January 7, 2015

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HPD pays respects in NYC — Page 6

Volume 6, No. 31

Gibbs emerging — Page 32

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January 7, 2015 Lake Norman Citizen www.lakenormancitizen.com

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Member North Carolina Press Association

Inside

Citizens Arrest Crossword Idea Exchange Normanopolis PULSE on Lake Norman Business Schools Sports Talk of the Towns

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Where Is This? 307 Gilead Road P.O. Box 3534 Huntersville, NC 28070 Phone: 704-948-3348 Fax: 704-948-3349

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Davidson answers Town’s answer to lawsuit signals vigorous defense.

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Tillis takes seat North Carolina’s newest U.S. senator sworn in.

JOHN DEEM

The photo above was taken somewhere in the Lake Norman area. Do you know where? Let us know by e-mailing the Citizen at whereisthis@ lakenormancitizen.com. Make sure to include your name.

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One more time Exit 28 overpass to be shut down from 12 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday.

The Lake Norman Citizen is published weekly by Citizen Media Inc. The Citizen is delivered to residents and businesses in Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville by Citizen Distribution Inc., and is available in racks throughout the Lake Norman area. Copyright 2014 Lake Norman Citizen

Last week, Bob Fryer, Dan Boone, Charles Guignard, Andy White, John Bosak, Murray Love, Kevin White, Rodney Hager, Angela Stroud, Jim Wilson and John D’Amato identified the photo at right as the Hendrick Auto Mall at Northlake near the interchange of I-485 and N.C. 115.

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Publisher Kim Clark [email protected] Editor Andrew Warfield [email protected] Sports Editor Justin Parker [email protected] Assistant Editor Lori Helms [email protected] Senior Editor John Deem [email protected] Associate Editor Lee Sullivan [email protected] Graphics/Operations Director Nelson Bynum [email protected] Bookkeeper Kathy Bauer [email protected] Advertising Consultants Marlah Ebert, Fran Hook, Cathy Leitch [email protected] Sales Consultant Beccy Hager [email protected] Marketing Director Steve Podielsky Contributing Staff Harold Bales, Tim Cowie, Denny Seitz, Jacob Young, January Young Circulation Manager Steve Podielsky Mascot Lexi

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January 7, 2015

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News

January 7, 2015

Lake Norman Citizen

Vaccination still best shot at flu prevention Vaccine still effective despite issues, local doctors say. By John Deem [email protected] Local health care officials have a message for folks suggesting that we skip getting flu shots this season because of the vaccine’s widely reported ineffectiveness against the H3N2 strain of the virus, which makes up the bulk of current cases: The negative news about the vaccines, along with reports that current flu levels are the worst in five years, have led to a common assumption that a flu shot would be useless this year. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” says Dr. Thomas Batchelor of North Charlotte Medical Specialists in Huntersville. “(The

vaccine) still offers protection and works very well for other strains.” Companies that manufacture flu vaccine establish the formula a year in advance based largely on strains that are prevalent at the time, Batchelor explains. This time around, the H3N2 strain didn’t cooperate. H3N2 mutated between last year and the start of this flu season, so this season’s H3N2 strain is different than what the vaccine had been created to treat. “This year’s flu vaccines unfortunately don’t represent the mutated virus,” Batchelor says. And there’s no way to adjust on the fly. “Nothing can be done (to alter the vaccine) at this point,” Batchelor says. “The horse is out of the barn.” But that doesn’t mean putting this year’s batch of vaccine out to

pasture, he adds. It still offers some protection against H3N2, and is effective against other strains. North Carolina, like much of the nation, is aching, sniffling and suffering through other less mentionable symptoms in the grips of the worst flu season in five years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that flu levels have reached “widespread” levels in 43 states, including North Carolina, up from 36 states a week ago. Novant Health and Carolinas HealthCare System began restricting visitor access at their hospitals Friday, and restrictions began Monday at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. The flu season guidelines include limiting access of visitors younger than 18. “Those kinds of restrictions actually are common during most flu seasons,” Batchelor says.

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The health care systems are asking people of all ages who are experiencing signs of the flu to avoid visiting patients until they are free of symptoms. Common flu symptoms include fever, head and body aches, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. In the midst of a severe flu season, how can you avoid contracting the virus? “Get a flu shot, number one,” Batchelor says. “That is by far the best way to prevent the flu. I can’t stress that enough.” Batchelor offers another simple tip. “Stay away from people who have the flu,” he says. Batchelor recommends frequent hand washing with soap or use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, all of which can be en-

try points for the flu virus. He adds that children, people 65 and older, and those already carrying a virus are most susceptible. Those suffering from flu symptoms should stay home to prevent spreading the virus, Batchelor says. He adds that flu sufferers should rest, drink fluids and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce minor pain or fever. If symptoms require a visit to a health care provider, local hospital officials are advising patients to seek care at their physician’s office or an urgent care center instead of an emergency department to avoid potentially long wait times. Batchelor also notes that the spike in flu cases has caused a nationwide shortage of Tamiflu, a fluprevention nasal spray. “We’ve been asked to be mindful about who we prescribe (Tamiflu) to,” he says.

Striving to make the Lake Norman Community even better through involvement and support of the following local events and community organizations: • Live Awesome Flag Football Event - benefiting Cancer Research • Healing Dragons Breast Cancer Survivor Team • Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research • Safe Alliance (formerly United Family Services) • Lake Norman Wine and Food Festival • Huntersville Connection • Lake Norman Scouting Organizations • LKN Chamber Members Ribbon Cutting Sponsor • Huntersville Parks & Recreation Events Calendar

• Cornelius Parks & Recreation Events Calendar • Davidson Parks & Recreation Events Calendar • Hough High School Athletic Booster Sponsor • Huntersville Downtown Christmas Sponsor • LKN PULSE - Focus on area businesses • LKN Chamber Business Expo Bronze Sponsor • LKN Chamber Gala - Gold Sponsor • HFFA - Firecracker 5K Sponsor • HFFA - Fall Harvest Sponsor • HFFA - Biggest Loser Sponsor

• Park Avenue Properties Haunted House benefiting local charities • Barium Springs Home for Children • Angels & Sparrows • The Bin • Manpower to Horsepower • Friends of the Animals • Purple Heart Homes • Cookies For A Cause • Jogging for Jenn & Julian • Welcome Committee • Ada Jenkins Center • American Cancer Society Relay for Life

The only local newspaper with a veteran editorial staff that has lived and worked in the Lake Norman area for a combined 70 years. Great local news plus great local readership equals great return on your advertising investment.

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January 7, 2015

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January 7, 2015

NEWS

Lake Norman Citizen

HPD ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with NYPD brethren Local officers join sea of blue in Brooklyn to honor slain comrades. By Lori Helms [email protected] For the second weekend in a row, a veritable sea of dark blue flooded the streets of a Brooklyn neighborhood on Jan. 3 and 4, as police officers and other law enforcement officials from around the country paid their respects to Det. Wenjian Liu, the second of two fallen New York Police Department officers who died in the line of duty last month. And standing among the proud but somber white-gloved crowd were Huntersville Police Department sergeants Brian Vaughan and Jason Cousar. “It was an overwhelming experience,” Vaughan said Sunday night following the funeral service. “There were probably about 20,000 officers there.” An overwhelming experience to cap several days of mourning and shock.

On Saturday, Dec. 20, Liu and Officer Rafael Ramos were gunned down execution-style while sitting in their patrol car by Ismaaiyl Brinsley — a man who earlier on social media had bragged about police officer revenge killings by saying he would put “wings on pigs.” He carried out that threat in a broad daylight ambush on a Saturday afternoon just before Christmas, and later that day died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound when cornered on a New York City subway station platform. Beyond the two murdered officers (who were posthumously promoted to Detective), the toll of Brinsley’s cowardly act was extensive. Ramos left behind a wife and two young sons, as well as a church community he was studying to support as a community crisis chaplain. Liu, whose services were delayed so his extended family would have time to travel from China to attend his funeral, had only been married two months. And thousands of men and women in blue whom the two murdered officers never even met — includ-

ing Vaughan and Cousar — grieved side-by-side with strangers for the loss of a colleague. Vaughan said it was a generous offer from JetBlue Airways that made the trip for Cousar and him possible. The airline donated tickets to law enforcement officials traveling to New York for the services, and Vaughan said that provided the perfect chance to extend a show of solidarity for police officers struggling with the recent anti-police climate. Following two grand jury decisions late in 2014 to not indict white police officers accused of killing unarmed black men in Missouri and New York, protests of all sizes have popped up across the country, some peaceful and some, like the violence-ridden and incendiary protests in Ferguson, Mo., not. Some protesters in New York City went so far as to call for death to cops. While he said sentiments by Lake Norman area residents toward local police have nowhere near reached the level of hostility as they have in higher crime areas, Vaughan said it

COURTESY SGT. BRIAN VAUGHAN

Huntersville Police Department sergeants Brian Vaughan (left) and Jason Cousar joined thousands of law enforcement personnel from across the country who traveled to New York to mourn a slain NYPD officer.

was still important that Americans see and hear a different message from those who choose to serve and protect. “It was an opportunity for police

to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other officers in a show of support,” he said. Vaughan and Cousar returned to Huntersville on Monday.

NEWS

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January 7, 2015

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Groups want histo‘ri’ back in Alexanderana Town board agrees to support name change. By Lee Sullivan [email protected] It’s just two little letters, but — like the “We” at the start of the preamble to the Constitution of the United States — they have a signifiant impact. And for a loud and determined group of local residents, linked in this mission by the Olde Huntersville Historic Society (OHHS) and the Alexandriana chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the “ri” that erroneously devolved into “er” in Alexanderana Road is worth restoring. At Monday’s Huntersville Town Board meeting, several residents spoke up to encourage town commissioners to follow through with a request to ask the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners to rename Alexanderana Road,

Huntersville Government which skirts along the southern edge of Huntersville between Mt. Holly-Huntersville and Old Statesville roads, to the historically correct Alexandriana. According to information shared at Monday’s meeting and included in a letter to Jim Puckett, a Huntersville resident and north Mecklenburg’s new representative on the county board, the name Alexandriana has local roots dating back before the Revolutionary War. It was the name of the homestead created in 1760s by John McKnitt Alexander, near what is now Old Statesville Road, and later adopted as a common monicker that, at various times, was used on other community buildings, including a U.S. Post Office for most of the 1800s and a school that served the area until 1919. The current discombobulated

version of the name apparently occurred several decades ago as the result of a mistake during the mapping and street-sign work on rural roads affiliated with the implementation of a county-wide 911 emergency response system. At Monday’s meeting, JoAnne Miller, speaking as a long-time resident and a member of the OHHS, told commissioners the name “Alexanderana” has no known links to the community. “It’s not a name we have anywhere around here,” she said. And while “it’s only two little letters in the whole name,” she urged people to push hard for the historically accurate correction. Miriam Smith and DeeAnn Barnette, as community and DAR representatives, also supported the change to honor John Alexander and his descendants, and to preserve a direct connection to Huntersville’s history and heritage. Huntersville commissioners unanimously (commissioners Ron Julian and Melinda Bales were absent) endorsed the motion to support the change. County commis-

sioners could act on the issue later this month by scheduling a February public hearing on the matter followed by a vote. Also Monday, the Huntersville board unanimously approved a rezoning request that clears the way for a proposed apartment complex in a portion of the Bryton development on the east side of Old Statesville Road. The change, requested by LStar Management LLC, rezones a one-acre tract 1,200 feet north of Hambright Road from Highway Commercial Condition District to the more flexible Transit Oriented Development-Residential Conditional District. LStar is partnering with LIV Development on plans for a 298-unit facility. Hunterville’s board also approved a zoning ordinance amendment to allow prominent front porches (porches at lease six feet wide covering at least 55 percent of a house’s frontage) to be considered as the front line of the house, creating new options for garages while maintaining setbacks from public sidewalks and roads.

Lake Norman 5K-9 could really have legs

An outing perfectly groomed for the fitness focused and pet friendly culture that defines a good portion of the Lake Norman region will debut in March in Huntersville. The Lake Norman 5K-9, a run/ walk/wag compilation of events for dogs and their human companions, is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at North Mecklenburg Park, 16131 Old Statesville Road. With a primary sponsorship from UberDog Training, the event will feature a 5K trail run/walk and a 500-yard sprint with competition categories for various sized dogs as well as awards for pet-less participants. The starting time — still subject to change — is currently set for 1 p.m. The unique addition to the community’s calendar of runs, walks and fitness challenges was finalized this week when the Huntersville Town Board unanimously approved adding the LKN 5K-9 (no SEE HUNTERSVILLE, PAGE 8

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January 7, 2015

HUNTERSVILLE FROM PAGE 7 doubt a soon-to-be-seen license plate) as a 2015 budgeted item for Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center (HFFA). Dee Jetton, HFFA’s executive director, told the board UberDog Training had already signed on as the $5,000 “Top Dog” sponsor and estimated total expenses for the inaugural event at $7,500. She added that anticipated revenue, from additional sponsorships and race entry fees, should provide a positive financial result for the first 5K-9. Jetton also suggested that in a dog-happy region like this, and based on the success of similar canine-centric competitions in other cities, she expects the event, supervised by HFFA and the

NEWS Huntersville Parks & Recreation Department (HPRD), to become a popular tradition. “It’s why we decided to call it the ‘Lake Norman 5K-9,’” Jetton said, temporarily stunning commissioners and her with the unintended pun that followed. “We think, around here, this could really have some legs.” Jetton said UberDog representatives initiated the conversation about creating the event and plan to conduct several seminars on various aspects of dog ownership, training and handling techniques in conjunction with the 5K-9. Additional details about the Lake Norman 5K-9 will be available soon on the HFFA and HPRD websites. Information about sponsorship opportunities can be obtained by contacting Greg Bellew at 704-497-4904 or at gregbellew@ gmail.com.

Sponsors step up for Young Elites An organization dedicated to broadening horizons, illustrating opportunities and enhancing leadership skills for local high school girls now has additional support for its expanding programs. Young Elites, a four-year-old grass roots program that offers educational and exercise seminars and an assortment of outings and adventures for girls from throughout the region, recently added two new businesses —  one local, one national —  to its growing list of corporate sponsors. Ivester Jackson Distinctive Properties, a real estate agency serving the Lake Norman region, donated $2,500 to become a Young Elites Silver Medal partner and International Marketing Systems, based out of Connecti-

Lake Norman Citizen cut, supported the program with a $10,000 gift to earn status as a Presenting partner.  The latest contributions, as well as ongoing support from several local entities, will be directed to continue local programs and help finance the annual Young Elites Summit. The Summit is a one-week, all-expenses paid, multi-faceted forum designed to build leadership skills. The Summit, to be held June 15-19 with most of the activities originating at Davidson Day School, is open to all  rising 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade high school girls and 2015 high school graduates. Through physical challenges, expert guest speakers and team building activities, the Summit experience provided by Young Elites teaches goal setting, mentorship, organization and more. The Young Elites program be-

gan with the first Summit in 2012 and has steadily grown, serving more than 400 high school girls from local communities and the surrounding region. In 2012, 30 girls took part in the first Summit and that number doubled the following year. Last year, there was a waiting list after the 100 available spots were filled and for the 2015 program, organizers have capped participation at 120. Initiated by Sue Grabowski and Jennifer Shiley, the program was created to expose young women to an ever-expanding variety of educational and career paths and to promote the development of leadership abilities. In addition to the annual Summit, Young Elites holds individual sessions for participants throughout the year. The next event will be held Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m., at lululemon in Birkdale Village. The first of two spring outings, the program at lululemon will focus on vision and goal setting, providing insight for participants to help them create goals for their future and a plan on how best to obtain them. For additional information about Young Elites and application materials for the program and the annual Summit, visit grabowskifoundation.org/youngelites.

