Copyright (c) 2008 corneliustoday.com. All rights reserved. http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/index.php?action=rss Cornelius Today Pre July 2012 Archives en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 06:09:05 PDT http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/They_do_it_for_the_childrenPeninsula_resident_becomes_leader_of_340000_Shriners_around_the_world-a-2684.html Fri, 08 Jun 2012 21:00:00 PDT Al and Jan Madsen When Alan Madsen is installed as the head of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, he will be the elected leader of 310,000 Shriners in 195 temples in the United States, South America, Southeast Asia and Europe.The unassuming chief of the 142-year-old organization will also oversee a staff of 220 at Shriners headquarters in Tampa, Fla., 22 non-profit hospitals for children and 850 clowns.The clowns are part of the epic July 4 parade in Uptown Charlotte that Madsen himself will lead. The parade will include hundreds of miniature cars and trucks, horses, floats and all those clowns to entertain children. They really make the kids happy, says Madsen, who has lived in The Peninsula with his wife Jan since 1992. Madsen is bringing some 15,000 Shriners to Charlotte July 1-5 for their 138th convention. Theyll stay in at least 4,000 hotel rooms, providing Charlotte with an estimated economic impact of $12 million to $15 million.The Shriners are as famous for their good deeds as they are for red fezzes and grand parades that serve as entertainment and public relations for an organization that is anything but secretive. Despite having a festive Arabic theme, the organization has no religious ties, except that its members are Masons and Masons must profess a belief in a Supreme Being.Madsen himself was born and raised a Lutheran; he and his wife attend a Lutheran church in Kannapolis. They expect to travel during much of the upcoming year, visiting Shriners hospitals and Shrine Centers around the U.S. and world. Being on the international board of the Shriners is an astonishing achievement.Successful board candidates can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to land a seat. And getting to the top slot is a multi-year process; theres no pay involved.My paycheck is when those children come up and hug me for what we do, Madsen says. While virtually all the Shriners convention events will take place in Charlotte, the Madsens will host a dinner cruise for about 40 board members and their wives from their home near The Peninsula Club.Madsen says his primary objective as Imperial Potentate of the Shriners is recruiting new members and making their 22 hospitals more efficient with different revenue streams, including third-party billing. The hospitals will accept insurance payments, although services are still provided free. The hospitals amount to a $750 million charity, providing medical care to children regardless of their ability to pay. More than 1 million children have been served by Shriners hospitals, Madsen says.Madsen says he became committed to the cause after he visited the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, S.C. A little girl took me by the hand, she did a tea service for us, and she said thank you Mr. Shriner for what you do, he says. Shriners Parade July 4 Step off time is 2:30 p.m. in Uptown Charlotte. It will last up to three hours and feature marching bands, miniature cars, drum and bugle corps, steel drum bands and horses. The displays and floats are extravagant. Automotive maneuvers will include cars that drive up hills built onto rolling SUVs. http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Who_will_go_to_RaleighMayor_Jeff_Tarte_in_the_limelight_as_Senate_District_41_race_heats_up-a-2685.html Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:00:00 PDT TARTE ANERALLA By Dave YochumThe primary has been brutal, with verbal sparring, hard-fought endorsements and bitter feelings all around.The national Republican primary has been contentious too.But the all-GOP primary battle for newly created N.C. Senate District 41 has caused divisions in the local Republican party that wont close up any time soon, not even after the July 17 run-off election when Mayor Jeff Tarte and John Aneralla, the former chairman of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party go head to head in the polls.Tarte edged ahead of Aneralla, a Huntersville resident, in the May 8 primary vote that saw three other Republicans fall by the wayside, but neither Tarte nor Aneralla received 40 percent of the vote, requiring a run-off election.Tarte turned the heat up May 13 when he sent an email criticizing the highest-ranking woman in Mecklenburg County Republican politics, District 1 Commissioner Karen Bentley of Huntersville.A member of the Republican minority on the county board, she has been a behind-the-scenes player in the fight to remedy the 2011 property revaluation, finally winning over enough votes last month from the Democrat-controlled board to launch a review of the revaluation process and subsequent property value appeals that are ongoing.Some background is