Wasulko @gracewasulko Aug. 31 Realizing that the D on your quiz is actually a C because of the new grading scale lol #blessed :):) Logan Polk @logyy67 Aug. 31 At CATA you’re either in a class with a bunch of future presidents or a bunch of people plotting world domination.

Marcus Leake

What do you hope to bring to Weddington Middle? Or keep the same?

For the most part, I’m looking to keep a good thing going. This school has a tradition of excellence, and its faculty is among the best groups of which I’ve ever been a part. Beyond academics, we’re looking to hone in on some of our existing character education initiatives, and make them a more meaningful part of our holistic student development.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I really like to watch these kids learn and grow, and it’s nice to participate in the creation and evolution of relationships. School’s a unique profession in which you truly have a starting and stopping point, and each year brings its own adventure. It’s awesome to be a principal, and I really look forward to the ride that school is.

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The Weekly

Weddington High @WHSWarriors Sept. 1 Congrats to our men’s and women’s cross country team for both placing first in their first home meet of the season!

Lizzie McDonnell @LizzieMcdonnel1 Aug. 24 If backing out in the student parking lot doesn’t kill me, AP Lang will.

PHS Student Gov @GovPhs Aug. 31 Everyone come out and support the varsity football team as they play Parkwood on Friday! The theme is superheros vs villains! #phsTHEJUNGLE Anna Thornton @annathorntonn Sept. 1 Senior bucket list: attend at least one home game/ match of every sport Cuthbertson offers.

Student Spotlight

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Marvin Ridge Middle School seventh-grader Meghan Gadsden calls herself an “old soul,” but her young passion to help others earned her the crown.

Meghan won the North Carolina’s Outstanding Majestic Miss pageant on Aug. 22 and will now represent her crown at parades, appearances and community service events.

The Outstanding Little Miss pageant, founded in 2009, highlights contestants’ talents, encourages community service and builds selfconfidence. The pageant wasn’t Meghan’s first time on stage, as she’s competed in pageants in Mecklenburg and Union counties.

During the Outstanding Miss pageant, Meghan won the presidential award for community service and first place in talent and fitness for her division. For her talent portion, she performed a tap dance to “Saturday Night Fish Fry” and chose a community service project she created, “Second Chance to Dance,” as her service platform. Her mission is to collect gently used dance clothing for disadvantaged children who want to dance.

Meghan is a competition dancer with BB Dance Productions, Inc., where she trains in ballet and competes in tap, jazz, lyrical and gym. She also cheers for Marvin Ridge.

She won first place in the interview competition and explained why she considers herself an “old soul.” She relates to older people and enjoys

older television shows, such as “The Golden Girls” and “The Cosby Show.”

Meghan said she was completely surprised when she found out she won the pageant.

“I was in shock,” she said. “I had mixed emotions and was just so overwhelmed.”

She believes her confidence and “cando” attitude helped her win.

“It’s about being yourself and not worrying about what the other contestants are Meghan Gadsden doing,” she said.

Although earning the crown was a winning experience, the seventh-grader said meeting the other pageant girls and gaining experience were her favorite parts of the pageant.

Earning the crown marks just one step in following her dream toward Miss America. She plans to compete in the Outstanding Teen division at the Outstanding Miss pageant and plans to compete in other pageants.

“I am so incredibly proud of Meghan and how hard she has worked to get to this point,” said Portia Fauntleroy, Meghan’s mother. “I've seen her blossom into such a confident and talented young lady and I just feel honored to be her mother. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her.”

Meghan encourages others to compete in pageants and advises participants to “be themselves”

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 10 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Education

Former BOE member charged with fraud

School Board, County Commissioners to meet after budget complications

by Courtney Schultz education@unioncountyweekly.com

After months of back-and-forth between the Union County Board of Education (BOE) and Board of Commissioners, both groups have elected to have a joint meeting in October to work out some differences. “There have been several people who have been talking about a joint meeting with the BOE and Board of Commissioners for quite some time,� said BOE Chairman John Collins, who felt no BOE member would oppose a joint meeting.

County Commissioner Chairman Richard Helms and Collins confirmed the need for a joint meeting during the first two weeks of October, but no date could be confirmed without approval from both boards.

District 6 BOE member Jason Marton suggested the board determine a specific agenda before going into the meeting and expressed he wanted the discussion to be a “board-to-board discussion� rather than board staff presenting information.

Marton later suggested the BOE

create a government relations committee to help further develop the board’s relationship with other government entities – local, state and federal.

The BOE and Board of Commissioners have a history of budget negotiations, which at one point led to a lawsuit that has since been overturned, but this year has been no exception.

In the past two BOE meetings, the board has wrestled with how to afford emergency needs in district schools, such as chiller and boiler units at Weddington High School and a heat unit at Monroe Middle School. The BOE asked for additional funds from the Board of Commissioners for the “emerging needs,� but the request was denied.

BOE then requested Union County Manager Cynthia Coto authorize a transfer of up to 10 percent of total funding of capital funding, an option permitted by the FY 2016 Operating and Capital Budget Ordinance.

UCPS Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Technology and Operations Mike Webb said the district used funds within its legal flexibility to shift about 10 per-

by Courtney Schultz education@unioncountyweekly.com

cent of the $1.89 million needed for the emerging needs, as well as funds from an IP camera shift. By law, the district could move up to 10 percent of capital funds, but no more, he added.

UCPS has already moved forward to use the funds to purchase the units needed at Weddington and Monroe, according to District 2 BOE member Kevin Stewart. “We went ahead and utilized funds we had access to with the understanding we would backfill them from a facilities standpoint, if possible,� Stewart said. “If we can’t, we still don’t have a choice.

We have to fix it.�

Staff has assured the emergency needs have been met regardless of any budget complications, Collins said. The remaining emerging needs have not yet been addressed as the board waits to shift more funds with the Board of Commissioners approval.

What are your thoughts? We want to hear from you. Send letters to the editor to hannah@unioncounty weekly.com.