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January 7, 2015

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January 7, 2015

NEWS

Lake Norman Citizen

That’s a Lotta toys!

Dozens of big blue bins filled with new toys for children of all ages were delivered recently to patients at the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, thanks to The Lotta Foundation, a newly established Lake Norman charitable organization. In just eight weeks, the foundation collected more than 2,000 toys in participation with several business who hosted drop-off locations across the Lake Norman area. Co-founded by Huntersville residents Titus Bartolotta and his wife, Christina, the group was established with the simple mission of helping people in need. Clockwise from below, the Bartolottas (in black Tshirts) were joined by Nathan and Kirsten Ziegler of KS Audio in Cornelius, which donated an entire bin of toys; the bins are waiting for the children at Levine Children’s Hospital; Josiah Bartolotta (left) plays with his friend, Bryson, at a party to celebrate the successful toy drive; and a room in the Bartolotta house is overrun with donations. Learn more at lottafoundation.com.

Photos courtesy Nelson Bynum and Larry Gonzalez of Gallery G Fine Photography

NEWS

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January 7, 2015

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Davidson strikes back in housing lawsuit Town rejects developers’ claims, seeks jury trial. By John Deem [email protected] Davidson’s answer to a lawsuit challenging its affordable housing requirements in new residential developments signals the vigorous defense of an ordinance that has come to define the town’s trademark progressive bent. In a response filed last month, Davidson asks the North Carolina Superior Court in Charlotte to dismiss the lawsuit by Artisan Knox LLC and the Woodlands at Davidson Development Company LLC “with prejudice,” requests a jury trial, and seeks repayment by the two companies of all legal fees incurred by the town in its defense of the affordable housing ordinance, in place since 2001. In their suit, the plaintiffs demand the return of nearly $100,000 paid to Davidson through its former adequate public facilities ordinance, or APFO, which the town board scrapped in 2012 after a crucial North Carolina Supreme Court ruling. In that case, the court found that Cabarrus County did not have the authority to require a developer to pay “impact fees” to cover the cost to the school system of absorbing the projected increase in students resulting from new homes. That ruling was seen by local governments across the state as evidence that their own APFO’s likely wouldn’t stand up to legal challenges. The plaintiffs in the Davidson case are asking the court for “declaratory judgment” rather than the traditional jury trial sought by the town. In a declaratory judgment, “the judge makes all determinations regarding the law while the jury makes all factual determinations,” Susan Burkhart, a Raleigh-based lawyer hired by the town to lead its defense, tells the Citizen. The town, however, is seeking a trial in which the jury decides all aspects of the case.

median family income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The other affordable homes must go to persons or households whose annual gross income does not exceed 80 percent of the area’s median family income. In its lawsuit, filed Oct. 15, Artisan Knox LLC (the developer of Davidson Wood) and Woodlands at Davidson LLC argue that Davidson’s ordinance makes further expansion in those two developments, where the price of some homes tops $1 million, non-viable. The plaintiffs also argue that the town has no authority to impose impact fees or affordable housing requirements because the North Carolina General Assembly has

‘Remote, speculative’ In its answer to the court, the town insists that the plaintiffs are not “entitled to any right of recovery or relief.” The town’s arguments

include: • The plaintiffs fail to “state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” • The statute of limitations on any legal challenge has expired because the actions involved in the suit took place more than three years ago. • The developers had the ability to address their issues with both ordinances through conditional zoning at the time their developments were in the approval phase, but chose not to do so. • Any damages suffered by the developers are “remote, speculative and non-compensable, including but not limited to any consequential damages for delay, loss of investment opportunity, or similar

purported items of damages.” The town also asks that the plaintiffs be required to pay all of its legal fees related to the case. The court now must decide whether to grant the plaintiffs’ request that a judge decide all legal aspects of the case while a jury considers only whether specific information provided by both sides is factual, or to let a jury consider all aspects of the case (as requested by the town). It likely will be a closely watched case because it is the first challenge of an affordable housing ordinance in North Carolina. Experts say there might be no clear winner in the suit because a judge could choose to strike down parts of the ordinance and not others.

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‘Full accounting’ Davidson’s housing ordinance requires that 12.5 percent of homes in new subdivisions must be “affordable.” Thirty percent of the affordable homes must be rented or sold to individuals or households making 50 percent of the area

never passed “appropriate enabling legislation” governing them, and that they also violate the U.S. Constitution. The developers ask the court to prevent the town from forcing them to build affordable housing or make payments in lieu of including affordable housing (which the current ordinance allows). The plaintiffs also seek the return, with interest, of all payments they made to the town as a result of the ordinances, and a “full accounting” of where the funds went.

Susan Johnson

704.439.5350

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January 7, 2015

NEWS

Lake Norman Citizen

Board finds compromise on Bailey’s Glen project Rezoning of second phase approved. By John Deem [email protected] When considering rezoning requests, elected officials often find themselves teetering on the thread-thin line between progress and preservation. That was the case Monday night, as Cornelius commissioners weighed the pleas of a citizen against plans for the proposed 78home, 56-acre second phase of the Bailey’s Glen subdivision on Bailey Road, which would abut the 2.8acre lot on which she built a home in 2004.

Cornelius Government Well, she’s a citizen somewhere. The opposition to Bluestream Partners LLC’s next phase of its “adult living” community (in which at least one person in every home must be at least 55 years old) was led by Joan Boone, who lives outside the Cornelius town limits and has a Davidson address. Bluestream’s representative at the meeting, Jake Palillo, reminded commissioners of that fact, adding that Boone pays no taxes to the town.

At issue was a six-acre portion of the developer’s plan on which 10 houses would line a cul-de-sac off Bailey Road. That’s the portion of the development that would touch Boone’s property, and she argued that it should retain its current zoning of one home per three acres. “Lots one through 10 (next to her lot) completely ignore the (zoning) math,” Boone told commissioners during a public hearing on the rezoning request. But Palillo argued that the project — which sits on a tract with multiple zoning designations — should be judged in its entirety, and that 57 percent of the of the development would be preserved as open space.

“That’s more open space than any development we’ve presented to you thus far,” the town’s planning director, Wayne Herron, told board members. Palillo ticked off a list of contributions his company has made to the town, including putting down $3 million for the extension of Bailey Road and paying for the concession stand at Bailey Road Park. “Why am I, as a developer whose given so much to the town, being asked to cave in to one property owner?” asked Palillo, who noted that Boone also opposed the first phase of Bailey’s Glen, and had held firm in his attempts to reach a compromise on the six-acre tract. “The company continues to give back and give back to the Town of

Cornelius while we try to get this property developed.” When commissioners recommended extending the public hearing for up to 60 days to allow further discussions between Boone and the developer, a visibly exasperated Palillo said he wanted no part of it. “This has been going on for five years,” he told commissioners. “What are we coming back to do? What is the compromise? Is it two lots? Is it four?” Palillo added that the six-acres tract is the “most developable” section of the neighborhood because of its flat topography. He said he had offered to remove the two lots closest to Boone’s land, and would be willing to compromise more. “What’s the magic number you’d like to see on that land?” he asked commissioners. “We might as well determine that tonight. If (the sixacre tract) needs to be cut off, we’ll cut it off.” Commissioner Jim Duke continued to push for a compromise. “I do understand what rural means,” he said of Boone’s demands. “It’s one small piece, one big problem.” Town Attorney Bill Brown reminded commissioners that the developer drives the rezoning request, and would have to consent to any changes suggested by the board. He also noted that significant alterations would mean starting the process over again. He said commissioners could extend the hearing and “get the whole ball of wax solved.” A delay of 30 to 60 days would be reasonable, he concluded. Duke again pushed for a compromise. “I fully understand, she wants it rural,” he said of Boone. “He’s willing to cut even more. Why can’t they reach a compromise?” Again, Palillo told the board that the time for deliberations had passed. “Sometimes you just get to the point where you can’t make a deal,” he said. “I would prefer that the town says, ‘This is what it’s going to be.’” Town Manager Anthony Roberts stepped in to offer a compromise by eliminating the three homes closest to Boone’s property, and allowing one additional home elsewhere in the development. Fine, Palillo said. In this case, commissioners had found their solid line between preservation and progress, and passed the rezoning unanimously.

NEWS

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January 7, 2015

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Town makes its mark on history with Tillis swearing-in By Andrew Warfield [email protected] WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Within a few weeks after the election of Huntersville’s Thom Tillis as the new United States senator representing North Carolina, an effort was orchestrated by some statewide campaign supporters to arrange a bus trip to Washington, Tillis D.C., earlier this week to witness his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. What began as plans for as many as four buses to caravan north on interstates 85 and 95 to the nation’s capital over Jan. 5-6 was reduced to one bus on Monday, in large part because many supporters who planned to make the trip made their own arrangements. But the lighter-thanexpected turnout didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 44 supporters who did take the group trip that began in the parking Bales lot of Concord Mills, followed by picking up more passengers at the Guilford County Republican Party headquarters in Greensboro. Scheduling difficulties, passengers learned along the way from tour organizer Marcus Kindley of Greensboro, prevented Tillis from making an excursion outside the beltway to the Holiday Inn Express

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in Springfield, Va., to greet the bus travelers at a planned reception, but Huntersville Town Commissioner Melinda Bales, who was staying at a hotel within walking distance of the Capitol, did turn out to mix and mingle with the North Carolina delegation. “This is a historic event not only for North Carolina, but for Huntersville as well,” Bales told the Citizen in the hotel’s ballroom. “To have a senator living in Huntersville is something to celebrate.” Bales missed the first meeting of 2015 of the Huntersville Town Board of Commissioners to be in Washington, but she said she informed Mayor Jill Swain and some fellow commissioners that the moment was too big to not have some

representation from the town in which Tillis resides. “North Carolina, since the founding of our country, has had 58 senators representing the state,” Bales said. “Thom Tillis is the first one from Huntersville, and at least in the recent past, the first one from Mecklenburg County.” With the night still young, some members of the group left to attend other celebrations for members of the House of Representatives who won elections in November, but the purpose of the trip remained at the forefront, mindful of the 8 a.m. departure from the hotel for the anticipated 30-minute ride into the heart of the capital, where there awaited a tour of the Capitol and other activities leading up to the

main event, the noon swearing-in ceremony followed by a reception with Tillis before the scheduled 3 p.m. departure for home. For some, it was viewed as a culmination of their nearly two-year investment of time, energy or money (or all three) into the Tillis campaign. For others, it will be a rite of passage as they move on to working on other campaigns, some wearing buttons of their own local candidates for elected office. As a light dusting of snow covered Washington early Tuesday morning, Tillis was scheduled to be sworn in as the state’s 26th “Class 2” senator, a group that belongs to the six-year electoral cycle that were elected for two Congresses in the first election of 1788/1789, and

whose seats in recent years were contested in 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014. The first on that list is Samuel Johnston, who served from 1789 to 1793, and more recently includes Jesse Helms, Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagan. The list of Class 3 senators from the state who belong to the electoral cycle that were elected for three Congresses in that first election began with Benjamin Hawkins and includes such distinguished names as Cameron Morrison, Sam Ervin, James Broyhill, Lauch Faircloth and Terry Sanford. That’s lofty company to keep, and a busload of 44 people who helped make it happen was there, among many others, to watch this next piece of history unfold.

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January 7, 2015

Talk of the Towns

Lake Norman Citizen

A two-way street

ANDREW WARFIELD

Image of the Week

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All aboard! A light dusting of snow greeted travelers from North Carolina — including a northern Mecklenburg contingent — on a charter bus Tuesday morning in the Washington, D.C. area. The group trekked north to the nation’s capital for the swearing-in ceremony of Huntersville’s own Thom Tillis, the newest U.S. senator from North Carolina.

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Have a photograph you want to share with your fellow citizens? Submit your Image of the Week contribution to Lee Sullivan at [email protected].

Talkers know accidents happen and injuries occur, and weather often plays a factor in both. So with a bout of serious winter in the forecast —  and armed with the knowledge that the Lake Norman region is ripe with walkers, joggers, runners, dog walkers, cyclists and outdoor adventurers of every ilk who don’t let a little chill or precipitation dampen their enthusiasm for exercise — this seems like a good time to use a tragedy from elsewhere to drive home a local lesson about safety. Sunday morning in Connecticut, a jogger was killed by a snowplow. Tragic without a doubt, but a closer look also indicates it should have been absolutely avoidable. According to the Associated Press account of the incident, the victim was jogging before sunrise (aka: in the dark) and apparently ventured into the road to avoid a puddle or some other obstacle. In addition, the jogger was wearing headphones. The accident is still being investigated, but from just those basic facts it’s easy to conclude that the driver of the snowplow never saw the jogger until it was too late and that the jogger never saw — or heard — the snowplow. Talkers are out and about at all hours in neighborhoods throughout the Lake Norman area, and have seen, heard and subsequently shared tales of close calls and catastrophes. And now, with shorter days, the popularity of headphones and the strange fad of dark-colored exercise outfits, it just feels like a recipe for remorse. Drivers are responsible for avoiding people and must be even more vigilant when conditions are bad. But the goal is not to determine who gets the blame, but to avoid the disaster. And to do that, those on foot and pedaling must help carry help the load. SEE TALK, PAGE 15

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TALK FROM PAGE 14

Breathe, then send

As details of friction between former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Heath Morrison and the school district’s general counsel, George Battle III, continue to dribble forth, Talkers are struck once again by the extent to which technology has altered the way we conduct ourselves not just personally, but professionally, as well. Much of the news reporting on the professional relationship between Morrison and Battle (whose investigation into the former superintendent led to his awkwardly orchestrated resignation last month) has been based on emails obtained by reporters. Many of those emails were from Battle, and some of them are laced with anger-tinged defiance toward Morrison, school board members and others. Those emails — as well as our texts, tweets, etc. — are reminders of the potential professional peril inherent in the ease with which we can instantly vent our virulence and, in the process, create a permanent repository of our petulance. In the old days, the time it took to draft a typed memo (on real paper) or, heaven forbid, actually walk down the hall to discuss the issue faceto-face, offered a valuable cooling off period during which we could choose our words carefully. One Talker recalls a favorite boss who once advised him that before hitting “send” on any emails expressing displeasure or anger, he should first delete the last sentence (where the final, fatal turn of the screw often turned the tone from somewhat uncomfortable to seriously insulting). It was good advice then, and it still is ... you idiot. Wait, delete that!

Got something to Talk about? Become one of the “Talkers” and send any tidbits of local quirkiness to [email protected].

TALK OF THE TOWNS

January 7, 2015

15

Horse’s Mouth “Sometimes I worry that Huntersville is following in their footsteps.” — Cornelius Commissioner Dave Gilroy after remarking that sprawling Atlanta “will build homes anywhere.”

“It was an opportunity for police to stand shoulder-toshoulder with other officers in a show of support.” — Huntersville Police Department Sgt. Brian Vaughan on his trip to attend the funeral of slain New York Police Department Det. Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn last weekend. HPD Sgt. Jason Cousar accompanied Vaughan on the trip. “If you’ve got a dumb umbrella, you’re fine.” — Passenger on the bus headed to the U.S. Senate building for Thom Tillis’ swearing-in ceremony, when the group was informed that umbrellas that appear sharp will not be allowed inside. “It’s why we decided to call it the ‘Lake Norman 5K-9.’ We think, around here, this could really have some legs.” — Dee Jetton, executive director of Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center, entertaining Huntersville commissioners just a little while asking for their endorsement for the region’s first dog-and-human trail run. “He’s always got a smile on his face, no matter what situation he’s in. It doesn’t matter. He’s always smiling, always getting us to have fun, to stay loose. I think that’s

what is really helping us out this year.” — Davidson guard Tyler Kalinoski on the leadership and playing style of teammate Jack Gibbs. “This was a big freaking experience for Davidson College.” — Davidson basketball coach Bob McKillop, after his Wildcats topped Richmond 81-67 in their Atlantic 10 Conference debut Saturday. “To be undefeated this time of year is good, but I think it’s more about how we feel the team is playing. I’m happy with the way we’re playing. You just want to make sure we maintain that.” — North Meck basketball coach Duane Lewis, whose team won its first 13 games, including four over the holidays en route to a tournament championship in Tennessee. “Why am I, as a developer whose given so much to the town, being asked to cave in to one property owner?” — Jake Palillo of Bluestream Partners on opposition to phase two of the Bailey’s Glen development in Cornelius. “It’s one small piece, one big problem.” — Cornelius Commissioner Jim Duke on the difficulty in settling on the number of lots in one, six-acre portion of the Bailey’s Glen project.

