[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6284902,"mediaKeyId","2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769","parentId",2576489,"title","Board ratifies contract retaining outside counsel after closed session","audioSeconds",2176,"startMs",4710000,"endMs",6886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769&start=4710&end=6886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769/thumbnail_4710000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284902/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Board-ratifies-contract-retaining-outside-counsel-after-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284902-e0e1732c34e54128d7724485462cc266/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154638&Signature=Ka7SOVp1Nlb7iGlJO-SSl-DVyDf3yhaccxahTpIgW7YBE-FqNlic1bEKoN~~TbBvXXxRXqTVXwz-4-xuXSD4g-AdXflUD3g3IyfCVoAWUvobv-ngPmEIaqFrIGzOWwVytxEQUUzEG0ABX6ziO8moLTSV4YXXxSmgdSkaQqV1MZIhqZqk4qtLH9EoKIJgK4ebDVEI4~Z-1YGCd4Somvmfv4CcKCYowUXvVpD0PrUHhj89Z1sVCnAIySEDFjMlQyxddMvpr~hM7BIfKWf7jIiar-u2LTB6PWo1-aUGo8BBIYtjcgKzN09n87dL7Hj16qiCQDUzj8AdhnZAhArSVrQ0JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gaston County, NC","date","2025-03-12T11:58:12Z","article","After returning from a closed session called under state statute, the Gaston County Board of Commissioners voted to approve and ratify a contract retaining Martha Long to provide legal services to the board.

County Attorney David Goldberg said the board should entertain \"a motion to approve and ratify the execution, or authorize the chair to execute a contract retaining the legal services of Martha Long for the services of the board.\" A motion to approve the contract was made, seconded, and the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.

Why it matters: The action formalizes retention of an outside attorney for board matters. The transcript records a unanimous vote but does not include the contract text, term, or compensation in open session.

Ending: The board confirmed the motion and the item closed the night's business; the meeting adjourned with a reminder of the next regular meeting on March 25.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gaston County Board of Commissioners March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following a closed session, the Gaston County Board voted unanimously on March 11 to approve a contract retaining Martha Long for legal services to the board and authorized the chair to execute the contract.","taxTitle","Gaston County, North Carolina","taxId",4853,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284907,"Citizen urges revisiting 'pennies for progress' and advance land banking for future schools",347,3796000,4143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769&start=3796&end=4143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769/thumbnail_3796000.jpg","/articles/6284907/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Citizen-urges-revisiting-pennies-for-progress-and-advance-land-banking-for-future-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284907-eaf4ddb91334b0f056095488eb250830/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154638&Signature=TH4tRTAhe~51K79CqwBM82rdP9pyCpCHS65C5R1E5EFlZrC8Cla-WTdHWqJtUUzkTALPAOE04exN5K0gFhEZLxeFepREzjet86tcKeU2gWiCCUt-FSBToZFJpvOjThHpUs8vwfGryUNOyiKBjo~OUefOzP-T4JWWGY0HlMEbgXVh9Zs4lkYs57drzfnUtypKIhs5M~cXn2u60aPGWNRfbKFHUp5nXAf5aA53uSJV84fJin1Ixn3ob1pEGtcRGTvp80a0hAboBVRrcVqfo86tySxjE0gT9Kv32aUr3XZ3BLHZroxNqmJ5cbwaGJYi2F0s74yPrT4Xdy3QD~Vz-mmOLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jack Brown, a Gaston County resident who spoke during the citizens recognition portion of the March 11 work session, urged commissioners to consider resurrecting a local sales‑tax option often called \"pennies for progress\" to accelerate road construction and relieve long lead times for state projects.

\"We were not getting much action in getting road built in Gaston County,\" Brown said, recalling prior use of the local option to fund projects. He told commissioners he had discussed the idea with local state legislators and said they expressed conditional support for county‑level backing ahead of any legislative effort.

Brown also urged county leaders to begin banking land for future schools, noting population growth and recent development pressures that consume potential school sites. He said decisions should be made now to secure property suitable for future campuses rather than waiting until parcels are no longer available.

Ending: Commissioners acknowledged the comments; no formal action or staff response was recorded during the meeting. Brown’s remarks were presented as public comment rather than an item on the agenda.","Resident Jack Brown urged the board to consider a local sales-tax option called \"pennies for progress\" to accelerate road projects and recommended banking land now for future school sites as county population grows.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284910,"One Gaston 2040 initiative reports community visioning results and five focus teams' work",624,4151000,4775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769&start=4151&end=4775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769/thumbnail_4151000.jpg","/articles/6284910/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/One-Gaston-2040-initiative-reports-community-visioning-results-and-five-focus-teams-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284910-ba1ac12657f04accdf0c763233cfb27d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154638&Signature=BfQgXyQnEu~0za6D8JOqgdKTwcwGfAvdMcqsVFTsNAcwp7-O9ixu2thrfJ5FY80YQtvmgZfTjc8YBfbYHmM9IrcJrepcprQbZocordjo28TiDXfuFSgL2cgdtBF9jlAZ3o~gDxBEfGpH1apEXMKRGgXS7Dch8D1fsKZVAfRoC5jj4uwdNGZSCNjrCyPTnzMd1hw6~4JBa2z2JJNu56h65GQBtCPdq9DDwwD3quf5D3Ji99W4jgpT-2xXzR2SUn3BuCSYcrLfjt-9mRyUuiH2SZ18LFoeQxg1KRoIlSHjO5QBvnGA4HrXafE8jlHs8DjTOKiMmK2lrzlvqTk-Q21kww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justin Amos, executive director of intergovernmental affairs for Gaston County, briefed the board on March 11 about progress on the One Gaston 2040 community visioning initiative.