WAXHAW – The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation filed charges against former Union County Board of Education and state Board of Education member Marcella Savage on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Savage was charged with two counts of swearing falsely to official reports, two counts of obtaining repairs and supplies for a private vehicle and one count of enforcement of local government finance.

She was charged by criminal summons.

Savage resigned from the state board at the end of 2014 and the Union County Marcella Savage board in early 2015, after accusations arose of her “double dipping� for reimbursement of trips from both boards, as well as filing for reimbursement for events she never attended or never existed.

Charges arose from activities between May 10, 2013 and Sept.

18, 2014, officials say.

The state board sought to look into Savage’s activities and passed the investigation to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Reports stated Savage wrongly reported nearly $2,700 in false or repeated expense reports, $300 of which Savage told Union County Weekly in December 2014 was paid back to the state.

Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey requested the SBI conduct the investigation earlier this year.

Union County BOE Chair John Collins said he only became aware of the charges late Tuesday evening. “At this point it has been remanded to the court system to arrive at a justifiable conclusion,� Collins said Tuesday evening. “I will respect the resultant verdict. The (Union County) board has moved past this issue.�

Savage is due to appear in Union County District Court on Sept. 25, according to officials.

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Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 11

Education

Back to school photos

Carlee Connolly

Claire Connolly

Kate Coppinger

Kelly Huben

Pre-K Student from Waxhaw

First-grader at Kensington

First-grader at Waxhaw Elementary

Junior at Weddington High School

Thanks for sending your back to school photos! See more reader-submitted pictures at www.unioncountyweekly.com.

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Page 12 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly

Education Briefs Youth Orchestra to host Labor Day concert

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WAXHAW â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Union Symphony Youth Orchestra will host a free Labor Day Concert on Monday, Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. at Marvin Ridge High School, located at 2825 Crane Road in Waxhaw.

The youth orchestra is a program for music students of the greater Union County area interested in the study and performance of orchestral repertoire.

The orchestra will perform under director Sabrina Howard.

There will be an overture performance by the Union Symphony Prelude Junior String Orchestra under the direction of Amanda Turner.

The junior string group serves music students through ninth grade who have a minimum of two years formal music instruction.

Students attend camps and regular rehearsals throughout the year to learn and play orchestral repertoire.

Visit www.usyo.org/season-3 for more information.

Weddington ranked in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Americas Top High Schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WEDDINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Weddington High School was among Newsweekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top high school rankings, which identifies 500 public high schools nationwide that excel at preparing students for college.

The ranking measures various factors, including graduation rate, college enrollment rate, SAT and ACT scores and participation, full-time counselors to students ratio, dropout rate, enrollment in college courses during high school and state test scores, among others.

"Newsweekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s High School Rankings are exceptional because of the many factors we take into consideration when selecting top schools as well as our look at inequality when it comes to education. We have unique insight into what public schools across the country are doing to prepare their students for college, which is a critical next step for graduating teens,â&#x20AC;? said Editor in Chief of Newsweek Jim Impoco in a news release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our analysis looks at a broad range of criteria and sheds light on schools that are setting the bar high for their students and helping them to succeed in the next chapter of their education.â&#x20AC;?

Weddington was ranked 487th and was recognized for its 99.4-percent graduation rate, 94.9 percent student retention and 98.2 percent of college-bounded students.

Visit www.newsweek.com/high-schools/ americas-top-high-schools-2015 to find out how other schools across the country stacked up.

New leadership team opens 2015-16 school year at Hemby Bridge INDIAN TRAIL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New leadership team Principal Stephanie Burris and Assistant Principal Sarah Starr welcomed the new school year at Hemby Bridge Elementary School.

Photo courtesy of UCPS

Burris was assigned the position in July and has worked in education for 18 years, including as a Pre-K teacher, literacy facilitator, administrative intern, third-grade summer school teacher and assistant principal at Hemby Bridge, according to the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. She also taught classes in the education departments at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Stanly Community College.

Burris has a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and graduate certificate from UNC Charlotte.

Starr comes to Hemby Bridge as an assistant principal at Piedmont High School.

She has worked as a kindergarten teacher in Gaston County School and taught at Marvin and Rea View elementary schools in Union County.

Starr was selected as a North Carolina Principal Fellow and has a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in elementary education and masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in school administration from UNC Charlotte.

Waxhaw business offering coding programs WAXHAW â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Waxhaw Kid Coders will launch new fall workshops this year at its Waxhaw and Indian Trail locations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mission is to teach kids how to create with technology. We teach kids how to code through creating video games and building and coding Lego robots and machines,â&#x20AC;?

Kid Coders owner Ken Adelglass wrote in an email.

He said he seeks to teach coding to children, as there is a shortage of coders to fill jobs and computer science education in schools.

The Waxhaw store, located at 216 W. North Main St., will host an open house on Friday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. for parents to learn about the programs.

Visit www.waxhawkidcoders.com or contact Adelglass at 704-243-8801 for more information.

Dunkin Donuts celebrates teachers Every Monday in September teachers can start their week with a free medium hot or iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts.

Teachers can show their school IDs to receive the offer.

Area Dunkin Donuts restaurants are located at 14055 Hwy. 74 W. in Indian Trail, 2570 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Monroe, 308 W. Marshville Blvd. in Marshville and 3114 Fincher Farm Road, suite 100, in Matthews.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 13

Faith

The Weekly

A Christian’s role in politics

by Dr. Mark Harris mark.harris@charlottefbc.com

In my last column, I shared a bit about the journey that took me into the U. S. Senate primary in 2014.

What a crash course in politics! As my wife and I digested the experience, we thought back over the responses we received from our friends, acquaintances, church members and Dr. Mark Harris other believers to my run. We realized many Christians struggle to find a sense of the place of faith in the political arena. Should we give up? Should we vote, but stay quiet? Should we attend rallies and sign petitions? How far should we go in our support of partisan politics? What is the role of the church in the arena of government and politics?

Much reading, listening, and thought followed in regard to these questions. Over the next several months, I invite you to examine them with me.