January 7, 2015

Cornelius

Arrests and citations as reported by the Cornelius Police Department Dec. 23-29.

Arrests

• Cook, Megan Lyn (WF, 27), Possession Of A Controlled Substance (F), Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle (M), Possession Of A Controlled Substance (M), 18541 Victoria Bay Drive, 12/24. • Zeffiro, Andrea (WF, 35), Assault On Governmental Official (M), Resisting Public Officer (M), Impaired Driving-DWI (M), 18563 Oakhurst Boulevard, 12/26.

Citations

• Farrice, Anthony John (WM, 35), Exceeding Posted Speed, 19699 West Catawba Avenue, 12/23. • McConell, Samantha Joanne (WF, 21), Failure To Register Vehicle, Seat Belt

Citizen’s Arrest CITIZEN’S ARREST

Law-Driver, 12449 Bailey Road, 12/23. • Doyle, Kiley Garrett (WM, 21), Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, 19251 Smith Circle, 12/23. • Diaz, Jose F. (HM, 55), Use Of Red Or Blue Light, I-77 South at Catawba Avenue, 12/24. • Stevens, Tomy (WF, 32), No Driver’s License, 20655 Catawba Avenue, 12/26. • Barnaba, Tara Faye (WF, 31), Speeding-Excess Of 15 Miles Over, Statesville Road at Hampton Inn, 12/28. • Larkin, John William (WM, 17), Speeding-Excess Of 15 Miles Over, West Catawba Avenue at Bethel Church Road, 12/28. • Evans, Jonathan Boone (WM, 31), Expired Registration, Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, 19751 Statesville Road, 12/28. • Streater, Joseph Ryan (WM, 18), Speeding-Excess Of 15 Miles Over, West

Catawba Avenue at One Norman Boulevard, 12/29. • Igle, Jerome Darrell (BM, 29), Speeding-Excess Of 15 Miles Over, Statesville Road at Hampton Inn, 12/29. • Hardaway, Douglas Keith (WM, 60), Speeding-Excess Of 15 Miles Over, West Catawba Avenue at One Norman Boulevard, 12/29. • Fregosi, Stacey Lee (WF, 47), Speeding-Excess Of 15 Miles Over, West Catawba Avenue at Harbor View, 12/29. • Trent, Douglas Kenneth (WM, 36), Exceeding Posted Speed, West Catawba Avenue at One Norman Boulevard, 12/29. • Gillon, Eric Douglas (WM, 31), Speeding-Excess Of 15 Miles Over, West Catawba Avenue at One Norman Boulevard, 12/29.

Davidson

Arrests and citations as reported by the Davidson Police Department Dec. 22-28.

Arrests

• Stewart, Tiniya Michelle (BF, 26), Probation Violation (F), 536 Watson Street, 12/23.

Citations

• Hedrick, Joseph Andrew (WM, 17), Speeding, Concord Road, 12/22. • Ford, Donna Canupp (WF, 58), Speeding, Griffith Street, 12/23. • Addison, Iona Ailes (BF, 44), Speed-

Lake Norman Citizen

ing, Griffith Street, 12/23. • Lidgerding, Rio Scott (WM, 19), Speeding, Griffith Street, 12/26. • Hancock, Dondi Christopher Jr. (BM, 25), Driving While License Revoked, Davidson Gateway Drive, 12/26. • Langeland, Samuel Donald (WM, 34), Speeding, East Rocky River Road, 12/26. • Burroughs, Lori Diane (WF, 33), Speeding, Griffith Street, 12/27. • Bird, Christine Sue (WF, 29), Speeding, Griffith Street, 12/27. • Sims, Rebecca Lynn (BF, 33), No Insurance, North Main Street, 12/27. • Erwin, Nicholas Dale (WM, 17), Speeding, Griffith Street, 12/28. • Swink, Cameron Nathaniel (WM, 25), Speeding, Concord Road, 12/28. • Williams, Kendra Nicole (BF, 20), Speeding, Moving From Travel Lane Without Safety, I-77, 12/28.

Huntersville

Arrests and citations as reported by the Huntersville Police Department Dec. 22-30.

Arrests

• Russell, Sharon L. (WF, 32), Intoxicated And Disruptive (M), Resist/ Obstruct/Delay (M, Second-Degree Trespassing (M), 15950 Birkdale Common Parkway, 12/23. • Deane, Carly Staley (WF, 34), Simple Assault (M), Dunton Street, 12/28.

Citations

• Caldwell, Michael Shawn (WM, 38), No Driver’s License-Revoked, First Street, 12/22. • Patton, Charles Jarod (WM, 29), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Sherwood Road near Gilead Road, 12/22. • Mulhern, Nichole Lynn (WF, 23), Larceny, 706 Gilead Road, 12/22. • Baldwin, Edward Mitchell (BM, 21), Larceny, 706 Gilead Road, 12/22. • Biddle, Timmy Dale (WM, 46), Failure To Reduce Speed, Statesville Road at Dallas Street, 12/22. • Yates, Kerri Kemper (WF, 37), Expired Registration, Sam Furr Road at Holly Point Drive, 12/22. • Bullock, Shannon Denise (BF, 41), Stoplight Violation, Statesville Road at Sam Furr Road, 12/22. • Townsend, Brooks (WM, 17), Possession Of Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Stumptown Road at Stumptown Court, 12/22. • Howell, Antonio (BM, 35), No Driver’s License-Revoked, I-77 near Sam Furr Road, 12/22. • Arnold, Peter James (WM, 35), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Sam Furr Road at Catawba Avenue, 12/22. • Campbell, Casandra Faye (BF, 23), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Statesville Road at Dallas Street, 12/22. • Champion, Wilson Tyler (WM, 20), Tinted Windows Violation, Cranlyn Road

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CITIZEN’S ARREST

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POLICE REPORTS FROM PAGE 16 at Townley Road, 12/22. • Hildebrandt, Alicia Renee (WF, 24), Parking Other Than In Direction Of Travel, 16600 Cranlyn Road, 12/22. • Cooper, Julia Alexandra (BF, 24), Speeding 80-65, I-77 near Mile Marker 19.8, 12/23. • Martinez, J. Manuel (WM, 46), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Old Statesville Road near Damson Drive, 12/23. • Strohm, Jeffrey Allen (WM, 50), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Sam Furr Road at I-77, 12/23. • Henderson, Eva Sloan (BF, 56), Stoplight Violation, Statesville Road at Holly Point Drive, 12/23. • Hutchinson, Michael Steven (WM, 46), Speeding-School Zone 43-25, Gilead Road at Sherwood Drive, 12/23. • Bridges, Javis Tramont (BM, 26), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Sam Furr Road at Statesville Road, 12/23. • Anderson, Charles Thomas (WM, 25), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Eastfield Road at Old Statesville Road, 12/24. • Brigman, Alston Tyrus (BM, 18), Larceny, 11145 Bryton Town Center Drive, 12/24. • Cellent, Kimberly (BF, 24), Trespassing-First Degree, 11145 Bryton Town Center Drive, 12/24. • Garcia, Moises (UM, 31), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Sam Furr Road at I-77, 12/24. • Pickens, Connor (WM, 17), Failure To Reduce Speed, Sam Furr Road at I-77, 12/24. • Cooper, Jennifer Danielle (WF, 30), Larceny, 102 North Statesville Road, 12/24. • O’Brien, Timothy Jude (WM, 48), Expired Registration, Sam Furr Road near I-77, 12/24. • Palillo, Jacob Robert (WM, 27), Tinted Windows Violation, Ramah Church Road at Freedom Valley, 12/24. • Adams, Robert Lewis (BM, 24), Expired Registration, Old Statesville Road at Maxwell Street, 12/26. • Adams, Natasha Renee (BF, 26), No Driver’s License-Revoked, I-77 near Mile Marker 22.8, 12/26. • Pretence, Ashby Christian (BM, 25), Speeding 54-45, Sam Furr Road at Kenton Drive, 12/26. • Patel, Amrut A. (IM, 67), Speeding 58-45, Old Statesville Road at Eastfield Road, 12/26. • Francis, Troy V. (BM, 37), Tinted Windows Violation, Old Statesville Road at Eastfield Road, 12/26. • Chavez, Roberto Alfonzo (WM, 53), Speeding 53-35, Mt. Holly-Huntersville

Road at Alexander Street, 12/26. • Nwosi, Damian Ify (BM, 19), DrugsEquipment/Paraphernalia-Using, Old Statesville Road at Hambright Road, 12/26. • Robinson, Bryan Duncan (BM, 47), Reckless Driving, Gilead Road at I-77 South, 12/26. • Castillo, Emilio Ariel (UM, 32), Speeding 54-45, Eastfield Road at Dixon Farm Road, 12/26. • Arevab, Maria Del Carmen (UF, 25), No Driver’s License, I-77 near Exit 23, 12/26. • Martin, Stephen Hughes (WM, 24), Tinted Windows Violation, Eastfield Road at Dixon Farm Road, 12/26. • Hanna, Christy Dawn (WF, 46), Speeding 60-45, Sam Furr Road at Kenton Drive, 12/26. • Reid, Jamie Thomas (BF, 24), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Speeding 63-50, Statesville Road at Mt. HollyHuntersville Road, 12/27. • Mastromonico, Michael (WM, 27), Speeding 40-25, Gilead Road at Commerce Centre, 12/27. • Salgado, Manuel Martinez (UM, 34), No Driver’s License, I-77 near Mile Marker 20, 12/27. • Crisco, Hannah Leigh (WF, 25), No Driver’s License-Revoked, I-77 near Mile Marker 22, 12/27. • Sanchez, Jose David (UM, 38), No Driver’s License, Warfield Avenue near Drake Hill, 12/27. • Rogers, Katherine Edna (WF, 54), Expired Registration, Sam Furr Road at Northcross Drive, 12/27. • Castillo, Nora Angelica (UF, 39), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Old Statesville Road at Hambright Road, 12/27. • Rodriguez, Oaseims Donjuen (UM, 40), No Driver’s License, Alexanderana Road at Statesville Road, 12/27. • Knight, Kendrick Logan (WM, 20), Reckless Driving, Liquor Law Violation, Provisional Licensee, Old Statesville Road at McCord Road, 12/27. • Payne, Thomas Edward (BM, 42), Tinted Windows Violation, Sam Furr Road at West Catawba Avenue, 12/27. • Ledford, Austin Nicole (WM, 21), Expired Registration, Sam Furr Road at West Catawba Avenue, 12/27. • Julian, Tamika (BF, 33), Stoplight Violation, Sam Furr Road at Lindholm Drive, 12/27. • Stacker, Douglas Earl (WM, 60), Expired Registration, Gilead Road at Reese Boulevard, 12/28. • Hege, Ryan Douglas (WM, 30), Expired Registration, Old Statesville Road at Mullen Street, 12/28. • Evaristo, Cirila Espinoza (WF, 37), Speeding 43-25, Gilead Road at Old Statesville Road, 12/28. • Coleman, Meleesa Anais (BF, 26),

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No Driver’s License-Revoked, Alexanderana Road near Old Statesville Road, 12/28. • Foley, Thomas Aquinas (WM, 57), Speeding 60-45, Statesville Road at Bankside Drive, 12/28. • Anderson, Noki Simone (BF, 32), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Reese Boulevard near Gilead Road, 12/28. • Mahon, Megan Lindsay (WF, 22), Expired Registration, Old Statesville Road at Eastfield Road, 12/29. • Decime, Olga Jean (BF, 47), Speeding 60-45, Old Statesville Road at Eastfield Road, 12/29. • Vanameron, Brittani Lea Paige (WF, 23), Tinted Windows Violation, Sam Furr Road at Statesville Road, 12/29. • Foss, Cara Elizabeth (WF, 34), Stoplight Violation, Sam Furr Road at Northcross Center Court, 12/29. • Albert, William James (WM, 63), Speeding 68-45, Sam Furr Road at Birkdale Crossing Drive, 12/29. • Buentipo, Kia Sky (UF, 18), Tinted Windows Violation, Sam Furr Road at Northcross Drive, 12/29. • Kiser, Anna Rosa (WF, 36), No Liability Insurance, Sam Furr Road at Kenton Drive, 12/29. • Bailey, Tracy Sailers (WF, 39), Stoplight Violation, Old Statesville Road at Sam Furr Road, 12/29. • Coston, Natasia (BF, 35), Expired Registration, Holly Point Drive at Statesville Road, 12/29. • Marshall, Matthew (WM, 37), No Driver’s License-Revoked, Improper Registration, Regency Lake near West Catawba Avenue, 12/29. • Edmonds, Marcus Emmanuel (BM, 35), Expired Registration, I-77 near Mile Marker 22, 12/30. • Boyce, Delvario Davon (BM, 30),

January 7, 2015 Defective Mirror, Sam Furr Road at Statesville Road, 12/30. • Elishans, Mark Scott (WM, 35), Speeding 58-45, Eastfield Road at Dixon Farm Road, 12/30. • Scott, Marcus Lamont (BM, 29), Expired Registration, Speeding, 63-45, Old Statesville Road at Eastfield Road, 12/30. • Dove, David Coleman (WM, 50), Expired Registration, Gilead Road at Statesville Road, 12/30. • Ruiz, J. Fransisco Yanez (UM, 45), No Driver’s License, Sam Furr Road at Statesville Road, 12/30. • Pride, Thomas Charles (BM, 40), Driving On Wrong Side, Statesville Road at Willmington Street, 12/30. • Dunham, Cornell (BM, 44), Tinted Windows Violation, Old Statesville Road at Eastfield Road, 12/30. • Weise, Dylan Dwayne (WM, 23), Speeding 60-45, Ramah Church Road at Ewart Road, 12/30. • MacCaferri, Randy (WM, 45), Failure To Reduce Speed, Holly Point Drive near Statesville Road, 12/30. • Dmytruk, Trisha Ann (WF, 49), Expired Registration, Gilead Road at Rosedale Hill Avenue, 12/30. • Beard, Navada Terrell (BM, 43), Speeding 54-45, Eastfield Road at Dixon Farm Road, 12/30. • Cruz, Javier Martinez (WM, 40), No Driver’s License, Gilead Road at Reese Boulevard, 12/30. • Evans, Mark Eric (WM, 46), Stoplight Violation, Sam Furr Road at I-77, 12/30. • Gairey, Alicia (BF, 23), Speeding 65-45, Eastfield Road at Dixon Farm Road, 12/30. • Nicholson, Mark Anthony (WM, 49), Defective Windshield, Eastfield Road at

17

Dixon Farm Road, 12/30. • Gordon, Wanda Alicia (BF, 60), Improper Turn, Sam Furr Road at Northcross Drive, 12/30. • Stewart, Simlack Tammy (UF, 44), Text Messages/Reading Electronic Mail While Driving, I-77 near Exit 23, 12/30.

