Posted on 30 October 2014. Tags: affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity, nonprofits, Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, real estate

Jeff Porter will lead the newly merged Our Towns Habitat for Humanity as CEO. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)
By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net/DavidsonNews.net
The Lake Norman and Iredell County chapters of Habitat for Humanity have agreed to merge in a move their leaders say will cut expenses, improve leadership and strengthen the organization. Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, based in Cornelius, will acquire Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County and its Statesville ReStore. Jeff Porter, previously executive director of the Iredell chapter and a former Baptist minister, will lead the combined organization, which will be based in Cornelius.
The boards of the two groups unanimously approved the merger Wednesday. The two boards now will combine to oversee the newly merged Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, the organization announced. Read the full story




Posted in Nonprofit news, real estate
Posted on 29 October 2014. Tags: michelle wallace, safe alliance, victim advocate

Michelle Wallace (Jonathan Cox/DavidsonNews.net)
By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net/DavidsonNews.net
When victims of domestic abuse come to Safe Alliance’s Lake Norman office in Cornelius for help, Michelle Wallace directs them to resources to help them escape from abusive relationships and recover their independence.
“I see my job as empowering women to move forward with their lives,” she said. Read the full story




Posted in Nonprofit news
Posted on 29 October 2014. Tags: Davidson College, elf, Environment, promo, rethink, solar power, sustainability, sustainable joes

Steve Szucs brought his lightweight vehicle, which is powered by pedals and a solar powered battery, to Main Street Wednesday. (Jonathan Cox/DavidsonNews.net)
Entrepreneur Stephen Szucs chose an eccentric vehicle for a trek from Canada to Key West – a solar-powered trike called an ELF (for electric, light and fun). The trike weighs just over 150 lbs. and runs on a combination of pedaling and an electric motor charged by a 100 watt solar panel on the roof.
Her name is Rita, and so far she’s taken Szucs roughly 3,040 miles from Toronto. That trek included stops on Wednesday in Davidson and at Davidson College.
Read the full story




Posted in Fund-raisers, Transportation
Posted on 28 October 2014. Tags: early voting, election 2014, Mecklenburg County, Politics, promo
Democrat Leonard Richardson and Republican Jim Puckett couldn’t have more different philosophies about government. Today on our Election 2014 page, we profile the two candidates for the Mecklenburg County Commission District 1 seat, which is open because of the retirement of four-term commissioner Karen Bentley.
- Richardson grew up poor in a foster home, and credits government services and public education with lifting him from poverty to a college degree and a career in teaching. He hopes the growing number of Democrats in the district will help him. READ MORE»
- Puckett, who wants to win back the seat he held from 2000 to 2006, has been an advocate for lower taxes and smaller government. He says “a healthy distrust of government is in my DNA.” READ MORE»
OTHER RACES
Meanwhile, see profiles of all the local candidates in the Nov. 4 election our our Election 2014 page.
- Meet the county commission at-large candidates – profiles of 2 Republicans and 3 Democrats
- Meet 98th House District candidate Natasha Marcus
- Meet 98th House District candidate John Bradford
- Candidate forum Thursday at Huntersville Town Hall – see you there!
- Meet state Senate candidate Latrice McRae
- Meet state Senate candidate Jeff Tarte
EARLY VOTING ENDS SATURDAY
Early voting continues through this Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at 21 polling stations around Mecklenburg County. They include North County Regional Library in Huntersville and Cornelius Town Hall.
Other sites are in or near downtown Charlotte, including the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s main branch (310 N. Tryon St.) and Central Piedmont Community College (1325 E. 7th St.). Voting elsewhere will be at libraries and recreation centers.
CPCC’s Facilities Service building will be open for voting 8am to 7pm weekdays, 10am to 1pm Saturday.
Cornelius Town Hall, Huntersville library and all other sites will be open weekdays 10am to 7pm, and Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 am to 1pm. Cornelius Town Hall is at 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. North County Regional Library is at 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville.
Download a map and list of early voting sites, with hours, at MECKBOE.org.




Posted in Election 2014