Oct. 20, 2009 - Please get out and vote in Waxhaw November 3rd!
As many of you know, I live JUST outside the city limits of Waxhaw. So I don't get the opportunity to vote on issues that will affect me, and my business. So I am doing my part to encourage all of you, who do live in Waxhaw to get out and vote November 3rd! Early voting has actually already begun!
In addition to the commissioner races, 2 referendums are on the ballot reqarding liquor by the drink, and malt beverages. Both really need to pass.
Here is the latest from Mark & Patte Kennedy of Southsiders, who have been at the forefront of this issue, which will affect business in Waxhaw:
Here’s the latest update for the mixed beverage referendum:
I have a few 11 X 17 posters remaining if anyone wants them for windows. They’re paper so they won’t work too well outside in the rain. Most of the local businesses have posters up in their windows or at the register when you check out. You can see them in virtually every store in downtown and at the Old Hickory shopping center and many of the merchants in the Cureton shopping center are showing their support as well as many other merchants along 16. Please thank them for their help and support when you patronize their businesses.
We began distributing hand bills during Autumn Treasures weekend with a very positive response. We’ve also started distributing them in our local subdivisions. I have volunteers distributing them in Cureton, Alma Village and Hermitage Place. If anyone else would like to walk their subdivision please feel free to stop by and pick some hand bills up. The rain hampered our abilities to get out and really blanket the area last week so any help would be greatly appreciated.
About voting - Keep in Mind:
Early voting can be done at the Union County Public Library in Monroe and there is always the option to cast an absentee ballot.
Early Voting (Called One stop) Began on 10/15 and continues through 10/31 in the Griffin Room of the Union County Public Library @ 316 East Windsor street Monroe. Here are the hours:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2009 9:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
Here’s the link for what you need to do to get an absentee ballot; though after I got done reading it, it seems easier to me to just drive to Monroe to cast an early ballot.
If you’d like to pass out hand bills for a little while at your polling place, that would be a big help too!
There are two referendums on the ballot; one is for malt beverages and one is for mixed beverages. BOTH referendum need to pass. While baby steps may sound like a good idea, the reality is if we only pass malt beverages, we’ll get the kind of places we may not really want. Mixed beverages will bring upscale restaurants and will help improve the ones that are already here. Also, the town has done an excellent job protecting the town from adult entertainment establishments. Through zoning and UDO’s regulating their proximity to other structures such as resident’s homes, churches and schools; it would be all but impossible to open one. We already have chain restaurants in Waxhaw including the Godzilla of chain restaurants, McDonald’s (Soon to open up near Lowe’s by the way the city made them take their sign down I wonder why?).
This is very important – if the referendums don’t pass this time, we won’t be able to get it on another ballot for three years. That’s three more years that quality, independent restaurants will pass us by and go to neighboring communities along with the jobs they would bring. Some of the restaurants already here will close their doors and other businesses that are looking forward to the additional foot traffic these referendums will bring will leave as well. As more businesses are driven away or disappear, so will those tax dollars and be assured, the town government will make up for that missing revenue somewhere.
Finally, remember every single vote counts so don’t kid yourself into thinking “my vote won’t make a difference”. There were so many people in every neighborhood and business who worked so hard to get this done - well they’ll tell you different and that your vote does matter!
So, please encourage your neighbors and friends to vote “YES” for malt beverages & “YES” for mixed beverages on November 3rd! Forward this e-mail to as many residents as you can the more people who know about the greater the chance they will pass!
I’m always available to answer questions you’re welcome to respond to this e-mail or stop in the restaurant and chat.
Regards,
Mark & Patte Kennedy
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Southsiders
113 E. North Main Street
Waxhaw, NC 28173
704-243-1325
This is terrific! We have 1,034 signatures and 134 petition forms in circulation throughout the town of Waxhaw. Our goal is to have 1,886 signatures in by the 3rd week in July. The magic date is July 27th. Mark that down, July 27th is the date I’ve got to bring our petitions into the Union County Board of Elections With over 134 petitions out, if everyone comes back completely signed, we’ll have more than enough signatures to see this on the ballot in November.
There are petition forms available to be signed at Southsiders and at the following Waxhaw merchants, Main Street Grill, Mamma Lena’s, Rendini’s, Big Dog Café, Ice Cream and Pizza Works, Marino’s, Waxhaw Tack Exchange, El Vallarta, The Village Gallery, Burch Studio’s, Fuzion Hair Salon and Southport Gift Store.
If you’d like to pass petitions or fliers around your neighborhood stop by Southsiders and I’ll be happy to set you up with flyers, petitions or voter registration forms. Or if you just want to come in and sign the petition we have at the counter, every little bit is going to help.
