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INSIDE ▼ What's the deal with pickleball noise? PAGE 3A
3B SEE MORE ON PAGE 2B
Friday, December 5, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 49
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Union County candidates emerge in the 2026 election by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – The Union County Board of Elections welcomed several candidates Dec. 1 for the first day of filing. Candidates will continue filing for 2026 election races through Dec. 19.
They will be seeking seats on the Monroe City Council, Union County Board of Commissioners, Union County Board of Education and North Carolina General Assembly,
among others. Registered voters will have the opportunity to vote in the March 3 primary and Nov. 3 general election. Here is a look at who applied on the first day: City of Monroe
• Mayor candidates: Surluta Anthony (Dem) and Pat Kahle (Rep) • Council candidates: James Kerr (Rep), Heidi Petterson (Rep) and Julie Thompson
(Rep) While most municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years, Monroe leaders moved their elections to even-numbered years. Mayor Robert Burns announced Oct. 27 that he is not seeking a second term. Instead, Burns is throwing his support behind fellow Republican David Dotson, who is midway through his first term on the council. Dotson has not yet filed. Surluta Anthony, who was reelected to the council in 2023, will be running for mayor
Mission accomplished
Common Heart’s Great Turkey Countdown helped families in Union County, Matthews and Mint Hill. Photos courtesy of Common Heart
in this election cycle. She has served as mayor pro tem since July when a 4-3 majority of the council voted to remove Dotson from the role and install Anthony. The Democrat became the first African American woman elected to the council in 2013. Pat Kahle, who retired as executive director for the Union County Chamber of Commerce this year, is running as a Republican. She has served on the boards of several Story continues, see ELECTION page 3A
Pure Power Contractors moving to Monroe Corporate Center
Pure Power Contractors LLC plans to invest between $15 million and $20 million into a new headquarters within Monroe Corporate Center.
Photo courtesy of City of Monroe
INDIAN TRAIL – Common Heart distributed frozen turkeys with all the fixin's Nov. 22 to 1,500 families facing food insecurity.
MONROE – Monroe City Council has approved a land sale for the purposes of economic development.
The effort was part of the Great Turkey Countdown, a tradition dating back to 2007. The nonprofit encourages the community to not only donate food but also help distribute it so that families can have a memorable Thanksgiving. Leading up to distribution day, Common Heart had served 13,590 unique people through its food pantries. That was an increase of 1,729 from the previous year. Common Heart is one of several charities featured in Light the World Giving Machines at Carolina Place Mall in Pineville through Dec. 7. These vending machines allow people to make donations in amounts varying from $5 to $180 to benefit charities locally and beyond.
services • Life Span Services for programs serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities • Monroe Union County CDC for housing counseling and economic hardship determinations • New Covenant Community Development Center for assistance with youth STEAM programs • Turning Point for supporting domestic violence victims and crisis services • Union County Community Action for childcare and enrichment programs • Union County Community Action Head Start for classroom and office support • Union County Community Arts Council for support of community arts programming • Union County Community Shelter for
Pure Power Contractors LLC will relocate its headquarters from Indian Trail to the Monroe Corporate Center. The relocation will include the retention of 162 employees and the opportunity for an additional 100 new jobs. The council voted Nov. 25 to authorize the sale of about 18.52 acres to Pure Power Contractors, a solar energy contractor specializing in utility-scale photovoltaic systems. The company designs, engineers and constructs large-scale solar installations across the country. With council approval, Pure Power Contractors will develop a new owner-occupied headquarters on the site. Building plans include a 37,500-square-foot warehouse and a 24,500-square-foot two-story office with remaining space left for future expansions. “This decision supports quality jobs, long-term investment and a growing industry,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “Pure Power Contractors is making a major commitment to Monroe, and we are proud to welcome their new headquarters to the community.” Pure Power Contractors employs 162 people and plans to create at least 100 additional positions over the next five years. The estimated investment for the new headquarters is between $15 million and $20 million. The property being sold by the city is valued at $1,379,700, according to the Union County tax assessment. Economic Development Director Teresa Campo said the project demonstrates the competitiveness of the Monroe Corporate Center. “Companies have choices when they look to grow,” Campo said. “Pure Power Contractors selected Monroe because of our strong workforce, strategic location and proven ability to support advanced industries.” City council approved the land sale under the economic development provisions of state statutes after determining the project will strengthen Monroe’s economy through
Story continues, see MONROE page 3A
Story continues, see POWER page 3A
Monroe distributes over $1.25M to community partners MONROE – The City of Monroe is highlighting major investments in local nonprofits and partner agencies.
Through the Outside Agency Funding program, the city awarded $931,274 to community organizations during the recently completed 2025 fiscal year and has begun granting an approved $1,284,151 for the 2026 fiscal year. “Monroe is fortunate to have strong nonprofit partners who serve our residents with care and compassion,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “When the city invests in these organizations, we are not only supporting essential services, we are strengthening our entire community. These dollars create real impact for families and also ripple outward into our local economy.” The city’s fiscal year 2026 recommended funding supports more than 35 community partners, including:
• Angel Shoes for providing shoes and school supplies in partnership with Monroe Parks and Recreation • Common Heart for its Getting Ahead program • Community Health Services of Union County for medical and support services • Council on Aging of Union County for in-home assistance, caregiver support and senior programming • Excel Enrichment Program for its literacy program for at-risk children • Food for Families NC for providing food for Monroe households in partnership with Monroe Parks and Recreation • Ground 40 Ministries for programs supporting disabled men and providing housing services • HealthQuest for prescription medications and assistance for seniors • Atrium Health Foundation for hospice