By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The nonprofit Downtown Davidson Inc., which has been in search of a role since the town took over downtown promotion two years ago, has agreed to transfer its nonprofit status to a new organization, the Davidson Civic Investment Commission. The commission is a private-public partnership between the merchants’ group and the town, and will help lead the town’s economic development efforts. Read the full story

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night will host a candidate forum at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. Moderated by Jerry Hancock, General Partner of Alexander Hancock Associates and host of WTVI’s Final Edition, a weekly roundtable discussion of current news topics with local reporters, the Cornelius forum will also include candidates in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board At-Large race.

The forum is the first of three the chamber will be hosting in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville over the next few weeks, prior to elections this fall. Each of the towns has newcomers to the political scene running for town board positions, with contested races for Mayor in Davidson and Huntersville. And candidates in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board At-Large race have agreed to attend the Cornelius forum only. Read the full story

The sign in front of Davidson Town Hall sits empty on Tuesday. The town has new signs on the way. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

New town of Davidson logo.

Town signs along the roadways into Davidson and in front of Davidson Town Hall are empty this week. No, it doesn’t mean the town has finally gone belly up.

Town officials said the signs are being refinished, in part to include the new town logo adopted earlier this year.

Downtown Manager Kim Fleming told local business owners two weeks ago that the town is getting ready to roll out a variety of new marketing materials, including parking and town “wayfinding” signs.

Davidson Police Department has been been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA). Davidson Police Chief Jeanne Miller and colleagues accepted the recognition at an awards dinner July 30 in Cincinnati. Read the full story

Advertisers must use the new town of Davidson logo.

The Town of Davidson says it will make a total of $5,000 in matching grants to local businesses this year if they help boost the town brand by using the town logo in their ads. At a meeting of local merchants Friday, Davidson’s downtown manager also said the town is getting ready to roll out a variety of new marketing materials – from downtown parking and “wayfinding” signs to banners to a new website aimed at visitors.

Also at Friday’s meeting at Town Hall, downtown manager Kim Fleming said she’s looking for merchants to volunteer on a series of new committees being formed to help implement the North Carolina Main Street Program. In 2009, Davidson was accepted into the state program, which offers assistance and grants to improve downtowns. Ms. Fleming said volunteers are being sought for several committees, including marketing, design, economic development and an advisory group. Read the full story

Davidson police officers (from left) Joseph McClellan, JJ Stokes and Cindy Mills received Advance Law Enforcement Certificates. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Dawn Blobaum, Davidson’s assistant town manager since 2001, has received the Assistant Town Manager of the Year Award from the North Carolina City and County Management Association. She was recognized at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting. Also at the meeting, three Davidson police officers received Advanced Law Enforcement Certificates. And the board approved a budget for the proposed “Book Garden” public art project on Main Street near the public library. Read the full story

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net

The Davidson Town Board voted 3-2 Tuesday night to approve a $9 million budget for 2011-2012 and to set the tax rate at 35 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is 1.5 cents lower than this year, and 0.9 cents lower than what the town manager had proposed. Read the full story

Updated 6/14/11 10:53 a.m.
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Town Board meets Tuesday night with two major items on its agenda: a vote on the proposed $9 million 2011-12 budget and consideration of a resolution that would schedule a referendum Nov. 8 on a proposal to lengthen and stagger the terms of the mayor and town commissioners.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. Also Tuesday, the board will: Read the full story