To the Editor:
Calling the revaluation of property and our consequent much-needed revenue boon a “tax increase” or “tax hike” is really an unconscionable abuse of language. The willful misuse of these terms leads our citizens astray, stimulating our fears and turning our hearts and minds inward, away from the shared concern for the vitality of our community at large. Read the full story

To the Editor:

In 1997, I signed up for my first AOL account and heard the familiar little jingle “You’ve got mail!” Now 14 years and several email accounts later, I receive more email than I really care to. According to research by the Radicati Group, the corporate user alone receives approximately 99 emails a day. That does not take into account any email you may receive at home. Now, The Charlotte Observer would like to add theirs to the list. (See Jan. 25, 2011, “Observer: We apologize, pledge not to send emails.”)  The newspaper is using the North Carolina Public Records law in requesting information municipalities have on hand regarding citizens’ email, addresses, and telephone numbers. Read the full story

Mayor John Woods and Commissioners Connie Wessner and Margo Williams have sent the following letter to the school board regarding the proposed closing of Davidson IB Middle School and the program’s move to Alexander Middle School.

To Members of the Board of Education
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Wessner, Woods, Williams

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

We are writing with the full understanding these difficult economic times require hard choices. As you approach your final decision about the Davidson IB Middle School, we would like to speak once more to you about its future.

As one of the top magnet schools in our country, according to Magnet Schools of America, and as a “North Carolina School of Excellence,” Read the full story

Following is a letter being sent this week to local residents from the Davidson Library Committee.

Dear Davidson Residents:

The Davidson Public Library needs your help. Two decades ago, you may have been part of the community effort to build a new library for Davidson. Now we need your assistance in keeping it open.

Read the full story

To the Editor:
Regrettably, the stock market ticker has found its way to our otherwise unblemished news source, DavidsonNews.net. Having previously been my lone refuge from our nation’s obsession with an indicator of fleeting wealth followed by fleeting poverty followed again by fleeting wealth then followed again by fleeting poverty (frequently all in one day), DavidsonNews.net has caved.

Read the full story

To the Editor:
Tuesday’s runoff election presents an interesting opportunity for Davidson’s Democratic and Unaffiliated voters – a chance to make a splash in this year’s U.S. Senate race. Somewhere between 90,000-120,000 voters will choose between Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and former State Senator Cal Cunningham to determine the Democrat who will face sitting Senator Richard Burr in November’s General Election. The low turnout means that individual votes will matter more than usual, and the unpredictable nature of the runoff could lead to a razor-thin margin of victory for one of the
candidates. Read the full story

To the Editor:
I am appalled and disappointed by the draconian cuts recently announced by our town leaders (May 4, 2010, “19 get layoff notices in Town Hall restructuring.”) There are at least two issues at play: the circumstances that created these conditions and the response. Read the full story

To the Editor:

This letter is to remind area residents and parents that the second of two parent-information meetings about the proposed changes for Davidson IB Middle School will be held this Wednesday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Davidson IB. This will be an important and informative meeting and we encourage the community to be present. Read the full story