HUNTERSVILLE NC: Mayor John Aneralla proclaimed May 5 – 11, 2019 Small Business Week in Huntersville. The proclamation was presented to John Crutchfield at the April 15th Town Board meeting. Crutchfield serves on the Board of Directors for the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.
“The Town of Huntersville, North Carolina recognizes and values the dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses that keep the State and American economy growing stronger…”
—Small Business Week proclamation
With over 200,000 small businesses with employees in North Carolina, the proclamation states that these businesses represent a majority of the total number of businesses with employees. Income from small business owners totals over $20 billion. There are over 28,500 small businesses and 69,000 sole proprietors in Mecklenburg County. Mayor Aneralla urges all citizens to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements made by small businesses and to further support those businesses by “Shopping and Buying Local!”
“We appreciate the Town of Huntersville endorsement and encourage our residents to shop locally at our small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy as well as the Lake Norman region.”
—John Crutchfield, Director, Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce
Opioid epidemic
“Everyone should be aware that this stuff is happening in our backyard.”
—Mayor John Anarella
Mayor Anarella spoke about the reported 48 overdoses and 8 deaths last year in Huntersville. These numbers could be higher. In addition, some people come to the ER more than once a day seeking treatment for an overdose. The Mayor attended a meeting last week at Hopewell High where he learned that teenagers are now using GoogleDocs, which is the technology students use in school to collaborate on projects, to coordinate buying drugs.
Mayor Anarella read a resolution supporting the More Powerful Carolina campaign. He encourages everyone to go to the new website More Powerful NC. It is an education and resource site about the opioid epidemic here in North Carolina.
Other items of interest
I-77 harden shoulders/peak traffic
Commissioner Mark Gibbons thanked the police and fire departments for their work helping people this past weekend during the storm. He will be attending the CRTPO meeting and they will be discussing using the shoulders on I-77 during peak traffic. He is looking for input from the community because this idea will cost millions of dollars and he expresses his belief that he does not want to do anything to make the situation worse.
Town of Huntersville youth curfew
Commissioner Brian Hines reported that not many people realize that Huntersville has a curfew for its youth. He said they will continue the conversation and clean up some of the language going forward.
Old Jail
Commissioner Danny Phillips indicated that the Old Jail is ready for the public. Mayor Aneralla reminded everyone there are some great artifacts in there and you can view them on Sunday, May 5th during the Hello Huntersville event.
Playground completed, Spiderman, and Jazz series
Commisssioner Nick Walsh let everyone know that the playground at North Meck Park has been completed and is now open to the public. Thursday, April 18th, Movies in the Park, at Veteran’s Park will be showing Spiderman into the Spiderverse from 7 pm to 10 pm. The Jazz music series continues with the Mike Zinna Trio Saturday, April 20th, at Veteran’s Park, from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Huntersville Town Board meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 6pm in the Huntersville Town Hall, 101 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC 28078. You can view this meeting in its entirety on the Town of Huntersville’s Facebook page.
