GASTON SOURCE

Belmont adds 5 streets to paving program

ROADWORK The Belmont City Council Monday night approved a contract change order for $33,700 that will allow the city to pave five streets not included in the original fall paving program.

City Manager Barry Webb said the extra money came from a combination of good bids and savings in materials from estimated amounts in the contract with Crowder Construction Co. of Charlotte.

Paving will begin next week on Hill Street, Ethan Avenue and portions of Clay Street, Reid Court and Ferrell Avenue.

School board goes asking for more money

BUDGETS Gaston County commissioners will meet with the Board of Education at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Department of Social Services auditorium, 330 N. Marietta St., Gastonia, to discuss a schedule for school improvements.

School board members will list priorities for improvements, and commissioners will discuss when more school bonds should be issued.

The school board is proposing that county commissioners issue an additional $21 million in bonds in April.

Assemblyman to discuss state budget crunch

POLITICS State Rep. Joe Kiser, of Vale, will talk about the state’s budget situation at 12 p.m. Wednesday at Sagebrush Steakhouse, 112 N. Generals Blvd., Lincolnton.

The meeting is hosted by the watchdog group Citizens for a Sound Economy.

Lincoln County commissioner James “Buddy” Funderburk will also talk about issues the county faces.

E-mail Jason Saine at jsaine@cse.org, or call (704) 472-6234 for more information.

LOAD-DATE: January 13, 2003