INSIDE... Brewing in Belmont .. 3 Obituaries ..................5 School News ............ 8 SPHS Homecoming ..10 Oktoberfest ............ 12
New NC laws Several new laws took effect in North Carolina on October 1. One new law strengthens the definition of “unmanned aircraft,” sometimes known as drones. The law came about over concerns of privacy and surveillance related to drones. Under the new law, drones cannot be used for surveillance of persons or dwellings without consent of the person or owner of the dwelling. That ban applies to individuals, organizations and state government agencies alike. Drones are also banned from photographing anyone for the purposes of publishing or publicly disseminating the images without the subject’s permission, the new law says. However, it does not apply to news agencies gathering photos of newsworthy events “or places to which the general public is invited.” There are law enforcement exceptions as well. Police can use drones for anti-terrorism and plain-view surveillance or to search for a missing person, suspect or escapee or if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that a life or property is in danger. The new law says anyone who experiences illegitimate surveillance by drone has a case against the offending party and can recover, in lieu of actual damages, $5,000 for each photo and video taken. Evidence gathered in violation of the new law won’t be admissible in court, “except when obtained or collected under the objectively reasonable, good-faith belief that the actions were lawful.” Other laws or provisions going into effect Oct. 1. Senate Bill 729: It will be illegal to build new coal ash ponds or expand existing ponds. It will also be illegal to dispose of coal ash at facilities no longer producing the material. House Bill 476: General contractors may take note of this change in law regarding activities like excavations that may affect underground pipes and other infrastructure. The law serves to protect materials and humans alike. The rewrite clarifies processes and responsibilities before digging and increases enforcement against parties who fail to follow procedure. House Bill 1050: When the legislature in 2013 voted to lower corporate and personal income taxes in North Carolina, they planned to fill that revenue hole with a broadened sales tax base. Sections of this bill going into effect include sales taxation on service contracts – for professional home maintenance or car repairs, for example. It also repeals a sales tax exemption on newspapers sold in vending machines and adds biodiesel to the excise tax on motor fuel. House Bill 346: If a court orders a county commissioner or city council member to pay money owed to the local government for whatever reason, that local government can attach and garnish that commissioner or council member upon delinquency in order to collect the money, says this new law taking effect. House Bill 1025: Among the changes this new law makes are updates in ethics laws concerning members of local transportation planning organizations. They can be penalized for withholding relevant information from statements of economic interest, for example. Those are public documents on which state officials and board members are supposed to list their financial and personal interests. The new law lists penalties of $250 for failing to file a timely statement of economic interest or giving the state one that lacks important information. If the violations continue, the State Ethics
Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville
Volume 79 • Issue 41 • Wednesday, October 8, 2014
75¢
Gov. McCrory praises Belmont’s commitment to area veterans The Spirit of the Fighting Yank ceremony in downtown Belmont on Saturday was a smashing success. Seen beside the WWII memorial just after they did the unveiling was Korean War veteran Jim Reeves (left) and Pearl Harbor survivor Gene Reinhardt. Gov. Pat McCrory delivered the keynote address. See more photos from the rededication on page 6 of this weeks Banner News. Photos by Alan Hodge
By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The long awaited rededication of the Spirit of the Fighting Yank WWII memorial statue in Belmont took place Saturday morning. The historic event drew a large crowd and included speeches by dignitaries including NC Gov. Pat McCrory, music, flag waving, and a ton of patriotism. The path that saw the statue moved from the spot it had occupied on the campus of Belmont Middle (formerly Belmont High) school since 1946 to its new place in Stowe Park began over a year ago when Art Shoemaker and others such as Bob Brown and Ron Foulk began expressing concern over the fact that the statue had been vandalized twice. They formed a committee and set the
wheels in motion that eventually saw the zinc soldier plucked up and moved to a beautiful new pavilion right on S. Main in Stowe Park. “Saturday was a very historic day in our community’s history,” Shoemaker said. “Governor McCrory’s visit to our town highlighted a day of honoring our veterans and especially those who served in World War II. Going in I knew moving the “Fighting Yank” to a more visible and safer location would not meet the approval of all of our citizens. However, after its destruction several years ago it was time to take action. Thanks to much hard work and planning, and the generosity of many, the move is now complete. It is my hope that those originally in opposition will now understand that this was a See REDEDICATION, page 6
Goat Island temporarily closed
See NEW LAWS, page 2
Photo by Alan Hodge
Heavy equipment in the background on Goat Island Park in Cramerton is being used to construct the Phase II pedestrian bridge. Pile driving will begin soon for the 365-foot span across the South Fork River. See GOAT ISLAND, page 2
Governor Pat McCrory praised the efforts involved in the rededication of the Spirit of the Fighting Yank as well as the many veterans that attended Saturday’s event.
Belmont school celebrates 75 years Franklin D. Roosevelt was president when a new high school was built in Belmont in 1939 – a project funded through the New Deal’s Public Works Administration. In the 75 years since, several sections have been added to the original building that is now Belmont Middle, but the school still has its original hardwood floors and lockers used by students who went on to fight in World War II. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the school hosted a community event on Sun-
day, Oct. 5. The public was invited to tour the school and enjoy refreshments and music performed by eighth grade band students along with school alumni. The school’s cheerleaders and Boy Scouts from Troop 62 served as tour guides. A silent auction for sports memorabilia such as trophies and uniforms was held, old photos and yearbooks were on display, and commemorative t-shirts were sold. “Our school has a long See BELMONT SCHOOL, page 7