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Volume 114 • Issue 43
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
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For only the second time in its history, the CFD station house hosted an early voting polling spot as a large number of people came by last Friday, the second day of early voting in the county, to cast their votes for their favorite candidate. (photos by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
Second day for early voting in Cherryville a very busy day Numbers at CFD polling station support higher than normal election day turnout by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
It was only the second actual day of early voting in Gaston County, and thus, Cherryville, as the Cherryville Fire Department station house once again became the scene of large numbers of voters trying to
get their votes counted. What was different this year, according to Polling Station Chief Judge Wendi Beam was the higher than normal turnout as people showed up in literal droves to cast their votes and to make sure their voice was heard. Mrs. Beam, who has worked the Cherryville polls for a number of years, was one of the judges, along with another longtime polling station and Cherryville precinct Chief Judge, Becky
Wood. The two worked the shifts for that Friday, and the weekend. Beam said between the two of them, she estimated they had a total of 12 to 15 years working the polls. So far, she said the CFD early voting polls had, to date; 650 voters since 7:30 a.m., Friday. Like many of the county’s early voting stations, Cherryville’s was open the weekend. It started, said Mrs. Beam, on Thursday, See VOTING, Page 2
Early voting poll workers at the CFD polling station answering a couple of questions last Friday, Oct. 16
Cherryville Bond Projects to bring large economic impact by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
In a recent media release, Cherryville City Manager Jeff Cash said the City “…will have a substantial economic impact if the bond referendum projects are implemented.” This information, he noted, is according to a report by the Centralina Economic Development District. Said Cash in the release, “For the first three cumulative years after the bond projects are initiated, it is projected that 126 new jobs will be created and $18 million of direct sales, service and payroll will be created. “In addition, $7.2 million dollars of economic impact will be generated from indirect and induced new funds coming into the community. This direct, indirect, and induced economic impact will total $ 25.2 million dollars over
three years. “After the three initial years, there is estimated potential for a net increase of $180,000 in annual tax revenue according to the report.” Mayor H.L. Beam, III, said, “Our downtown projects are just like a new industry coming to Cherryville. We will benefit economically from the bond projects.” Mr. Cash noted the economic impact analysis was prepared by Centralina Economic Development District, which is made up of nine counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanley, and Union. He further noted that as a unit of the Centralina Regional Council, the Centralina Economic District “…was established in 2004 with the mission to increase the prosperity and job creation of greater Charlotte by supporting the local jurisdictions and institutions in our region that serve the needs of businesses, workers, and communities.” Said Mayor Beam, “All of Cherryville will benefit from these projects. That is where it starts but it ex-
pands out from there. We will see lots of positive things besides just in the downtown area alone.” In addition to the economic impact, the bonds projects will improve critical infrastructure, according to City Manager Cash. “The infrastructure is old. Some of these pipes are over 100 years old. We spend a lot of money on maintenance. We have reports of muddy water all over town and it starts with the old pipes downtown. We will get the core of the pipes straightened out and then we will branch out,” he said. The bond referendum is on the ballot for Nov. 3, for Cherryville voters to consider the three referendum items: water main projects for $3.6 million; sewer projects for $1.8 million; and downtown beautification for $3.6 million. For questions on the bond referendum, call Mr. Cash at (704) 435-1711, or visit the City of Cherryville’s web site at www. cityofcherryville.com.
Standing under the mural for the “CHS Kindness Club” are its creator, Junior, Landrie Wofford (second from left) and Club co-founder, Senior Ben Hayes (third from left). With them are two Cherryville Walmart representatives, Assistant Manager Elizabeth King (far left), and Customer Service representative, Haley Clayton (far right). (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
New Kindness Club program created to impact local schools; community Club’s message is “Spread kindness, not germs!” by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Two CHS students are out to prove the old saying that “a little kindness” goes
a long way”, by forming a club that does just that. Senior Ben Hayes and Junior Landrie Wofford said recently the “Kindness Club” is a program that “… encourages students and our community to be kind to everyone through random acts of kindness.” Hayes, a son of Jeff and Alison Hayes, and Junior,
Landrie Wofford, a daughter of Jason and Danielle Wofford all of Cherryville, noted they started working on the project this past spring. “We started working to raise funds and plan the idea for this needed program,” said Ben, adding, “(CHS) Principal Mr. See KINDNESS, Page 6