UPDATE: Elections in November

The Enquirer-Journal has an article about seats open for election this fall in Union County. For those following every twist and turn in Waxhaw politics, the election is scheduled for 11/8 and three positions will be open.

The mayor position is up for election as mentioned long ago when Lisa Thornton announced her intention to run for the position.

Two seats on the town board are also up for election -- Martin Lane's & Phillip Gregory's.

I've got emails out to the three of them to see if they all plan on re-running. I vaguely recall Phillip Gregory saying he wouldn't run for another term when filling Brian Haug's old seat, but I couldn't find a quote along those lines when I looked.

UPDATE 6/29: I heard back from Mayor Gardner that she does intend to run for re-election. Does anyone else out there intend to run or can local media start working on their Daune v. Lisa graphic art now?

I still have received no word on whether Martin Lane or Phillip Gregory plan to run for re-election. Maybe they're looking to keep the oppo researchers off their heels for as long as possible. Such is the life of a of a politician in the cutthroat world of Waxhaw politics.

UPDATE 7/3: Yet another update: Martin Lane responded to me last week and while he thought he'd likely run again, he hasn't made an official decision yet. Phillip Gregory also emailed me yesterday to let me know he intends to file for re-election as well.

Cooking for a Cure

This is a little late notice, but tomorrow evening, Butch Kelly of Butts 'R Us and Frank Aikmus are spearheading a BBQ fundraiser to raise money for the Duke Sarcoma Program. (Thanks for the heads up, Lori!)

Here's the nitty-gritty details from the Facebook invitation I received today:

Many of you may know Angie Aikmus of Waxhaw, NC. What you may not know is that in November 2007 Angie was diagnosed with a rare type of sarcoma called, Leiomyosarcoma. LMS as it is often called, is a cancer of smooth muscle cells, effecting only 4 in 1 million people. Since her diagnosis Angie and her husband Frank have been traveling to Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC for chemotherapy, clinical trials and observation by a sarcoma specialist.

When Frank and Angie were approached by Butch Kelly of 'Butts R Us', of Waxhaw, NC offering to raise funds for sarcoma research they immediately thought of Duke. "I have been blessed to have Duke in my backyard so to speak. My cancer is so rare and to have someone like Duke and Dr. Riedel, so close with so much understanding of this disease, I can't imagine being anywhere else, " said Angie. "It's nice to know that we can give something back."

Mr. Kelly and 'Butts R Us' has graciously offered to donate 100% of the proceeds from Monday's event to the Duke Sarcoma Program.

We hope that you will come out and enjoy the 4th of July with us in Waxhaw. In addition to 'Cooking for the Cure' you and the family can enjoy an old fashioned downtown parade at 10 am. We will begin serving BBQ at 5pm along with live music, face painting and of course a magnificent fireworks display at 9:30pm.

Menu items will include BBQ plates, Ribs, sandwiches, and more. We'll also have Coke, Sweet Tea and Water on hand.

Come out and have a day of fun with us in Waxhaw and support us in our Cooking for the Cure event.

So stop by sometime tomorrow before, during, or after the fireworks to enjoy some good local BBQ and all for an excellent cause. It runs from 5pm until 11pm tomorrow night.

New Waxhaw Gazette

John Tiley's put out another new issue of the Waxhaw Gazette.

He's got all the details on Monday's events from the parade to the music to the fireworks, so check it out for the specifics.

Delivery man attacked and robbed

A Domino's pizza delivery guy was attacked with pepper spray and a taser before being robbed by two Waxhaw minors. WCNC and the Enquirer-Journal have the story. A snippet:

The delivery man arrived at 7909 Mccall Road in Waxhaw about 8:45 p.m. with two pizzas when the teens approached him, Detective Brian Keziah of the Union County Sheriff’s Office said.

...

They stole the two pizzas and fled on foot. An investigation led to the arrest of Sherwood Alan Schaffernoth, 16, of 704 Carver Pond Lane, Waxhaw, and Cody Scott Whittaker, 17, of 4312 Applewood Lane, Waxhaw, on Tuesday.

Their charges include various counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking/entering felony, larceny after breaking and entering, bel/theft from motor vehicle, larceny-misdemeanor, first degree burglary and larceny-felony.

Seems like a long list of charges to acquire in the pursuit of $20 worth of pizza. Unfortunately, I suspect a lot of these charges will be dropped since it involves two minors, but hopefully there will still be substantial punishment for these two.

More bad news from New 2 You

First there was the break-in.

And today my wife got a call today from New 2 You saying that they're closing and to come pick up our items that hadn't sold.

After Here We Grow Again closed up shop, I think that just leaves one more remaining consignment shop in Waxhaw - Sweet Repeats.

First Friday is upon us

Today is First Friday for those who haven't heard. But you wouldn't know it by looking at the rarely updated STMSPC Facebook page.

I don't have a flyer to share again, so I'm not 100% sure what is going on this time around. Dorothy Maloney's (unlinkable) column last week in the Waxhaw Exchange contains some details.

Besides the usual discounts at local restaurants, the Southport Gift Shop is hosting local author Philip Morehouse for a book signing of "The Recluse."

And "Iron Man" is to be shown as well.

Hooray! Gas taxes going up

I heard this on the radio today; they added that it gives us the ninth highest gas tax in the country.

They mentioned that it you'd barely notice it since prices were going down. I'm not so sure that's a good thing.

A snippet:

The North Carolina Department of Revenue increased the variable gas tax by 2.5 cents per gallon, according to AAA Carolinas spokesman Brendan Byrnes. The state gas tax will be 35 cents per gallon effective today.

...

Travelers heading through South Carolina can fill up there, where they’ll find much lower prices, thanks to a state fuel tax that is half that of its neighbor to the north. The Palmetto State’s gas tax is 16.8 cents per gallon, according to AAA.

Hmm, I'm curious what percentage of Waxhaw denizens actually fill up their tanks in North Carolina when South Carolina and the desirable 521 stretch are so very close.