There are only 2 qualifications for a person to sign them. First they have to be a Waxhaw town resident and second they need to be a registered voter. If they need to register, I have forms at the store or they can go to the following web site:
The target number of valid signatures is 1,886 - We do have a few signatures that are from out of the city limits and we’ll need to make up for it but there are only a few.
As well, there is a small group of people who are going door to door to gather signatures. Help is needed in this effort as well. If you can spend a few hours on a Saturday even if it’s working to canvas your own neighborhood – well many hands make light work! Please contact Donna @:
Remember, this is not a done deal, the vote taken back in March was not binding and there is no guarantee that the future vote scheduled for July 14th will pass. If it doesn’t pass, there won’t be enough time to gather signatures and still make the 60 -120 day window required by state law to make the November 3rd ballot.
The people helping with this project have been great! As well, the support from both residents and non-residents has been nothing short of phenomenal. I only wish our town council members and mayor could hear what we hear I think they’d be tripping over themselves to see this referendum on the ballot in November.
Let’s keep those signatures coming in!Please bring in any full sheets you may have and thank you again!
Regards,
Mark & Patte Kennedy
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Southsiders
113 E. North Main Street
Waxhaw, NC 28173
704-243-1325
I can't help but see the signs of change in Waxhaw. We all do. So many things attempted or started, but not yet completed... leaving Waxhaw teetering on the brink of much positive or negative.
With the recent foreclosure of many lots and land in and around Waxhaw as of late, along with uncompleted commercial projects such as Jackson Station and Prescot, it leaves me wondering what is in Waxhaw's future. And now BL Patch & Associates and Blue Ribbon Realty have jointly proposed another Mixed Use project for the Historic Downtown area. It's a beautiful project that I truly hope does well, but in my opinion, we need to consider the other ones first...
I am not against any or all of these projects, but we really need to take a good hard look at the ones which are at a standstill and determine what the problem is. One could blame the recent downturn in the economy, but that would not explain Jackson Station, which has sat empty for years other than a lone CVS and now a few mostly empty office spaces. The developement certainly would not have supported a Walmart facility with the current road structure, but what can be done with this parcel to benefit the community?
Then there are several other projects like the Moser Group one near Bojangles, and the Prescot one, near the bridge on Providence. Did they damage their ability to complete these due to the extensive bull-dozing and tree removal, prior to even having tenants pre-sign agreements? Perhaps the bad publicity when the large number of huge Oak and other trees where removed (even from the exterior borders) prevented tenants from wanting to move there. But why is no one (including those developers) at least replacing trees, or other concerned citizens donating some, to be growing there now? Seems like these eyesores will never get better unless we force someone to do something about it, or for us to be able to take action & beautify these areas ourselves if we have to.
Rather than work against these projects, I hope the citizens of Waxhaw will see the need to be involved and help these succeed and add character to the community. I too, abhor, the "strip mall," mentality of much commercial development in a town which has so much history and quaintness to it, but feel that if done right, that we NEED to have commercial projects to broaden our tax base, and provide services for our citizens. I know I am tired of driving all the way to Blakeney & Ballantyne for many of my shopping needs (esp clothing).
I also do feel that Liquor by the drink is an issue we definitely need to consider to allow. I do think it will require much research, and I also empathize with those who don't want the big chain restaurants flooding our town. I don't either but I know our local "Mom & Pop" restaurants that we have grown to love, would do much better if they had this ability too.
However, I think even if they do come to town, by controlling architectural restrictions, that we can retain our quaintness. Example Charleston, who has the oldest and one of the most reveered (& feared I might add! LOL!) Architectural Control Boards in the country. BUT, they have allowed and promoted growth WHILE controlling the esthetic integrity of that most lovely city.
I love "my Waxhaw." I want to see it succeed and prosper, but I also want to see it retain it's character. What do you think? And if you live in a different town, that has been at this stage, what helped? What didn't? We all know that you either go forwards or backwards with progress, but I for one, want Waxhaw to go forward and do it right!
Waxhaw, NC is a quaint "bedroom" community for Charlotte,NC, but is quickly growing. It is known for it's friendly people, historic downtown, equestrian heritage, and quirky atmosphere. Share your thoughts about the changes you've seen and what you think Waxhaw's future holds.
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As many of you know, I live JUST outside the city limits of Waxhaw. So I don't get the opportunity to vote on issues that will affect me, and my business. So I am doing my part to encourage all of you, who do live in Waxhaw to get out and vote November 3rd! Early voting has actually already begun!