\"We engaged 1,700 citizens\" through about 70 meetings in a three‑year process, Amos said, and the effort culminated in five focus‑area teams that have been working on targeted projects and partnerships.

Amos summarized the teams’ recent work: One Gaston Cares secured a Duke Endowment grant to fund a five‑year Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas nutrition and physical‑activity program and will stand up a food‑policy council. One Gaston Connects has been coordinating with the county comprehensive transportation plan, exploring microtransit and broadband solutions, and working with Queen’s University (Charlotte) on a community navigator program to extend devices and low‑cost internet primarily to school‑age children and seniors. One Gaston Grows has focused on maximizing housing choices while preserving downtown character across the county’s 13 municipalities. One Gaston Works is exploring workforce partnerships among Gaston College, Belmont Abbey and Gaston County Schools. One Gaston Shines is promoting arts, cultural events and a county events calendar.

Amos noted a new online tool, the Gaston Community Explorer, which aggregates census, health and transportation data and allows users to view county and jurisdiction‑level metrics. He also said the initiative created a toolkit and QR codes to help municipalities integrate the One Gaston goals into local strategic plans.

Ending: Amos asked commissioners to help spread the word about One Gaston activities, including upcoming community events and the initiative’s week of outreach; he offered to provide the county and municipalities with the toolkit and Explorer resources.","Justin Amos updated commissioners on the One Gaston 2040 visioning initiative, summarizing three years of engagement, a Duke Endowment grant for a healthy-food program, broadband and microtransit planning, housing and workforce coordination, and tools including the Gaston Community Explorer website.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284915,"NCDOT outlines I‑85 widening in Gaston County, warns lengthy rail approvals may delay portions",878,2368000,3246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769&start=2368&end=3246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769/thumbnail_2368000.jpg","/articles/6284915/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/NCDOT-outlines-I85-widening-in-Gaston-County-warns-lengthy-rail-approvals-may-delay-portions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284915-74c0e76bf4a16d4f5858e432a06431e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154638&Signature=d66XYMW8HQGagC6SAONna5W~-lTWHUTycWawZnc70e2kHo5vqafs-FagYD1ThEw-v~vDiIWIVVQIrYqqwSMTBGkIOToy40-zcW42gwhQF9x5ea95QTJeUuSVbF4qzv~X5xcAVb~sIjJBlaO3vo84aoJnF-N464gH7hmpc5MqPN1AZYr0iDDWyhoZEC2wmFczxD71Z168eG5XdT9~ZAWxh-qvbGPKnu4FoNcejIstXsvVsa07acb0MstG-MObnS0Ws0KIAypmhDd4kvqW4Qg1qVU7e1b2PF3Ifa2NrfJAl9UqnEZkw5G5CRgRUOicOEhrXWyil1AjfAfgLfmj8miJWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cole Gurley, P.E., Deputy Division Engineer, Division 12, North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Michael Penney, P.E., NCDOT alternative delivery project manager, updated the Gaston County Board of Commissioners on March 11 on the I‑85 (I‑eighty‑719) widening project.

\"The I‑85 719 project will be delivered in three segments,\" Gurley said, describing sections B, C and A and noting work will include interchange realignments, bridge replacements and widening at multiple locations between the Catawba River and U.S. 321.

The B section (Catawba River to Exit 23/McAdenville Road) will shift the Belmont‑Mount Holly Road interchange, realign North Main Street, and include surface‑drainage replacement and paving; it will be delivered using design‑build procurement. The C section, which lies within the A limits, will replace three rail bridges and one roadway bridge; the project team awarded that section using contractor‑managed general construction (CMGC). Gurley said the A section (Exit 23/McAdenville Road to Exit 17/US‑321) will replace and realign several bridges, widen inside lanes through a sharp curve to improve safety, and reconstruct ramps and interchanges, with specific work at South Church Street, Cox Road and Doctor M. L. K. Wade Jr. Boulevard.

Why it matters: NCDOT emphasized that rail coordination is the program's critical path. Michael Penney said Norfolk Southern's standard review time is typically about three months per phase and that approvals for the railroad‑related elements are not expected until 2027. \"The railroad does take a while to get through their process,\" Penney said, and noted that some active rail lines will remain in service through phased construction while temporary facilities or yard upgrades are used to support work.

On procurement, Gurley and Penney described the rationale for alternative delivery methods: design‑build compresses design, right‑of‑way acquisition and construction into one procurement to accelerate large complex projects; CMGC engages a contractor during design to refine constructability and pricing and uses an independent engineer to review estimates. Penney said four teams submitted proposals for the design‑build B section and the department expected to review proposals in June with an award in July.

