Drexel aldermen address longstanding postal issues, new housing options

The Drexel Board of Aldermen took steps Tuesday night to address longstanding postal service issues and approved preliminary plans for a new townhome development, while recognizing the accomplishments of local teachers and students.

The board approved a joint resolution to designate separate United States Postal Service routes for the Towns of Drexel, Glen Alpine, and Rutherford College. Rutherford College was the first to take initiative after addresses within the town have long been causing confusion.

Rutherford College’s town council wrote Congressman Tim Moore’s office back in January, asking for his assistance in establishing an official mail route within the municipality’s jurisdiction because residents’ addresses kept appearing as Connelly Springs. Drexel, where many addresses are listed as Morganton, followed by writing a letter and meeting with Moore’s regional director.

The resolution will be passed on to Glen Alpine and Rutherford College before sending it to Moore’s office.

APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY TOWNHOME PLANS

The board approved preliminary sketches of the Burns Street townhome project. The development will offer 13 townhome units, split into three buildings on one acre of land. The developer will build the first building and wait until its units are sold before building the other two.

Planner with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, Teresa Kinney, said the town can require the developer to put up a performance bond or other measures to ensure the development gets completed.

CRANFORD ROOM POLICY APPROVED

The board approved a Recreation Facilities Rental Policy that allows nonprofits to use the Cranford Room in the R.O. Huffman Center free of charge once per month. Organizations may use the room for regular meetings during normal town business hours if the meetings do not interfere with town operations.

Nonprofit organizations may also use the facility one additional time per year at no charge. Town employees and elected officials are allowed one free rental per year as well. Direct relatives of Fred and Betsy Cranford are also allowed to rent the room free of charge.

TEACHER, STUDENT RECOGNITIONS

Grow With Drexel President Dan Hoyle, whose organization coordinated the recognitions and gifts from local businesses, introduced the Drexel community’s Teachers of the Year alongside their principals.

Drexel Elementary Principal Leanna McKinney introduced first grade teacher Erika Benton, the school’s Teacher of the Year, who is a true leader in classrooms and throughout the Drexel community, McKinney said.

“She consistently goes above and beyond for her students, creating a welcoming, engaging classroom culture, while providing meaningful learning experiences every day,” McKinney said.

Principal Erin Wall introduced Heritage Middle School’s Caleb Smith, who teaches eighth grade social studies. Smith recently stepped in to teach an additional class when another teacher needed emergency surgery, Wall said.

“When I first introduced Mr. Smith to our students as Teacher of the Year, it was hard for me to hold back many tears because of all his work ethic that he has done for this year at Heritage Middle School,” Wall said.

Hoyle introduced Draughn High School’s Victoria McDowell as the school’s Teacher of the Year. She teaches in the school’s math department and continuously leads the district in student growth and proficiency, Hoyle said.

“She leads by example and is always willing to work with her students, guiding and instructing them, while navigating the outside influences that can impact the classroom,” Hoyle said.

Filling in for Hallyburton Academy’s Carla May, Jeannie Jandrew introduced Steven St. Louis as the school’s Teacher of the Year, who she said exemplifies what Hallyburton Academy is all about.

“Mr. St. Louis is a mentor and role model for so many of our students who haven’t had positive influences in their lives,” Jandrew said.

Drexel Recreation Director Lisa Butler also recognized the Drexel Wolverines girls’ basketball team, which went 8-0, won the county, and made it to the All Star Team. Although they didn’t make it to the championship game, Butler said they put in 110% effort.

“Not only are they great on the basketball court, great athletes, but they’re also exceptional students, which makes a student-athlete, in my opinion,” Butler said.