Matthews-Mint Hill - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

Libraries(continued from page 1)the board’s objections, the agreementwill still move forward as Huntersvillepledged to honor its in kind servicetrade, library officials said.Matthews Mayor Jim Taylor saidAug. 17 he hadn’t heard of Huntersville’slatest concerns. But the move shouldn’tnegatively impact Matthews, he said.The Matthews Library has alreadysecured more than 60 volunteers andtown officials are eager to add an extraday of operation to the schedule as earlyas Monday, Sept. 13, he said.But Charles Brown, director of libraries,said in an e-mail to Matthews TownManager Hazen Blodgett late Aug. 17that the library board, which meets Sept.16, has to authorize expanding hours forany location. Also, the e-mail said, thelibrary plans to implement “any and all”changes for all branches at one time,effective Oct. 4.Matthews and Davidson officials bothhave signed the agreement. Mint Hilland Cornelius are waiting to work outtheir individual arrangements with thecounty. Mint Hill officials have requestedcounty-owned land within the town limitsin exchange for its one-time gift of$175,000 to the Charlotte MecklenburgLibrary. The request keeps MayorTed Biggers’ and town commissioners’requirement of equity when they votedin June to give the cash to keep the MintHill branch open.Huntersville’s unwillingness to signthe agreement shouldn’t impact theregional or branch library operations,library spokeswoman Cordelia Andersonsaid. That’s because Charlotte’s$1.4 million emergency fund to theaward-winning library system was contingenton at least four other municipalitiesgiving either financial or in-kindsupport.“Since Huntersville is honoring theirin-kind commitment, they are meetingthe participation criteria set forth by thecity even if they don’t sign the agreement,”Anderson said.Audition for our upcoming season including“Strauss & Strudel” this fall.Call 980-297-0391 to schedule an appointment.www.CharlotteChoraleInc.orgwww.matthewsminthillweekly.comCommunityMatthews, Mint Hill officials react“We’re marching right along and ifHuntersville wants to do something elsethat’s fine,” Matthews Mayor Jim Taylorsaid. “My goal is that Matthews be thefirst to add back that fifth day (of operation).”After hearing the news, MatthewsCommissioner Suzanne Gulley was lessoptimistic. The professed bookworm hasvolunteered to help staff the MatthewsLibrary and was to receive orientationtraining Aug. 19. Though the Matthewsbranch isn’t yet open to the public onMondays, volunteers are being recruitedto work on Mondays, Laura Highfill,branch manager said.“That is terrible,” Gulley said. “We’vebeen working so hard to try to keep our(library) open, why can’t (Huntersville)work as hard? I don’t know what to say,that would just be horrible (if Huntersvilledidn’t sign the agreement). I thoughtthat it was already a done deal.”Mint Hill Mayor Ted Biggers said he’s“not going to get involved in Huntersvillepolitics.”“I think that is between Huntersvilleand the county and the library board,”Biggers said. “As far as Mint Hill goeswe’ve worked closely with Matthews,Davidson and Cornelius to put the packagetogether because we were the onesthat were most directly affected. Theyweren’t talking about reducing hours atour branches, they were talking aboutclosing. Huntersville’s a different situation,I said that from the start. Pinevilleis Pineville it doesn’t have a library. Howcan I expect Pineville or Huntersville toparticipate to any type of level that we’redoing?”In June, Huntersville agreed to offerparks and recreation department programsat the library, promote libraryprograms in a parks newsletter andoffer an Internet safety program – butno cash.Huntersville commissioners, mostnotably Charles Jeter, balked at theschedule in the interlocal agreement,which kept all 16 branches of the library(see Libraries on page 21)LOVE TOHARMONIZE?BEAUTIFULFENCESProtect and Enhance Your PropertyResidential andCommercial Fencing• All types of woodenfences• Polyvinyl fencing• Ornamental aluminum• Chainlink - galvanizedand vinyl colors• Horse and farm fencing,Mentionincluding electricThe Weekly fencingand get a• Temporary fencingFREE GATE • Custom fencingon any 150+’ fence • Barrier gatesinstallation• Ballards• Dumpster enclosuresFREE ON-SITE ESTIMATES FOR CUSTOMERS • Estate and cantileverCall 704-882-8800 or visit our websitegatesto schedule an appointment.7619 Secrest Shortcut Rd.Indian Trail, NC 28079Fence & Supply(704) 882-8800www.matthewsfenceco.comPIEDMONT8040 Providence MatthewsPPIEDMONTRARE COINSIn the Arboretum Shopping CenterCarolina’s PremierCUT OUT THE MIDDLEMAN!AdId: 8040 E 9700000300172 Providence - 01 YPH: 101387 Gold Coin Specialist ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS!Want fair pricing?Coins & CurrencyOur owner and managerCollections & Estateshave a combinedof Any Size60+ consecutive yearsPurchased forof full time experienceImmediate Paymentas nationally knownprofessional numismatists.View the The Region’s Region’s Finest Finest Inventory Inventory at our Store Online or OnlineWWW.PIEDMONTCOIN.COM704-752-822010-6Hwy 77ProvidenceProvidRARE COINSIn the Arboretum Shopping CenterCarolina’s Premier Gold Coin SpecialistHwy 518040 Providence AdId: E 9700000300172 - 01YPH: 101387CustId: 9462878951Coin Dealers & SuppliesDir/Iss: CLCNC Locations YP1 09/2010 in Charlotte & Raleigh YPSH:UDAC: DHC - PCWATTUID: df2153Rep: 315227 - jp5905Date: 07/02/2010 04:58:AM Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly • Aug. PAPAGEORGE 20-26, 2010 • JUDITH Page 194858040 Providence Rd.Hwy 74