in order: Bentley has endorsed Aneralla for N.C. Senate District 41, which stretches from Davidson and Cornelius, down the east side of Mecklenburg County to Mint Hill and Matthews. A few years ago Tarte hosted a fundraiser for Harold Cogdell, the Democrat who chairs the Mecklenburg County Commission.Tarte has the backing of the mayors of Huntersville and Davidson; Aneralla has the backing of three of five commissioners on the Cornelius Town Board (one, Jeff Hare, has not endorsed either Aneralla or Tarte).To top it all off, the godfather of Mecklenburg County politics, Speaker of the N.C. House Thom Tillis, appears to be backing Tarte.Tartes May 13 letter blasting Bentley was sent to another powerhouse in Mecklenburg County politics, County Commissioner Jim Pendergraph, a popular former county sheriff who is running for U.S. Congress. Hes been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick. Observers said Tartes letter was like throwing a hand grenade at Bentleys efforts to get a Democratically controlled board to admit that county staff had botched the revaluation during their watch. Here is the key portion of Tartes letter to Pendergraph, in which Tarte also refers to County Commissioner Bill James:For the record everyone needs to know Karen has created a contentious relationship with the three northern mayors. Openly supporting opposition candidates to the mayors, her position on the fire tax hurts Cornelius, her inability to navigate the matter on lake patrol, and pushing ownership of the tax revaluation to Raleigh (something Bill and Jim have not done). This is not healthy. Bill and Jim we appreciate your concern for all Mecklenburg residents and your leadership on this matter. Happy Mothers Day to everyones moms.Thats when the mother of local political in-fighting began.Commissioner James wrote this: Having worked with Karen for years (and on revaluation specifically) I can tell you that I have never found her to be contentious on this or other issues. PENDERGRAPH Commissioner Pendergraph wrote this:Jeff, I just read your email and was surprised to read the cheap shot you fired at Karen. I have never seen anyone more engaged in any issue than she has been representing her district on the reval issue, the fire tax district issue, lake patrol and anything else she works on representing her constituents. None of these issues are quick fixes but I assure you that Karen and the Republican board members are committed to seeing all these issues fixed. None of these issues are political and it serves no citizen to make them political issues. Why dont we all just stick to the facts and quit posturing. I would strongly suggest you apologize to Karen for your remarks. They are not true and you are better than that.(The emails back and forth were circulated sufficiently for Cornelius Today to obtain them from more than one source.)Asked about excoriating a sitting Republican commissioner who will face her own re-election battle this fall, Tarte stood by his remarks, although he would not specify why.Bentley said that Tartes attack has to do with her endorsement of Aneralla, a man who has worked behind the scenes in the Mecklenburg GOP since 2001. He ran in 2010 for N.C. Senate District 40 in 2010, earning the respect of party leaders because it was hopeless battle against a popular Democrat, Malcolm Graham.Tarte, meanwhile, is in the midst of his third term as mayor of Cornelius, which relies on non-partisan elections to choose its officials. He has run unopposed the last two terms.Things get more interesting right about here.Senate District 41 was created last year during redistricting by the Republican-controlled state legislature. Aneralla let it be known that he would run. Tarte kept his counsel on whether he would consider running for 41, and made a show of filing to run again for mayor of Cornelius. No one opted to run against him.But a couple of months after his third term as Cornelius mayor began, Tarte filed to run for N.C. Senate. RINKER Local bigwigs realized that Tarte could win, which would mean he would step down as mayor in the middle of his term, raising the question of who would become mayor. Traditionally that falls to the mayor pro tem, the highest vote getter in the commission race.Enter the vocal Anyone But Lynette faction, which doesnt want to see Lynette Rinker become mayor. She would not comment for this story.So, who will win July 17? Tarte is expected to carry Precinct 242 which includes The Peninsula where he lived for many years until moving just outside the neighborhood to a lakefront home a couple of years ago. Turnout there is always high, giving the winner there an advantage. Whether low turnout elsewhere favors Aneralla who is expected to carry the party faithful who will be loyal to him is anybodys guess. TRAVIS Both men are intelligent, successful businessmen who started their own companies. Both attend Davidson United Methodist Church. Both have raised considerable campaign chests.There the similarity ends. Tarte is garrulous while Aneralla is more circumspect. Tarte is a crowd-pleaser; Aneralla is known for his