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Thursday, July 20, 2017
Pages 18 & 19 News from a neighbor! • Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Mt. Holly council recognizes outstanding citizens past and present By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Last Monday's regular monthly meeting of the Mt. Holly city council saw that body recognize a trio of outstanding citizens. The evening kicked off with a reception and honors presentation for MHPD Capt. Jim Benfield who is retiring after 31 years in law enforcement, 15 of which have been with Mt. Holly. Captain Benfield began his career in June of 1986 as a police officer with the Town of Stanley serving there and leaving with the rank of Sergeant after 16 years of service before transferring to the Mount Holly Police Department in July of 2002. Captain Benfield has held a number of positions with the Mount Holly Police Department with progressively increasing responsibility, including Patrolman, Corporal, Patrol Captain, Strategic Operations Captain, and Interim Police Chief. During his career, Captain Benfield has received a number of awards and certifications, including the Advanced Law Enforcement certificate, and graduation from the Law Enforcement Leadership and Management program.
“Captain Benfield is a well known officer with the department, and an active community member in Mount Holly,” said Chief Don Roper. “Our citizens have grown to rely on him throughout the years as a trusted liaison between the community and police department. While we will miss seeing him here each day, he is certainly deserving of a long and happy retirement.” Benfield addressed the council, his family, and friends during the presentations. “To work in Mt. Holly has been a blessing,” he said. “Being a police officer is a calling and the Mt. Holly Police Department is a family.” Mayor Bryan Hough made a remark about Benfield. “Jim is not just a police captain, he's a friend,” Hough said. “We will all miss him greatly.” Mt. Holly Historical Society president Mary Smith was at the council meeting and presented the first annual Historic Man of the Year Award to relatives of the late Ransom Hunter, a former slave who went on to become a very successful business and civic leader in Mt. Holly. Mt. Holly Police Chief Don Roper (left) congratulates Capt. Jim Benfield on his retirement. Photo by Alan Hodge See MT. HOLLY COUNCIL Page 2
Mt. Holly Historical Society opens research library By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Folks wanting to sit in a nice quiet, cool, room and peruse through local history archival books, documents, and newspapers have a haven in the new research library set up by the Mt. Holly Historical Society in its 131 S. Main St. museum. The library was officially opened on July 2 with a ceremony and walk-through that drew a nice sized crop of potential patrons. Known as the Edward J. Rhyne Research Library, the facility is in the former Mt. Holly City Hall annex. It's open during museum hours and by appointment. Funding came from a Community Foundation grant as well as a donation from Marifol Rhyne in memory of her late husband for whom the library is named. Materials available for viewing include bound volumes of the Mt. Holly News dating 1945-2004, census records, Mt. Holly city directories, Mt. Holly High School annuals, local family genealogies such as the Hoyle and Rhyne families, full sets of monthly publications by the Gaston Lincoln Genealogy See RESEARCH LIBRARY Page 4
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Downtown Belmont area gets dedicated patrol officer By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Ten-year-old Kira Smith was enjoying looking through old volumes of the Mt. Holly News at the new Mt. Holly Historical Society research library. Photo by Alan Hodge
Belmont policeman Benjamin Henderson is becoming a familiar figure on the streets and sidewalks of the central business area since he recently assumed the role of Downtown Community Coordinator Officer. A native of Winston-Salem, Henderson, 43, began his duties a couple of weeks ago and is already making friends and contacts among downtown business owners and other folks shopping and visiting that region of Belmont. Henderson bring a wealth of knowledge regarding public interaction to the job. In Winston-Salem he was a life guard and manager at the municipal pool. He moved to Gastonia in 2001 and went to work at the Sheriff's Dept. at the county jail and court. He also has experience working with at-risk youth and people facing physical and emotional challenges. He joined Belmont PD last March. Henderson explained his desire to work with Belmont PD. See PATROL OFFICER Page 4
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