The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • 37

TT the charlotte OBSERVER $tm ncfl Some commissioners balk at higher-tax-bill budget UQOOOO an increase in debt The manager recommends adding 316 cents to the tax rate to cover debt service on the sale of $298 million worth of voter-approved bonds Without that the county would be able to lower its tax rate by 946 cents and almost totally offset the increases in Charlotte and the towns additional debt service could be taken care of by reducing funding in some other said McCall without specifying cuts Bush said the budget might be the place to look need to make taxpayers pay for five new teachers to teach huggy-feely conflict he said By DAN CHAPMAN Staff Writer It long after Mecklenburg County Manager Jerry Fox unveiled his fiscal 1997 budget Friday that his bosses began ripping into Two Mecklenburg commissioners echoing the comments made by other commissioners earlier this month said they support the $8977 million budget because it would effectively raise taxes on most of the residents will not be able to support it (because) it will be a net increase to taxpayers when you add the city and county budgets said Republican Linda McCall Highlights of proposed budget include: $116 million an 8 percent increase in local funding for public schools and Central Piedmont Community College A 31 percent boost to the district office and more than doubling the money for the public office $29 million more for the understaffed ambulance service No county property tax increase for a fourth consecutive year The tax rate would drop 63 cents per $100 Although budget would lower the county tax rate Charlotte taxpayers and those living in unincorporated Mecklenburg would see their property taxes rise due to a complicated new formula to pay for police protection A Charlotte resident for example would see the combined tax rate increase of 34 cents per $100 of a value from $1233 to $1267 based on city and county budget recommendations think appropriate for the county commission to say we are lowering the tax rate when in reality what doing is forcing the Charlotte City Council to raise their said commissioner Torn Bush Fox says what he proposes is a "revenue-neutral budget except for products SERVICES Thousands of products 8c services Pore for pets Artwork gifts jewelry clothing crafts 8 more for everyone Celebrities their pets Special events 8 demos Purebred cat showcase For all pets: dogs cats birds reptiles horses hedgehogs feh and more Plus much more! SAT: 9am-9pnn SUN: I0am-6pm A I 1 0 M8 Adults $5 Children (4-1 2) Kids under 4 FREE ZSXSZSSXS Dress your favorite four-legged fnend for fun anop- HOUSEHOLD CAT SHOW! E'wiemerdog MIMI DOG SOO St JdogntheMnDcsSCO rsSSSSSS'--' 52 pitting zoo and artes for the entire famiV for your child all tPQNSOREPJll 5XX stejtotoumwn' ipssssr' AmericanAirlines Olympic cycling event likely to tie up traffic li HI TO0EB SH3 SOES2D0 (IDtiCB mmm Sunday's TV Week" magazine makes it easy to find programs to watch by providing easy-to-read grids for mornings afternoons and prime time (The Charlotte Observer AREA 5 FSBO 56 6300 sq ft 2216 Sutton Springs Rd 849000 1 For Appts Call 342-5852 I am ANTIQUE ESTATE JEWELRY can 377-4444 Then enter the code below for more information on that subject Antique Jewelry 1962 Estate Jewelry 1937 What is your Jewelry Worth? 1936 Selling your Fine Jewelry 1935 Specials 1934 nlSartliREBSfr ootboar DELWERtYi By DAN CHAPMAN Staff Writer For many folks next Olympic cycling trials will be nothing more than a rolling traffic hangover Residents who live in neighborhoods from Dilworth to SouthPark will find travel by car restricted during the afternoon of Sunday June 2 About 350 male cyclists will race along Fairview Park Sharon roads Selwyn Avenue Runny-meade Lane and other city streets competing for the top five spots and a ticket to the Olympics make 14 trips around the 98-mile course and in the process tie up traffic and frustrate citizens caught unawares by the half-day event Friday race organizers back-pedaled on their publicized efforts to keep the streets free of cars Earlier in the week organizers sent out fliers to 5400 residents who live on or near the course While the notice encouraged folks to signs banners American and up on food beverages film power bars" it also contained this warning: you wish to view the event or if you have other plans during the day please make arrangements to leave the area be- fore 1 pm Streets will be completely closed from 1 pm until 6 pm No traffic will be allowed to enter or exit the sound like much of a party to Peter Moore somebody to tell me I can not get out of my house for five hours on three weeks notice seems a little unreasonable to Moore who has lived on Sharon Road for 31 years said Friday think doing a very good job of alerting a lot of people along that route that those roads are going to be Ron Peterson directing the race sponsored by NationsBank said Friday citizens be 3 park visitors stuck in the 3 hours Three Mount Holly residents were rescued late Friday from the Drop Zone ride at Carowinds after being stuck 160 feet in the air for nearly three hours Carowinds officials said the safety control system locked the brakes when one of its four cars did not ascend completely to the top Maintenance personnel tried to release the brakes manually but one of the cars did not respond Its three passengers were stranded near the top of the 174-foot tower Charlotte firefighters strapped harnesses around the three riders Angela 20 Ray Worley 24 and Johnny Kitchen 43 They were lowered to the ground about 11:30 pm The Drop Zone a $4 million ride made its debut at the park in March The ride plunges riders 174 feet to the ground at a top speed of 56 mph USED POOL tjVVW ggfSSapphire S3SS7 Fjrm 2 pc Queen Set Coupons Do Not Apply Castine Plush 2 pc Queen Set Coupons Do Not Apply EXCLUSIVE Beautyrest OLYMPIC LINEI MIKE FISHERStaff able to cross the And they can expect at most a 15-minute delay for racers to pass Peterson added Some streets will also be open for one-way traffic Roads with medians like Fairview will be partially open Orange traffic cones will also keep cars and riders separated on roads like East Boulevard These streets will be totally closed: Princeton Scott Radcliffe portions of Selwyn Sharon and Queens Road West The city is chipping in $1 1000 to help pay overtime costs for police officers control traffic MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES GETAWAYS A special advertising feature for Mountain Properties Getaways will appear in The Charlotte Observer on Sunday jure 2 in a special Travel Section focusing on the mountains This is a great opportunity to reach mountain lovers eager for prices facts and information on properties for sale or those looking for a place for a vacationweekend getaway For more information or to place your ad call: Lynn 358-5383 or 1-800-532-5348 ext 5383 DEADLINE Friday May 24 NOON P6034201 -ft iwiTiirfr'iVi1 TABLE SALE I MOST A inn RRAMnS MOST MAJOR BRANDS BIG SAVINGS! 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