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Thursday, December 17, 2015
South Point falls in tough overtime thriller By John Wilson john.bannernews@gmail.com
It just couldn't get anymore dramatic. The Red Raiders had earned a shot at a state title! Throughout 2015 South Point had battled through adversity and a tough playoff schedule to get their chance. In a game full of highs and lows the Red Raiders battled the Rocky Mount Gryphons in the North Carolina State Athletic Association 3A State Football Championship game in Chapel Hill last Friday. Red Raider Nation was excited. The players and coaches were not the only ones that made the trip to the game. The South Point Red Raider faithful mobilized a small legion of fans to make the 153 mile trek down I-85 to Kenan Stadium. Everyone in the Belmont area was proud of the Red Raiders and what they had accomplished.
The festive nature of the game was even chronicled in a Facebook video posted by Kathryn McKinney Lewis. In a humorist gum smacking road trip narrative Mrs. Lewis documented her family's trip to the game. The video got over 330 likes on her Facebook page. In the video Lewis alluded to the fact that the game would be tough. But like most fans she said she had faith in her Raiders. The tone of the game was set early. Lewis's comments on her video proved true when Rocky Mount took the opening kick off in for a touch down. Everyone present knew that this was going to be a battle. On their next possession South Point pushed the ball down the field and fullback Ryland Etherton scored. After the PAT the score was tied 7-7. The 2nd quarter went scoreless and at halftime the score was still 7-7.
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South Point Senior Captains hold the NCHSAA Runner-Up plaque.
Photo by Tommy Bain
Gadd takes seat on Belmont council Reid High alumni plan 2016 events
By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Doug Gadd won a seat on the Belmont city council in the recent municipal election and was sworn in last Monday. City clerk Debra Brown administered the oath as Mayor Charlie Martin looked on. Gadd has lived in Belmont for 18 years. He is married to Nancy and they have three children, Scott (28), Amanda (26) and Noah (16). He works for Carolinas HealthCare System as Assistant Vice President of Materials Resource Management. “I plan on working collaboratively with the mayor and council to ensure we have Belmont in the best position possible to handle our projected growth,” Gadd said. “This would include ensuring our Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning requirements are kept updated with a forward thinking view that allows for growth, but maintains the historic qualities of our town. This also includes maintaining a five year rolling budget. Today we have a five year capital plan, but I believe we would be better served by expanding that to include a review of projected revenue and cost streams. Our priorities should be focused on infrastructure, parks and recreation and business growth.” Gadd unseated incumbent Charlie
P LAY T H E
By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
everyone in the council chambers. “I want to thank you for these many years,” he said. “I enjoyed it and God bless you all.” Another swearing in was incumbent council member Martha Stowe who was the top vote getter in the November elction with 593 ballots cast in her favor. Fellow council member Ryan Schrift nominated Stowe for mayor pro-tem and the motion was unanimously approved
“Forever in our memory”. That phrase certainly applies to the situation regarding the former African-America school, Reid High, that once stood in Belmont. Reid School as it was first known, was started just after WWI in a small building on Sacco St. The first principal was Charles Jessie Reid. It was This historical marker on the school where local African- Sacco St is located where American children were edu- Reid High once stood. It was dedicated in September cated. Students that attended Reid 2013. Photo by Alan Hodge School came from as far away as South Gastonia. Some walked as far as five miles to attend classes. Others rode in an old vehicle that had been converted into a makeshift bus. Reid School grew and by the 1940s was expanded to include high school grades. The school sports nickname and mascot was the Rams, and students excelled on and off the athletic field. Graduates included artist Juan Logan, political activist Ron Leeper, Belmont civic leader Elsie Grier, and many more. When schools were integrated in 1966, Reid High was closed and its students sent to Belmont High. Not long after, Reid High was demolished.
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Belmont's new city council member, Doug Gadd, was sworn in last week by city clerk Debra Brown as mayor Charlie Martin looked on. Photo by Alan Hodge Flowers by garnering 572 votes. Flowers served on the council for 16 years and only missed one meeting the entire time. Prior to that he had served on the Belmont PD for over 30 years including a stint as chief. Martin presented Flowers with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the city as welll as another one containing the “Indian 10 Commandments” in honor of his Native American heritage. Before stepping down, Flowers made a brief but obviously heartfelt remark to
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