Gaston County Community Talk

10/01/2025

09/24/2025

Facts on top of facts.

09/23/2025

Rep. John Torbett (R) and his colleagues in the NC House are trying to rush through the so-called Political Terrorism Prevention Act in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death. Let’s not sugarcoat this — they are exploiting a tragedy to push a bill that is more about political theater than public safety.

Here’s the reality: North Carolina already has some of the strongest laws on the books to deal with violence.

• Murder? Already punishable by life without parole or the death penalty.

• Attempted murder, assault, terrorism? All already covered by existing statutes with severe penalties.

• Aggravating factors? Judges and juries already take motive into account during sentencing.

This new bill doesn’t really add anything new to protect people. Instead, it layers on vague language about “politically motivated violence” that could easily be stretched to apply to protest, activism, or dissent. In other words, it risks being used as a weapon against ordinary citizens exercising their rights to speak out and demonstrate.

Some potential issues with the bill:

• Redundancy: It creates new crimes for things that are already crimes under NC law. Murder is murder, no matter the motive.

• Vague definitions: What counts as “political motivation”? Could a protester be charged more harshly simply because their cause is political?

• Death penalty expansion: It adds politically motivated killings as an aggravating factor, even for cases that wouldn’t normally be death penalty eligible.
That’s a huge escalation.

• Political opportunism: Instead of focusing on real community needs — jobs, housing, education, healthcare — lawmakers are turning Charlie Kirk, a fascist whose toxic politics divided people, into a martyr for bad legislation.

If John Torbett is supposed to represent us, he should be working on things that actually improve life for North Carolinians. Rushing through a redundant bill to exploit Kirk’s death doesn’t do that.

This isn’t prevention. It’s posturing. It’s fascism and it’s dangerous and Un-American.

09/18/2025

The “Wolfpack Connect” program will guarantee acceptance to some students from select community colleges.

09/01/2025

✊🏾 Labor Day Reflections from Gaston County ✊🏾

This Labor Day, I want to share the gritty, courageous history from right here in Gaston County—a story not of victory, but of unyielding resistance and sacrifice.

In 1929, around 1,800 workers at Loray Mill in Gastonia walked off the job, demanding a 40-hour workweek, a living wage, an end to the oppressive “stretch-out” system, and union recognition. The National Textile Workers Union led the strike, with organizers like Ellen Dawson stepping up, but mill owners and local authorities were ruthless. 

Fired strikers and their families were evicted and forced to live in tents—forming a tent colony on the mill’s edge as a symbol of defiance. 

On June 7, authorities raided the colony. Deputy sheriffs and city police attacked picketers—women and children among them—to break the strike. Gunfire erupted. Police Chief Orville Aderholt was fatally wounded, and several deputies and strikers were injured.  That night, Gastonia became a near police state—over 60 strikers were arrested. 

Then came one of the most heartbreaking moments: in mid-September, Ella May Wiggins—a mill worker, mother, and singer of protest ballads—was ambushed by an armed mob while traveling to a union rally. She was shot in the chest—and killed. Despite many witnesses, the trial resulted in no convictions. 

Though the strike ultimately failed, it became a national and international symbol of courage and struggle. It drew the attention of writers like Sinclair Lewis and Sherwood Anderson, and its story continues to be told as a testament to worker dignity. 

Today, the Loray Mill stands as apartments, shops, and a museum—but behind that red-brick facade lies a history of grit, resistance, and loss.

This Labor Day, let’s pause and honor those who risked everything—standing up for basic rights in the face of overwhelming power. Their legacy reminds us that dignity and justice are never easy to win, but always worth fighting for. 💪🏾

09/01/2025

Low minimum wage and lack of protections for workers.

North Carolina tops CNBC's business rankings yet remains worst state for workers, per Oxfam.

08/30/2025

Rep. Deborah Ross became the latest Democrat to swear off AIPAC amid pressure to hold Israel accountable for its genocide in Gaza.

08/16/2025

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services last year alleged that Balanced Nutrition, which was founded by former second lady Yolanda Hill, booked more than $101,000 in questionable payments in recent years. The state sought repayment, which was due in February. DHHS sent two letters — dated March 26 and April 28 — to Balanced Nutrition leaders demanding payment.

NCDHHS says a nonprofit run by Yolanda Hill billed taxpayers for tens of thousands of dollars in questionable payments.

02/22/2025

Gastonia Mayor Oversteps Authority in Heated City Council Exchange

By Scotty Reid



In a contentious moment during a recent Gastonia City Council meeting, Gastonia’s Mayor Richard Franks attempted to have Councilwoman Donyell Barber forcibly removed by sheriff’s deputies from a city council meeting —an act that raises serious questions about the limits of his authority and the abuse of power in local government.

The exchange began when the mayor requested more time to review council documents. Councilwoman Barber, in response, posed what she called a rhetorical question: why he needed additional time when all council members had received the documents at the same time. Rather than addressing the issue professionally, Mayor Franks became visibly agitated, diverting the discussion to his personal struggles, including a claim that his granddaughter’s mother had abandoned her and that he had a lot on his mind.

Instead of keeping the meeting focused on city business, Franks escalated the situation further by accusing Barber of using the exchange as a political maneuver to position herself for a future mayoral run. The back-and-forth culminated in the mayor attempting to order sheriff’s deputies to remove Barber from the chamber—an act that raises legal and ethical concerns about his role as presiding officer.

Does the Mayor Have the Authority to Remove a Council Member?

North Carolina law grants mayors the power to preside over city council meetings, but it does not explicitly give them unilateral authority to remove an elected council member for engaging in debate or disagreement. Typically, the enforcement of order during council meetings follows a structured process, often dictated by city ordinances or procedural rules such as Robert’s Rules of Order.

For a council member to be removed, there usually must be a clear case of disruptive behavior that significantly obstructs the meeting. Even then, the decision often requires a motion and vote by the council rather than a unilateral order from the mayor. In this case, Barber was participating in a discussion relevant to the meeting agenda—questioning why the mayor needed additional time to review documents. This does not meet the threshold for disorderly conduct, making Franks’ actions appear not only excessive but also a misuse of his authority.

Political Intimidation and Abuse of Power?

Mayor Franks’ reaction suggests that his attempt to remove Barber was not about maintaining order but rather about silencing a fellow elected official questioning his ability to manage his time in conducting city business. By bringing up his personal life, making accusations about Barber’s political ambitions, and ultimately trying to use law enforcement to eject her, he demonstrated a troubling disregard for the principles of democratic governance.

This kind of behavior sets a dangerous precedent. If mayors or other officials can weaponize law enforcement to remove colleagues who ask difficult or inconvenient questions, it threatens the integrity of local government. City council meetings are meant to be forums for discussion, debate, and decision-making—not arenas where personal grievances take precedence over policy and procedure.

What Happens Next?

The Gastonia City Council and legal experts should review whether the mayor acted within his authority. If he overstepped his role, there should be discussions about holding him accountable and ensuring that future meetings remain focused on governance rather than personal conflicts. Transparency and accountability are essential to preventing elected officials from abusing their positions to silence opposition.

For now, this incident serves as a stark reminder of why it is crucial for public officials to respect the democratic process, follow established procedures, and uphold the standards of conduct expected in public office. The people of Gastonia deserve leaders who prioritize governance over personal grievances—and who understand that disagreement is not disorder, but democracy in action.