Community
Bill would require referendum on future toll lanes
By Dave Vieser. In the wake of Gov. Pat McCrory suggesting that the state float bonds for transportation projects, State Sen. Jeff Tarte (R-District 14) has introduced legislation that would require approval from a majority of voters before any future project financed with tolls, user fees or any other direct charge to motorists could proceed. No […]
LKN Transportation Commission blasts NCDOT over I-77 mess
May 13. By Dave Vieser. While the members of the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission did not take any formal action regarding the I-77 toll lane controversy at their meeting tonight in Davidson, there was no lack of criticism for the state DOT on their handling of the project’s contract with Cintra(I77 Mobility Partners), the private […]
RCCC honored for digital technology
May 1. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College was named one of the 2014-2015 Top Ten Digital Community Colleges by the Center for Digital Education for its use of digital technologies to improve services “We are honored and proud to have made the prestigious list of honorees,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. Recently RCCC rolled out […]
Status of incentive programs concerns eco-devo officials
May 8. By Dave Vieser. The shaky status of two corporate incentive grant programs administered through the state have economic development officials concerned about our ability to compete with other areas in attracting new companies. The state Research and Development Tax Credit expires at the end of this year, while the Jobs Development Investment Grant […]
Is it time for a time-out?
It’s not scientific, and our question was not perfect, but something like 95 percent of respondents to a BusinessToday-Cornelius Today online poll said there should be a “time out” for plans to use a public-private partnership and toll lanes to widen I-77 between Charlotte and Lake Norman. The question went like this: Is it time […]
Cornelius Town Board wants ‘time-out’ for plan to widen I-77 with tolls
May 4. It looks like the residents of Cornelius have spoken and the Town Board has listened. Mayor Chuck Travis says there will be enough votes at tonight’s meeting to “call a time out” for plans to widen I-77 between Lake Norman and Charlotte. A call for a time-out would go straight to Gov. Pat McCrory, not […]
Will golfing get out of the rough in 2015?
By John Rehkop. Local golf course operators are looking to create a new, more sustainable model for daily fee golf in the area after a confluence of factors left them in the rough. Golf clubs such as Birkdale and Skybrook in Huntersville were the crown jewels of daily fee golf when they came online in the […]
Gilroy may have votes to call ‘time out’ on I-77 toll plan
May 1. NC Rep. John Bradford, the former town commissioner who called a “time out” prior to the initial I-77 agreements with Cintra last year, says he wants to meet with NCDOT officials to discuss what appears to be a changed playing field around the toll plan. “We actually tried to meet this week,” he said. […]
Widen I-77 statement on protest Friday at Exit 28; police plan hands-off approach
April 28. The region-wide debate over tolling I-77 continues to heat up. A loose confederation of toll opponents plans to stage a protest complete with signs starting at4:30 pm Friday. Widen I-77 issued this statement: “Widen I77.org supports the efforts of all citizens and groups fighting the plan to build toll lanes in the Lake Norman […]
Protests planned for Exit 28 bridge. Commissioner expects ‘public outcry and revolt’
April 27. It looks like a group of anti-toll activists will converge near the Exit 28 bridgeFriday evening to protest plans for tolls as a way to widen I-77 between Lake Norman and Charlotte. It is apparently being organized by people not directly associated with Widen I-77, but leaders of the well-known anti-toll group will participate. […]
