The Davidson Town Board’s meets Tuesday to say farewell to Commissioners Margo Williams and Tim Dreffer, who did not seek re-election, and to welcome the two men elected to fill their seats: Rodney Graham and Jim Fuller. Meanwhile, other public meetings this week include a Red Line rail line “summit” Tuesday in Mooresville, a MI-Connection board of directors meeting Thursday, and a public information session Thursday on the proposed Red Line commuter rail station off Jackson Street. Read the full story

The Lake Norman Transportation Commission will host a special Red Line Regional Rail Project Summit on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. Consultants will give area officials an overview of the proposed 25-mile commuter and freight rail line from Charlotte to Mooresville. Read the full story

Miles Atkins was sworn in as Mooresville's new mayor Monday with family and friends. (Ken Charnock/Mooresville Tribune photo - reprinted with permission)

Mooresville’s town board on Monday swore in new mayor Miles Atkins as well as new and returning commissioners who won their races in the November. The board said farewell to outgoing Mayor Chris Montgomery, who did not seek re-election, and to longtime Ward 1 Commissioner Mitch Abraham, who lost to Eddie Dingler on Nov. 8. Meanwhile, commissioner Chris Carney resigned after his appointment to fill the District 41 state representative vacancy.

LINK: Dec. 7, 2011, Mooresville Tribune, “Changing of the Guard: Mooresville welcomes new mayor and commissioners, says goodbye to three”.

Harold Cogdell

CHARLOTTE – The Mecklenburg County Commission elected a new chair Tuesday night, after Democrat Harold Cogdell Jr. lined up support from the commission’s four Republicans to oust fellow Democrat and five-year chair Jennifer Roberts.   Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

After a year of work, consultants on Wednesday will unveil a funding strategy for the proposed Red Line commuter rail project from Charlotte to Mooresville. Their report will come at a meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission at 5:30 Wednesday at Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center in Charlotte.

Officials and consultants also will share their draft financing plan with local officials and citizens at a public meeting in Mooresville on Dec. 13. Read the full story

Tillis

Starting next month, N.C. Speaker of the House Thom Tillis(R – Cornelius) will hold regular office hours at Cornelius Town Hall, where citizens are invited to talk with him about any issues they’d like to address. Also on the political calendar: Davidson Precinct 206 Democrats will meet Monday, Dec. 12. Read the full story

HUNTERSVILLE – Republican candidate for N.C. Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest will be the keynote speaker at the North Mecklenburg Republican Women’s dinner meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at NorthStone Club, 15801 NorthStone Drive. Dr. Mike Beitler, who is running for N.C. Secretary of State, also will speak at the event.

Forest

Both Mr. Forest and Dr. Beitler won the straw poll elections conducted at the NC GOP Hall of Fame Dinner in Cary, N.C. Saturday night.

“NMRW is pleased to bring candidates to our community so citizens can meet them in person and ask questions,” NMRW Vice President Sharon Hudson said.

Mr. Forest will discuss the social and economic issues challenging North Carolina and how as Lt. Governor he would address them.

“2012 will be a defining moment for the future of our state,” Mr. Forest said in a statement. “This is our 1776. It’s imperative that all people know what is at stake, know the differences between the two competing plans for leading the state and then take action.”

A fiscal and social conservative, he has more than 23 years of experience as a business leader, architect and entrepreneur. He is the son of U.S. Congresswoman Sue Myrick.

WANT TO GO?

The event is open to all interested men and women. For reservations, email nomeckrw@gmail.com. The cost of admission is $20 cash or check, payable at the door. Registration begins at 6 p.m., buffet dinner at 6:30.

ABOUT NMRW

NMRW is an affiliate of the NCFRW (North Carolina Federation of Republican Women). Past keynote speakers have included former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, U.S. Congresswoman Sue Myrick, N.C. Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, and nationally syndicated radio talk show host Jason Lewis. The club’s first meeting was in April of 2009. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month.

Leamon Brice

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

When the Town Board voted Tuesday to convert some of Town Manager Leamon Brice‘s benefits into salary in what was describe as “retirement planning,” the move prompted a question: Is he getting ready to retire? The answer is no, at least not yet.

Mr. Brice, who is 56 and has worked 21 years for the town, said this week he has no plans to step down. He’s merely planning for his eventual retirement by following advice to maximize his pension. “I have no plans to retire or leave Davidson. I love working here,” Mr. Brice told DavidsonNews.net. Read the full story