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Gastonia
Ella Freeman
has only lived in Gastonia for four years, but the local coffee shop owner says she has the inside scoop on downtown business.
She owns GasPump Coffee Co. on Main Street and when she hears about a new business coming to town, she says she spreads the word to everyone she knows.
Freeman grew up in Florida, but she and her husband, Brad Freeman, owner of Freeman’s Pub, have put down business and personal roots in Gastonia.
The first thing I tell a visitor about my hometown is… how cool it is and how much cooler I think it is going to get.
I live here because… I love it. It’s a small town. I know my neighbors and most of my customers. It’s truly a community. Even though I was not raised here, I am surrounded by people who care about me, my family and our businesses.
What I miss most about my hometown when I’m away: I don’t go away often. But when I do, I miss my friends, who are my neighbors too, and I miss how quiet it is.
I’m proud of my hometown because…of how much potential there is here and how many people are working on making it better. We want to make others realize what a great place Gastonia is to live.
Fast Facts
Incorporated: 1877
Roots: Developed on what was once a large dairy farm, development spurred by intersection of railroad lines
Slogan: A Commitment to Excellence.
Past slogans: Spindle City, City of Growing Beauty, Pacemaker of the Piedmont.
Historic sites: Old Gaston County Courthouse, built in 1910. Gastonia City Hall, built in 1926.
Famous sons and daughters: Gregg Cherry, the only Gaston County man to be governor of North Carolina; James Worthy and Eric "Sleepy" Floyd, former NBA players, and NBA player Darrell Armstrong.
Other claims to fame: All America City in 1963. All-America City finalist in 1997; Millennium Community in 2000; All America City in 2000; Tree City, 2002-2006.
Population: 2000 census, 67,900
Tax rate: 54 cents per $100 valuation
City Offices: City Hall, 181 South St., Gastonia. Mailing address is P.O. Box 1748, Gastonia 28053. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Web site: www.cityofgastonia.com.
Frequently called numbers
Police Chief, Terry Sult: (704) 866-6890
Fire Chief, Kenneth Lay: (704) 866-6806
City Manager, Ed Munn: (704) 866-6719
Keep Gastonia Beautiful, Pat Johnson: (704) 866-6906
Schiele Museum of Natural History: (704) 866-6902
Parks and Recreation, Chuck Dellinger: (704) 866-6839
City Council
Mayor Jennie Stultz: (704) 865-7770
Jeff Horne: (704) 864-7720
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin: (704) 866-8700
Dale Burkett: (704) 867-9872
Walker E. Reid: (704) 865-4411
John Howren Jr.: (704) 868-9487
James L. Watson: (704) 864-6276
City Council meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 181 South St., and at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Gaston County Courthouse Public Forum Room, 325 N. Marietta St.
Garbage Collection
Picked up once a week by the city's Solid Waste Division. Rollout, curbside service. Curbside recycling also available. Details: (704) 866-6774 or (704) 866-6894.
Recycling Center
Farmer's Market – 410 E. Long Ave., newspaper, aluminum cans, cardboard, mixed paper, steel cans, plastic drink bottles.
Utilities
Pay city electric, water and sewer bills at City Hall, 181 South St. Questions about bills: Call (704) 866-6716.
ABC stores
348 W. Long Ave., (704) 865-2349
401 Cox Road, (704) 864-4393
1848 S. York Road, (704) 867-5231
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Post Offices
Main Post Office 301 W. Main Ave., (704) 867-6311. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Eastridge Mall Post Office 246 N. New Hope Road, (704) 867-8747. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon.
Dixie Village Shopping Center Post Office 2593 W. Franklin Blvd., (704) 868-8332. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon
Robinwood Post Office 3318 Union Road, (704) 853-1417. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
New Hope Road Post Office Annex 1882 S. New Hope Road, (704) 867-3838. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Libraries
Main Branch Library 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., (704) 868-2164. Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
Ferguson Branch Library Erwin Center, 913 N. Pryor St., (704) 868-8046. Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
Union Road Branch Library 5800 Union Road, (704) 852-4073. Hours: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
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