Mooresville

• Bobonich, Madeline Ann (WF, 23), Failure To Appear-Misdemeanor (M), 610 East Center Avenue, 12/23. • Shumaker, David Allen (WM, 34), Larceny-Shoplifting/Concealment (M), 621 North Main Street, 12/24. • Nelson, Melissa Jean (WF, 38), DWIAlcohol (M), 611 River Highway, 12/26. • Bowes, Phillip (WM, 41), Probation Violation-Felony (F), 100 Silver Hook Drive, 12/26. • Rankin, Ronnetta Shaunte (BF, 26), Littering (M), 750 West Iredell Avenue, 12/27. • Fleming, Jaquinn De’Brean (BM, 22), Larceny Of Property (M), 409 East McLelland Avenue, 12/27. • Witherspoon, Preston Edgerton (WM, 18), Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia (M), 600 West Wilson Avenue, 12/27. • Howard, Jamar Reshon (BM, 28), Arson-Personal Property (F), 74 Spencer Avenue, 12/27. • Ramsey, Nicholas Wade (WM, 32), Possession Of Schedule VI Controlled Substance (M), 420 River Highway, 12/28. • Brown, Buford Charles (WM, 32), DWI-Alcohol (M), 721 West Wilson Avenue, 12/28. • Odom, John Ashley (WM, 32), DWIAlcohol (M), 254 Talbert Road, 12/28.

18

January 7, 2015

NEWS

Lake Norman Citizen

Exit 28 bridge to close this weekend for final work As part of the finishing touches for the diverging diamond interchange at Exit 28 in Cornelius, a mast and cabling system will be installed across the bridge. A partial bridge closure, similar to the closure in June, will be necessary during the construction. 

News Briefs The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has announced the partial bridge closure will begin Saturday, Jan. 10 at 12 a.m. and last until 6 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 12. This schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions. The bridge will be closed to all thru traffic (vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian) crossing the bridge. However, right turns onto and off the I-77 ramps will still be allowed. Detour signs will be posted by NCDOT. During the bridge closure period, the following traffic movements will be permitted:  • Eastbound West Catawba Avenue

can turn right onto the I-77 South ramp toward Huntersville; • Westbound Catawba Avenue can turn right onto the I-77 North ramp toward Davidson; • I-77 South to Exit 28 can turn right onto West Catawba Avenue heading westbound toward Torrence Chapel Road; • I-77 North to Exit 28 can turn right onto Catawba Avenue heading eastbound toward U.S. 21. Motorists approaching east or west of I-77 will be limited to right turns onto and off I-77. • Traffic approaching I-77 from the west will be detoured to I-77 South to N.C. 73 (Exit 25). Motorists can turn left off the Exit 25 ramp, cross the bridge and turn left to I-77 North, take Exit 28 and turn right (east); • Traffic approaching I-77 from the east will be detoured to I-77 North to Griffith Street (Exit 30). Motorists can then either turn left off the Exit 30 ramp, cross the bridge and turn left to I-77 South, take Exit 28 and turn right (west); or turn right off the Exit 30 ramp, go to the first roundabout and go all the way around

that would carry an emergency alert message. County officials use these stations to provide information to the public. If sirens are heard and residents are unsure if it is a test or an emergency, they should tune to their local radio or TV station. (heading west), cross the I-77 bridge and turn left to I-77 South, take Exit 28 and turn right (west). • All traffic exiting I-77, northbound or southbound, at Catawba Avenue will be restricted to right turns. Detour signs will be posted as appropriate.  The CATS Village Rider (VR97) will continue to operate with all stops still available. The buses will have to take alternate routes during the bridge closure so times will be altered. As more updates become available, they will be posted to the town’s website at Cornelius.org. Area motorists with questions about the temporary closure can contact Cornelius Project Manager Tyler Beardsley at 704-892-6031, ext. 127.

Sirens testing next week at McGuire The public alert notification sirens around the McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville will be tested Wednesday, Jan. 14, at approximately 11:50 a.m. The 67 sirens within 10 miles of the station will be tested for three minutes to make sure each siren works properly. This full-cycle siren test is performed once each quarter in cooperation with emergency officials in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Catawba counties, who are responsible for sounding the sirens. Hearing a siren does not mean to evacuate. In an emergency, sirens are sounded as a signal for residents to tune to a local radio or TV station

Get rid of those unwanted meds

The Davidson Police Department has installed a medicine drop box outside the west entrance of town hall. The drop box will be available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for citizens to drop off outdated or unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications. The box will be emptied twice daily and medicines will be destroyed according to protocol. Sharps (hypodermic needles) are prohibited. “Our goal is to help our citizens legally and safely turn unneeded medications over to law enforcement for destruction,” said Davidson Police Chief Jeanne Miller.  

— Staff

Schools

www.lakenormancitizen.com

January 7, 2015

19

Marksmanship milestone for Hopewell’s JROTC Students representing the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at Hopewell High School in Huntersville made a strong showing in a prestigious east coast shooting competition held last month. At the elite Best-of-the-Best Regional 3x20 Championships, sponsored by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), Hopewell’s JROTC sharpshooters finished 13th out of 20 teams and brought home various individual honors, but just being in the field was a noteworthy achievement. More than 200 Army JROTC programs from six states and Washington, D.C. attempted to qualify for the Best-of-the-Best Regionals, held at Lexington High School. And in earning a place in the field, Hopewell became the first Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Army JROTC program to achieve that feat. Led by senior team captain Charlie Guice along with Caroline Salm, Vince Jugis and Tyler Woodbury, the Titans finished 13th with

a score of 1865 with 27 bullseyes. North Brunswick High School, with a score of 2125 with 67 bullseyes, was the overall winner in the competition that included teams from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the District of Columbia. “It is so great to be the team captain of the first Hopewell and CMS team to go to the Best of the Best,” Guice said. “I can’t think of a better legacy.” At the competition, Hopewell’s Jugis was awarded an individual medal for finishing seventh in the “New Shooter” category, scoring 477 with five bullseyes. Also, for their efforts, Guice, Salm, and Jugis were awarded silver CMP National Council pins and Woodbury earned the bronze. In other recent shooting competitions among JROTC teams, Guice teamed with Jugis and cadets Christian Garner and Hunter Bloom for a team record 966 points in the annual 3x10 Civilian Marksmanship JROTC Postal

COURTESY HOPEWELL JROTC

Hopewell JROTC sharpshooters (from left) Tyler Woodbury, Charlies Guice, Caroline Salm and Vince Jugis at Bestof-the-Best marksmanship competition with Fourth Brigade Command Sgt. Major Darrin Kinder.

Championships. In a “postal competition” teams fire on their home ranges and mail in the targets to be scored. In that competition, Hopewell finished fifth among teams competing from North Carolina and 78th national-

ly. North Brunswick had the highest score in the state with 1066, good for eighth at the national level. Hundreds of colleges and universities in the U.S. offer shooting programs, including MIT,

Ohio State, North Carolina State and more. Hopewell senior Guice hopes to compete at the college level and will be applying for the annual CMP scholarships offered SEE SCHOOLS, PAGE 20

20 January 7, 2015

SCHOOLS FROM PAGE 19 each year to outstanding high school competitors.

PLP senior helps fight kids’ cancer Kayleigh White’s senior project at Pine Lake Prep is focused on doing what she can to help fight childhood cancer. By hosting a dress-down day at Pine Lake in December, White helped raise $3,500 to support efforts to combat kids’ cancer. It was the biggest step toward her goal of raising at least $5,000 for the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, a regional organization that directs all financial contributions toward pediatric cancer research and treatment.

SCHOOLS White’s efforts are part of her Pride Project, a senior requirement at Pine Lake that encourages students to conduct an in-depth research and project-based examination of a future career.  “I have always loved children, and I have always known that I want to go into the medical field,” White said. “And during my sophomore year I finally decided what I want to do. My best friend was diagnosed with leukemia, and I followed her entire treatment process and learned a lot. I decided that I want to go to college for a biology major, and then to medical school for pediatric oncology.” 

Padgett surprised with TOY honors Through a carefully choreographed effort right before the holiday break, students and fac-

ulty members at Lake Norman Charter School in Huntersville had the chance to surprise and salute teacher Elizabeth Padgett with the news that she is North Carolina’s 2015 Charter School Teacher of the Year. Padgett, a 13-year member of LNC’s faculty and lead teacher for the sixth grade, was selected for the honor after an extensive evaluation by a statewide committee. When the committee notified the school of Padgett’s selection in mid December, LNC representatives began plotting a unique way to spring the news on the veteran educator. On the Wednesday before Christmas, the plan came together. Coordinating their efforts with state representatives, North Carolina 2014 Teacher of the Year James Ford (from Garringer High School in Charlotte) and one special seasonal guest with a long white beard, LNC elves pulled off the surprise in the guise of a seemingly routine emergency drill that provided the perfect cover for a school-wide gathering as Padgett received the recognition. Padgett, a sixth grade teacher at LNC since 2001 and lead teacher since 2005, was nominated for the honor last spring when she was selected as LNC’s teacher of the year. The evaluation process for nominees at the state level involved many steps and requirements and

Lake Norman Citizen

COURTESY LNC

N.C. 2015 Charter School Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Padgett and a special guest during surprise ceremonies at Lake Norman Charter.

included her traveling to Raleigh for interviews as well as committee representatives visiting LNC to observe her classes and talk with students and colleagues. As the state’s Charter School Teacher of the Year, Padgett will join eight regional winners as a finalist for North Carolina Teacher of the Year honors.

Hough’s DECA students excel Hough High School in Cornelius has the fourth largest DECA chapter in North Carolina and, after an impressive performance at the

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district Marketing Competition Events Conference (MCEC), will have a strong presence at the statelevel MCEC next month. At the district event hosted by Myers Park High School in late 2014, 259 DECA students from Hough competed against more than 1,300 students from throughout the region. Hough representatives earned three first-place trophies, two second-place trophies, four third-place trophies, 22 test medals, 27 role play medals and 23 finalist medals at the district level while qualifying in several categories for the state competition to be held in Greensboro at the end of February. Participation in DECA, previously known as Delta Epsilon Chi and Distributive Education Clubs of America, is designed to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs at the high school and college level for a variety of business-related careers in fields that include marketing, finance, hospitality and management. More than 185,000 high school members participate in  DECA through 5,000 chapters in all 50 states and 8 countries.  DECA members can begin their participation in the high school division as early as the ninth grade and continue through college graduation by participating in the collegiate division. In North Carolina, more than 7,000 students take part in DECA activities. At district competitions, students display knowledge, insight and creativity to demonstrate proficiency in various career-related fields, with top performers advancing to the state competition. There, students will compete for top honors and spots at the International Career Development Conference, to be held in April in Orlando. Fla. At the district event, 86 percent of Hough’s participants earned SEE SCHOOLS, PAGE 21

SCHOOLS

www.lakenormancitizen.com

SCHOOLS FROM PAGE 20 proficiency ratings, with many students also claiming trophies and medals. Those earning additional recognition, listed with the corresponding DECA competition category, were: Apparel and Accessories Marketing: Role Play Medals: Kate Elliot, Iniya Muthou Kamaren, Sabrina Ortiz and Elizabeth Weathers. Test Medals: Addison Burger, Melanie Kennedy, Sarah Kramer, Sabrina Ortiz, Gabrielle Parks, Suzanne Watts and Elizabeth Weathers. Finalist Medals: Kate Elliott, Rachel Figard, Melanie Kennedy, Sabrina Ortiz, Gabrielle Parks and Suzanne Watts. Trophy, second place, Sabrina Ortiz. Business Service Management: Role Play: Austin Lawrence and Kendall Ocello. Test: Gabby Moore and Connor Rammacher. Food Marketing Services: Role Play: Lacey Moneymaker and Sean Wydra. Test: Leanna  Conti, Shannon

Goff and Blake Marin. Finalist: Leanna Conti, Shannon Goff, Lacey Moneymaker. Hotel and Lodging Management: Role Play: Haley Johnson, Ally Miller and Sidney Sims. Test: Rachel Cowley, Alissa  Davis, Kendall Parker, Raegan Rawls and Casey Sarano. Finalist: Brooklyn Beamer, Rachel Cowley, Alissa  Davis, Haley Johnson, Audra Paione, Raegan Rawls and Casey Sarano. Trophy, first place, Casey Sarano; third place, Haley Johnson. Principles of Marketing: Role Play: Alexis Gold and Cameron Koblinski. Test: Alexis Phelps. Quick Service Restaurant Management: Test and Finalist: Jacob Noble and Grace Riley. Restaurant and Food Service Management: Role Play: Rose Jackson, Rachel Korf and Hayley Owens. Test: Jill Amasya. Finalist: Jill Amasya and Rachel Korf. Trophy, third place, Rachel Korf.   Retail Merchandising: Role Play: Lauren Sabbagh, Haley Seligmann and Trevor Ste-

venson. Test and Finalist: Haley Seligmann and Trevor Stevenson. Trophy, first place, Trevor Stevenson; third place, Haley Seligmann. Sports and Entertainment Management: Role Play: Cassidy Burk, Cameron Johnson, Jake Keenan, Gaines Langford, Lauren Nydish and Kevin Thomas. Test: Cassidy Burk, Tyler Carr, Jake Keenan, Gaines Langford, Juliet Swinea and Kevin Thomas. Finalist: Cassidy Burk, Jake Keenan, Gaines Langford and Kevin Thomas. Trophy, first place, Cassidy Burk; second, Jake Keenan; third, Gaines Langford.

Debaters show grit at Guilford event The North Mecklenburg High School Debate & Speech Team closed out 2014 with an impressive showing at the Guilford Challenge tournament at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro. The 29 competitors representing North Meck helped the team to a fourth place finish — and just a few points shy of an even high final

January 7, 2015 placement —in competition that featured teams from 38 schools in North and South Carolina. In debate categories, North Meck’s Student Congress squad swept all three junior varsity Congress chambers with first place finishes by Marco Wertheimer, Ryan Golden and Anna Cloud. Novice Jonathon Johnson, debuting in varsity Student Congress, placed fourth and Sam Thornton, was third in JV Lincoln-Douglas debate. The speech team was lead by cocaptains Jack Watson and Kavasia Heath, who took first and fifth respectively in Original Oratory. Other top finishers included June Yom, second in her debut performance in Children’s Literature and fourth in Dramatic Interpretation; novices Leslie Nyandjo and Kayla Saunders, fourth in Duo Interpretation; and Mary Jane Builes, sixth in Oral Interpretation.

CSD to present children’s musical The Community School of Davidson High School Drama Department will present its first public, in-house production later this month on the CSD campus. Public performances of the

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children’s play House at Pooh Corner will be presented Jan. 16-18 at ArtSpace, CSD’s black box theater on its high school campus off Armour Street. Based on the classic tale by A.A. Milne, the production will feature original music and live sound effects to augment the tale of Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and all their friends. Eleven student actors and three student technicians have been developing the production since November guided by director Melissa Ohlman-Roberge and musical director Caleb Mount.  While students in drama classes have performed several children’s productions for CSD’s elementary school,  House at  Pooh  Corner  will mark  the first all-school production open to the public. Performances are scheduled Jan. 16 at 4:30 and 7 p.m.; Jan. 17 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 and 4:30 p.m.; and Jan. 18 at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Details and ticket information are available at csdspartans.org. Tickets are $7 online or $10 at the door. Performances are open to the public and the production is ideal for audiences of all ages.

