|
Gastonia
Rachel Bagley
Family: Husband, Winston. Son: Drew. Winston is assistant human resources director for Gaston County Schools. Drew, 18, is in a two-year International Baccalaureate program at the United World College in New Mexico.
Community involvement: Board Member, United Arts Council; Member, Rotary Club of Gastonia; Member, St. Stephen's AME Zion Church
Has lived in town since: 1978, actually longer than I lived in the town where I was born, so that now makes Gastonia my “hometown of choice.â€
I live here because ... I love the people. I've been in love with the people here since I moved here. Thirty years ago, I moved into a neighborhood that embraced me as a young, new resident, looked after me (and my yard, which I never had time to cut) and taught me what good neighbors are. Since then I've joined a church that has become my extended family and I've developed great friends here. Even the people I do business with — my doctors, tellers at my bank, sales people at the mall, the check-out people at the grocery stores I frequent, waiters at local restaurants — they are all more like friends and family than people I do business with. Each time we've moved to a new neighborhood, the reception has been the same — it's just traits of this town: friendliness and neighborliness. I love it. My husband and I both have had opportunities to move our family to other places and each time we look at each other and say, “Nah, it's not Gastonia.â€
My hometown is special because ... the people are so genuine. When they ask you to dinner, they really mean it and the food's always good. When they offer to help you, get out of the way, they're going to help you.
My favorite thing about my town is ... how it “feels.†There's something about arriving back in Gastonia after a trip away that's comforting, welcoming. Each time I get off I-85 after a trip, I breathe a sigh of relief and contentment. It's definitely what “coming home†should feel like.
If I ever left, the thing I'd miss most is ... that feeling of contentment and peace that I feel when I'm here, that sense that I'm home and that the people around me are family and friends who care about me and have my best interest at heart.
The future of my town is ... as the city's new logo says, “promising.†It has great promise and I believe that promise is steadily becoming reality — perhaps slower, or less distinguishable, than some would like, but definitely, steadily becoming reality. Look at what's going on downtown, in our neighborhoods, in our retail areas, in our schools, in our industries, in our people. It's happening and like some of the youngsters say, “It's all good.â€
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.
|
|