discipline.It will be a tough decision for some voters come July 17.Indeed, Cornelius Town Commissioner Chuck Travis says he will vote for both Aneralla and Tarte. By voting for John Aneralla for Senate, Ill be voting for Jeff Tarte to stay as mayor of Cornelius. Hes a good mayor, Travis says. Commissioners divided on Tarte BRADFORD Thumbs up I wholeheartedly support Mayor Jeff Tarte in his bid for NC State Senate. As a Cornelius resident he is my multi-term mayor with a stellar reputation and solid track record. He is not only my Boards leader but also an elected colleague. In my first six months as a Town Commissioner I have worked side by side with Jeff not only in the publics eye but also behind closed doors for Town legal matters. In both scenarios he is objective, equitable and understanding. Jeff Tarte works hard for Cornelius and I look forward to him serving in Raleigh. John Bradford, commissioner, Cornelius Town Board GILROY Thumbs down We are witnessing an immune reaction to Jeff Tarte by the majority of North Meck conservative Republicans in the know. This incident involving Karen Bentleys and Jim Pendergraphs disappointment and frustration with Jeff Tarte is only the latest example. Its the same reason why nearly all the Cornelius Town Board strongly supports John Aneralla. Jeff Tarte is a very nice guy and a good Mayor of Cornelius (especially for ceremonial duties), but NO WAY can he be counted on to consistently vote with conservative Republicans in Raleigh Thankfully, as our mayor, Jeff is focused more on ceremonial duties and cannot vote. Dave Gilroy, commissioner, Cornelius Town Board http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Wild_turkey-a-2698.html Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:00:00 PDT Bourbon might be better, but Rick Barton spotted an example of Meleagris gallopavo at the car wash on W. Catawba http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Bridge_design_seems_to_stumble_in_Cornelius_budget_process-a-2695.html Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:00:00 PDT By Tara E. Moore June 5 After Monday nights Cornelius Town Board meeting, one thing was clear: Commissioners don't agree on how much to spend on the aesthetic components of the new Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-77 and Catawba Avenue. Commissioners were hoping a bridge with sizzle could help small business owners as well as "brand" the town as a lake-front community. A public hearing was held to approve the FY2013 budget, and a big part of the budget is the DDI design above and beyond what the state Department of Transportation will pay for. Some $200,000 has been set aside in the proposed FY2013 budget for design costs to beautify the bridge and make it at tourist draw for Exit 28. The total cost, though, is far more than that. Currently, $2.4 million is proposed to be included in the FY2014 budget for the aesthetic components of the new bridge which include brick facing, landscaping and lighted, sail-like canopies. As discussions heated up regarding the DDI, commissioners debated the cost of the design and the various components of the design. Assistant Town Manager Andrew Grant asked the board to approve somethinganythingregarding the design, as he has the first meeting scheduled with the DOT on June 20 to get the bridge project under way. The innovative bridge reconfiguration, which calls for traffic to switch from one side of the bridge to the other, is being paid for by the DOT. When the process first began, the estimated cost was a whopping $9 million. The bridge design has been tweaked and now Grant estimates the cost of the bridge to be about $2.6 million, a number that didnt sit well with commissioners Monday night. Commissioner Jeff Hare commented that he wanted the structure to stand the test of time. Mayor Pro Tem Lynette Rinker echoed the sentiments of Hare, commenting that the sails are what make the design unique, although they are probably the most expensive component. Commissioner Dave Gilroy said he would like to see the bridge completed for less than $1 million. However, something as simple as burying the power lines will cost in the high six figures, commissioners said. The DOT does not pay to bury power lines, or add brick, stone or landscaping. The question looms: How much money does Cornelius have to spend for a timeless design? Were all wrestling with how much to spend, said Mayor Jeff Tarte. Commissioner John Bradford agreed with Rinker when he said the sails make or break the current design. However, Bradford surprised the board when he announced that he was not happy with the current design. Bradford says he intends to find another architect to draft a different bridge design for free. The general consensus of the board was a concern over the $2.6 million proposed budget for the aesthetic components of the bridge, even though all commissioners seemed to want something that would make Cornelius stand out. For now, this may be a bridge too far out, design-wise. Ultimately, the board decided to continue the public hearing to approve the FY2013 budget until the next meeting on