Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - The March Council Meeting opened with the return of Cherryville Mayor Wade Stroupe. During the mayor and council comment period, Stroupe clarified that he supported purchasing a new police building. This $ 1.3 million purchase is expected to close on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with City Manager Brian Dalton exclaiming that Cherryville's officers are “like kids on Christmas” as they plan for their new headquarters.
The council also spoke on the potential closure of Blaine Beam Intermediate School. The reconfiguration of the Cherryville Schools is under study, with no current plan to close the intermediate school. Stroupe feels that “if there is no intent to do something, there is no need to study it,” meaning there is at least some consideration of it being done. He also found that the Cherryville representative on the Gaston County School Board, Robbie Lovelace, had not been made aware by the rest of the board that this was a possibility. Stroupe encourages citizens to continue sending data and information to help positively affect the future of Cherryville Schools.
Stroupe, continuing with updates, spoke on the recent successes of the Cherryville Recreation Department. The city's Little League and youth softball, which will begin shortly, have already had over 300 children sign up to participate. Council member Gary Freeman noted that the recreation board had planned on voting to honor a strong supporter of the Dixie Youth Softball program. Sandy Cunningham had served the program for over three decades, but passed away recently after a battle with cancer. If passed, she would be honored by having a plaque dedicating the Dixie Youth Concession Stand to her. The mayor and council voted on this motion, passing it unanimously.
Stroupe also noted two of Cherryville’s other programs on their accomplishments. These were the Youth Basketball and Youth Wrestling Programs. The basketball program’s season finished recently, with over 200 children participating this cycle. Cherryville’s newest youth sports program, a joint effort with the city and Cherryville High School, saw great success in its first tournament. The youth wrestling program drew 60 local participants for the training portion and over 100 attendees for its inaugural tournament, which closed the season.
The meeting only saw one speaker during its citizens-to-be-heard section. This was Edward Hanes representing his company, Skybelle. This company provides highly reflective safety stickers to help alert first responders to the presence of people with disabilities, seniors, and pets in the home. Despite some misgivings about Cherryville’s past lack of support for Skybelle, Hanes announced that, in his dedication to supporting firefighters, he is starting the Skybelle Foundation for Firefighters. Through this, Hanes will be providing $1,000,000 of his own money to create a program for firefighters to complete. Each firefighter who completes the program will receive $2500. Hanes hopes to see each of our local firefighters participate and receive this benefit. You may learn more about Skybelle on their website here.
To open the discussion of the potential updates to Cherryville’s sign ordinances, Bryan Long of Carolina Heating and Cooling spoke during the public hearing portion. He feels marketing in the area can be challenging, and that yard signs are a primary source of advertisement for local trades. He believes removing these signs will adversely affect Cherryville's older population, as they are less likely to engage with digital advertising. He spoke privately with the council and publicly at the last zoning board meeting. He hopes the council and zoning board will consider his suggested modifications to the “printed media signage placement” portion of the signage ordinances.
A sign for Carolina Heating and Cooling that is potentially illegal under current ordinances on Academy Street - Cherryville, NC - March 10th, 2026
Mason Beam (WNN)
After the public hearing, Stroupe said that, after discussion with the city manager and zoning director, as it stands, 99% of the yard signs representing businesses are illegal. He feels that, given the last two revisions to the sign ordinance in 2002 and 2006, it merits a full review and revision, not just a look into the portion dealing with printed signage. Although in the interim, he would like to see full enforcement of the existing ordinance, which would mean the removal of most of the existing signage. He also noted that campaign signs have been illegally placed, with ones for the 2026 primaries being in place since the November 2025 elections. The correct term for these is 30 days before the election, and the election is removed 15 days after the cycle.
The sentiment that this ordinance merits review is echoed by the rest of the council, who generally accept that this process will require more time and consideration. The amended proposal would allow businesses to place signs when work starts on a property, and require them to be removed 15 days after work is completed. Council member Jon Abernethy feels this is too vague and would like to amend it to be more specific, with allotments for different types of businesses. Council Member Gary Freeman suggests limiting signage to 15 days after placement. Zoning Director Richard Elam spoke about his time in code enforcement, noting that it is almost impossible to keep track of this because it requires knowledge of when every sign is placed.
