To the Editor:

The recent rejection of the mental health hospital in Huntersville was troubling to me. (See March 6, 2012, “Huntersville board rejects mental health hospital, 4-2.”) It seems that many people just do not understand the actual safety procedures that would be in place and/or the myths about those diagnosed with a mental disorder and in need of hospitalization are still alive and well. It appears the “not in my backyard” argument has won out over the actual reality and ramifications of such a facility.

The stigma attached to mental illness has defeated our responsibility to raise awareness of mental illness and help make sure that there is a place where the thousands of people in the lake Norman region who struggle with mental illness can find help if needed. Read the full story

The Lake Norman Transportation Commission, which includes representatives from area towns, will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, 6 :30 p.m., at Huntersville Town Hall.

The agenda includes discussion of the organization’s name, a presentation by Huntersville transportation planner Bill Coxe on “Comprehensive Transportation Planning,” committee updates, and updates from the director on Red Line and I-77 widening. Read the full story

The Lake Norman Marine Commission rental boats subcommittee met for the first time last week, and aims to offer commissioners a formal recommendation for standardizing boat rental rules within the next three or four months.

Rental-boat safety is at issue in part because of an accident on Lake Norman last June that severely injured a Charlotte woman. At the Marine Commission meeting last Sept. 12, several boat-rental company owners told the commission they support better enforcement of existing safety rules, but they were concerned new rules would hurt business. Many of those owners now are serving on the rental boat committee. Read the full story

Chart shows MI-Connection budget trends. The 2012 budget is to be restated lower at Thursday's board meeting, resulting in an increase in the towns' subsidies. Click to download a copy of the proposed 2013 budget. (SOURCE: MI-Connection financial statements, interviews with company officials)

MI-Connection Communications System plans to re-state its budget for the fiscal year ending June 30 to account for lower-than-expected income that company officials are blaming on delays in the takeover of key business functions from an outside operator. The system’s chief executive said Tuesday the shortfall means MI-Connection will have to ask its owners, the towns of Davidson and Mooresville, for an additional $1.1 million to balance its budget this fiscal year. Read the full story

CHARLOTTE – United Way of Central Carolinas said Tuesday it is distributing $173,557 in Critical Need Response Fund grants to nonprofits serving local families and individuals in crisis, including several serving our area.

Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson is getting $7,800, Loaves & Fishes, which has a food pantry at the Ada Jenkins Center, was given $25,000; and United Family Services, which has an area office, will get $7,957. Read the full story

J.V. Washam and Cornelius Elementary Schools are partnering to host Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Parent University Tuesday night, and class will look at ways to use electronic readers to improve literacy.

Any parents or caregivers of school-aged children are invited to attend the March 13 class, that begins at 6 p.m. in the J.V. Washam Media Center, 9611 Westmoreland Road. They will learn how to use different features on Kindles, Nooks and iPads to build vocabulary, promote comprehension and renew a love of reading. Read the full story

Runners, take your mark: Four local organizations are planning runs this Saturday to benefit different groups, including Angels of ’97, CMS’ Exceptional Children program, the Levine Children’s Hospital, and the Cancer Research Institute. Also, the Community Arts Project’s annual Taste of Art fundraiser is March 22 and Rotary Club of Lake Norman – Huntersville plans its annual Spring Wine Cruise to raise money for different Rotary-sponsored youth programs. Read below for details. Read the full story

John Woods

John Woods is chair of the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s Red Line Task Force and mayor of Davidson.

By JOHN WOODS

Everyone, please take a deep breath! There has been a great deal of discussion, and misinformation, regarding the Red Line Regional Rail Project, and I would like to set the record straight on several issues.

Let’s first remember that we are not debating whether to implement the Red Line. We are instead working together on how and when to bring this project to life. Our communities have twice voted in support of transit, and our citizens continue to voice their support for bringing passenger rail to the North Corridor. So now we are doing the hard work: Figuring out the details of how to fund this initiative and make it a reality. Read the full story