Before entering into a discussion, we need to get on some common ground. If you do not share this common ground, the conversation this column is meant to spark will not apply to you. From the pilgrims and their Mayflower Compact, to the men who wrote and approved

the U. S. Constitution, self-government is at the core of our nation’s ideals. Our founders created a republic fluid enough to adapt to change, yet stable enough to check itself and operate under the rule of law, including the peaceful transfer of civil powers that occurs under the Constitution after elections.

There are a few on both the far right and far left who think the Constitution needs to be thrown out and a new form of government established. Those people do not share this common ground of a belief in our republican form of self-government.

As a republic, the United States is ruled by her people, with this crucial caveat: the people elect representatives who are charged with obeying the rule of law as set forth in the Constitution.

Two important interconnected ideas emerge from this understanding of our government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

First, in the Constitution, our elected bodies are created with what Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig calls a “dependency” upon the people. If a competing dependency develops within our governing institutions, the representatives of the people are no longer fulfilling their constitutionally assigned role. Lessig argues the everincreasing role of money in politics is distorting this dependency upon the people. An important point of Lessig’s argument is the distinction between corruption and distortion. Lessig argues most people who seek to serve through elected office are good people who become trapped in a system that creates a competing dependency.

They are not corrupt people. They are good

people in an increasingly unhealthy system in need of reform.

People intuitively recognize this. It explains why Trump is leading the polls with his “I can tell it like it is ‘cause I owe no one” approach. It also explains why I so often hear the frustration in so many voices that tell me they are giving up on participation in our political process because they don’t think their participation matters.

But should we give up? As believers, can we stand before God and tell Him we gave up?

No. Why not? Related to the idea of our representatives’ dependency on we the people is the idea of individual citizenship. “Citizen” is a word that has become almost meaningless in our entitled times. We think of what we are owed as citizens, but never of what we owe in terms of duty or responsibility to our republic. An elected official in Union County expressed it well when she said our forefathers perhaps walked a mile to go to school, but would have walked 10 miles to vote. We have lost the sense of our roles as citizens. We are abdicating our responsibility, and we are allowing our republic to slip away.

British Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said, “Religion creates community, community creates altruism and altruism turns us away from self and towards the common good... There is something about the tenor of relationships within a religious community that makes it the best tutorial in citizenship and good neighborliness.”

If that is true, what is missing in our Christian communities today? How can we get it back? Let the conversation begin.

Faith Briefs

Weddington United Methodist to hold Operation Sandwich WEDDINGTON – Weddington United Methodist Church will make 800 sandwiches for the homeless in Union County and the greater Charlotte area on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. People of all ages are invited to join and should contact Lisa Keeler at lisa.keeler@weddingtonchurch. org for more information.

The church also will visit White Oak Nursing Home on Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. to share in a time of worship and devotion with the residents. Volunteers are needed to read scripture, lead singing and spend time with the residents.

Weddington United Methodist Church is located at 13901 Weddington Road.

Send your faith news and notes to hannah@union countyweekly.com!

Church Directory UNCC EDUCATIONAL SAL ONS

Revisiting World War II Through Living History A Living Legacy: Finding History in Letters, Journals and Photographs Wednesday, September 16th, at 7 p.m. at the Waltonwood Providence Theater

Presented by Barbara Presnell, MFA, Lecturer, University Writing Program UNCC $10 donation per session encouraged to benefit UNCC Student Programs

Call (704) 753-7045 and reserve your seat today or email Angela.Burrow@singhmail.com

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Page 14 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

4

The Weekly

Calendar September

4

Kid Coders Fall Programs Open House

Waxhaw Kid Coders will host an open house to feature its fall workshops.

The business’s mission is to teach kids how to create with technology and teach kids how to code through creating video games and building and coding Lego robotics and machines.

Contact Ken Adelglass at 704-242-8801 or 704-936-628 or visit waxhawkidcoders.com for more information.

5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; 216 W. North Main St., Waxhaw

4

and 5 StoneCrest Summer Concert Series: Skate Rink Jukebox StoneCrest at Piper Glen shopping center will continue its summer music series with Charlotte band Skate Rink Jukebox.

Skate Rink Jukebox performs a wide variety of music ranging from dance R&B, rock, country and reggae to beach and easy listening.

The event is family-friendly and free.

7 to 10 p.m.; Fountain Stage, StoneCrest at Piper Glen, 7900 Rea Road, Charlotte

to 16 Jersey Mike’s Grand Opening Fundraiser

Jersey Mike’s will hold a grand opening fundraiser to support Charlotte Latin School, Elizabeth Lane, Providence Springs, Mckee Road and Matthews elementary schools, and Providence High School. Jersey Mike’s will make a $3 donation to the schools for each customer who presents a valid flyer, currently circulating through the area.

Jersey Mike’s, 3116 Weddington Road

5

Bradley Parks at StoneCrest

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonic player Bradley Parks will perform on the Plaza Stage at StoneCrest shopping center as part of its summer music series.

Parks is a Charlotte resident and is a husband and father of two.

7 to 10 p.m.; Plaza Stage, StoneCrest at Piper Glen, 7900 Rea Road, Charlotte

10 Girl’s Night Out

Area women can enjoy a night out while helping support nonprofit Core Compassion Project.

Core Compassion Project offers Pilates scholarships to cancer patients to attend a specialized program to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments and recover their mobility, strength and range of motion following breast cancer surgery.

The event will include food from Kate Clyde’s Catered Creations and music by Jimmy Huntley of Bass/FX, as well as a silent auction and raffle. Cancer survivors also will

The Weekly

Crime Blotter The following incidents were reported between Aug. 24 to 30 in western Union County, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office: Hemby Bridge Home/Business Break-ins • 7100 block of Indian Trail Fairview Road: Felony breaking/entering. Aug. 30 Waxhaw Home/Business Break-ins • 8200 bock of Waxhaw Creek Road: Two dogs stolen in felony breaking and entering. Aug. 29 Fraud • 5900 block of Stone Bridge Lane: $112.90 obtained by false pretenses. Aug. 28 Vandalism • 6900 block of Davis Road: $600 in damage to dining room window. Aug. 29 Property Theft • 7900 block of Lancaster Highway: $80 stolen from Coca-Cola vending machine. Aug. 24 • 7900 block of Lancaster Highway: $50 stolen from ice and water vending machine. Aug. 25 • 400 block of Ranelagh Drive: $150 rocking chair stolen from home. Aug. 29 Vehicle Break-ins

be in attendance and celebrated in a special designation.

