Anderson House Continues to Haunt City Council Proceedings Neil Furr/CITIZEN Mayors from Iredell’s three largest municipalities gathered at the home of Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh recently to sign an annexation boundary agreement. The agreement would let potential land developers know which municipality to deal with regarding possible annexation and extension of utilities and services. From left are Bill Thunberg of Mooresville, Elbert Richardson of Troutman, and Costi Kutteh of Statesville. Other officials, including Andy Barker of Love Valley, also attended. Neil Furr IREDELL CITIZEN It had been months since anybody availed themselves of the monthly “public commentary” opportunity offered by Statesville City Council. But Dr. William A. Tucker, owner of an old and historic house that has often been before council, exercised and his right at the April 16 meeting. „ > Tucker, owner of the Anderson House and the payer of multiple fines levied by Council against the property, used his allotted minutes - and a bit more - to “fill in” Council on events of the last two-and-a half years. But mostly, he said, he wanted to speak on behalf of the late Grace Caldwell Anderson, former owner of the house and the woman known as “The Bird Lady of Statesville.” In 1950, Dr. Tucker said, Council erected a monument to Anderson who started the Statesville Garden Club, and helped get Statesville designated as the second bird sanctuary in the state. Anderson, he said, had a hand in the cardinal being declared the state bird. In spite of his paying the fines against the property, Tucker said, the City bushhogged the property, nearly destroying Anderson’s “beautiful” garden. The bushhog, he continued, actually ran over the monument to Anderson and caused “all kinds of destruction.” Tucker continued on to say that he got “no letter” about the City’s intent. “My question,” he concluded, somewhat after his allotted minutes had 'HAWG'N'DAWG' Daily Specials Wilson Wings 351 Toes-Thors *5 to 7 Custom Cooking £ All Catering Needs Call In, Eat In, Prive Up, Pick Up, Take Out 704-871-9181 Monday - Saturday • 10am - 9pm Signal Hill Mall - Front Entrance elapsed, “is, ‘Has the attitude of City Council changed since 1950 in honoring Grace Anderson’s memory?”’ Since the period was for public commentary only, there was no response from Council. The Council moved next to its Consent Agenda, which included two items that will affect uptown traffic and parking in May, but could also bring the town national attention. r Both items involve the filming of George Clooney movie Leatherheads. The first proposal is to close the two block area of Front St. between S. Meeting St. and Cooper St. from 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, until 6 p.m. Thursday, May 31. During the closure, traffic signals at Front and Center St. will be removed for the circa 1920s movie. NC-DOT will provide and install the barricades and signage needed to keep trathc moving. Access to the Civic Center will be at the rear of the facility. The second proposal is to restrict parking uptown irom nrst Might Cyclery to Front St. on both sides of Center St. With advanced notice, “no parking” could extend to Court St., or beyond. Parking restrictions Continued on next page MOBILITY Scooters • Lift Chairs Oej^UiKdTHmteSgmMeAicai Supfdy • FREE DIABETIC & Blood Pressure SCREENING MEDI Fashionable Diabetic Shoes by ACOR Respiratory Nebulizers & Meds • Hospital Equipment • Wheelchairs • Nutritional Health Supplements • MUCH MORE! 11743 Statesville Blvd. • Cleveland, NC 27013 704 278-4029 Division of Cleveland Drug Company - • • Your AFFORDABLE Hospital EQMipment and Mobility Center NOTICE OF A COMBINED PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED I-40/I-77 INTERCHANGE AREA IMPROVEMENTS TIP Project No. 1-3819 Iredell County The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold a Pre-Hearing Open House and a Combined Public Hearing on Monday, May 21, 2007 in the Statesville Civic Center - Room C located at 300 South Center Street, Statesville. NCDOT representatives will be available at the Pre-Hearing Open House between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to answer questions and receive comments relative to the proposed project. The opportunity to submit written comments or questions will also be provided. Interested citizens may attend at any time during the above mentioned hours. A formal presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. The presentation will consist of an explanation of the proposed location, design, the state - federal relationship, and right of way and relocation requirements and procedures. The hearing will be open to those present for statements, questions and comments. The presentation and comments will be recorded and a transcript will be prepared. NCDOT proposes to widen 1-40 and 1-77 to eight-lanes and, as a result, improve the I-40/I-77 interchange from the current two-level full cloverleaf interchange to a four-level offset interchange by replacing three of the four existing loops with directional ramps. The four existing one-lane ramps will be shifted outward to allow for the new two-lane directional ramps. The improvements on 1-40 will begin just west of SR 2003 (Radio Road), continuing east to SR 2158 (Old Mocksville Road). Improvements to 1-77 begin just north of SR 2157 (Salisbury Road) and heads north to slightly south of SR 2171 (Jane Sowers Road). In addition, improvements will be made to the 1-40/US 21 interchange, the I-40/SR 2158 (Old Mocksville Road) interchange as well as the I-77/SR 2321 (East Broad Street) interchange. The US 64/1-40 partial interchange will be removed as part of this project. The purpose of the project is to improve mobility and connectivity within the project study area. Additional right of way and the relocation of homes and businesses will be required for this project. A map displaying the location and design of the project and a copy of the environmental document — Environmental Assessment (EA) — are available for public review at the City of Statesville, City Manager’s Office, 301 South Center Street, Statesville, 28677 and at the NCDOT District Engineer’s Office located at 124 Prison Camp Road, Statesville, 28625. Anyone desiring additional information may contact Mr. Jamille Robbins, NCDOT-Human Environment Unit at 1583 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699, phone (919) 715-1534, or email jarobbins^dot.statg-nc.us. Additional material may be submitted until June 20, 2007. NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to paiticipate in this hearing. Anyone requiring special services should contact Mr. Robbins as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.