BY CHUCK McSHANE
Davidsonnews.net

STATESVILLE – The Davidson Town Board and department heads looked to the future Friday during their annual planning retreat held at the Starrette Farm outside Statesville. Discussions focused on how to increase economic development while keeping Davidson’s small-town charm intact. Read the full story

Kurt Naas of Widen I-77 (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – About 125 people crowded into the Cornelius Town Hall board room Monday night, where leaders of the anti-toll citizens group Widen I-77 called for a halt in plans for toll lanes on I-77 north of Charlotte. The group wants the state to look for other ways of paying to widen the interstate, arguing that toll lanes won’t help congestion in the Lake Norman area and could hurt the region’s economy by scaring away businesses. Read the full story

Thom Tillis

The North Carolina General Assembly opened its 2013 session Wednesday in Raleigh with few surprises. House members re-elected Republican Rep. Thom Tillis of Cornelius as speaker; Senators chose the GOP’s Phil Berger of Eden as president pro tem. Both will serve for two years. Read the full story

Jim Fuller

Davidson Commissioner Jim Fuller offers a holiday message in verse, with custom spellings, literary (and non-literary) references, and best wishes for fellow residents.

THE LORAX MEETS DANGEROUS DAN MCGREW
(Holiday Greetings from Jim Fuller)

It’s been just about twelve,
In months, that is.
What an honor, when you said,
I could help do the Town’s biz. Read the full story

In a unanimous vote Monday night, Cornelius commissioners picked Mayor Pro-Tem Lynette Rinker to replace Mayor Jeff Tarte after he steps down in January to join the state Senate. The vote wasn’t a surprise but it came with a dose of uncertainty: Who, if anyone will replace Ms. Rinker as commissioner? Read the full story on CorneliusNews.net.

Officials and citizens looked at a map of the proposed HOT lanes north of Charlotte at a May workshop at Cornelius Town Hall. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The state Department of Transportation’s proposal to adopt toll lanes to help finance a widening of I-77 north of Charlotte continues to draw attention in north Mecklenburg, in public and private settings. A divided Cornelius Town Board again this week declined to take a public position against the idea. And next week, the North Meck Republican Women will host a meeting Tuesday that will feature an outspoken critic of toll lanes.
Read the full story

Emmett Curl of Pearson’s Appraisal spoke at Wednesday’s Cornelius Town Hall meeting. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – A consultant next week will formally recommend that the Mecklenburg County Commission and county staff fix problems with the county’s 2011 property revaluation, and overhaul the assessor’s office to improve transparency and customer service.

How county officials might respond isn’t yet clear. But if they don’t act, the area’s newly elected state Senator warned Wednesday the legislature could could step in with legislation requiring a fix – possibly one more drastic than what the county might do. Read the full story

By JULIE ROSE
WFAE

CHARLOTTE – The Mecklenburg County assessors’ office has been dogged by complaints that it made significant errors when it revalued property in 2011. It turns out that many of those critics are right, according to a firm the county hired to evaluate the reappraisal process.

[Independent reviewer Pearson's Appraisal Service will hold a public meeting about the review Wednesday night 7-9pm, at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.] Read the full story