ROAD NAMED FOR NANNIE POTTS
History unfolded at the Town Board meeting this week when the Board of Commissioners awarded a $1.29 million contract to build Nannie Potts Lane in honor of our first and only female African American mayor.
“She was a special determined lady who was well respected by all,” said Mayor Woody Washam.
Nannie was also a devoted church worker at Torrence Chapel AME Zion and a driving force in the community. Would-be politicians consulted with her about whether or not they should run for public office. She organized an after-school reading program at Cornelius Presbyterian Church.
As a young college student at Barber Scotia College, Nannie was part of sit-ins at the Belk Department Store and three other lunch counters in Concord in the early 1960s. According to the Global Nonviolent Action Base (GNAB), they were heckled by white teenagers.
The Concord Police picked up Nannie and drove her all the way home.
Soon thereafter, “a black couple ate at Belk’s lunch counter at the whites-only section, signaling an official end to public lunch counter segregation in Concord,” according to GNAB.
After graduation, Nannie plunged into a life of family, teaching school, volunteerism and politics.
She was elected to the Town Board in 1983, giving a voice to the African American community that is centered in Smithville, just east of Hwy. 21 along Catawba Avenue.
As top vote-getter, she was mayor pro tem, and when then-Mayor Wesley Rood suddenly resigned, she became mayor.
She taught school for more than 30 years, first at Torrence Lytle High School, an all-black school that was her Alma Mater, and then in Iredell County.
She passed away in November. Her husband Mickey owns Potts Barber Shop, in fixture in downtown Cornelius.
Nannie Potts Lane will run south of Smithville Lane from Smith Circle to Statesville Road/Hwy. 21, connecting just south of a few existing businesses on the east side of 21.
The vote to award the contract was unanimous (5-0).
Also at the Monday June 17 meeting the commissioners:
*Proclaimed Saturday July 20 as Big Day at The Lake Day in Cornelius, marking the 15th annual event when hundreds of big brother and big sister hosts bring their children to the lake to enjoy a rare day of fun and enjoyment. More than $145,000 has already been raised towards the event’s goal of $150,000. The organization, which benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters, needs Boat Hosts for July 20. Sign up at www.bigdayatthelake.com
*Received a report from Coach Brock Shipley and team members of Iditarod Motorsports from Hough High School explaining the Ten 80 STEM national championship competition. The team was also recognized for their 2nd consecutive Ten80 national championship.
*Approved by a 5-0 vote a request from Bluestream Partners to add 13.5 acres on Barnhardt Road to the Forest at Bailey’s Glen development, and to relocate the amenity center from Bailey Road to Barnhardt Road.