Interested woman can RSVP and purchase a $50 ticket at www.corecompassionproject. org. The ticket includes a full dinner buffet with dessert and beverages; one adult beverage and one raffle ticket.

Call 704-288-3898 for more information.

6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Morning Glory Farm, 6205 Kate Road, Monroe

the Tee For DPT Golf 11 Hit Tournament Wingate University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will host an annual golf tournament to benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital, Foundation for Physical Therapy, Wingate University Doctor of Physical Therapy and the student government association.

The registration fee is $100 for an individual golfer, $375 for a foursome and $20 for a mulligan pack.

Tax-deductible sponsorship is available, ranging from $2,000-plus for the platinum level to leader board sponsor for $50 per banner.

Find more information at dpt.wingate.edu.

11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Stonebridge Country Club, 2721 Swilcan Burn Drive, Monroe

11 Paws in Paris Benefit

The Humane Society of Union County will host a Paws in Paris benefit to raise money for rescued dogs and their medical treatment in the area. Tickets cost $50 and include dinner, drinks, live music, silent auction and a doggie fashion show. Visit www.hsuc.org for more information.

7 to 10 p.m.; Swan Manor, 219 Ridge Road, Monroe

• 9900 block of King George Lane: Northface book bag and bathroom scale, worth $110 total, stolen from vehicle. Aug. 28 Indian Trail Drugs • 6000 block of West Highway 74: possession of schedule IV controlled substance. Aug. 28 • 13800 block of East Independence Boulevard: possession of schedule IV controlled substance.

Aug. 28 • 14200 block of East Independence Boulevard: possession of marijuana; open container of alcohol. Aug. 28 • 1000 block of Back Stretch Boulevard: possession or marijuana with intent to distribute. Aug. 29 • 100 block of South Fork Road: driving while impaired. Aug. 29 • 1000 block of Gwinmar Road: possession of marijuana; second-degree trespassing. Aug. 29 • 4000 block of Breeze Lane: driving while impaired. Aug. 30 Home/Business Break-ins • 1000 block of Forsyth Ave.: $100 turf mats stolen from office. Aug. 24 • 4800 block of Unionville Indian Trail Road: $15,000 diesel generator stolen. Aug. 25 • 4100 block of Old Monroe Road: two iPad Airs, Sony laptop, four Michael Kors watches, two Diesel watches, a gold bracelet, an Xbox 360 and two controllers, cash, hydrocondone, Glock pistol, Raybans and Oakleys sunglasses, Winchester rifle, Smith and Wessen pistol, Macbook pro, worth $6,610 total, stolen from home in felony breaking and entering. Aug. 26 • 3900 block of Edgeview Drive: breaking and entering, nothing listed as stolen; harassing phone call. Aug. 30

12 Indian Trail UMC Fish Fry

The Indian Trail United Methodist Church will host a fish fry and take-out plates available. Each plate is $8.

Contact Ben at 704-291-2457 for more information.

4 to 8 p.m.; Indian Trail UMC, 113 Indian Trail Road S., Indian Trail

Patriot Day 13 Annual Celebration The city of Monroe and Union County will hold its annual Patriot Day celebration to commemorate the heroes of 9/11. The celebration is free and open to the public and will be held at the historic Union County courthouse in downtown Monroe.

2 p.m.; Monroe Courthouse, 400 N. Main St., Monroe

Annual Monroe 14 5th Civitan Golf Tournament The Monroe Civitan Club will host its annual golf tournament to benefit the local club charities and service projects.

The club supports Special Olympics and the Wolfe School and has built wheelchair ramps and other projects.

The event will have a shot-gun start and a bagged lunch will be provided. First place team winners will win $300 and second place will win $200. There will be a hole-in-one contest and the winner will win a Z-Turn lawn mower. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Participants must complete an application

by Sept. 11 and provide the corresponding application fee - $50 for an individual and $200 for a four-person team.

Vandalism • 4100 block of New Castle Lane: $150 in damage to house window. Aug. 26 • 1100 block of Waxhaw Indian Trail Road: $1,200 in damage to storage building. Aug. 29 • 3800 block of Nuthatch Drive: $600 in damage to garage door. Aug. 29 Property Theft • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $40 hedge trimmer and $78 leaf blower shoplifted from store.

Aug. 24 • 100 block of Corporate Boulevard: $30,000 in cash and a Brazilian passport stolen from business. Aug. 25 • 2500 block of West Lawyers Road: $150 of fuel stolen from convenience store. Aug. 27 • 3800 block of Edgeview Drive: $15 water dish stolen. Aug. 29 • CVS Pharmacy, 4300 Old Monroe Road: $35.99 electric toothbrush stolen from business. Aug. 30 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $81.15 worth of food, clothing, alcohol and toys stolen from business. Aug. 30 Other • 5800 block of Lindley Crescent Drive: harassing phone calls. Aug. 26 • 8100 block of Hembywood Drive: seconddegree trespassing. Aug 29 • 5000 block of Windcrest Way: second-degree trespassing. Aug. 30 Lake Park Vehicle Break-ins • 3700 block of Alden St.: $100 cordless drill and $100 jigsaw stolen from vehicle. Aug. 28 • 3700 block of Bessant Drive: $600 golf clubs stolen from vehicle. Aug. 28

(see Calendar on page 15)

Highway patrol increases patrol on major roads during Labor Day weekend Staff Report

North Carolina Highway Patrol will increase patrol on all interstates and major four-lane highways during the holiday weekend, beginning Thursday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 7.