June 18 to give the public one last chance for comment. The budget must be approved by July 1, when FY2013 begins. A copy of the proposed FY2013 budget can be found at www.cornelius.org. http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/SurprisenbspIts_time_to_repave_Main_St-a-2696.html Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:00:00 PDT June 5 The N.C. Dept. of Transportation let the Town of Cornelius knowon June 5that resurfacing Main Street could begin that very night. The job will take 4-5 weeks, weather permitting. One lane will be closed each night during repaving, from 8 pm to 6 am. The threat of rain apparently held of road crews. http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Town_Board_meets_tonight_to_discuss_193M_budget-a-2681.html Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:00:00 PDT Anthony Roberts Cornelius Town Manager Anthony Roberts has proposed a $19.3 million budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year, which starts July 1. If passed by the Town Commission at the June 4 meeting, it would result in a 24-cent tax on each $100 of assessed property value.The current tax rate is 25 cents, which was down from 27.5 cents in FY 2011.The budget represents a $1.4 million increase from the towns FY 2012 expenditures. Some of the increase relates to the towns portion ($700,000) of the $2.8 million McDowell Creek Greenway project that is not covered by a federal grant.The proposed tax rate is lower, but total property valuations are higher. Some property owners will see an increase in their annual tax bill. A property assessed at $200,000 would pay a total of $2073.20 a year if the proposed 24 cent rate stays intact and the proposed county rate of 79.66 cents holds.The budget is based on Cornelius property values of $4.95 billion for the new year, vs. $3.9 billion last year, according to Town Manager Anthony Roberts, who presented his proposed budget to the Cornelius Town Board May 21. There will be a public hearing on the budget June 4.According to complex state guidelines, the proposed budget is not revenue neutral, which would be 23 cents. The concept comes into play after property revaluations that reset property values. It means there can be an effective tax increase depending on how far tax rates are reduced.The state says revenue neutral is the rate that would produce revenue in the next fiscal year equal to the revenue that would have been produced if no revaluation had occurred.Commissioner Dave Gilroy said it was unlikely hell vote for a budget that is not revenue neutral.The issue is city building putting in roads, sidewalks and other improvements vs. shunning new infrastructure and staff to manage the town and its departments. Sidewalks and street resurfacing projects are among the most important projects we do because they touch everyone in the community were building the town for the future, Roberts said.At the end of the day we are lowering the tax rate and giving the town capital projects that are high up on the priority lists that came out of the citizen-driven Navigate Cornelius comprehensive master plan, he said.Operations and personnel:• Because Huntersville is leaving the Cornelius-based 911 call center, there is a loss to operations of $400,000. At the same time, the state is reducing its funding of 911 operations by $150,000.Yet Cornelius residents turned out in support of the towns 911 center this past winter.• Eliminating the animal licensing program resulted in a $40,000 revenue loss.• The proposed budget includes a planned 6.5 percent increase in rates charged by the municipally owned electric system, which is managed by ElectriCities. Rates will still be under those charged by Energy United and Duke.• Head count will fall from 110 to 109 as two positions are eliminated in the 911 telecommunications center and one is added for economic development. Personnel raises will average 2.5 percent. There is a bonus pool of $17,000 in Roberts proposed budget. The head count in 2011 was 112.• Mecklenburg County has reduced its contribution to the cost of running the Cornelius Volunteer Fire Department, resulting in a $95,000 revenue loss.• Updating the PARC (Parks Art Recreation Culture) master plan update will cost $40,000.• Higher fuel costs are behind a $95,000 increase in garbage and recycling expenses.Infrastructure• A new phase of Robbins Park includes a walking trail. The town will pay $800,000 toward the $1.1 million project. The rest comes from a grant.• New 10-foot sidewalks connecting the McDowell Creek Greenway on Westmoreland near the I-77 bridge to Robbins Park; new five-foot sidewalks on Nantz Road; new five-foot sidewalks on West Catawba to Highway 73. Total cost: $395,000.• Resurfacing a variety of streets around Cornelius will cost $450,000. The town owns its own trucks and staff does the work so the cost is less expensive than using a contractor.• Some $3 million has been set aside over the course of the next couple of years for the aesthetic component of the new Catawba Avenue/I-77 bridge design. Some $300,000 is earmarked for design costs in the new year, as well as $1 million for utility burial.