Mayor John Woods and the Davidson Board of Commissioners invite all Davidson residents to attend a community chat on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. 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

Davidson’s Town Board on Tuesday will devote its monthly work session to a presentation and public hearing on the proposed financial plan for Red Line Regional Rail Project. The Red Line also is the topic of a Lake Norman Chamber Focus Friday issues session Friday morning in Cornelius. And also this week, there’s a MI-Connection board of directors meeting Thursday.

Meanwhile, a planned meeting of the Cornelius Rail Task Force that had been scheduled Thursday has been canceled. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Town Board has scheduled a public hearing Jan. 24 on the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project, including financing plans that would help pay for construction and operation of the line. At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the board also passed a second resolution authorizing the town staff to work with other area governments on developing the “value-capture options and other policies” proposed by the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s Red Line Task Force. Read the full story

Updated 1:11 p.m.
Davidson’s Town Board will hold a closed session at the end of its meeting Tuesday night to hear an update from the town attorney about Community One Bank’s lawsuit over rezoning of the former Davidson East site off N.C. 73. In its first meeting of the new year, the board also will hear about Mecklenburg County’s proposal for new fire tax districts in unincorporated areas. And commissioners are expected to adopt a resolution authorizing the town staff to work on the Red Line Regional Rail Project and to to clarify the town procedure for groups to request permits to serve alcohol on public property. Read the full story

Town planners will hold another meeting at Town Hall Thursday night as they update planning for the area around a future commuter rail station in downtown Davidson. Meanwhile, Davidson’s Town Board will meet four days next week, including the first regular meeting of the new year Tuesday and its annual retreat Wednesday to Friday. And two other regional groups meet next week: the Lake Norman Marine Commission on Monday, Jan. 9, and the Lake Norman Transportation Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Read the full story

The Town of Davidson's new website.

The Town of Davidson has a new look and a new name on the Web. The new website went live before Christmas and comes with a new, easier to remember address: TownofDavidson.org. Also in this column: A volunteer is being sought for the county’s Citizens Transit Advisory Group, and registration is open for 2012 Civics 101 classes at Town Hall. Read the full story

Brian Jenest

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The Town Board over the next two years will face a trio of challenges, Mayor John Woods said Tuesday: Improving Davidson’s financial stability, promoting economic development, and ensuring that decision making happens through “a public process.”

Mayor Woods made those remarks during a meeting that included the election of Brian Jenest as mayor pro-tem, farewells to retiring commissioners Margo Williams and Tim Dreffer, and the swearing of a new board, including newcomers Rodney Graham and Jim Fuller. Read the full story