Three of the Davidson Town Board’s five members were newly elected just a year ago, 
unusual turnover for a body that has been fairly stable in recent years. The board will gather in Charlotte Thursday and Friday for a 1½ day mid-year retreat that Town Manager Leamon Brice said will be a sort of mid-term team building exercise.
Meanwhile, we also have a notice about how you can get involved in a town board or committee, and reminders about that Griffith Street repaving project and the Civics 101 program.
RETREAT TIME
The Town Board will retreat to Charlotte on Thursday, Nov. 20, and Friday, Nov. 21, for a series of sessions that will include studying and learning from a board self-assessment that members have completed. The board will also discuss issues raised by town staff, citizens and other “partners” and look at how to work together on those issues during the rest of the board’s current term, which expires in Nov. 2009.
“It’s an opportunity for board members to work through issues they’ve identified in their first year of working together,” Mr. Brice said. The session is primarily about team building; the board is not expected to engage in any substantive discussions of public projects, issues or initiatives, he said.
Thursday’s session begins at 3 p.m. at the offices of Cole Jenest and Stone, where board member Brian Jenest is a partner. On Friday from 8:30 to 5:15, the board will meet at the Magellan Center, in Charlotte’s South End.
In attendance will be commissioners Evan Webster, Laurie Venzon, Bill Johnson, Margo Williams, and Mr. Jenest, as well as Mayor John Woods. Mr. Brice and other town staff also will be involved.
JOIN A BOARD
The town is seeking applicants for a slew of appointed boards and advisory committees, including the Planning and Design Review Boards.
Applications are being accepted for Design Review Board, Planning Board, Recreation Advisory Board, Jack Burney Community Service Award Committee, and the DavidsonWalks & Rolls Committee. Application deadline is Dec. 17, 2008.
Pick up an application at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., or download one online.
CIVICS 101 IS BACK
Want to learn more about our town? Consider joining the 2009 Civics 101 series. The seven-week program, which begins in the new year, includes weekly lectures and activities aimed at helping you become a more informed citizens. Read more about the program and how to join in our Nov. 17 news item.
GRIFFITH STREET WORK
We keep getting inquiries about Griffith Street, which in its current pot-holed state is in the midst of a long-awaited repaving project.
Public Works chief Doug Wright tells us the project is on track to be completed by Thanksgiving, though bad weather could push that back by a few days. See our Nov. 7 news item.
WEST SIDE MEETING ON ASBESTOS
This isn’t a Town Hall meeting, but it affects a big project now going through the town planning process: Residents of the West Side neighborhood will meet again on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. at Ada Jenkins Center senior cafeteria, 212 Gamble St., to hear from an expert on asbestos removal.
The residents are trying to reach a consensus on a proposed mixed-use development on the site of the current Metrolina Warehouse. With asbestos buried on the site, the residents are trying to learn how removal might affect public health. More in our Nov. 14 news item.
Town Board retreat, official report
Here’s the official report of the Davidson Town Board’s retreat Nov. 20-21.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
TOWN OF DAVIDSON BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The members of the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Davidson held a mini-retreat in Charlotte on November 20 and 21, 2008 beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Present were Mayor John Woods, Commissioners Margo Williams, Evan Webster, Laurie Venzon, Bill Johnson, and Brian Jenest, Town Manager Leamon Brice, Assistant Manager Dawn Blobaum, Communications Officer Sara-Lynne Levine, Police Chief Jeanne Miller, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Fraher , Project and Public Works Manager Doug Wright, and Planning Director Kris Krider.
Mayor John Woods extended a brief welcome and statement regarding reasons for the meeting. He then turned the meeting over to the facilitator, Anne Davidson.
Board members were asked to review a previously-completed board assessment tool and discuss their communication styles and expectations of the mayor, other commissioners, and staff. A list of expectations was written and discussed.
Board members discussed other interests, concerns, ethics, conflict of interest, and possible situations that could arise and how best to deal with them.
The retreat ended at 4:00 p.m.