Politics
Anti-bond group claims cronyism in bond campaign
March 11. A group called NC Against the Bond says that North Carolina’s universities and community colleges have provided “Connect NC” contributions proportional to the funding they would receive from the bond if it passes in the March 15 election. The money is being spent to help promote passage of the bond package, which originally […]
Citizen Kurt: WidenI-77 organizer wows top politicians
March 10. By Dave Yochum. Speaking to a packed house—150 citizens and elected officials at Cornelius Town Hall—anti-toll leader Kurt Naas started by thanking people for attending a dry information session on Cintra finances, the bankruptcy in Texas and the pricing plan for tolls between Charlotte and Lake Norman. The one-hour presentation by the founder […]
NC Rep. John Bradford III considers bid for Congress
By Dave Yochum. N.C. Rep John Bradford III may throw his hat in the ring for the newly drawn 13th U.S. Congressional District which includes parts of Rowan, Iredell and Guilford counties, as well as Davie and Davidson counties. “I will make a business decision,” Bradford said. “I’m seriously taking a look at it but just […]
New Huntersville mayor aims to make his town business friendly
By Dave Vieser. Huntersville Mayor John Aneralla, who upset incumbent Jill Swain in November, wants to make his town more business friendly. Aneralla who was the guest speaker at Business Today’s February Newsmakers Breakfast also believes efforts to form a new chamber of commerce in the town are not necessary, labeling them “strictly politics.” Swain is […]
NCDOT seeks feedback on 50-year Cintra contract
Feb. 19. By Dave Vieser. It looks like the NCDOT is suddenly paying attention to strenuous objections from the municipalities and governments that will be directly affected by the $650 million plan to widen I-77 with toll lanes between Charlotte and Lake Norman. In letters sent Feb. 17 to all the members of the Charlotte Regional Transportation […]
Huntersville exits LKN Transportation Commission
Feb. 17. By Dave Vieser. The Huntersville Town Board has voted to withdraw from the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission, leaving the future of the six-year old LNTC in limbo. The 4-2 decision was opposed by Commissioner Melinda Bales, who also chairs the LNTC. The LNTC, headed up by former Mooresville Mayor Bill Thunberg, has been […]
I-77 fight widens as Cooper issues demand to Cintra
By Dave Vieser. Cintra and the NCDOT might have won a couple of battles in January—the WidenI-77 lawsuit and the Charlotte City Council vote—but the war seems to be escalating in Lake Norman, with what amounts to freedom fighters among citizens and business leaders. Indeed, WidenI-77 founder Kurt Naas, a Cornelius resident, broke the news that […]
CRTPO vote galvanized LKN opposition to tolls
Jan. 22. You might call it Pyrrhic victory, one that causes as much harm to the winner as it does to those who appear to have been defeated. The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization did just as expected last night, voting 50-12, based on a weighted voting system, to approve the concept of managed lanes […]
Bradford, Tarte: Tolls hurting McCrory; chamber honors anti-toll forces
Jan. 15. By Dave Vieser. Two prominent state Republican legislators from Cornelius said that anger over Gov. Pat McCrory handling of the I-77 toll lane issue could impact his re-election this fall. NC Sen. Jeff Tarte and NC Rep. John Bradford made their comments at Business Today’s Newsmakers Breakfast at The Peninsula Club on Thursday. And, in […]
I-77 fight fueled by business
ANALYSIS. By Dave Yochum. A groundswell of public opinion culminating in a $9,600 anti-toll advertisement in the Charlotte Observer, is pitting Lake Norman business and political leadership against forces in Charlotte. “Our elected leadership in Charlotte still holds the trump cards in a high stakes game which has dire consequences for the quality of life and […]
