The MI-Connection cable system board on Thursday will review a preliminary report by a media consultant and consider whether to hire the firm for a closer study to measure the system’s financial performance against cable industry norms.

The review by consultant Buford Media Group of Tyler, Texas, is on the agenda at the board’s monthly meeting Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at MI-Connection headquarters, 420 S. Academy St., Mooresville. Read the full story

Marilyn E. (Myers) Makar of Mooresville, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Huntersville Oaks in Huntersville. She was 76 and had been active in motor sports and at the YMCA. A memorial service is planned Saturday, Feb. 27. Read the full story

James R. Miller Jr

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The MI-Connection cable and internet system has let go its operations manager and plans to replace contract installers with a half-dozen new in-house employees as part of an ongoing restructuring designed to stabilize its finances and deliver a profit. The system’s chief says bringing contract work in-house could save $50,000 a month.

Operations Manager James R. “Junior” Miller, who oversaw a major system upgrade in 2008 and 2009, was laid off in January as part of the restructuring. Read the full story

Grover Meetze

Updated Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, 11:15 a.m.

Mr. Grover C. Meetze Jr. of of Hillside Drive, a Davidson College graduate who helped shape the college campus as college architect and physical plant director, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010. He was 87.

A memorial service is planned Monday, Feb 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Raymer Funeral Home chapel in Huntersville. Read the full story

The Town Board Tuesday night approved $276,140 in budget cuts that will help the town pay its share of a budget shortfall at the MI-Connection cable system. The board also approved a 2010 contract for its Washington lobbyist and endorsed a pair of regional trail projects – the Carolina Thread Trail and Lake Norman Regional Bicycle Plan. And it put off a vote on a proposed lease for offices at South Main Square that Read the full story

Board sets 2010 dates for quarterly retreats

Davidson’s Town Board meeting on Tuesday night, Feb. 9, includes a vote on a series of budget amendments – including cuts needed to cover a budget shortfall at the town-owned MI-Connection cable TV system. The board also will hear  presentations and vote on two regional projects: the Lake Norman Regional Bicycle Plan and Carolina Thread Trail. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

When Davidson and Mooresville bought the local cable TV system in December 2007, officials envisioned it initially would pay for itself, spur economic development and, later, turn a profit. Instead, it is losing money and customers amid the economic downturn and intense competition.

Now, there are signs the system’s financial troubles might soon affect the towns’ budgets. In Davidson, that could mean layoffs at Town Hall. Read the full story

Want to catch up with what’s going on at key government and planning groups? You’ll have your chance this week during public meetings of Davidson Town Board, MI-Connection Communications System and a panel of planning experts invited here by Lake Norman Transportation Commission. The latter includes a public input session Tuesday at 5 at Homewood Suites and a wrap-up session Friday in Huntersville. Read the full story