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Residents and faith leaders urge services for deaf community, hunger relief and fenced playgrounds
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Summary
At the Nov. 10 meeting residents and community leaders described nonprofit outreach to deaf students, faith-based blessing-box distribution and asked the council to fund enclosed fencing for playgrounds to improve child safety and inclusion.
Three public commenters at the Nov. 10 Mount Holly City Council meeting urged the council to support community services and park safety.
Star Clinton, who identified herself as a resident at 140 Crestwood Drive and a nonprofit leader working with the deaf community, introduced her organization and said it has served more than 300 students over seven years. "The nonprofit is needed solid hands, and we bridal the gap between the deaf and the hearing community," Clinton said, describing workshops, awareness events and a signature prom offered to students at the North Carolina School for the Deaf.
Quentin Goodwin, representing First Memorial United Methodist Church, congratulated recent election winners and outlined the corridor's faith communities' hunger-relief efforts. Goodwin said churches have placed "blessing boxes" at multiple sites (First Memorial, First Baptist, First Presbyterian and Grace Lutheran) and urged residents to donate and use a forthcoming map of locations; he also mentioned a community feeding event the weekend of Nov. 21.
Katie Cheek, a Belmont resident and pediatric physical therapist, requested that the council invest in an enclosed fence around at least one playground in Mount Holly to improve safety and inclusion for toddlers and children who may elope. "A fence allows an infant or toddler to freely explore an unlimited area with parental supervision," Cheek said, and added that an enclosed play area could welcome more families and benefit nearby businesses.
None of the comments resulted in immediate council action at the Nov. 10 meeting; staff or council members did not announce a follow-up item on the agenda during the public-comment period.
