local politics
District 98 candidates differ most on the issue of abortion
Oct. 30. During a polite, civil discourse of issues at the NC House District 98 Newsmakers Breakfast, it was the subject of abortion that clearly separated Melinda Bales, the Republican, and Beth Helfrich, the Democrat. In response to audience questions on their position concerning state laws on abortion, Bales said she supported the change in […]
2024 Election Guide
Oct. 11. We’re a battleground state, with Vice President Harris and former President Trump very close in recent polls, so expect to see more campaign visits, more mailers and more ads on TV. Mecklenburg County began mailing absentee ballots Sept. 24. All that said, Early Voting begins next week! Key dates Oct. 11: Last Day […]
Last call: RSVP for Newsmakers Breakfast Friday
Oct. 10. The deadline to RSVP for the Newsmakers Breakfast featuring the Republican and Democratic candidates for NC House District 98, Melinda Bales and Beth Helfrich, is 1 pm today. The open-forum Q&A with local people who make the news is strictly non-partisan. Anyone in the audience can ask a question of both candidates. There […]
Mark Robinson presents alter-ego in LKN Chamber speech
Aug. 16. By Mark Washburn. Mark Robinson sought to shed the image of a radical political tyrant and donned instead the cloak of reason and experience in an address Thursday to the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor against Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein in November’s race, has been shown […]
Helfrich vs. Bales: Competitive race will go down to the wire
LOCAL POLITICS | By Dave Vieser Aug. 8. Considerable political interest emerged during the past two weeks as the nation’s Presidential election took an unprecedented turn. However, interest is also rising locally in one race which political experts from both sides of the aisle consider ‘competitive.’ It’s the House District 98 showdown which features Republican […]
Former Commissioner Jim Duke has passed away
May 27. James Edward Duke, who served three terms on the Cornelius Town Board, passed away on Friday, May 24 after a brief illness. He was born in Monterey Park, CA on Sept. 2, 1941. After graduation from Venice Senior High School, he obtained his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and graduate degree from […]
Planning Board expands, while Land Development Code Advisory Board is disbanded
May 7. By Dave Vieser. There will be several new members on the Planning Board as a result of a unanimous vote Monday evening May 6 by the Cornelius Town Board. The long-awaited appointments to the Town Planning Board are as follows: 1. Phil Bechtold, as the 2024 Planning Board Chair. Bechtold has served since […]
NC House District 98 election will feature Davidson, Huntersville candidates
April 23. By Dave Vieser. NC House District 98 encompasses virtually all of Cornelius, yet barring an unanticipated write-in campaign this fall, the winner in November’s House 98 election will not be a Cornelius resident. The candidates are Republican Melinda Bales of Huntersville and Democrat Beth Helfrich of Davidson. Cornelius has roughly twice the population […]
New Town Board commissioner appointed in Davidson
March 27. Ted Stauffer is the newest Davidson Town Commissioner, having been appointed to the two-year term vacated by the resignation of former Town of Davidson Commissioner, Matt Dellinger in January. Stauffer will fill the remainder of the current 2023-2025 two-year term. Stauffer was nominated and approved by a unanimous roll call vote and sworn […]
Primary results: A few with particular local interest
March 6. By Dave Yochum. There were a few noteworthy local results in the primary elections, the Mecklenburg County Commissioner at large contest perhaps the most surprising among Democrats. Long-time Commissioner Pat Cotham—a frequent North Mecklenburg visitor–came in fourth. The top three at large Democrats were Leigh Altman, Arthur Griffin Jr. and Yvette Townsend-Ingram. As […]