Freeman feels that during study, businesses should be allowed to place signage to support Cherryville’s small businesses. However, City Manager Dalton feels that this would be a motion to change the current ordinance and that it would be easier on staff to enforce it as is during the interim period. City Attorney Yansea Taylor echoed this, saying that choosing not to enforce laws undermines the city's ability to do so. In the end, it was decided to enforce the current ordinance while studying potential changes with further discussion later.
Elam led the discussion of a road in Cherryville that exists on paper but has been technically closed for at least 20 years. The NCDOT closed Grove Road to the public at a Cherryville meeting. The road was then gated to prevent illegal dumping. However, due to the potential sale of the property, it “exists” on the road needed to be officially closed again because it had never been properly entered into the NCDOT’s system. Council voted to fix this error and acknowledge Grove Road as closed.
During the opening of the meeting, Fire Chief Cobly Heffner was congratulated on his recent promotion from Interim Fire Chief. Abernenty shared a memory of watching Heffner, as a child, say he wanted to be a fire chief when he grew up. This showed that success can be achieved when the work is put in. Lance Hudson, the city’s recreation director, was also recognized for his aforementioned success in keeping Cherryville’s youth sports programs going strong.
The city then moved on to an award ceremony recognizing years of service with the city for three of its employees. The first was Brett Gidoen, who has spent 5 years with the Cherryville Public Works Department. Director Chris King stated that Gideon is a valued employee who always shows up and is ready to work. Going in order of years served, Tim Abernethy was awarded for 10 years of service at the Cherryville Water plant. Last but not least, Kim Lancaster was brought forth for 30 years of service with the Cherryville Police Department. Chief Hunsucker mentioned that, despite his badge reading 'Chief,' Kim is the one who actually runs the Cherryville Police Department.
In honor of a full century of local business, Beam Construction was brought forth to be awarded. Many members of this business attended this ceremony. The company was founded in 1925 in Cherryville and has since been involved in the construction of numerous local structures. It is known for its strong family leadership, which has lasted for multiple generations, and is one of Cherryville's economic drivers.
Pete Craft, the Board Director of the Cherryville Historical Museum, provided an update on the museum's renovations. He spoke on the importance of the dedication of the hard work of the volunteers who have given countless hours to the operation and restoration of the museum. After deciding to renovate the museum, the board contacted Sid Stroupe to serve as the project manager for the work. What started as a small project evolved into a near-complete remodel of the building's interior. This has involved projects such as uncovering the Bull Durham painting, restoring plasterwork, exposing the original ceiling, relocating exhibits and displays, and many other projects. Even though the museum is not yet open with set hours, Craft hopes the museum’s main floor will be ready to be shown at the Cherry Blossom Festival on April 24th and 25th.
City Manager Dalton opened his report by speaking to the CIP plan being adopted in previous meetings. As a result, the city is currently seeking grants to improve its infrastructure, which he expects will be completed over 8 years. This would entail reworking much of the current water and sewer system. Bids for one such project, the installation of the Ballard Pump Station's new force main, will be due by March 12th. Another project that may be considered is a force main from the Cherryville Water Plant to the town, running along Requa Road.
Dalton then mentioned that the budgeting process for the upcoming year has begun, and he is currently speaking with each department about what is needed. He foresees this as a year without heavy capital expenditure, which may help pave more roads around Cherryville. The budget should be considered for a presentation date in the April meeting.
Closing out the City Manager report section of the meeting, Dalton mentioned that tenants have begun moving into the Rutherford Crossing Apartments. Moving into other business, Mayor Stroupe brought up the potential need for outdoor lighting at the Cherryville Gym parking area. The city also wants to see that the nature trail beside Cherryville Elementary School is cleaned up. The city wants to work with Gaston County Schools, offering to remove any trees cut by the schools with the city's boom truck.
Council Member Abernethy concluded the meeting by raising a request from the Cherryville ABC board. In the past, the board has asked to set aside money each month towards a new roof. They would like to do this again to repave the parking lot at Cherryville's ABC Store. Dalton had contractors check whether the parking lot could be resurfaced; they determined it is too far gone and will require a complete repaving.