— Compiled by Lee Sullivan

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January 7, 2015

Lake Norman Citizen

Queen’s Feast

— Page 23

Deduct the Alamo! — Page 27

Prepared for disaster, but what about success? Rapid growth catches local business owner a bit by surprise. By Lori Helms [email protected] When Andre Gagne first laid out the business plan for his disaster preparedness enterprise in Huntersville, he knew it was essentially carved in Jell-O, and that if all went as he hoped, it would have to morph as the business grew. He just didn’t expect that to happen so quickly. Since opening its doors about 19 months ago, Next Level Readiness on Old Statesville Road has more than quadrupled in size and will soon hold its first concealed carry classes as it strives to become a fullservice training and emergency preparedness equipment center. “I am absolutely blessed and humbled by what’s happened,” Gagne says. “I never expected it so quickly.” Next Level Readiness has grown rapidly from the 300-square-foot space it first occupied to ultimately take over the entire 1,300-square-

foot building just across Old Statesville Road from Lake Norman Charter School, becoming the first long-term tenant on the site in recent memory. Following a string of failed boutiques, bakeries and produce shops, it appears as if Next Level Readiness is prepared to stay. Which is good, because being prepared is the name of the game for Gagne. With the business’ expansion, he now has the space to offer not only disaster preparedness products, but also an array of classes, beginning soon with “Bugging Out 101” — instructions on how to pack a survival bag, build a plan and decide how and when to enact those plans. Other classes will include concealed carry instruction, a variety of NRA marksmanship classes, and courses on first aid as well as the use of CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Instruction will also include classes in urban survival medicine — how to take care of yourself or a loved one in the event of a disaster that prevents you from getting to a hospital. Some of those classes, and the products Gagne carries to support them, can sound a bit frightening, but he cautions that Next Level SEE NEXT LEVEL, PAGE 25

LORI HELMS

Success came quickly for Andre Gagne, owner of Next Level Readiness in Huntersville. Since opening almost 20 months ago, his disaster preparedness shop has quadrupled in size and added a variety of classes for survival skills, marksmanship and first aid.



www.lakenormancitizen.com

Pull up a chair to this year’s Feast The  winter 2015 installment of the semiannual Queen’s Feast Charlotte Restaurant Week  will run  Friday, Jan. 16 through Sunday, Jan. 25, featuring more than 120 upscale restaurants  in the metro Charlotte area offering  $30 prix fixe menus of three courses or more at dinner  (not including  tax and gratuity). Diners can visit CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com  to peruse participating restaurants’ prix fixe menus and make reservations. 

Business Briefcase teRestaurantWeek.com.  Participating local restaurants in the Winter 2015 Charlotte Restaurant Week are 131 Main-Lake Norman, The 220 Café, Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails, BRAVO! Cucina Italiana-Northlake, Campania Café, Chillfire Bar & Grill, Dressler’s-Birkdale, Epic Chophouse, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill-Northlake, Jeffrey’s Restaurant, Kabuto Japanese Steak House & Sushi-Lake Norman, The Melting Pot-Lake Norman, Mickey & Mooch-Lake Norman, North Harbor Club, Red Rocks Café-Birkdale, Trattoria Al Gusto and Twisted Oak American Bar & Grill.

Professional group for Chamber’s youth The January promotion includes restaurants in eight counties, with  participants located across Charlotte and beyond into Concord, Belmont, Gastonia, Waxhaw, the Lake Norman area, Statesville, Denver, Hickory and Fort Mill, S.C.   The January and July 2014 Charlotte Restaurant Week promotions generated approximately 300,000 dinners and an estimated economic impact of more than $14 million. “It’s wonderful to see Queen’s Feast continue to grow in both participating restaurants and diners,” says Bruce Hensley of Hensley Fontana Public Relations  and Marketing, which handles the event.  “It’s a functional showcase of the Charlotte region’s culinary offerings.  Restaurants get to show off their  food and ambience, with a price and breadth of choices that lure customers to step outside the usual and try something new in terms of both cuisine and geography.” Reservations during Queen’s Feast are strongly recommended. Reservation links and contact information for all participating restaurants can be found at Charlot-

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce has formed a new group for the region’s business professionals and is actively recruiting members. Chamber President Bill Russell says the new Young Professionals organization will help more young people get involved in the community and assist with their personal and professional development. It’s the Chamber’s latest initiative and is targeted for anyone 21-39 years of age that’s a member of the chamber or employee of a chamber member.  An initial kick-off reception was held late last year at Harvey’s in Cornelius and was attended by nearly 40 young professionals.  In addition, the Chamber held a goalsetting workshop at El Toro Restaurant in Cornelius last month with Pat Heidrich of Sandler Training on how to have your best year ever in 2015. Mike Russell, this year’s chairman of the Chamber board, says, “I believe the Young Professional’s group will be a valuable resource in developing the business and community leaders of tomorrow.”   Mike Murphy, also a Chamber board member and part of the SEE BRIEFCASE, PAGE 24

January 7, 2015

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January 7, 2015

BRIEFCASE FROM PAGE 23 Young Professionals group, has developed a website at lakenormanyoungprofessionals.com as an online record and information source for those interested in learning more about the group or attending an event. “If someone has limited time, they can be more selective about the events they choose to attend,” says Murphy. “My generation and the generation coming behind me are very focused on instant gratification. I’m hoping that we foster an environment of self-awareness — how to position yourself in complex business environments or simply how to negotiate or interview in a pro-

ductive and grounded manner,” he says. Chaz Churchwell, owner of Churchwell Insurance Agency, has been selected as the first chairman of the Young Professionals program and is excited about the group’s opportunities.  “We are creating something great and I know that those who connect regularly through these events will not only be more productive and better prepared business men and women, but will be able to look back with pride one day at the impact that they have made being part of the Young Professionals group,” says Churchwell. The next meeting of the Young Professionals is Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at The Pearl Event Center (19501 West Ca-

Lake Norman Citizen

tawba Avenue, Cornelius).  Future meeting locations will rotate through other Lake Norman communities.

Free skills workshop for ‘between job’ time

COURTESY LAKE NORMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Representing the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals are (from left) Mike Murphy, Chaz Churchwell and Mike Russell.

Job seekers are invited to attend a free job assistance workshop on Monday, Jan. 12, beginning at 7 p.m. Participants will hear from a financial expert on the topic “Economic Survival Skills Between Jobs.” The workshop will be held at Community in Christ Church (7621 Norman Island Dr., Cornelius). Confirm your attendance by calling the church office at 704-892-0120 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Faces & Places

• Cornelius-based J.D. Goodrum Company has begun construction of the Denver Canine Club project, a 13,000-square-foot animal facility in Denver. Designed by Campbell Design of Denver, the club will provide daycare and boarding services for dogs. • Construction has begun on the Hambright Animal Hospital, at the intersection of Hambright and Statesville roads in Huntersville. When complete, the 6,300-squarefoot facility will offer a full range of animal medical/ surgical services, overnight boarding and doggy daycare. It is set for completion in June. • In cooperation with the Mo o r e s v i l l e South Iredell D. Traugott Chamber of Commerce, David Traugott, a State Farm Insurance & Financial Services agent, will host a grand opening and ribboncutting event for his agency K. Traugott at 108 Gateway Blvd., Suite 102 in Mooresville on Friday, Jan. 23, at 9:30 a.m. It will be followed by an open house with refreshments and tours. Kelly Traugott will serve as the agency’s operations manager.

— Compiled by Lori Helms



www.lakenormancitizen.com

NEXT LEVEL FROM PAGE 22 Readiness is not a bastion for the stereotypical doomsday prepper. “We have such a unique niche,” Gagne says about his business. “We are touting safety, but not in the ‘scary’ sense. We educate first, and then support (our customers) with products.” Thanks to his significant resumé

in the safety industry, he knows just what products his customers will need. Gagne has an extensive background as a former firefighter, a tactical paramedic and disaster preparedness professional. He was a former section chief with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where it was his job to mobilize disaster response teams wherever directed. His first federal response was to New York City on

January 7, 2015

Sept. 11, 2001. And now that demand for disaster preparedness products and classes continues to grow locally, Gagne has responded by growing his business. He says since he’s moved into the entire building, his walk-in traffic has “exploded.” The Saturday before Christmas, Gagne had 175 people

visit the store looking for stocking stuffers such as fire starters, pepper spray and his popular vehicle emergency kits. He now has room to carry more camping and hiking gear for Boy Scouts and similar clientele, as well as uniforms and equipment for local fire, police and EMS personnel. While the extra room for added

inventory is nice, Gagne says making those sales is not what drives him. “I want you to be safe, that’s a passion of ours,” he says. “If you walk out of here with nothing but an education, that means more to me than turning you away because we don’t have what you need.”

Exceptional Dental Care for the Entire Family

Next Level Readiness owner Andre Gagne has an extensive resume in disaster preparedness and response. The doorframe at his store in Huntersville is covered with patches from public safety agencies across the country that he has supported.

LORI HELMS

“Online JOb Searching SkillS” A free educational seminar with special speaker: Chris Mulcahy, Owner, Husband’s Helper LLC

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Wednesday, January 28, 2015 7:00-8:30 p.m. Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, Randy Marion Conference Room, 19900 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius

“FOR THE NEXT IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU GET BACK TO WORK!” Each seminar will begin from 7:00-7:15 PM with “Managing the Emotions of Job Change” with Susan Park

www.lknJobSearch.com hire h.O.h.T. and “PUT lake nOrMan back TO WOrk!” Sponsored By: Good Old-Fashioned Auto Repair • Along Came Vickie • Lake Norman Citizen Insights For Business Growth • Advicoach • McBryde Website Design • Husband’s Helper LLC The Business Center @ South Main Square • CPCC• Savory Moments Gourmet Catering T-Mac, Birkdale • Nothing Bundt Cakes • Vibrant Video Productions • LKN Regional EDC • Pava, LLC LKN Chamber of Commerce • Town of Huntersville • Town of Cornelius • Town of Davidson

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January 7, 2015

Lake Norman Citizen

LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY Invest in the Lake Norman Community. Support local businesses. AUTOMOTIVE A & B Automotive Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

BAKERY / CAFE Maddy’s Fatty’s Bakery & Cafe

DENTAL Carolina Oral and Facial Surgery J.C. Duncan, DDS Lake Norman Implant Dentistry Tate Langdon, DDS

EVENT VENUES Beaver Dam, Armin’s Catering Peninsula Yacht Club

FINANCIAL Aquesta Bank GCG Wealth Management Mikeworth Financial Missy Carlson / Edward Jones

HEALTH & FITNESS Bel Corpo Spa Carolina Woman

FURNITURE Stickley-Audi. Co.

HOME DECOR Burgess Supply Co.

ITALIAN SPECIALTIES Ferrucci’s Italian Market

LEGAL Adkins Law Firm

MEDICAL Allergy & Asthma Center of LKN Ballas Chiropractic Carolina Foot & Ankle Friedman Eye Care Lakeside Dermatology Piedmont HealthCare

PETS Camp Wagging Tails Lakecross Veterinary

REAL ESTATE Allen Tate Realtors

Carlyle Properties Al Strickland / Jim Grywalski Christy Walker & Associates Jennifer Stewart - Allen Tate Susan Johnson & Associates

RECREATION Cornelius PARC Freedom Boat Club Huntersvile Parks & Recreation Lake Norman Power Sports Lake Norman Miniature Golf Lake Norman Tennis Association Rural Hill

RESTAURANT Kilwin’s Chocolate & Ice Cream Rusty Rudder Showmars Jack’s Corner Tap Verde Grill

RETAIL Ashley Carol/Catawba House Four Seasons of Lake Norman Wild Birds Unlimited

SALONS Signature Style Studio B The Salon

SCHOOLS Lake Norman Charter Lake Norman Christian Cannon School Davidson Day Southlake Christian

SERVICES Advanced Marine Services Doug The Handyman Fogle Insurance Group The Furniture Guy Hansil Lawn & Landscape Maestro Travel

SPORTS ATA Karate Carolina Rapids Cool Breeze Cyclery Stewards of the Game Strikers

Bounty of books

COURTESY KARP FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

Students at Park View Elementary School in Mooresville received more than 70 donated books before the holiday break from Mooresville-based Karp Financial Strategies. The company’s founder and president, Jeff Karp, says for the 2014 KarpKares Holiday Book Drive it chose to support the more than 600 students at Park View in grades K-3, who are just a short walk from Karp Financial’s offices. Above, Karp (center) and school librarian, Susie Harkey, sort through the donated titles. Learn more about the company at karpfinancial.com.



www.lakenormancitizen.com

January 7, 2015

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Here’s a tax savings tip — deduct the Alamo!

In 1836, Mexican General Santa Anna and 1,500 troops laid siege against 182 Texans garrisoned at the Alamo, a Spanish mission designed to resist attack from native tribes. Thirteen days later, the Mexicans stormed the walls and killed every last man inside, including Commander William Travis and frontiersmen Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie. Santa Anna’s cruelty inspired Texans to join their army to seek revenge, crying “Remember the Alamo!” on their way to crushing the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto. Remembering the Alamo has become a central part of Texas history. So, which Texas musician has offered a tax-planning lesson by donating his collection of Alamo artifacts to the Texas Land Office? Was it rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Roy Orbison, hailing from lonely Vernon near the Oklahoma border? Perhaps

Lake Norman 24 year in review The strong growth in the Lake Norman area in business and housing has been a positive sign and it is reflected in the numbers of the LKN 24. The LKN 24 was up 15.88 percent for the year, followed by the S&P 500 up 13.17 percent and the Dow Jones up 9.63 percent. Calm in 2014 gave way to increasing volatility at the end of the year, something we will see more of in 2015. It also appears employers in the Lake Norman area plan to increase their full-time staff in 2015. The Federal Reserve will announce on March 18 whether it will raise interest rates from zero. The companies who thrive on higher interest rates are big banks like LKN 24’s Bank of America.

— Courtesy Norris Woody, AXA Advisors

It’s Your Money it was country legend Willie Nelson, born an hour south of Fort Worth? Wait, wait … was it Tejano accordionist Leonardo “Flaco” Jiménez from San Antonio? No, no and no. The answer, of course, is English singer and drummer Phil Collins, hailing from the London suburb of Chiswick. Collins fell in love with the Alamo legend at age five, watching actor Fess Parker play the “King of the Wild Frontier” Davey Crockett. According to Texas Monthly, the rocker’s collection includes hundreds of documents, “plus artifacts like uniforms and Brown Bess muskets

that belonged to Mexican soldiers, a sword belt believed to have been worn by Travis when he died atop the northern wall, and a shot pouch that Crockett is thought to have given a Mexican soldier just before he was executed.” For years, they sat in his basement in Switzerland. But last month, Collins donated more than 200 of his pieces to go on display in a new Alamo Visitors’ Center. Collins grudgingly admits to spending “seven figures” building his collection. Today it’s said to be worth as much as $15 million. That sort of appreciation would seem to invite attack from the troops at the IRS. (And collectibles like the Alamo artifacts are even subject to a special 28 percent rate, eight percent higher than the regular 20 percent for regular long-term gains). But there’s an easy way for donors like Collins to avoid that tax, and get an even bigger char-

itable deduction for their gifts. Let’s say you spend $5 million building a collection that grows to be worth $15 million. Then you decide you want it to go to a museum. If you sell it to the museum, you’ll owe $2.8 million in capital gains tax, plus $380,000 in “net investment income tax” on your $10 million gain. That’s probably not as bad as being overrun by 1,500 soldiers — but it still leaves you with just $6,820,000 of after-tax gain. Now let’s say that instead of selling your collection to the museum, you donate it. Now you won’t pay any tax at all. (Why should you? You never really “realize” your gain.) And, because you’re making a charitable gift, you get to take a charitable deduction for the full $15 million value of your donation. That same strategy works for any sort of appreciated property. Let’s say you paid $1 million for a piece

of property, which is now worth $3 million. Now you want your alma mater to have that $3 million, even though you know they can’t use the property itself. You could sell the property, donate the after-tax proceeds, and take a deduction for your after-tax gift. Or, you could just donate the property and let the school sell it. That would avoid the tax on the gain and give you a deduction for the full pre-tax value. Tax planning couldn’t save the Texans at the Alamo. But it can shield you from the IRS artillery. So if your tax planning includes charitable gifts, call a certified tax professional. They can help you with ideas to make the most of those gifts, even if you’re not deducting the Alamo. Provided by Laura M. Mikeworth, CPA, PA, in Cornelius. She can be reached at 704-894-9991 or at [email protected].