According to AAA, 35.5 million people travel during the holiday weekend, and last year, state troopers investigated 13 fatal collisions and 388 injury collisions over Labor Day weekend.

Troopers will use LIDAR and other speed devices over the weekend to ensure traveler safety. They also will be on the lookout for aggressive drivers, which can be identified as someone following too closely, erratic lane changes and safe movement violations.

“Speed is the number one factor in fatal collisions and troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, drunk drivers, and other violators while patrolling throughout the state during the holiday week,” said Lt. Jeff Gordon, spokesman for the Highway Patrol, in a news release.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Calendar (continued from page 14)

The form and payment can be sent to Monroe, Civitan Club, 1917 Lake Monroe Drive, Monroe, NC, 28112 or can be given to any Monroe Civitan Club member.

Sponsorship is also available.

Contact Joel Carpenter at 704-283-1159 or 704-219-6165 for more information.

10:30 a.m.; Monroe Country Club, 1680 Pageland Hwy., Monroe

Affairs 17 Government Luncheon Join N.C. Reps. Mark Brody, Craig Horn and Dean Arp along with N.C. Sen. Tommy Ticker share updates and items that are up before the General Assembly and important changes Union County and businesses may be subject to.

The event costs $25 for Chamber of Commerce members and $45 for nonmembers.

An early bird registration fee of $22 is available before Sept. 10 at 4 p.m.

Contact chamber staff at 704-289-4567 for more information.

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; South Piedmont Community College, salon A, 4209 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe

19

Annual Taste of Union

Operation Reach Out will host its annual food-tasting event, which raises money for its ministries.

The event includes samples from restaurants and caterers from Union and surrounding counties, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and music.

This year’s event will feature sample foods from Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Chili’s Bar & Grill, Hathaway’s Chicken & Biscuits, Nothing Bundt Cakes, DeeJak’s Restaurant, Olive Garden, Java Jeff, Longhorn, Chick-fil-A, Zaxby’s, Stone Table, Bisonte Pizza and DFC Farms & Trading Co., among others.

Advanced tickets will go on sale Aug. 1, and are only $20 for adults ($25 at the door) and $10 for children 10 years old and younger.

Visit www.opreachout.org or contact 704289-4237 or tasteofunion@gmail.com for more information.

5 to 8 p.m.; Union County Agriculture Center, 2330 Presson Road, Monroe

19

Boots and Bow Ties County Fair

Come dressed in your jeans, boots, bowties and country dresses for an evening full of food, fun and entertainment at Aw Shucks!

Farms.

The event will include fun festival foods, including BBQ sundaes, brats, chili, cornbread muffins, mac n’ cheese, roasted corn and more, and fair activities, including corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, cowboy stilt walker, old timey saloon photos and more.

The event also will feature live music, a human foosball tournament, a live auction, dance lessons, and silent auction.

All of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Union County Community Shelter, a full service homeless shelter, soup kitchen and emergency family housing programs.

Tickets cost $60 per person or group sales of 10 tickets for $500 and must be purchased in advance at www.unionshelter.org/bootsand-bowties. The entry fee includes food, drinks and musical entertainment.

6 to 10 p.m.; Aw Shucks! Farms, 3718 Plyler Mill Road, Monroe

Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 15

of Weddington 19 Town Country Festival The town of Weddington will host its annual festival, featuring “Art at the Corners.”

The festival will bring “old fashioned family fun” for all ages and feature local artist, who will display their paintings, pottery, jewelry, hand-painted clothing and sculptures for sale.

“Kids Corner” will include a pumpkin decorating booth, a spin art poster making booth, a giant inflatable slide or moon bounce, a super spinner, a rock climbing wall, double shot basketball and giant joust. Families can also have fun with the Whispering Hope Farm petting zoo and face painting.

The event will also feature a Best of Weddington Baking Contest and a free barbecue picnic for senior citizens from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Hinson Girls, a bluegrass band, will perform throughout the day.

Visit www.townofweddington.com or contact 704-846-2709 for more information.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 1924 Weddington Road, Weddington

19 Harvest Festival

Treehouse Vineyards will host a harvest festival and grape stomp for residents. The event will have live music, food and craft vendors, festival-style wine tastings and grape stomping barells.

Visit www.treehousevineyards.com for more information.

Noon to 10 p.m.; Treehouse Vineyards, 301 Bay St., Monroe

25 Tom Conlan Concert

“The Well” Coffeehouse and Church will host recording artist Tom Conlan in concert.

Conlan has toured internationally since 1996 with songs and spoken word.

The concert is free, but there is a suggested donation of $10 at the door.

The Well’s coffee bar will offer coffee drinks, hot chocolate and other beverages.

Residents can find Conlon’s music on iTunes, CDBaby and tomconlonmusic.com.

8 p.m.; The Well, 220 Main St., Pineville

Trail 26 Indian Cultural Arts Festival The Indian Trail Cultural Arts Festival will feature dance competitions, storytelling, belly dancing, Henna art, musical performances and vendors and more. There will be free activities for children, including Wax Hands, Spin Art, Arts and Crafts in the Sand (volleyball) box, a putting green and more.

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Chestnut Square Park, Indian Trail

/#66*'95#.+8'T14)

Labor Day Weekend Sept 4-7 23rd Annual festival will feature: FRI. SEPT 4th 6PM-10PM

SAT. SEPT 5th 9AM-9PM

SUN. SEPT 6th 12PM-9PM

Main Stage Beach Night

Parade 10:30am

Country harmony & country rock on the Main Stage

Part Time Party Time Band 6:30-8:00pm

“Ballroom & Latin Dance” & Vegas Birds on the indoor stage!

All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night at the Carnival!

AEROMYTH Aerosmith Tribute 7:30pm-9pm

Jim Quick & Coastline 8:30pm-10:00pm

MON. SEPT 7th 9AM-5PM

Pop/Rock day on the Main Stage 1:30pm-7pm

1:00pm-6:30pm

Songwriter Sunday Artists & their original material on the indoor stage!