Commissioners asked whether the projects are fully funded and how the public will be informed during construction. Gurley said the projects are funded and NCDOT will assign a public information officer and create a project website and dashboard; the department offered to share regular updates with the county.

Ending: NCDOT staff urged county officials to expect a long lead time on rail coordination and to use the project's public information channels for schedule and detour updates throughout the phased construction.","NCDOT officials presented a three‑segment widening of I‑85 (I‑eighty‑719) that includes interchange realignments, replacement of multiple rail bridges and use of alternative delivery methods; the department expects Norfolk Southern approvals into 2027 for some rail work.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":103,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284920,"Lake Wylie Marine Commission proposes charter-boat and rental-vessel rules to address safety gaps",1363,1005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769&start=1005&end=2368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576489-22474461ad7f7225dd8fa2cc78697769/thumbnail_1005000.jpg","/articles/6284920/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Lake-Wylie-Marine-Commission-proposes-charter-boat-and-rental-vessel-rules-to-address-safety-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284920-cc285c9fd919f65587bc71b85d411986/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154638&Signature=WoAnkEYMFnMwYdXDLQQXyr5m2OI-tx6WaOxgR79WCw~k2iRfg3vcwB~1HTsSAQVSjXZRNkjGb~gPVpvTdit9bqaIkQCAnPbkteWlLwhWG-sQajMhFGu--SvQk1jNWEx6D8X~QlpWm8WoTWrPhwE3qVKHWkNfRGeqAU9JfqUwUDDe8Kd3NheajsRCrzQwDcSFfwwy81Cy~oU-69nzryxs--cd1WsvWx6Ec-HKAcUxrgEB6INlbVpRuRi-Cy2YaRHx0sIplYrQHqiYSkkhCECVkv~HxhPfwJkfCbVxGxVdX6EgnRtLpLGR12MGUNt5cWBOSSuMiMGI-q-nODnC1RTBww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ray Weber, chairman of the Lake Wylie Marine Commission, told the Gaston County Board of Commissioners on March 11 that the commission is proposing a common set of safety standards for charter boats, bareboat charters and rental vessels operating on Lake Wylie.

\"We promote public policies and support the regulations for the preservation of Lake Wylie, its wildlife, and the education and safety of the lake of the citizens of the lake,\" Weber said, summarizing the commission's purpose and the safety rationale for the draft rules.

The draft would require vessels that operate as charters or rentals to display commission-issued identification stickers, carry insurance, and use a pre-rental safety checklist signed by the proprietor before each trip. The commission proposes that captains operating charter trips hold the U.S. Coast Guard commercial license commonly called a \"six-pack\" for operations with six or fewer paying passengers. The draft also moves permit renewals from annual to biennial and adds a ‘‘bareboat’’ category that Weber said aligns with Coast Guard terminology.

Why it matters: Weber and the commission said existing complaints come from law enforcement across the three counties that border the lake and that some rental operations are run out of private homes or short‑term rentals such as VRBO or Airbnb, often without insurance or qualified captains. Weber cited national boating-safety data and pointed to Lake Norman’s 2024 regulations as precedent.

Board members focused questions on who would enforce the rules and what penalties would exist. Commissioner Jim Bailey (Southpointe Township) asked whether enforcement would fall to the Coast Guard or local agencies. \"Only on the weekends they're here,\" Weber responded, adding that the draft is written to align with federal guidance so enforcement by federal officers would be consistent with local rules. A speaker identified only as Chief noted the county runs a single boat during summer patrols and said staffing limits could affect enforcement scope.

Commissioner Bob Hovis (Crowder's Mountain Township) pressed on alternatives such as pursuing state-level requirements through the insurance commissioner or the General Assembly to give the rules more \"teeth,\" and expressed concern about shifting routine compliance checks onto county police. Hovis asked, \"What is the penalty phase?\" and urged county legal staff to review enforcement mechanisms.

Weber said the draft has had review from multiple stakeholders including local charter operators, the U.S. Coast Guard, North Carolina Wildlife, and representatives from Gaston and York counties. He said the provisions were developed with input from established operators and designed to curtail unregulated, uninsured, or unqualified rental activity.

Ending: Commissioners asked county attorneys to review the draft for legal authority and enforcement options and flagged the possibility of pursuing state-level action. Weber said he would follow up with county prosecutors and staff to address legal and enforcement questions.

","The Lake Wylie Marine Commission presented draft regulations to Gaston County commissioners on March 11 to require captain licensure, insurance, safety checklists and biennial permits for charter and rental vessels; commissioners asked about enforcement, workload and penalties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board ratifies contract retaining outside counsel after closed session

Citizen urges revisiting 'pennies for progress' and advance land banking for future schools

One Gaston 2040 initiative reports community visioning results and five focus teams' work

NCDOT outlines I‑85 widening in Gaston County, warns lengthy rail approvals may delay portions

Lake Wylie Marine Commission proposes charter-boat and rental-vessel rules to address safety gaps