The Mint Hill Times

Mint Hill Fire Chief resigns

Amanda Waters — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:11:45 +0000

The time allotted for public comments during the Board of Commissioners meeting at the Town Hall last Thursday was centered around the resignation of Fire Chief Jeremy Russell. Russell resigned from his position in the town as the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Operations Director in April and as the fire chief on the day of the board meeting.
Volunteer fire department chairman Jerry Mullis asked the commissioners to consider hiring four new personnel rather than the original three the department asked for. He said it is a requirement to have four people each shift, but that day they had only three. The Mint Hill Volunteer Fire Department often receives double calls, but the staff limitations force more of a reliance on other organizations.
He also asked that the town release e-mails from the past chief. Mullis explained that when Russell resigned from the town his e-mail was terminated. He is concerned there may be issues that require the organization’s action within the e-mails, but they cannot be sure what those issues are.
Mullis said Russell resigned from the fire department so as to not bring that organization into the issues he was having with the town.
“He wanted us not to be involved with that,” said Mullis.
Russell’s mother, Virginia, also spoke during the public comments. She asked the board to “pay my son for the vacation time he earned from the past 18 years.”
Russell was unavailable for comment.

Second graders to honor American heroes

Amanda Waters — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:09:54 +0000

Bain Elementary School will hold its annual patriotic performance May 25 at 9 am in the school’s parking lot. Second graders, directed by music teacher Noreen Hofmann and dressed in red, white and blue, will sing eight songs to express gratitude toward the United States and those who serve it.
The patriotic program ties in to the second grade reading curriculum, which focuses on America. Every grade has a musical performance each year, but according to Hoffman the second grade show is especially moving.
Butler’s JROTC color guard will present the flag, and the second grade student body will lead everyone in the National Anthem. Other songs will include “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “This Land is Your Land.”
A memory board of the names of servicemen and women who could not be present or who have passed will also be presented and honored. Bain staff and the second grade were invited to add names to the board.
Parents and honored guests have been invited to attend. Hoffman said sometimes grandparents who served have come dressed in full uniform. Honored guests are called to stand while the children sing “You are Our Heroes” to them.
“The words are just beautiful and very touching,” said Hofmann. After the children sing to them, the veterans and service members are presented with small flags. “It’s very moving.”
Honored guests range in age from newly enlisted to World War II veterans.
“You tell the children what the flag represents and that day they really see it—that people are willing to lay their lives down for it. We can’t say thank you enough,” said Hofmann.
Community members are encouraged to attend and advised to bring a lawn chair.

June Tunes scheduled for Town Hall lawn

Elizabeth — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:08:20 +0000

June Tunes will be every Saturday in June this summer on the Mint Hill Town Hall lawn. Concerts will begin at 7:30 pm, and visitors should bring chairs and blankets for comfortable seating.
Concerts are as follows: June 2, Sterling Bridge, a Mint Hill-based band that blends the sounds of bagpipes with rock and roll; June 9, Horsefly, a new Mint Hill band with a blues and classic rock sound; Charlotte Flute Choir, a group of professional and high-level amateur flutists that’s been around since 1964; Queen Charlotte Chorus, chartered in 1965; Lindsay Nicole and Highway 74, a Mint Hill native singer/songwriter; and July 3, Queen City Brass Band, a crowd favorite returns for a patriotic performance.

Independence Senior Meredith Avant wins Broad Prize

Amanda Waters — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:06:57 +0000

Independence senior Meredith Avant (right) was awarded Broad Prize at a CMS Block Party.

Independence High School Senior Meredith Avant was one of 28 CMS seniors who have been named 2012 Broad Prize Scholarship winners.
The students received the news they won a $20,000 scholarship from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation during a surprise announcement at a block party held for CMS employees.
In 2011, CMS won the Broad Prize for Urban Education, the largest such award in the country. The district was recognized for overall academic improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among minority students.
Broad Prize scholars receive two- or four-year scholarships depending on the type of college they choose. Scholarship recipients who enroll in four-year institutions receive $20,000 paid out over four years ($5,000 per year). Students who enroll in two-year institutions receive $5,000 scholarships paid out over two years ($2,500 per year). The scholarship selection and disbursement process is managed by Scholarship America.
Butler High School’s Jess West and Rocky River’s Katherine Roberts also won the scholarship.