Country Music Legends

BLACKHAWK 7:30pm-9pm

Jazz day on the main stage & Carolina Voices on the indoor stage

Three Stages Rides & Games Family Fun Great Food Arts & Crafts Carnival Indoor Art Shows & Exhibits

100% of proceeds benefit Matthews Community Non-Profits!

Presenting Sponsor: Supporting Sponsor: Area Sponsors:

26 Community Blood Drive

Residents can receive a free ticket voucher for the movies by donating blood with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas.

The CBCC has donation centers in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Hickory and Greensboro.

Call 704-972-4700 or go to www.cbcc.us to make an appointment, 2 to 6 p.m.; Sun Valley 14, 6449 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail

Send your calendar events to news@union countyweekly.com

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Page 16 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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Crossword Crossword

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www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 17

Sports

What we learned from week two

W

e’re two weeks into football season, which is hard to believe. As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. There are already plenty of exciting storylines, while contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the pretenders.

Monroe is no joke. This team has the playmakers on offense, defense and special teams needed for not only a conference championship, but also a state title run. And the Redhawks have speed to burn with two dominating wins under their belt (beating Sun Valley 49-25 and Marvin Ridge 36-14).

In its most recent outing against the Mavericks, Monroe was dominant in every phase of the game. What gave the Redhawks an even greater advantage was blocking two Marvin Ridge punts, one of which set up a touchdown.

Coach Johnny Sowell and his staff want to take it one game at a time, but it must be difficult to not harken back to 2013 when they look at this season. The Redhawk Faithful certainly aren’t; they would fast forward

by Ben Doster ben@unioncountyweekly.com

to that second weekend in December if they could, and Monroe might find itself there if everything continues to fall into place.

If there is room for concern, it’s with quarterback Zephaniah Wall. Though an impressive dual-threat, he’s struggled to protect the football and has thrown four interceptions in two games. He needs to taper those turnovers that could prove costly against tougher opponents down the road.

The biggest surprise in all of Union County might be Piedmont, and the first two weeks of the season don’t appear to be a flash in the pan. After a 2-0 start, the rest of the schedule shakes out well for the Panthers. Best case, and a realistic scenario for Piedmont, is 9-0 going into its meeting with Weddington.

Piedmont coach Luke Hyatt’s changes have only breathed life into what was a fledgling program when he arrived, but has taken Union County by storm with his double-wing offense.

Most teams employ some variation of a spread attack, which makes it difficult to prepare for the double-wing – an offense that features a myriad of confounding elements with the use of misdirection, motion and fakes. Teams must play assignment football when defending it, because even if one person doesn’t do their job, the defense is exposed and vulnerable.

Another advantage for Piedmont is the double-wing is capable of eating the clock, because it’s so run-centric, which keeps its

The Weekly

Week Two

Athletes

Game Picks Hannah Chronis

Ben Doster

Mike Helms

Marvin Ridge at Ardrey Kell

Ardrey Kell

Ardrey Kell

Ardrey Kell

Sun Valley at Rocky River

Sun Valley

Rocky River

Sun Valley

Union Academy at CATA

CATA

CATA

CATA

Parkwood at Piedmont

Piedmont

Piedmont

Piedmont

Central Pageland (S.C.) at Forest Hills

Forest Hills

Forest Hills

Forest Hills

Trinity Christian at Metrolina Christian

Metrolina Christian

Metrolina Christian

Metrolina Christian

Cuthbertson vs Pinecrest

Cuthbertson

Cuthbertson

Cuthbertson

South Meck vs Porter Ridge

Porter Ridge

South Meck

South Meck

Charlotte Christian vs Weddington

Weddington

Weddington

Weddington

Monroe

Monroe

Huss

Huss at Monroe

Last week: 8-0

Last week: 6-2

Last week: 6-2

Overall: 15-2

Overall: 12-5

Overall: 12-5

Week three football game previews Marvin Ridge at Ardrey Kell Friday at 7 p.m.

The Mavericks’ backs are against the wall after a 0-2 start. Marvin Ridge quarterback Austin Colonna and wide receiver Emeka Emezie struggled to connect at Monroe, aside from an 80-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter of the Mavs 36-14 loss to the Redhawks. They’ll need more than that if they hope to win this border war with the Knights.

Ardrey Kell’s recipe for success is simple – a suffocating defense combined with a heavy dose of the ground attack led by running back Merrick Haston.

defense fresh and opposing offenses off the field.

The change has been a welcomed one by running back Khris Missick, who has become a major focal point of the offense.

Missick has rushed 48 times for 282 yards and a touchdown in two games, which is already more than half his output from last season.

Weddington and Cuthbertson remain dominant. The Warriors stung Forest Hills, 59-13, while the Cavaliers charged through Parkwood, 42-7.

This weekend will test both teams, as Weddington meets Charlotte Christian led by its stingy defense and Cuthbertson clashes with a talented Pinecrest team (2-0).

It’s early, which makes it hard to tell, but Monroe and Piedmont might push the Warriors and Cavaliers for those top spots in Union County.

The gridiron is heating up, and it will surely be a riveting fall in Union County.

Sun Valley at Rocky River Friday at 7 p.m.

This matchup pits two of the youngest teams in the greater Charlotte area against one another. Neither squad is short on talent or speed though, which should make for an exciting game. The Spartans need freshman quarterback Sam Howell to keep progressing, and a strong performance against the Ravens would go a long way in his development.

Running back Fabrice Funderburke must play well to alleviate pressure from Howell.

Rocky River is struggling to find its identity, but defensive end Bryson Adams, linebacker Larry Blanton and safety Tyrell Robinson

Boys Athlete of the Week: Bailey Frederick, Marvin Ridge Marvin Ridge senior forward/midfielder Bailey Frederick scored the game's only goal in the Mavericks 1-0 win over powerhouse program Charlotte Catholic.

