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.

Read the full story

U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick, R-Charlotte, said Tuesday she won’t seek re-election in the reconfigured ninth Congressional district. The district will now stretch from Union County north to south Iredell and includes Davidson and Cornelius. At least one candidate – Republican county commissioner and former sheriff Jim Pendergraph – has already thrown a hat into ring. See our Election 2012 Page

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

It’s a busy week for meetings about the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project. Mooresville’s Red Line Review Committee meets Tuesday morning. And what could turn out to be dueling meetings are scheduled Wednesday at Cornelius Town Hall – one with an anti-rail expert from the Cato Institute and another featuring a panel discussion with large property owners who support the project. Meanwhile, owners of property in downtown Davidson along the rail line have been invited to a Wednesday afternoon meeting explaining how the proposed financing would work. Read the full story

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Davidson College President Carol Quillen testified Thursday, Feb. 2, about “Innovations in College Affordability” before a U.S. Senate committee hearing in Washington, D.C.

Her testimony for the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) focused on The Davidson Trust, Davidson College’s commitment to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need with grants and employment, and without packaged loans.

For more information, please visit davidson.edu/senate-hearing

See also DavidsonNews.net’s Feb. 2 news report on the Davidson Trust, five years after it was announced, “Davidson’s no-loan policy brings results and attention”

Carol Quillen

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Five years ago Davidson College became one of the first colleges and universities nationwide to eliminate loans from student financial aid packages. The decision now drives fundraising and recruiting as the college strives to stay affordable and diversify.

On at least one level it appears to be working: Davidson is enrolling more minorities and students from other “underrepresented” groups. And 44 percent of this year’s freshman class qualified for need-based financial aid, up from 33 percent four years ago.

This week, Davidson is being held up as an example. President Carol Quillen was on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, testifying with a group of other education leaders at a Congressional hearing on “Innovations in College Affordability.” President Quillen spoke at midday to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions about the college’s grant and work-study program that promises to let students graduate without loans.

Video coverage of President Quillen’s remarks, CLICK HERE». Read the full story

To the Editor:

Cornelius Commissioner Dave Gilroy writes: “The obviously failing Red Line Rail effort championed by our liberal-leaning, big-spending North Meck mayors (Woods, Tarte, and Swain) in concert with Anthony Foxx and Beverly Perdue’s Department of Transportation (NC DOT) is welcome news for taxpayers. The real tragedy however is that this aggressive, extremely well-organized, and high energy initiative could have been profoundly constructive for regional transportation if focused on our true priorities.” Read his full letter on CorneliusNews.net.

Two members of the N.C. House of Representatives will visit local GOP groups in February. House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Cornelius) will be the keynote speaker at the North Mecklenburg Republican Women’s dinner meeting Feb. 13, and Rep. Ruth Samuelson (R-Charlotte), who is the Majority Whip, will be the keynote speaker at the MeckGOP Lincoln Lunch Feb. 15. See below for details. 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