• A dedicated right-hand turn lane from Catawba onto Westmoreland will cost $50,000.• The total cost to extend Northcross Drive from near Birkdale Village off Highway 73 into Robbins Park is about $4.5 million. In fiscal year 2013, there are $300,000 in engineering costs. The total cost to the town is $900,000. Work gets under way in 2015.• New police cars, equipment and surveillance cameras will cost $300,000.• A used street sweeper will cost $100,000.Debt service2011: $2.7 million2012: $3.2 million2013: $2.9 millionFund balance/reserves at year end2011: $12 million2012: $13 million2013: $12.2 millionCapital expenses2011: $1.1 mllion2012: $1.3 million2013: $2.6 millionOperating budget2011: $6.2 million2012: $6.2 million2013: $6.4 millionPersonnel costs2011: $6.8 million2012: $7.0 million2013: $7.1 million http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Moon_over_Cornelius-a-2690.html Sat, 02 Jun 2012 21:00:00 PDT A shoal marker off Jetton Road was lit by the sunset Sunday, with a full moon in the background http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Pawn_Stars_make_a_pit_stop_at_Rusty_Rudder-a-2688.html Thu, 31 May 2012 21:00:00 PDT Rick (The Spotter) Harrison Corey (Big Hoss) Harrison Austin (Chumlee) Russell June 1 The characters of the popular History Channel TV show 'Pawn Stars' pulled into Rusty Rudder last Saturday night, according to Rick Barton, a taxi entrepreneur and one-time candidate for Cornelius Town Board. Austin (Chumlee) Russell, Rick (The Spotter) Harrison, and Corey (Big Boss) Harrison were spotted stepping out of a limousine and going into the lakefront nightspot. The Nationwide Series race, held earlier in the day at Charlotte Motor Speedway, was sponsored by the History Channel. http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Harris_Teeter_acquiring_Lowes_Foods_in_Cornelius_Davidson_Huntersville-a-2689.html Thu, 31 May 2012 21:00:00 PDT June 1 Cornelius will go from having four supermarket chains to three when Harris Teeter officially takes over the Lowes Foods stores in and around Charlotte. The deal between Harris Teeter and Lowesessentially a swapalso means the Lowes stores in Davidson and Huntersville will close and become Harris Teeters after five to 16 weeks of remodeling. Lowes gets Harris Teeter stores in more rural areas of western North Carolina so Harris Teeter can concentrate on urban areas with higher densities "in target demographic groups."In recent years Cornelius has had five separate chainsBi-Lo was once located on West Catawba where the Salvation Army Family Store is. Harris Teeter also had a second location in Cornelius, where the Fresh Market store is. It was closed several years after the Harris Teeter on Old Jetton Road opened. The swap means that Harris Teeter will have two stores near each other at the intersection of West Catawba and Highway 73, although one will be in Huntersville and the other in Cornelius. Cashions also operated a grocery store in Cornelius.In addition to the six Harris Teeter stores that Lowes Foods gets, Harris Teeter has agreed to pay Lowes $26.5 million. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next 30 days. The agreement will result in Harris Teeter acquiring 10 Lowes Foods store locations in the central Carolinas region and Lowes Foods acquiring six Harris Teeter store locations in western North Carolina.The Lowes Foods stores that Harris Teeter will acquire include one store in Mint Hill, N.C.; one store in Fort Mill, S.C.; one store in Weddington; three stores in Charlotte; one store in Davidson; one store in Cornelius; one in Huntersville; and one store in Wesley Chapel. The Harris Teeter stores that Lowes Foods will acquire include one in Asheville; two in Gastonia; one in Hickory; one in Morganton; and one in Shelby.One of the acquired stores is expected to be subleased, according to Harris Teeter, but the grocer did not disclose the store.Harris Teeter plans to temporarily close the acquired stores for five to sixteen weeks for remodeling, stocking and training of employees. Three of the acquired stores are expected to be converted to a new innovative format featuring a worldwide variety of wine, beer, specialty foods and other selected merchandise. In connection with this transaction, the Company expects to record pre-tax non-cash impairment losses and other related expenses totaling between $23 and $26 million during the second half of fiscal 2012. http://corneliustoday.com/older-archives/Brighton_Jewelry_partners_with_The_Community_Arts_Project-a-2679.html Wed, 30 May 2012 21:00:00 PDT The Community Arts Project, a Cornelius-based non-profit corporation, has partnered with the Brighton Jewelry store in Northlake Mall to raise funds for their organization.From June 1 July 31, Brighton will be selling an Americana bracelet for $48. For each bracelet sold, Brighton will donate $24 to the Community Arts Project. The Community Arts Project is a visual arts center that also promotes and supports the growth and education of artists of all ages.For more information, visit www.thecommunityartsproject.org.