Girls Athlete of the Week: Ella Imhof, Marvin Ridge Marvin Ridge freshman tennis player Ella Imhof was stellar in the Mavericks dominating 9-0 win over Concord, defeating Andrea Brank (6-1 and 6-0).

have been stalwarts on defense. They’ll be obstacles for Sun Valley, but this game should be a high-scoring affair.

Union Academy at CATA Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Cardinals are still looking for that elusive first win, and the search doesn’t get any easier with a visit to CATA. Union Academy has struggled to establish a ground attack, which is just the opposite for the Cougars.

CATA running back Jack Heda and quarterback Clemson Allen have rushed for a combined 448 yards and six touchdowns in two games, and will be a load for the Cardinals. Allen also got CATA’s passing attack off

the ground last week, completing 11 of 13 passes for 121 yards and four touchdowns.

Parkwood at Piedmont Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Rebels ran into the buzz saw known as Cuthbertson, and it didn’t end well for them. Piedmont is more accustomed to what it sees. The Panthers double-wing has some of the same principles as Parkwood’s Wing-T attack, which should make for a grind-it-out type of game.

Both teams have big-play potential on offense in Tre Butler (Parkwood) and Khris Missick (Piedmont), but the Panthers have (see Game Previews on page 18)

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 18 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Sports

Game Previews

Cuthbertson vs. Pinecrest (continued from page 17) Saturday at 8 p.m. shown a greater consistency of effective offensive execution and sustaining drives. Piedmont’s stellar defensive play Monroe High School. might be another significant component in containing Butler and company, which could be a deciding factor.

Central Pageland (S.C.) at Forest Hills Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Yellow Jackets are looking to get back on the right track after they were scattered from their hive after a 5913 thrashing at the hands of Weddington last week. Forest Hills has a great opportunity to get above .500 with a visit from Eagles, who lost to Hartsville, 52-13, in their season opener.

Forest Hills quarterback Zaccheus Rorie is a dual-threat, but needs a strong performance under his belt to get himself and Yellow Jacket offense into a rhythm. Linebacker Tyrese Marsh has been stellar thus far, and must continue to be a stalwart as Forest Hills defensive line develops.

Trinity Christian at Metrolina Christian Friday at 7 p.m.

The Warriors are off to a strong start, but haven’t been challenged yet and that makes it difficult to see where they are on the totem pole. Regardless of its level of competition, Metrolina Christian hasn’t played down to the level of its inferior opponents. In fact, the Warriors have destroyed them (beat Statesville Christian 39-3 and Grace Crossing 71-6).

It should be much of the same when the Crusaders visit.

Look for quarterback Rud Yearick and running back Christian Yarborough to keep lighting up the scoreboard, and the defense to lay siege to opposing offenses.

This appears to be a game between two evenly matched teams. The Cavaliers will have their hands full on both sides of ball. Cuthbertson must find a way to contain quarterback Christian Ledbetter, who surpassed 1,000 yards through the air and on the ground last season, and get outside linebacker Carson Maples blocked.

But, the Patriots have the dilemma of facing possibly the top passing duo in the state in quarterback Austin Kendall and wide receiver J.T. Cauthen. It will be a great opportunity to for Cuthbertson to make a statement.

South Meck vs. Porter Ridge Saturday at noon Monroe High School.

The Sabres can’t play on autopilot, but look for quarterback Antonio Wallace and his dynamic receiving corps headlined by Moryah Johnson, Chance Kennedy and Hback A.J. Elam. Travis Prince also will be a load for Porter Ridge.

For the Pirates to have a chance its experienced offensive line must get Zack Gilbert, Jake Lawler and company blocked, or the Sabre front seven will be roasting smores in Porter Ridge’s backfield.

Passing

Player

Team

Comp Att

Yards

Sam Howell 2 Sun Valley 26 51 563 Austin Colonna 2 Marvin Ridge 34 53 485 Zephaniah Wall 2 Monroe 12 24 275 Grayson Willingham 2 Weddington 27 38 258 Zaccheus Rorie 2 Forest Hills 22 44 216 Clemson Allen 2 CATA 13 22 152 Austin Kendall 1 Cuthbertson 6 10 105 Hadden Gsell 2 Piedmont 2 3 63 David Bayha 2 Weddington 6 8 46 Justin Radulovich 2 Parkwood 6 17 44 PJ Papadopulos 1 Cuthbertson 1 1 11

TD

Int

7 2 4 3 2 4 2 1 0 0 0

2 4 4 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0

Rushing Player

Jack Heda Khris Missick Mckinley Nelson Braxton Knotts Fabrice Funderburke Christian Sanchez Tre Butler Zephaniah Wall Clemson Allen Ishod Finger Caleb Deveaux Floyd Louallen Jordan Deese Donovan Harris Christian Heinzelman Josh Collura Izaiah Thomas Zaccheus Rorie Bryant Ferguson-Springs Denzel Patton

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2

CATA Piedmont Monroe Monroe Sun Valley Weddington Parkwood Monroe CATA Sun Valley Marvin Ridge Forest Hills Piedmont Parkwood Cuthbertson Piedmont Monroe 12 Forest Hills Parkwood Weddington

Carries Yards TD 35 48 36 25 17 31 25 15 23 12 23 14 23 16 7 24 71 23 14 3

291 1 282 1 249 2 212 2 210 4 195 2 183 1 172 2 157 5 141 1 127 1 125 1 106 2 85 3 80 1 80 0 1 71 0 70 1 63 1

Games

Team

Rec

PJ Lotharp 2 Sun Valley 9 Emeka Emezie 2 Marvin Ridge 11 Alex Leshock 2 Marvin Ridge 13 Jeremiah Miller 2 Sun Valley 5 Justin Bloos 2 Marvin Ridge 5 Joe Bensch 2 Weddington 9 Desmen Robinson 2 Monroe 3 Jordan Blakeney 2 Forest Hills 8 Jadarious Mcmanus 2 Monroe 3 Luke Burnette 2 Sun Valley 4 J.T. Cauthen 1 Cuthbertson 3 Anthony Marple 2 Sun Valley 4

Yards TD 274 199 124 93 92 92 89 88 83 83 75 61

1 2 0 2 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 0

Defense Player

Games Team

The Huskies are always athletic, but they have struggled to get in sync with one another. That doesn’t bode well for them, as the Redhawks are a very opportunistic group looking to swoop down and snatch up their prey. Whether it’s blocking punts or blowing up plays, Monroe has shut down opponents. The Redhawks have are recorded 14 sacks, and forced four turnovers in two games.