Lake Norman 24 Name Symbol Air T Inc. AIRT Babcock & Wilcox BWC Bank of America Corporation BAC Campus Crest Communities CCG Carlisle Companies CSL Carolina Trust Bank CART Chiquita Brands International CQB Coca-Cola Bottling COKE Duke Energy Corporation DUK Enpro Industries NPO FairPoint Communications FRP Family Dollar Stores FDO Kewaunee Scientific KEQU Lowes Companies Incorporated LOW Nucor NUE Park Sterling Bank PSTB Piedmont Natural Gas PNY Polypore International Incorporated PPO Snyder S. Lance Incorporated LNCE Sonic Automotive SAH Speedway Motorsports TRK SPX Corporation SPW The Cato Corporation CATO Tree.com TREE PORTFOLIO VALUE

Shares 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0.333333 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23.333333

Pur. Price* $9.74 $25.59 $10.88 $14.02 $39.74 $2.89 $13.82 $55.58 $17.81 $41.56 $4.33 $49.71 $13.65 $25.08 $43.82 $6.18 $27.96 $40.73 $23.44 $13.24 $15.32 $71.49 $27.41 $9.45 $603.44

Market Value $25.65 $30.06 $17.90 $7.45 $90.02 $4.94 $14.48 $89.87 $28.02 $62.27 $14.19 $78.89 $17.36 $67.70 $49.01 $7.19 $39.44 $46.40 $29.97 $26.74 $22.41 $85.87 $41.97 $47.34 $960.55

Gain +$15.91 (+163.35%) +$4.47 (+17.47%) +$7.02 (+64.52%) -$6.57 (-46.86%) +50.28 (+126.52%) +$2.05 (+70.93%) +$0.66 (+4.78%) +$34.29 (+61.69%) +$10.21 (+57.31%) +$20.71 (+49.83%) +$9.86 (+227.71%) +$29.18 (+58.70%) +$3.71 (+27.18%) +$42.62 (+169.94%) +$5.19 (+11.84%) +$1.01 (+16.34%) +$11.48 (+41.06%) +$5.67 (+13.92%) +$6.53 (+27.86%) +$13.50 (+101.96%) +$7.09 (+46.28%) +$14.38 (+20.11%) +$14.56 (+53.12%) +$37.89 (+400.95%) +$341.70 (+56.62%)

Lake Norman 24 is a theoretical portfolio of 24 significant, publicly held companies with corporate headquarters located within 30 miles of Cornelius. Data for the Lake Norman 24 is provided by Norris R. Woody, who offers securities and investment advisory services through AXA Advisors, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC, and offers annuity and insurance services through AXA Network, LLC, and its subsidiaries. Sterling Group is a division of AXA Advisors, LLC (CA Insurance License #OF54166). His office is at 19900 W. Catawba Ave., Suite 207, Cornelius, NC, 28031 and his phone number is 704-895-7475. This is intended to provide a snapshot of the performance of major regional employers. Lake Norman 24 is a weekly feature of The PULSE on Lake Norman Business. Market value as of Friday, Jan. 2, 2015. * = Price per share as of Jan. 3, 2011, the first day of active trading for that year.

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Normanopolis

January 7, 2015

NORMANOPOLIS

Lake Norman Citizen

A Hard Day’s Night at Studio-C It will be A Hard Day’s Night at Studio-C Cinema at the Cornelius Arts Center in the Oak Street Mill Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24 and 25, as the Art House Films series screens the 50th anniversary digital restoration of The Beatles’ iconic film. In A Hard Day’s Night, the wildly popular lads from Great Britain play wily, exuberant versions of themselves, capturing the moment when they officially became the singular, irreverent idols of their generation and changed music forever. Directed with raucous, anything-goes verve by Richard Lester and featuring several iconic pop anthems including the eponymous title track, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “I Should Have Known Better,” and “If I Fell,” A Hard Day’s Night, which re-conceived the movie musical and exerted an incalculable influence on the music video, is regarded as one of the most deliriously entertaining movies of all time. This restoration of the 1964 movie is a recent 4K Digital con-

version from the original 35mm film by director Lester. The sound track was restored and remixed in 5.1 surround sound. This is the only screening currently scheduled for the Charlotte area. The show begins at 7 p.m. both nights. Doors open at 6:15 for a complimentary wine and cheese reception. Admission costs $9 per person for Cornelius residents, $10 for all others. Purchase tickets in advance at studioccinema.com or, if any remain, at the door. Oak Street Mill is at 19725 Oak St. in downtown Cornelius.

Bridge game classes offered The Lake Norman Bridge Center holds ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. at Cornelius Town Hall, 21443 Catawba Ave. Bridge lessons are also offered regularly. January classes include Beginning Bridge and Slam Bidding. For more information, contact John or

Marlene Smith at 704-992-1260 or e-mail [email protected]. The club’s website is lnbc.stevelee. name.

LNTA holds first tennis expo The Lake Norman Tennis Association will host its first Tennis Expo Friday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Peninsula Club in Cornelius. The event is the first of its kind in the Lake Norman area.  “We are excited to add this expo to the growing list of activities we provide in Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius and Mooresville,” says LNTA President JD Weber. “Our association sponsors leagues including junior tennis, and we recently hosted an extremely successful USTA state tournament, but this is something completely new for us.”  The event will provide an overview of all the area’s tennis activities and player opportunities. SEE EVENTS, PAGE 29

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EVENTS FROM PAGE 28 Vendors will include equipment manufacturers, apparel retailers and United States Tennis Association (USTA) tennis professionals. A tennis fashion show, talks by college coaches and athletic training sessions are planned as well.   For more information about sponsorship or vendor opportunities call Rochelle Dearman at 704402-3059.

New year health with Cornelius PARC Offered in conjunction with the Cornelius PARC Department, Tai Chi for Health provides a health and fitness exercise as well as a moving meditation.  Gentle, flowing movements stretch and strengthen muscles, tendons and joints while placing the least amount of stress and tension on the body.  Introduction to Tai Chi classes are offered for beginners and Intermediate Tai Chi is for anyone wanting to renew their practice. Benefits include general overall fitness and well-being; improved balance and coordination; improved muscle strength and flexibility; improved posture and biomechanics; increased circulation, heart and lung function; pain and stiffness reduction; and stress relief. The classes are led by certified Tai Chi instructor Joe Higgins. Introductory classes are held Thursdays, Jan. 8-Feb. 26 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Cornelius Town Hall,

Depot hosts NC traveling exhibit

View 31 paintings from the Watercolor Society of North Carolina’s annual juried travel exhibit at the Mooresville Depot Visual Arts Center, 103 W. Center St., in Mooresville.  The exhibit also includes three additional paintings from the Watercolor Society’s permanent collection.   The paintings are on display at The Depot through Jan. 16.  Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Admission is free.  Mooresville Arts is sponsoring the exhibit.  For more information, contact The Depot at 704663-6661 or visit moores- Morning Sun by Susan Lackey. villeartists.org. and Saturdays, Jan. 10-Feb. 28 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bailey Road Recreation Center at Bailey Middle School. Intermediate classes are held Thursdays, Jan. 8-26 from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at Cornelius Town Hall. All classes cost $40 for Cornelius residents, $46 for all others. Register in person at Cornelius Town Hall or online at cornelius.org/parc. Classes may be joined in progress and will be offered at a pro-rated fee. For more information,  call 704-896-2460, ext. 188. • PiYo class: PiYo is a new class offered by Cornelius PARC under the instruction of Heather Wat-

kins, a certified PiYo instructor. PiYo combines dynamic cardio exercise, yoga, Pilates, strength training, core work and athletic stretching into one workout. Work at high intensity to burn calories, torch body fat and shed unwanted pounds. It features benefits of yoga and Pilates, including flexibility and core training, with an added emphasis on cardio and strength training. Watkins holds a degree in worksite health promotion and has more than 15 years of experience teaching group exercise and working in health and wellness. Bring a yoga mat, towel, water bottle and

January 7, 2015 wear comfortable shoes. Classes will be held Tuesdays, Jan. 13-Feb. 24, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Bailey Road Recreation Center at Bailey Middle School. Cost is $70 for Cornelius residents, $80 for all others. Register in person at Cornelius Town Hall or online at cornelius.org/parc. Classes may be joined in progress and will be offered at a pro-rated fee. For more information,  call 704-8962460, ext. 188.

Learn dance with In His Steps In His Steps, a non-profit dance ministry for girls, offers free dance classes for girls ages Pre-K to grade 12 at locations in Huntersville and Mooresville. In its seventh year, weekly dance classes are offered free of charge, along with spiritual development through biblical-

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based devotions. The ministry focuses on providing girls a safe place to learn about Christ, as well as to develop a positive self-image and share the daily challenges they face. At a time when many dance studios focus heavily on girls’ bodies, appearance and technical ability, founder Donna Smith says her goal is to cultivate a safe environment where all girls are appreciated no matter how they look, their size, economic status or dance abilities.  “In a time where many activities are so expensive, these classes offer girls a free way to learn to dance and get exercise,” says Smith. “They can invite their friends, dance and hang out in a safe place, that doesn’t cost them a thing.” The classes are lead by volunteers. Each class includes dance SEE EVENTS, PAGE 30

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EVENTS FROM PAGE 29 and devotions about relevant issues the girls may be facing. Additional volunteers, as well as tax-deductible donations, are requested.  For more information contact Smith at 704-650-4089 or [email protected], or visit ihsdance.com  or  facebook.com/ ihsdance.

Felting demo by Mooresville Arts A demonstration of three-dimensional felting by Sandy Thibeault will be held Sunday, Jan. 11, at 3 p.m. at at the Mooresville Depot, 103 W. Center St., in downtown Mooresville. A variety of felting techniques will be shown. Thibeault also teaches 3-D felting

NORMANOPOLIS and egg tempura painting class at Andre Christine Art Gallery in Mooresville. Sunday’s event is sponsored by Mooresville Arts.

NAMI offers family support class The National Alliance for Mental Illness offers a Family-toFamily support class series beginning Monday, Jan. 19, continuing for 12 weeks at the Lowes YMCA in Mooresville. The free course is offered to families, partners and friends of individuals with mental illness taught by trained NAMI family members and caregivers of individuals living with mental illness. Information includes ways to understand mental illness and how to help the suffering individual. It also helps the family overcome the difficulties of living with

severe mental illness. The curriculum focuses on five major psychiatric illnesses — schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder. The program has been attended by more than 3,200 people across North Carolina. Register by e-mail to [email protected] or by calling Duane Carpenter at 704-2362264. Class size is limited. The Lowes YMCA is at 170 Joe V. Knox Ave., in Mooresville.

DCP needs some Ordinary People Davidson Community Players will hold open auditions for its winter production of Judith Guest’s Ordinary People, dramatized by Nancy Gilsenan. Auditions will be held Thursday, Jan. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m at The Warehouse Performing Arts Center, at 9216 Westmoreland Road, in Cornelius. Actors need only to come to one session, but should plan to arrive at the start of the audition and stay for the entire session.  Actors at all levels of experience are encouraged to attend. Bring a resume or a list of contact information and your theater experience, a recent photo and a list of all conflicts. Rehearsals will begin in January. No

Lake Norman Citizen prior acting experience is required and novice actors are encouraged to audition. The production will run Feb. 26-March 15 at Armour Street Theatre in Davidson. Roles include: • Conrad Jarrett: Young actor who is able to play late teens (ages 17-20). • Cal Jarrett: Conrad’s father (ages 40-plus). • Beth Jarrett: Conrad’s mother (ages 40-plus). • Joe Lazenby: Conrad’s best friend. Young actor who is able to play late teens (ages 17-20). • Stillman: Boy on Conrad’s swim team. Young actor who is able to play late teens (ages 17-20). • Jeannine Pratt: Conrad’s girlfriend. Young actor who is able to play late teens (ages 17-20). • Karen Aldrich: Conrad’s friend from the hospital. Young actor who is able to play late teens (ages 16-19). • Doctor Berger: Conrad’s psychiatrist. Male or female (ages 40plus). • Salan: Conrad’s swim coach (ages 30-plus).  Perusal copies of the script are available in the Davidson Community Players’ office. For more information regarding auditions, contact Artistic Director Debra Baron at 704-892-7953 or at [email protected].

Special needs volunteers needed

AngelCare special needs care programs, sponsored jointly by Cornelius PARC and Huntersville Park and Recreation Department, is seeking volunteers to help for upcoming programs: • Basketball: Be a buddy to a child with special needs, helping them play basketball-related activities and learn basic basketball skills.  Help engage them in basketball-related activities to learn basketball skills.  Coaches will encourage participants to hone their dribbling, passing and shooting skills while learning the rules of the game and interacting with peers. • Create & Play for Preschoolers: This volunteer opportunity has been designed for home schoolers, college students and adults seeking to help in the community.  Volunteers will work oneon-one with a child age 2-6 with special needs during the threehour class period. Tuesdays, Jan. 13-Feb. 17, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Cornelius Arts Center. For more information and instructions on how to register to volunteer, contact Nicole Groth at 704-892-6031, ext. 162, or visit cornelius.org/parc.

— Staff

NORMANOPOLIS

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Obituaries Barbara Ann Tadlock Jackson

Mrs. Jackson, 80, of Huntersville died Tuesday, Dec. 23, at her daughter’s home in York. S.C. She was born Feb. 10, 1934, in Charlotte to the late Gilmer Tadlock and Ollie Tadlock Efird. She is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Tadlock and husband, Gene, of Huntersville and Rebecca Forrester of York, S.C.; sister, Libby Wentz of Mocksville; brother, Charles Lewis of Columbia; five grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Jackson; brother, William Tadlock; and grandson, Jackson Forrester. A celebration of her life was held Monday, Dec. 29, at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home with the Rev. Gloria Tadlock officiating. Memorials may be made to Levine & Dickson Hospice House, 11900 Vanstory Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078. RaymerKepner Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.

Julio Donald Ruggiero

Mr. Ruggiero, 79, of Huntersville died Thursday, Dec. 25, at his home. He was born April 22, 1935, in San Francisco, Calif., to the late Julio and Augusta Schmike Ruggiero. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ruggiero; daughter, Diana Phillips and husband, Nicholas, of Char-

lotte; sons, Donald Ruggiero and wife, Kathleen, of California, Julio Ruggiero and wife, JoAnn, of California and Edward Ruggiero and wife, Mary, of Oklahoma; sister, Kathrine Mauldin; and nine grandchildren. Services were to be held in California. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.

Ann Marie McArthur

Ms. McArthur, 55, of Cornelius died Thursday, Dec. 25.  She was born June 23, 1959, in Omaha, Neb., to Mary and the late Donald McArthur. She is survived by her mother, Mary McArthur; and brother, Richard McArthur. A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 29, at James Funeral Home with the Rev. Adam Mumpower officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1300 Baxter Street, Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28204. James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.

Nancy LaNoue Wagoner,

Mrs. Wagoner, 68, of Huntersville died Friday, Dec. 26, with her family by her side, due to complications related to her long battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 17, 1946, in Detroit, Mich., to Charles and the late Irene LaNoue. She had a 45year career as a labor and delivery nurse. In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband of 47 years, William Wagoner; daughters,

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Karen de Sousa and Lauren Gardner; and four grandchildren. A memorial service was held Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius with the Rev. Paul Turbedsky officiating. Memorials may be made to Grace Covenant Church, 17301 Statesville Road, Cornelius, NC 28031. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.

Priscilla Dianne Morris Gurley

Mrs. Gurley, 67, of Huntersville died Saturday, Dec. 27, at Novant Health Charlotte Medical Center. She was born May 25, 1947, in Chambers County, Ala., to the late Jesse and Willie Smith Morris. She is survived by her husband, James Gurley; sons, Dallas Thompson III and Timothy Thompson; stepson, James Gurley; brother, Hollis Ray; and sister, Joanne Brown. Burial was to be held at Marseilles Cemetery in West Point, Ga. James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.

