Today: Congressman breaks down tax reform • Page 4B
Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 • Vol. 10 • No. 45
ABOUT US P.O. BOX 1104 Matthews, NC 28106 (704) 849-2261
justin@cmgweekly.com matthewsminthillweekly.com
FALL ART CLASSES
Voters favor experience in election by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – Paul Bailey’s message of maintaining Matthews’ quality of life resonated with voters as he defeated the Rev. Larry Whitley to become mayor on Nov. 7. Bailey earned 2,464 votes, or 59.3 percent, in one of the most competitive mayoral races in recent years. That’s because Mayor Jim Taylor chose not to run for re-election, opening the door for two candidates with experience serving on the Matthews Board of Commissioners. Whitley, pastor of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, campaigned on the virtues of in-
tegrity and transparency. Having been elected as the first African-American commissioner elected in Matthews history just two years ago, he sought to represent all people. But he could not overcome Bailey, a school board member that served seven terms as a commissioner, dating back to 1993. Voters also valued the experience of commissioner candidates, re-electing incumbents John Higdon, Chris Melton, Jeff Miller and John Urban. Among the six challengers, planning board chairwoman Barbara Dement and former mayor Kress Query won seats. Norah Burke was the leading vote-getter among candidates with no political experience in
town. She trailed Urban for the sixth and final seat by 270 votes. Mint Hill voters re-elected commissioners Tina Ross, Richard Newton and Dale Dalton, as well as added retired bank executive Mike Cochrane to the board. Lloyd Austin, who lost a re-election bid in 2015, missed the fourth and final seat by 413 votes. Mayor Ted Biggers ran unopposed to capture another term. Sean Strain won Paul Bailey’s District 6 on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education by defeating Allen Smith. Strain, who campaigned for maintaining neighborhood schools, see ELECTION, Page 6A
Around the region Town to decide on Greater Life site
Deitemeyer inaugurated as CPCC president CHARLOTTE – Central Piedmont Community College inaugurated Kandi Deitemeyer as its fourth president Nov. 3 on the Central Campus. Featuring the pageantry of an academic procession down Elizabeth Avenue, it marked the first presidential inauguration at the college in 30 years (her predecessor, Tony Zeiss, chose to not have one in 1992). Deitemeyer took the oath of office and gave an address in which she spoke on the social and economic necessity of education. “Education is the answer that will bring us together in our differences and bridge the economic divide – both in Charlotte and in our country,” Deitemeyer said. “This is a community with global aspirations. We seek a larger presence on the global economic stage. We must connect these aspirations with efforts across the community to enhance the economic mobility of our citizens by preparing a globally competitive workforce,” she added. “So as we make the name of Charlotte more respected across the globe and see our prosperity multiply, we leave no one behind and lift everyone up.” The inauguration culminated a week of activities, which included events to support Project Life, Urban Ministries and Loaves and Fishes. CPCC broke ground Nov. 1 for a new 154,100-squarefoot building on Central Campus. It’ll open for classes in January 2020.
INDEX Dining scores...................................................4B News Briefs......................................................... 5A Classifieds..............................................................5B Calendar....................................................................4B Opinion.........................................................................4B Puzzles.........................................................................4B
The southern Mecklenburg area is loaded with basketball talent. Fans can expect big years out of (from left) Carmel Christian’s Christiana McLean, Butler’s Gerrale Gates, South Meck’s A’Leah Gilbert, Rocky River’s Andresia Alexander, Providence Day’s Trey Wertz, Ardrey Kell’s David Kasanganay, Providence Day’s Kennedy Boyd and Carmel Christian’s Sherise Jones. Andrew Stark/MMHW photo
INSIDE: 2017 BASKETBALL PREVIEW Sports Editor Andrew Stark breaks down the Southwestern 4A (page 2A), CISAA (page 5A) and other squads (page 4A). Check out the B section for the girls basketball outlook.
Teachers transform school’s dying arts programs by Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com
MINT HILL – Before Leslie Cossor was hired to teach theater at Northeast Middle School, eighthgrade students say drama class left much to be desired. “We were on the computer more than we were actually acting,” Richard Calderon said. And the instructor wasn’t very “enthusiastic” about putting them into plays, according to Lyani Umanzor, who said class consisted of mostly warm-up activities and hardly any real learning. Now, students in Cossor’s eighthgrade honors class are reading scripts, learning about stage setup and positioning and performing in more shows than any previous year. “The energy has changed and Ms. Cossor has persuaded other people, other teachers, to help us out and now we’re not at a lower level than everyone else because before, other departments went on trips and we didn’t re-
MINT HILL – Town leaders may decide Nov. 9 to allow Greater Life Church to build a new place of worship on nine acres at 3821 and 3901 Matthews-Mint Hill Road by summer 2018. The church plans to build a children’s facility and a worship center that seats 300 to 500 people, according to minutes from the Oct. 12 public hearing. One resident expressed concerns about traffic, parking and property values during the hearing. Andrew Byrd, pastor at Mint Hill Community Church, said the site could have between 160 and 180 parking spots, according to minutes. Byrd alluded to churches along Idlewild Road near Matthews-Mint Hill Road with residential neighbors. Town rules allow churches in residential areas through a conditional zoning process.
Hearing set for new subdivision
MINT HILL – Bob Wiggins, of Mattamy Homes, is applying to build a 247home subdivision on 125 acres near Jefferson Colony. The subdivision, dubbed Cadence Mint Hill, would be accessed by Bartlett Road. It would connect to Statesman and Liberty Hill drives. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9.
Contest for best gingerbread house
Theater teacher Leslie Cossor (center) watches students perform an improv exercise during her class. She and other teachers at Northeast Middle School have been trying to improve the arts programs. Karie Simmons/MMHW photo
ally do anything,” Umanzor said. “She treats us like we’re on Broadway, not like we’re students.” Cossor said she and the other arts teachers – Sara Bradshaw (visual arts) and Rudy Hawley (instrumental music) – inherited basically defunct departments when they came to work at Northeast Middle. The
music, art and theater programs didn’t do anything, there was high teacher turnover and students didn’t want to take the classes – Hawley had trouble getting students to willingly join the school’s chorus, and Cossor said a few students actually see ARTS, Page 6A
MATTHEWS – The community is welcome to submit their favorite gingerbread house creation to the Matthews Chamber of Commerce from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. Carolinas HealthCare System sponsors the contest, which features three categories: Amateur Child/Family, Amateur Adult or Professional. Judging takes place Dec. 2 before the annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. All will be judged on characteristics special to Matthews, found at www.mat thewschamber.com or by calling 704-847-3649.
Wrap up your Holiday Marketing needs with The Weeklies Low rates for print and digital through the Holiday season! Contact us at adsales@cmgweekly.com or 704-849-2261