Running backs Mckinley Nelson and Braxton Knotts and quarterback Zephaniah Wall give Monroe three racehorses, and Huss doesn’t appear qualified to slow down this triple crown.

The Knights recovered from a bitter season-opening loss

Receiving

Games

Huss at Monroe Saturday at 8 p.m.

Charlotte Christian vs. Weddington Saturday at 4 p.m.

Monroe High School.

Sports: week two stats Player

to Catholic with an impressive 24-3 at Palmetto State power, Myrtle Beach. Elijah Deveaux and Justus Woods were able to resurrect Charlotte Christian’s rushing attack, but must produce an even greater out put against a stingy Warrior defense led by Lance and Myles Moore.

Linebacker Ryan Gilmartin anchors a talented and gritty Charlotte defense that forced three turnovers at Myrtle Beach. The Knights will have to do much of the same against an experienced Weddington offense that is averaging 215 rushing yards per game. Charlotte Christian’s defense is strong, but it can’t be left on the field without little to no help from its offensive counterpart. The Warriors balanced approach will be tough for the Knights to overcome.

Games

Roy Artolozaga Tyrese Marsh DeAndre Staton Deyton Cook Miquille Bryant Thomas Mobley Keenon Vinson Trayquan Price TJ Brewer Tanner Tyson

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Dontaviaus Covington 2 Bennett James 2 Myles Moore 2 AJ Allen 2 Garrett Hinson 2 Darius Huntley 2 Jacob Mosley 2 Tyrell Stafford 2 Nigel Wingo 2 Izaiah Thomas 2 Stephen Walther 2 Kole Vonegidy 2

Team Sun Valley Forest Hills Monroe CATA Monroe Sun Valley Sun Valley Monroe Forest Hills Parkwood Monroe CATA Weddington Forest Hills Piedmont Sun Valley Piedmont Forest Hills Forest Hills Monroe Parkwood Piedmont

Tackles 24 23 19 18 18 18 18 17 16 16 16 15 15 14 14 14 13 12 12 12 12 12

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | Sept. 4, 2015 | Page 19

Sports

Area-wide coaching changes require adjustments, time

by Ben Doster ben@unioncountyweekly.com

Change is rarely easy, and there was plenty of it in the greater Charlotte area and Union County during the offseason, and even some in the preseason.

The coaching carousel was filled with seven changes, all of which are significant, but some have upset the establishment.

Justin Hardin left his post at Providence to fill the vacancy at Independence, while Drew Witman, who served as Myers Park defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, replaced his father, Bob Witman, as Charlotte Country Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head coach.

Piedmont hired Luke Hyatt from Anson, and Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) brought Anson offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Shane Griffin on board.

Hardinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably faced the greatest challenge, taking over a traditionally rich program in Independence, which is always surrounded by high expectations.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inherited a young team that returned only one starter on the offensive line. Hardin also had to break in a new quarterback, senior Christian McPhail, while installing a new system.

Combine those obstacles with establishing and cultivating relationships and trust with his new players and two losses (58-6 to Mallard Creek and 42-13 to Scotland County) makes for a rocky start for a coach and a program used to winning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to face adversity and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when you get to learn about your kids as players and as people and how they handle success or adversity,â&#x20AC;? Hardin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I say weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the point early in the process where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to get better week to week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still learning the kids, learning their personalities on and off the field. I love the kids. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good kids. We just got to get better, and have some success here soon.â&#x20AC;?

Hardin added the biggest challenge is that the scoreboard says something different from how they feel theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re competing. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s saying the Patriots are getting blown out, but he believes his team is getting

better. Independence will certainly be battle tested, which will help in the long run.

Independence linebacker Jerome Cochran said the switch from Evans to Hardin was difficult at first, but has gotten easier. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more organized,â&#x20AC;? Cochran said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a new normal for people to start changing and doing the right things. It is a positive change.â&#x20AC;?

Hardin is intense and expects much from his players, but Cochran said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to get along with and likes how he operates.

For Witman, the greatest adjustment as a first-year head coach is the added responsibility, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hitting it head on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an assistant, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about travel, travel schedule, our communication with other teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coaches, keeping the administration up to date, scheduling, all the little scheduling pieces that have to be in place, when the kids need to be here, stuff you always relied on the head coach to do, but now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my job,â&#x20AC;? Witman said.

Witman said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enjoyed being on the field with the kids more than anything, but logistics and preparation require quite a bit of time and attention.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing worse than having an unstructured practice, which falls on him. Witman said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working to become more efficient.

Bucsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quarterback Cole Bloomer said many of the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core principles and philosophies have remained in place. However, practices are more upbeat and have more energy, which Bloomer said is an improvement.

CATA hired Shane Griffin 17 days before its season opener, but that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hindered him or the Cougars, who are off to a 2-0 start.

Running back Jack Heda said the coaching change hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t kept him and his teammates from practicing or playing hard, while quarterback Clemson Allen added theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked hard and battled through adversity.

Griffin said learning the kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names has been one of the biggest challenges since he took the job. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hit the ground running when I took this job,â&#x20AC;? Griffin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I

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In an era where the spread offense is in vogue Hyatt has gone against the grain, instituting a double-wing scheme at Piedmont.

The change has paid off for the Panthers, surprised and confused their opponents, resulting with a 2-0 start. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s used to cutting the TV on seeing the spread offense, Oregon, line up five-wide, Texas A&M and Auburn,â&#x20AC;? Hyatt said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an adjustment for people. I think it fits our kids.â&#x20AC;?

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Page 20 | Sept. 4, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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