Mary Evelyn Hampton Ahuna

Mrs. Ahuna, 89, of Mooresville died Saturday, Dec. 27, at Genesis Eldercare in Mooresville. She was born in Rutherfordton to the late Lloyd and Esse McFadden

January 7, 2015

Hampton. She is survived by her sons, Michael Ahuna and Mark Ahuna and wife, Lori; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ahuna; and four brothers. A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Cavin-Cook Funeral Home with the Rev. George Gately officiating. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home of Mooresville is serving the family.

Reginald Clark Brown

Mr. Brown, 67, of Cornelius died Sunday, Dec. 28, at Novant Health Charlotte Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was born June 6, 1947, in Winston Salem to the late Woodrow and Bueina Conner Brown. He was a member of Lake Norman Shag Club, where he served as president and treasurer. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Brown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Victor Brown and Billy Brown. The family would like to express its sincere thanks to the physicians, nurses and CNAs at Novant Hospice in Charlotte, as well as Dr. Jimmy Adcock, Dr. Steven Josephson and Dr. Justin Favaro. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. at Mulberry Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Arvin Tenbrink officiating.

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A reception will follow in the Stokes Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be made to Mulberry Presbyterian Church, 5600 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28208; or the Cornelius Animal Shelter, 19110 Meridian Street, Cornelius, NC 28031. James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.

Kaye Marilyn Alley Mode

Mrs. Mode, 72, of Mooresville died Monday, Dec. 29, in Charlotte after a long illness. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Florence Isenhour Alley. She was the retired owner/operator of All About Hair. She was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Cornelius. She is survived by her children, Michael Mode and wife, Crystal, and Marcus Mode; sister, Dianne Robinson; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brother, Steven Alley. A memorial service was held Friday, Jan. 2, at the Cavin-Cook Funeral Home with the Rev. Jill Smith officiating. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion Avenue, Cornelius, NC 28031; or the American Lung Association, 514 Daniels Street, Suite 109, Raleigh, NC 27605. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home of Mooresville is serving the family.

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Sports

January 7, 2015

SPORTS

Lake Norman Citizen

Gibbs emerging in front of our eyes Jack Gibbs didn’t start a game for Davidson last year, but already this season, he’s a player the Wildcats never want to be without.  The sophomore from Westerville, Ohio, is equally a distributing point guard and dynamic scorer, and the combination of skills has made him nearly unstoppable.  “He can shoot, he’s excellent with the ball and he’s confident,” Richmond coach Chris Mooney said after Gibbs scored 32 against his Spiders Saturday. “That really makes it difficult on you because you have to worry about some other things, and of course, he’s surrounded by shooters.” Gibbs scored a career-high 37 at UCF in late November — on an ultra-efficient 15-of-17 shooting — before paving the way in the 81-67 win over Richmond in Davidson’s Atlantic 10 debut. In the He’s playing with a wide smile on his face, and it’s no huddle wonder. Gibbs has been integral to Davidson’s 10-2 start and its progression in a transitional year.  Justin Parker “I would credit a lot of this year’s offense, the way we’re shooting the ball, how many points we’re scoring, to Jack,” says senior guard Tyler Kalinoski. “He’s the master of getting us together, getting us where we need to be and making the right decisions. I think he’s come a long way, especially from last year, as a player and as a leader.” Gibbs leads Davidson in scoring (17.4 points per game), free throw shooting (90.9 percent), 3-point shooting (48.1 percent), assists (58) and steals (21). He’s also shooting 59 percent from the floor, which has him on pace for the single-season shooting record for Davidson guards. He’s the A-10 Player of the Week for the second time. SEE PARKER, PAGE 34

Jack Gibbs

TIM COWIE

CHRISWISSELL.COM

C.J. Bryce, left, earned MVP honors as North Meck won the Arby’s Classic in Tennessee last week.

North hitting its stride By Justin Parker [email protected]

It’s the midpoint of the high school basketball season, and just like old times, the North Meck Vikings are the talk of the town.  Ten years after the program won its only state championship, the Vikings are garnering the kind of attention that comes when a team wins its first 13 games.  And coach Duane Lewis, in his 16th season, is okay with that.  “We have the potential to make a run,” he says. But while acknowledging North is capable of being in the conversation deep into the state playoffs, Lewis is also cautious. It’s still early, there’s a lot of basketball yet to be played, and all of the remaining regular season games are in the rigorous MECKA Conference, where the Vikings currently share the lead with rival Hough.  Then, to reach regionals, much less a state final, will mean going through the  best Charlotte has to offer. It’s a tough road. “There’s so many good teams,”

says Lewis. That said, Lewis is pleased with where his team is as the calendar flips to 2015. The Vikings won three MECKA games prior to the holiday break — including one over powerhouse West Charlotte at home — and are coming off a championship in the prestigious Arby’s Classic in Bristol, Tenn., last week.  “To be undefeated this time of year is good, but I think it’s more about how we feel the team is playing,” he says. “I’m happy with the way we’re playing. You just want to make sure we maintain that.” In Bristol, the Vikings won four games and wrapped up the title with a 55-54 overtime win over Ohio’s Centerville High on New Year’s Eve. Centerville forced overtime with a shot at the buzzer, then hit another shot at the overtime horn to trim the final margin to one. Mostly, the national tournament was a chance to improve, play in front of large and noisy crowds and face multiple opponents in a short amount of time.

But things went really well, and the Vikings emerged with the title.  “It’s something they’ll always remember,” says Lewis. Getting away for six days was also beneficial, as Lewis saw his players bond during a video game tournament, over games of cards and while watching college and pro football games on TV. They had fun. “They all like each other,” says Lewis. “They all just hung out. They’re a low-maintenance team.” That chemistry is carrying over to the court, where the Vikings share the basketball, and take their cues from star guard C.J. Bryce. A UNC-Wilmington recruit, Bryce plays under control and doesn’t force the issue offensively, although he has the ability to take over when needed. Bryce averages 21 points and six rebounds per game and was named MVP of the Arby’s Classic, while point guard Davion Mintz and wing player Taj Middleton were named to the alltournament team.

SEE NORTH, PAGE 35

SPORTS

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January 7, 2015

New To Lake Norman? If you recently moved to the area, our Welcome Committee Greeters will bring you FREE maps, community information, physician directories, coupons and gift offers from local businesses to help you get acquainted.

Contact us at 704-660-1155 www.TheWelcomeCommittee.net

TIM COWIE

Davidson’s Tyler Kalinoski drives past Richmond’s T.J. Cline during Saturday’s win in Belk Arena.

A ‘darn special’ A-10 debut Win over Richmond leads into first A-10 road test at VCU.

court. “I’m sure they’re excited,” said Richmond coach Chris Mooney. “But they’ve been a nationally relevant program for some time.”

By Justin Parker [email protected]

Wildcats face ‘havoc’

Bob McKillop admitted Saturday evening that he had a difficult time not thinking about what the long-anticipated Atlantic 10 opener meant for Davidson basketball. “I’ve tried to dispel emotion myself,” he said. “I’ve tried to not think about it, just to lock into the game and not realize the magnitude of it.”  After the Wildcats’ 81-67 debut win over Richmond, a team that returned four starters from an 8-8 A-10 team, he let loose.  “Pretty darn special,” he said. “This was a big freaking experience for Davidson College.”  The win over the former Southern Conference rival was as convincing as it was historic. Point guard Jack Gibbs scored 32 points to continue his emergence as the next Davidson star (see story, Page 32), backcourt mate Tyler Kalinoski poured in 21 and the Wildcats withstood an early secondhalf Spiders run to regain control, a few nights after allowing No. 3 Virginia to overtake them at generally the same juncture. With the program’s first A-10 victory secured, the Belk Arena crowd of 4,919 gave the Wildcats a standing ovation as they left the

The new normal for Davidson is that as soon as one tough test is passed, another looms. Such is life in the A-10, and the next test is likely the most challenging of all. The Wildcats (10-2, 1-0) travel to unanimous preseason conference favorite VCU (11-3, 1-0) Wednesday (7 p.m. on MASN) for their first league road test, where Shaka Smart’s 20th-ranked Rams will be waiting. VCU is fourth nationally in the RPI, and plays a relentless and aggressive style, most notably the “havoc” full-court pressure defense.

“They do a tremendous job of destroying rhythm and flow,” says McKillop. “And in the process, they cause chaos that leads to a lot of baskets. Their ability to dictate tempo, their ability to dictate flow of the game with their defensive presence is something we’ve never seen.” The Rams feature guard Briante Weber, last year’s A-10 defensive player of the year; and guard Treveon Graham, the league’s lone returning first-team all-conference selection. The Rams attack their opposition, making basic tasks such as getting the ball up court a challenge. “Without doubt, there has to be tremendous poise upon the part of the five guys, and we have to have five quarterbacks out there,” says McKillop. “We can’t rely upon one guy or two guys.”

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SPORTS

Lake Norman Citizen

Hough looks to defend Husky Duals title The Hough High wrestling team will host the fifth annual Husky Duals tournament Saturday, and the Huskies will be vying to win their own event for the third straight year. Twelve teams will be competing, and wrestling will begin at 9 a.m. Admission is $7 for a day pass, while children 5 and under and seniors 65 and older are admitted free. The Huskies are coming off a second-place finish in the 61-team Holy Angels Invitational held Jan. 2-3 at Charlotte Catholic. Hough’s Jordan Thompson won the 182-pound weight class, going 6-0. He pinned Independence’s Tayshon Risher in 4:50 in the championship match. Hough’s Caleb Kreitter went 7-1 and was third at 113 pounds, while Austin Powell was fourth at 120. He

Sports Briefs went 5-2. Hough totaled 167.5 points, which was 24.5 points ahead of third-place Hunter Huss and seven behind champion and fellow MECKA Conference member A.L. Brown. MECKA members Mallard Creek and Robinson finished 10th and 19th, respectively. Hopewell finished 31st with 61 points and was led by the fifth-place finish of Esco Walker, who went 5-2

SEniORS SpECiAl (62 and over)

in the 113-pound bracket. SouthLake Christian finished with 51 points and in a tie for 38th with South Rowan. Hamilton Hewitt was the top Eagle performer. He went 5-2 and finished seventh at 145 pounds.

Soccer Six named all-state Successful soccer seasons led to individual recognition this fall, and six players from northern Mecklenburg were named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association’s All-State teams. Hough’s C.J. Bradley and A.J. Whisenant and Hopewell’s Austin Clamon were named to the 4A team, while Lake Norman Charter’s Will Silva earned 2A honors, and Community School of Davidson’s Adam Cosgrove and Kevin Yascur netted 1A recognition. On the all-region level, Bradley, Whisenant and Clamon were joined on the Region 10 4A team by

Hough’s Michael Dunn and Bryce Deeringer, Hopewell’s Tyler Santee and North Meck’s Robbie Quinlan. Silva was joined on the Region 8 2A team by teammates J.C. Brooks, Connor Hahn, Parker Moss and Collin Turner. CSD had six Region 8 1A team selections including Cosgrove, Yascur, Jason Coggins, Brady Koch, Francisco Prado and Dylan Timoney.

Hough’s Smith named top 4A coach Hough coach David Smith has been named the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association’s 4A Coach of the Year. He led the Huskies to a 22-4-1 record and a state semifinals appearance. He also earned regional coach of the year recognition. Lake Norman Charter coach Justin Valenti is the Region 8 2A Coach of the Year.



— Staff

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PARKER FROM PAGE 32 “I’m just trying to do what the game gives me,” says Gibbs, cracking the smile he often flashes in the heat of battle, the one Kalinoski says works wonders in calming the Wildcats.  Bob McKillop’s players have always voted on team captains, but this offseason, he hand-picked captains for the first time, choosing guards Kalinoski and Brian Sullivan, the team’s only returning starters and the natural leaders. Kalinoski is the quintessential Davidson player. He can shoot, is always in the right place and does all the little things that make McKillop swell with pride. A junior, Sullivan had a breakout sophomore year, his first after transferring from Miami (Ohio), and like Kalinoski, had shown the ability to score and play the “Davidson way.” But McKillop also picked Gibbs, the 2013 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year, who played 20 minutes per game last season, the most of any Wildcat off the bench. He saw the opportunity for multi-year leadership and a player on the brink of breaking out.  “He’s playing at an extraordinarily high level right now, and we’re very, very thrilled,” says McKillop. “And he’s having fun doing it. You can see the joy he has and what maybe doesn’t show up in the statistics is the leadership he has, his body language, his facial expressions, but also his talk and his work ethic in practice.” Gibbs is doing things that — dare we say it — no one has done at Davidson since Stephen Curry. No one has had multiple 30-point games, and Gibbs has two in just more than a month. No one has scored 20 points in a half multiple times. Before torching Richmond with 23 first-half points, Gibbs scored 22 in the first half at UCF and 23 in the second at Montana. “He plays the game the right way, makes all the right reads,” says VCU coach Shaka Smart, whose team hosts Davidson Wednesday. “Very, very aggressive, but at the same time, under control. He’s become a phenomenal shooter. He’ll make you pay if you leave him open, and he’ll make you pay if you foul him.” There was a sense before the season that it would take some time for Gibbs to adjust to an expanded role, that he might have some growing pains and even frustrate his head coach at times. McKillop said he was prepared to stick with him regardless, because of his potential as a game-changer.   As it turns out, Gibbs hasn’t been frustrating the Wildcats at all. The opposition? Well, now that’s a different story.

SPORTS

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Stat Sheet High School Basketball Boys Scores Dec. 27

LN Charter 68, Garinger 54

LN Charter 13 19 20 16 — 68 10 17 11 16 — 54 Garinger LNC: Worthy 15, B. Hancock 13, Hickert 13, J. Hancock 8, McCormick 8, Cracknell 6, Lilly 3, Fairbairn 2. Garinger: Long 15, Neal 10, Johnson 8, McWaine 5, Cook 4, Abraham 2, Whitman 2, Wray 2, Montgomery 2, Hector-White.

Dec. 30

East Lincoln 75, LN Charter 63

LN Charter 11 21 15 16 — 63 16 27 13 19 — 75 East Lincoln LNC: Worthy 19, McCormick 16, Hickert 10, J. Hancock 6, B. Hancock 5, Cracknell 4, Lilly 3. East Lincoln: C. Surratt 29, S. Surratt 22, Dollar 13, Duggins 8, Tyson-Bryant 2, Ashley 1.

Jan. 2

LN Charter 78, Stuart Cramer 55

LN Charter 25 18 22 13 — 78 Stuart Cramer 13 13 13 16 — 55 LNC: B. Hancock 19, Fairbairn 13, Cracknell 11, McCormick 10, Worthy 8, Hickert 5, Penner 4, Reynolds 4, Queen 2, J. Hancock 2. Stuart Cramer: Sherrill 17, Stowe 13, Moore 9, Sitisorbaulin 5, Johnson 3, Digsby 2, McClain 2, Foust 2, Smith 2. CHRISWISSELL.COM

North Meck point guard Davion Mintz sails in for a dunk during the Leroy Holden Classic in November.

NORTH

West Charlotte. 

FROM PAGE 32

Taming the Lions

North won its first seven games this year by an average of 36 points, but the jewel in the crown of the season so far is the 76-69 win over West Charlotte on Dec. 16.  The Vikings led by as many as 17 in the third quarter, then withstood a trademark Lions’ run fed by aggressive full-court pressure. The Lions trimmed the lead to 6966 in the final minute, and North converted just two field goals in the fourth quarter. But the Vikings shot 15-of-23 at the foul line — and scored their final 13 points at the stripe — to seal the win. Bryce scored a game-high 28.  “That was a great win for us,” says Lewis. The rematch is set for Jan. 27 at

Focused group While things have gone well, outside expectations have soared and the wins have piled up, Lewis has been impressed with how his players have kept their eyes on what’s in front of them. “They come in focused in practice every day,” he says. “They have fun, but they’re focused.” Lewis just wants that mindset to continue as more tests come and the second half of the season unfolds.  “Right now, we’re trying to keep them zoned in on the next one because we’re going to keep getting teams’ best shots,” he says. 

