Gaston County approves tax hike despite budget clash
County commissioners faced a 20.2 million shortfall in 2001 and kept digging into savings. They rejected staff drafts, cobbled together favored programs, and raised the property tax rate by 9.33 cents, with four yes votes and three no votes from specific commissioners.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gaston County
Charlotte
Mickey Price
Pearl Floyd
Tom Keigher
Joe Carpenter
Floyd Wright
Donnie Loftis
Heath Jenkins
Laura Fiorilli
Gaston County Schools Wins 89 Million Bond Referendum
In a 2001 vote amid tough economics about 15 percent of Gaston County's registered voters backed an 89 million bond referendum. Superintendent Ed Sadler called it a mandate as the system of 30,648 students and 4,068 employees plans to spend the first bond tranche.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gaston County
Tendent Ed Sadler
Sept 11 effects on Gaston County residents diverse and lasting
After the Sept 11 attacks residents in Gaston County watched in horror on TV then felt unity across faiths. Multi faith events, patriotism, and church attendance rose while generosity grew through local charities and VFW groups. Children sold lemonade to support relief efforts, raising questions about lasting impact.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Washington
Gaston County
VFW
Jason Foster
County Officials Oust Longtime Manager Heinely in 2001
In 2001, Heath Jenkins and Donnie Loftis spearheaded the exit of County Manager Phil Hinely, prompting a rally from supporters. Several senior officials followed, including Tom McCarthy who left for Fayetteville as police chief, while Bruce Parsons and Laura Fiorilli faced departures or leadership changes as commissioners begin vetting new candidates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gaston County
Washington, D.C
Heath Jenkins
Donnie Loftis
Phil Hinely
Hinely
Tom McCarthy
McCarthy
Fayetteville
Phil Ponder
Ponder
Gastonia
Bruce Parsons
County Health Department
Health Board
Laura Fiorilli
Floyd Becomes First Black Commissioner in Memory in 2001
Pearl Burris Floyd, a cancer detection lab researcher from Hickory, was appointed to the Dallas Township Board of Commissioners after Gene Kimbro's April resignation due to prostate cancer. Her nomination drew political attention though voting patterns remained largely unchanged. she plans to run in 2002 to defend her seat amid no announced challengers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gaston County Board of Commissioners
Dallas
Gene Kimbro
Floyd
Hickory
Tame Yrus
Joe Carpenter
Tom Keigher
Fatal police shooting in Gastonia after traffic stop
Gastonia Police Department's first fatal shooting this year occurred around 3:50 a.m. on December 5 when Mark Donovan Moore, 30, fled a traffic stop, ran toward officers Brittain and Conard while holding a gun, prompting them to fire. Investigation ongoing. District Attorney will decide if justified.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gastonia
Travis Brittain
Trent Conard
Mark Donovan Moore
Moore
Brittain
Rodney Parham
Debate over Gaston County police merger ends by AG ruling
County commissioners debated consolidating the County Police with the Sheriff's Department amid budget talks. The state attorney general ruled the County Police, created by state law, cannot be dissolved without General Assembly action. A Nov 2 fire destroyed Ranlo Baptist Church, but worship space was saved and rebuilding planned. The congregation now meets at Ranlo Church of God gymnasium.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gaston County
County Commission
General Assembly
Ranlo Baptist Church
Ed Piercy
Jesus
Piercy
Ranlo
Guards Patrol Charlotte Airport Concourse After 9/11
Travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport encountered National Guard troops patrolling the concourses after Gov. Easley ordered deployment following the September 11 attacks. Soldiers stood near metal detectors armed with automatic weapons.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlotte-Douglas International
Europe
Mike Easley
National Guard
Mike Hensdill
the Gazette
North Carolina National Guard
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
City weighs action on Main Avenue property in Gaston County
City officials plan to acquire the Main Avenue site between the Bargain Box and Tillman’s Music to remove a hurdle to investment. If no sale price is agreed, the city will pursue court action. The process could take a year. The land is owned by Harrill Jones, who offered to donate it to the Gaston Chamber of Commerce but now will cooperate with the city. The 2000 census shows Gaston County growing 8.7 percent from 1990 to 2000, totaling 190,365 residents, making it the region’s second-largest county after Mecklenburg. Growth lagged Union and Mecklenburg counties, but officials say slower expansion aids service delivery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nessman Harrill Jones
Gaston Chamber of Commerce
Gaston County
Mecklenburg
Union
Duke Trial Records Stolen From Gaston Courthouse
Jeffrey Neal Duke, convicted killer, faced a retrial after official trial records vanished from the Gaston County Courthouse on March 22, marking an unprecedented theft in state history. No charges were filed, and the North Carolina Supreme Court ordered a new trial due to the missing transcript for the appeal. Duke, pictured in court, awaits retrial next year for the deaths of Harold Grant and Ralph Arthurs and faces a separate murder charge in Larry Bell's death. He denied being a serial killer during police questioning and said he expected the death penalty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gaston County
N.C. Supreme Court
Jeffrey Neal Duke
Duke
Harold Grant
Ralph Arthurs
Larry Bell
Nancy Moore
North Carolina death row inmate Williams faces new law
Larry Darnell Williams, a long-time death row inmate from Gastonia, dodged a 2001 execution. A 2001 IQ controversy and a new North Carolina law barring execution for those with IQ under 70 changes his fate. A 202? stay is in effect and a court hearing next year will determine his status.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Larry Darnell Williams
N.C. Department of Correction
Williams
Superior Court
Tim Patti
N.C. General Assembly
Civic center tourism tax plan advances despite decades
City officials introduced a tourism tax to fund a civic center, signaling progress after a long, decades spanning quest. The plan pivots on leveraging visitor-related revenue to support public development and concurrent funding efforts.
North Carolina counties win occupancy tax hike plan
In October the General Assembly allowed a 3 percent occupancy tax increase in 12 localities including Gastonia Lincolnton and Kings Mountain. Gastonia council approved the measure in December to fund a new center for gatherings and events with up to 1000 attendees. Potential sites include York Chester Shopping Center and the Sears building near Loray Mill. Lincolnton and Kings Mountain have no firm projects yet and must use funds for tourism related efforts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
General Assembly
North Carolina
Gastonia
Kings Moun
Loray/Firestone Mill
Lincolnton
Kings Mountain
Elizabeth Hess
Teen drinking case draws national attention in Ruthenford trial
Two men faced trial in Ruthenford County over alleged drunken drinks given to Cherryville High School student Michelle Mull who died from injuries after a January wreck. Court TV provided coverage with Vinnie Politan noting public relevance and broader drunk driving law implications. Prosecutors targeted Marsh and Pruett. jurors acquitted them while Ross pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and DUI, receiving four years probation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cherryville
Smirnoff
Ruthenford
Court TV
Vinnie Politan
Politan
Michelle Mull
Amanda Sue Ross
Andrew Marsh
Mooresboro
Jason Pruett
Ellenboro
Shelby
Marsh
Ross
Pruett
Also Mentioned on This Page
Calvin Carter
Pearl Burris Floyd
Wear
Hl. Green
Dana Haydock
Ranl Baptist Church
Jeffrey Duke
Ett
Larry D. Williams
Gastonian Eric James
Central Prison
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