Drug involved shooting

Amanda Waters — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:02:52 +0000

Monday night, Everett Jakeen Chavis, 22, of Charlotte, was shot at a gas station at Idlewild Road and Margaret Wallace Road. Chavis said he attempted to buy marijuana from an individual whom he only knew by nickname. The dealer decided to shoot and rob Chavis instead. The bullet went through his forearm into his ribs. He was rushed to the hospital where he had surgery. Police did not find any drugs on Chavis, and he will not likely be charged with anything. Police continue to look for the shooter.

Primary results

Amanda Waters — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:01:02 +0000

Over two million voters turned out for North Carolina’s primary last week, 178,533 of which were in Mecklenburg County. Mint Hill residents had the opportunity to vote for the Democratic or Republican presidential and gubernatorial candidates, commissioners for District six, the North Carolina State Senator for District 41, and the North Carolina constitutional marriage amendment.
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney won their parties’ nominations. Romney received 65 percent, Ron Paul had 11 percent, and Santorum had 10.
Walter Dalton and Pat McCrory won their parties’ nominations for governor, with 45 percent and 83 percent, respectively.
Republican Bill James won against Ed Driggs for District 6 County Commissioner candidate.
“The people of District six deserve someone who will stand up for them against attempts to consolidate them with the city, put low-income housing in their midst and try and bus their kids across Charlotte,” said James.
Republican Jeff Tarte won as the NC Senator candidate for District 41. Three issues he intends to focus on are tax reform, transportation, and education. He wants to clean up the county tax revaluation process, see I-485 completed and widened based on population and congestion, and he is a “huge supporter” of Senator Berger’s education reform. He said he will spend as much time in Mint Hill and Matthews as he does in the other towns in the district, and he wants to spend more time in the district than in Raleigh.
Mecklenburg County was in the minority as it was one of the few states who voted against Amendment One with 54 percent against. North Carolina voted for the amendment with 61 percent of the vote. The amendment states “marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in the state.”

Big week for Queens Grant Ball teams

Amanda Waters — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:56:42 +0000

The Queens Grant middle school girls’ softball team won their conference tournament last week, and the high school boys’ baseball team won second. The teams are in the Piedmont Charter Athletic Conference. Both teams played Lincoln Charter in their championship games at the Mint Hill Athletic Association fields.

The middle school team was 12-0 in the regular season and ranked number one in the conference going into the tournament that took place last Tuesday. They beat Sugar Creek 15-0 before moving to the final game against Lincoln Charter. That game was a blowout, too, with the final score 9-0. Lincoln Charter won the title for the last three years.
The team was comprised of five sixth graders, four seventh graders, and three eighth graders.
It was Phil Renn’s first year coaching the middle school girls at Queens Grant. He had coaching experience at the Mint Hill Athletic Association and acts as a liaison between the school and the association. He said they will be losing a catcher and shortstop, but the next crop of sixth graders looks pretty good.

The Queens Grant Stallions played Lincoln Charter for the conference championship game last Friday in Mint Hill. They came in second, losing 6-3.
The baseball program started at Queens Grant three years ago. The seniors on the team joined as sophomores and have played since. The loss was an emotional one for the team.
“I’m proud of those guys,” said head coach Dan Kerr. “We’re going to miss them.”
Some of the seniors will play baseball in college at Limestone College, Surry Community College, and Belmont Abbey College.
Kerr said the team was very strong up until spring break. After a spring break tournament the team experienced some injuries that suck with them for the rest of the season.
“I’m proud of the guys. I can’t ask for anything better than this,” said Kerr.

Last year corn, this year geese

Amanda Waters — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:51:57 +0000

A goose is nestling in the flowerbeds
around the Mint Hill Town Hall Christmas
tree. She and her mate are closely guarding
their nest of eggs, which should be hatching
any day now, according to Town Clerk
Beth Hamrick. She said the geese have been
there for at least three weeks. Last year
someone mysteriously planted corn around
the tree. “Last year corn, this year geese,”
joked Hamrick. The little goslings will be a
cute addition to the Town Hall landscape.

Opening day at Mint Hill Farmers market

Amanda Waters — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:49:48 +0000

Joe and Wanda Stegall own Olive Branch Fresh Produce. It is their second year selling home-grown produce at the Mint Hill Farmers Market

Vendors provided a variety of products at the farmers market at the Carl J. McEwen Historic Village last Saturday. Fresh produce, baked goods, and wood working are just a few things available at the market.

Mint Hill Highland Games

Amanda Waters — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:37:02 +0000

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The Mint Hill Highland Games had fun for everyone Saturday, May 5 at the Park on Fairview. Men threw heavy weights, Maidens IV performed for crowds, and children participated in Scottish athletics. The Mint Hill Scottish Society presented teh MacKenzie Clan with the Best Clan Tent award.