Up next North was to return to MECKA play Tuesday at home against Jay M. Robinson, then travels to Vance Friday. 

Girls Scores Dec. 27

North Meck 65, East Lincoln 29

North Meck 26 16 18 5 — 65 12 6 4 7 — 29 East Lincoln North: Lutz 14, Heyward 11, Lester 9, Hartgrove 8, Hayes 6, Dunlap 6, Lewis 4, Beck 4, Stokes 2, Venant 2, Price 1. East Lincoln: Johnson 16, Moolenaar 6, White 3, Gibson 2, McClain 2.

Dec. 29

CSD 51, Chase 25

CSD 16 10 11 14 — 51 2 8 3 12 — 25 Chase CSD: Fekete 15, Haddock 10, Nageotte 8, Bradley 7, Burkhard 5, Mitchell 4, Lundsten 2. Chase: McKinney 7, Gordon 6, Pruett 3, Wiley 3, Freeman 2, Brooks 2, Thomas 2.

LN Charter 64, East Lincoln 52

LN Charter 8 16 12 28 — 64 10 7 8 27 — 52 East Lincoln LNC: Williams 16, Russ 16, Bock 15, Johnson 6, Bissinger 5, Potuzak 4, Taylor 2. East Lincoln: Johnson 25, Moolenaar 11, Smith 10, Fuller 4, Koehler 2.

Mallard Creek 73, North Meck 65

North Meck 7 20 12 26 — 65 Mallard Creek 20 17 22 14 — 73 North: Heyward 23, Lester 13, Dunlap 10, Lewis 7, Stokes 7, Hartgrove 2, Addison 2, Price 2, Hayes 2. Mallard Creek: Brown 19, Davis 15, Walker

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10, Sanders 8, Drayton 7, Richardson 6, Price 6, Allen 2.

Weddington 53, Hopewell 38

Hopewell 12 11 11 4 — 38 18 14 8 13 — 53 Weddington Hopewell: Dillon 7, Hankerson 6, Francis 6, Haynes 5, Thames 4, Parks 4, Sanders 3, Ruff-Mills 2. Weddington: Watts 28, Mann 8, Addison 7, Brown 6, Mitchell 4.

Dec. 30

CSD 50, Burns 49

CSD 18 5 9 18 — 50 14 8 9 18 — 49 Burns CSD: Haddock 12, Nageotte 11, Bradley 10, Fekete 7, Mitchell 7, Burkhard 3. Burns: Strong 16, Howze 7, Brown 6, Boling 5, McIntosh 4, Duckett 4, Huskey 4, Maddox 2, Hopper 1.

East Gaston 38, LN Charter 33

East Gaston 10 8 9 11 — 38 8 4 7 14 — 33 LNC East Gaston: Brooks 20, Shannon 9, Robinson 6, Armstrong 3. LNC: Bock 8, Novroski 7, Bissinger 6, Taylor 4, Potuzak 2, Behnke 2, Russ 2, Williams 2.

North Meck 67, Central Cabarrus 59

North Meck 24 17 15 11 — 67 Cen. Cabarrus 11 15 11 22 — 59 North: Heyward 17, Stokes 8, Dunlap 7, Lester 6, Hayes 6, Hartgrove 5, Lewis 4, Addison 4, Price 4, Venant 4, Beck 1. Central Cabarrus: Holit 38, McFarlane 15, Wallace 6.

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Jan. 2

Stuart Cramer 32, LN Charter 29

LN Charter 4 10 5 10 — 29 Stuart Cramer 4 8 6 14 — 32 LNC: Bock 11, Novroski 8, Johnson 6, Taylor 4. Stuart Cramer: Bryant 16, Bourhill 6, La. Trull 4, Hough 4, Le. Trull 2.

Men’s College Basketball Jan. 3

Davidson 81, Richmond 67

Richmond 32 35 — 67 45 36 — 81 Davidson Richmond: Anthony 15, Allen 14, Cline 13, Davis 9, Nelson-Ododa 6, S. Jones 5, Taylor 5. Davidson: Gibbs 32, Kalinoski 21, McAuliffe 10, Sullivan 6, Barham 6, Mackay 2, Ekwu 2, Aldridge 2.

Miscellaneous

NCHSAA/Wells Fargo Conference Cup Update (Through Fall Season)

Southern Piedmont 1A Standings: Community School of Davidson 115, Thomas Jefferson Classical 108, Pine Lake Prep 74, Highland Tech 61, Lincoln Charter 58, Cherryville 57, Bessemer City 42. Big South 2A/3A Standings: Forestview 83, Ashbrook 69, Lake Norman Charter 68, North Gaston 66, South Point 65, East Gaston 47, Stuart Cramer 45, Hunter Huss 42. MECKA 4A Standings: Hough 54, Mallard Creek 39, A.L. Brown 36, Hopewell 35, Robinson 35, North Meck 24, Vance 14, West Charlotte 6.

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January 7, 2015

Lake Norman Citizen

Resolve to get moving, eat right One thing we know is that if we keep doing the same things we will keep getting the same results. It is time to make new choices in 2015 to make this the best year ever. This is not about resolutions as much as it is about choosing a new path. The health choices we make every day will determine whether we will be a blessing or a burden to our family as we get older. Therefore, it makes sense to make health a priority and put first things first. Okay, you think, now what? The first step is the decision — I want to feel better and take control of my health. Start with a life Spinal vision of what you want your Column future to look like. Next, it is important to be as concrete as possible when Dr. John Ballas establishing your goals. Make your goals SMART — specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. It takes a little time to go through this process, but it will be worth it to keep you on track and help you achieve your goals. Movement is a must, but make sure you set realistic steps in achieving your fitness goal. We have a tendency to overdo it. Sometimes we overdo simply because we forget how long it’s been since we exercised so vigorously or used specific muscle groups. Adding more movement to your day, even in small ways, can help you stay healthy. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park a couple of blocks away from your destination and walk the extra distance. When it’s too cold to venture out, do some calisthenics, or even just dance to a favorite song at home. A chiropractor can help with musculoskeletal adjustments to keep you out of trouble and on track with your fitness goals. Eating healthy involves making good choices every day. There are some simple guidelines that can significantly improve your nutrition. • Eat breakfast every morning. Eating a good breakfast will set the tone for the day. A healthy breakfast should contain some protein and some fiber. An excellent source of protein is meat from grass-fed animals and organic eggs, and fiber can be found in vegetables and fruits. • Eat a minimum of three servings of vegetables every day. You need to eat vegetables every day because you need a supply of vitamins and fiber, and since the body cannot make these vitamins (or any vitamins), we have to get them from the food we eat. When considered as a group, vegetables are unusually rich sources for a full mixture of water-soluble vitamins. • Drink more water. To calculate how much water you should drink, multiply your body weight in pounds by .08. This equals the number of 8-ounce cups of water you should drink every day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink a total of 96 ounces of water daily or 12 8-ounce cups. • Avoid highly saturated fat foods such as fried foods, bacon, sausage, high-fat cheeses, cakes, pastries, chips and ice cream, which should be eaten only occasionally. A high-fat diet contributes to heart disease, certain cancers and can cause excessive weight gain. Choose healthy fats instead, including nuts, olive oil, coconut oil and olives. • Avoid sugars as much as possible. Eating high-glycemic carbohydrates (foods that spike your blood sugar and insulin) can sabotage even the best of diet plans because the resulting sugar and insulin spikes and subsequent drop in blood sugar (rebound hypoglycemia) lead to a more rapid return to feelings of anxiety, irritability, and worst of all, hunger. • Get a good night’s sleep. A restful night’s sleep is vital to a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you give sleep time the same priority you give to other activities during the day. Proper diet is important for ensuring healthy sleep. We have a tendency to put things ahead of our health and we don’t make time to eat well and exercise. Your family, job, social life and health will all take a step forward if you make healthy eating and exercise a priority. Together let’s make this a healthy new year. Ballas Chiropractic is at 9718-D Sam Furr Road in Huntersville. For information, visit ballaschiropractic.com or call 704-896-8080.

Salome’s Stars

• ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Use that Arian charm to help make a difficult workplace transition easier for everyone. News about a long-awaited decision can be confusing. Don’t jump to conclusions. • TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Although you might well be tempted to be more extravagant than you should be at this time, I’m betting you’ll let your sensible Bovine instinct guide you toward moderation. • GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): An opportunity for travel could come with some problems regarding travel companions and other matters. So be sure you read all the fine print before you start packing. • CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Make an effort to complete your usual workplace tasks before volunteering for extra duty. Scrambling to catch up later on could create some resentment among your colleagues. • LEO (July 23 to August 22): A financial matter could have you rethinking your current spending plans. You might want to recheck your budget to see where you can cut back on expenses until the situation improves. • VIRGO (August 23 to September 22): One way to make your case for that promotion you’ve been hoping for might be to put your planning skills to work in helping to shape up a project that got out of hand. Good luck. • LIBRA (September 23 to October 22): Be careful about “experts” who have no solid business background. Instead, seek advice

on enhancing your business prospects from bona fide sources with good success records. • SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21): Standing up to support a colleague’s viewpoint — even if it’s unpopular — can be difficult if you feel outnumbered. But you’ll win plaudits for your honesty and courage. • SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21): While progress continues on resolving that recurring problem, you might feel it’s taking too long. But these things always need to develop at their own pace. Be patient. • CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19): Someone close to you might have a financial problem and seek your advice. If you do decide to get involved, insist on seeing everything that might be relevant to this situation. • AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18): A personal matter takes an interesting turn. The question is, do you want to follow the new path or take time out to reconsider the change? Think this through before deciding. • PISCES (February 19 to March 20): Moving into a new career is a big step. Check that offer carefully with someone who has been there, done that, and has the facts you’ll need to help you make your decision. • BORN THIS WEEK: Your warmth and generosity both of spirit and substance endears you to everyone. (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

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January 7, 2015

Lake Norman Citizen

Lies we resolve to tell ourselves

See Super Crossword Answers on Page 31.

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“I am a critical thinker.” That’s a lie we tell ourselves when we don’t want to admit that sometimes we just enjoy criticizing someone or some thing. To be a crabby old crank doesn’t boost one’s ego. But to be a critical thinker feels, well you know, high class. So we lie to ourselves. Early in the new year, when we have new year’s resolutions on our minds, is a good time to reflect on lies we tell ourselves. This may lead us to some places in our lives where some self-help resolutions may be in order. A popular pastime nowadays is to identify various ways we lie to ourselves. The consensus seems to be that the biggest lie we tell ourselves is, “I don’t need to write it down. I’ll be able to Southern remember it.” Fried Preacher Here’s a lie that students of most ages use frequently. “I’ll get up at 4 a.m. and finHarold Bales ish preparing for my 8 o’clock class.” This is one teachers also sometimes use. Even Sunday school teachers. Preachers sometimes try to get away with it, too. We preachers never admit it but the people in the pews can tell it when they hear it. Any room for a new year’s resolution here? “I’m just going to sleep five more minutes.” Now, there’s a dandy lie we tell ourselves — especially when we are younger. After we enter our maturer phase in life we tend to drop that self-deception. This is not because we have achieved a higher level of morality. It’s because we don’t feel the need to lie about it anymore. Especially after we retire. Why do we really need to be awake before, say, mid-afternoon anyhow? Well, geezer golfers may have an early tee time. But why would they want that? But for those mothers of small children who are never truly rested, I can see that you need to keep telling yourselves that only five more minutes of sleep will get you through the day. “A little bit can’t hurt.” This a lie we all tell ourselves. It is a dangerous one because it is the one we swallow most easily. It is the one that can get us into the most trouble. “I’m fine; couldn’t be better.” Now, this is not a serious lie most of us tell ourselves. It is more of a rhetorical thought. It is sort of like the rhetorical response to the question we give when we greet a friend who asks, “How are you today?” They don’t really want to know how we are. It’s just their way of saying, “Good morning,” to us. We say we are fine but we are not. We have our aches and pains, troubles and woes. We have our human foibles. The truth is that we can be better. The good news is that, down deep in our hearts, we know this. Oh, one more lie we tell ourselves after the holiday season: “I am not overweight. I have large bones.” Let us now do some new year’s resolving! Harold Bales is a retired Methodist minister. For more information about him, visitTheSouthernFried-Preacher.com. Send him an e-mail at [email protected].

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Idea Exchange

A busload of hope for a hopeful nation By 7:30 a.m., about a dozen bleary-eyed Thom Tillis supporters gathered in the parking lot at Concord Mills earlier this week to begin their journey to Washington, D.C., to witness the swearing-in ceremony of North Carolina’s newest senator, with a stop in Greensboro to pick up a little more than two dozen more. It’s a uniquely American experience, this excursion to our nation’s capital to witness the transition of leadership from the previous group of Congressmen to the next, and to celebrate the anticipation of a brighter future Final that every such segue brings. And the hundreds of miles of undevelThoughts oped highway frontage served as a reminder that at the end of the trip Andrew Warfield lies a place to which all of this is subject in one form or another. It’s a remarkable responsibility, being a member of the federal government that governs in some manner all that these passengers survey along the way. Tillis, who makes his home in Huntersville, was just hours away from fulfilling a two-year mission to become one of only 100 United States senators and all that that implies, with the hopes and wishes of his voters — represented by the 44 occupants of this northbound bus — as his obligation to fulfill. It’s a heady experience to be certain, and one can only imagine the surrealness of Tillis’ new reality. From the meeting chamber in Cornelius Town Hall to the North Carolina State House to the large domed building that anchors one end of the Washington Mall, Tillis’ rise to state and national prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. And the fall, as was demonstrated by his dispatching of incumbent Kay Hagan, can be just as rapid if deemed ineffective by a majority of his constituents who make it to the polls. But as challenges to America mount across oceans in foreign lands and within its own borders, the country has entered an era in which responsible governance trumps widespread popularity regardless of its political consequences. And whether your party affiliation is Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or otherwise, everyone deserves leadership that puts country over party. From a practical standpoint, that’s utopian at best as seemingly the first directive to become effective is to tow the party line, which could at times run contrary to one’s philosophical beliefs. Those who dare deviate from the accepted party norm — be it more toward the right or left — generally find themselves isolated. But those who remain true to their convictions, and possess the charisma to pull it off relatively unscathed, can be the most effective leaders. Perhaps an individual who was newly sworn into office this week in Washington will emerge as such a leader. And perhaps in this age when misinformation, innuendo and downright falsehoods via social media can destroy reputations, careers and lives in as little time as it takes to point and click, such elected officials can rise above the tweets, hash tags and posts to transcend the pop culture noise and the partisan — in both directions — mass media. Hope springs eternal as the North Carolina countryside gives way to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In less than 24 hours, the 114th Congress will be sworn in. The majority will be members of the previous Congress, and many of them resistant to any ideas the freshmen senators and representatives bring to their respective floors. Some newcomers will position themselves as emerging new leaders, and many of them will be beaten into submission as the weight of the reality of politics within the Beltway is brought to bear. But maybe, just maybe, a few will distinguish themselves with an ability to rise above politics as usual and light the way toward a promising future. That’s probably something for which nearly every passenger on this bus is hoping from the new champion of their collective cause. Regardless of whether their name is accompanied with a capital D or R, that’s something we should all hope for from our elected representatives.

NEWS

January 7, 2015

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January 7, 2015

Lake Norman Citizen