John Woods

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The lead spokesman for the Red Line Regional Rail Project said Tuesday that the contentious debate of recent weeks is “exactly what we want to see” as officials seek input and revise a business plan for the proposed $452 million rail line. John Woods, who is Davidson’s mayor and chair of the Red Line Task Force, also told a small gathering of reporters at Davidson Town Hall that outside analysis by people from other parts of the country is welcome, but final decisions about the project ultimately must be made by local leaders concerned how “to best enhance our community.”

Listen to Mr. Woods’s remarks and a Q&A with reporters below.

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Joann Rautenberg and Dick Cole (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

We love to read about Cynthia Lawing’s Musical Interlude Programs which occur monthly at Tyler-Tallman Hall on the Davidson College campus.  Not everyone can attend the noontime concerts, so Around Davidson decided to bring you today an interlude of music you can listen to at any time: Recordings of two special pianists from The Pines at Davidson retirement community.  We know how much talent resides at The Pines, but for today we’re focusing on two home grown folks who love to play the piano:  Dick Cole and Joann Rautenberg.  We hope you will enjoy getting to know each of them and their music.

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Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has been in the headlines over the past couple weeks week for two different reasons. The district posted school progress reports that included incorrect information about students on track to graduate. Then, on Monday police found the principal of Northwest School of the Arts dead in his garage. Police have confirmed he committed suicide. Psychologists and social workers flooded the school to help students deal with their grief. CMS held a press conference Wednesday to talk about these events. Lisa Miller of our news partner WFAE was there, and talked with local “All Things Considered” host Mark Rumsey about the district’s responses. Read more or listen to their conversation below: Read the full story

Consultant Mark Briggs explained the rail line financing plan Tuesday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson residents and elected officials at a public hearing on Tuesday quizzed consultants and offered their opinions about the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project between Mooresville and Charlotte. Some wondered about plans to raise money through special tax districts, and about the business reasons for pitching the project as both a freight and commuter line. Others worried how the system might affect Davidson traffic and affordable housing.

About 50 people including town staff filled the Town Hall board room for the meeting. Speakers came from throughout town, and their questions and comments ranged from deep suspicion to support of the $452 million rail project. Read the full story

The Iredell County Commission’s vote Tuesday withholding support for the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project came after nearly an hour of questions and discussion among commissioners. We offer audio replays of main comments from commissioners, as well as a reaction to the vote by John Woods, Davidson’s mayor and chair of the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s Red Line Task Force. Read the full story

Lake Norman-area leaders were scheduled to meet in Mooresville Tuesday to hear a new proposal to fund construction of the Red Line Regional Rail Project, which would run from Charlotte to Mooresville. The 25-mile Red Line has been discussed for  years, but lately it hasn’t had much momentum. Supporters are trying to change that.  Scott Graf, the morning host at our news partner WFAE-FM, talked to David Boraks of DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net, in advance of Tuesday’s meeting.

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Electric violinist Mark Wood played with Bailey Middle School students Rachel Laminack (left) and Kelsey Tyo Tuesday night. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

String music on a high school stage rarely sounds like what concert-goers heard at W.A. Hough High School Tuesday night. Award-winning electric violinist Mark Wood led a student orchestra in string versions of songs ranging from “We Will Rock You” by Queen to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” to “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. Read the full story

Commissioner Connie Wessner speaks during Tuesday's forum. Other candidates, from left: Kristen Coupal, Jim Fuller, Rodney Graham, incumbent Brian Jenest, Mickey Pettus, incumbent Laurie Venzon. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Updated 9:15 p.m. Wed. with audio replays. See below.
The 2011 election campaigns for mayor and Town Board in Davidson are playing out in house parties and private meetings, door-to-door walks by candidates and in public forums. On Tuesday night, nearly 200 voters assembled in the sanctuary at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church to listen to candidates talk about why their running, and about issues ranging from town finances to retail drive-throughs. Read the full story