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local politics

This tag is associated with 94 posts
From left: Dave Gilroy, Michael Osborne, Colin Furcht and Todd Sansbury  / Photo by Jason Benavides

Gilroy: A word of thanks as Town Board service approaches an ending

Nov. 21. Town Commissioner Dave Gilroy, who currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem, ran the Town Board’s Nov. 20 meeting in the absence of Mayor Woody Washam. He opted not to run for re-election this fall. He had some personal thoughts which he shared with the audience and the community: “I’ve spent most of the […]

Enhanced security at Town Hall will cost $166,851

Nov. 21. By Dave Vieser. At a relatively quiet Town Board meeting Nov. 20 and run by Mayor Pro Tem Dave Gilroy, Cornelius commissioners approved security improvements at Town Hall. The project will consist of reconstructing the reception area, constructing a new wall at the top of the main stairwell, providing additional egress points, and […]

Denis Bilodeau (left), Woody Washam (right)

Washam’s lead narrows to 5 votes in mayoral race; recount requested

Nov. 17. [UPDATE 3 PM] By Dave Yochum. After outstanding absentee ballots and provisional ballots were counted last night, Mayor Woody Washam’s lead over challenger Denis Bilodeau has dwindled from 13 votes to five. Bilodeau, a town commissioner, has asked for a recount. NEW: The Meck Board of Elections has completed the recount. Washam has […]

Photo by Jason Benavides

Analysis: Why the race for mayor of Cornelius appears to be going down to the wire

Nov. 13. [Analysis] By Dave Vieser. It was almost 10:45 pm on Election Night when the last of the unofficial results came in from the Mecklenburg Board of Elections showing incumbent Woody Washam with a 13-vote lead over challenger Denis Bilodeau. Did anyone think it would be this close? While residents await the final official […]

Election2023_0080

With 13 votes separating mayoral contenders, it ain’t over til it’s over

Nov.9. By Dave Yochum. It turns out the election results from Tuesday night are unofficial, which matters little unless a contest is close—on the order of 1 percent difference between winner and loser. That’s apparently the case with the mayoral contest in Cornelius, with Woody Washam ahead of Denis Bilodeau by only 13 votes out […]

From left: Robert Carney, Scott Higgins, Susan Johnson, Michael Osborne and Todd Sansbury

Cornelius local election roundup

Town Board There will more change again on the Cornelius Town Board starting in December as a result of Tuesday’s election. Scott Higgins, Robert Carney and Susan Johnson will join incumbents Michael Osborne and Todd Sansbury on the five-member board. Two years ago, the board was literally turned upside down with an all new cast. […]

Woody Washam

Washam edges past Bilodeau, by 13 votes

Nov. 7. By Dave Vieser. Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam bested challenger Denis Bilodeau by 13 votes with all four town precincts reporting. Washam captured 2767 votes while Bilodeau had 2754 votes, a difference of less than 1 percent. Bilodeau put on a strong showing. The town commissioner called Washam to congratulate him Tuesday night. In […]

Clark Wins Huntersville Mayoral Race

Nov. 7. By Mark Washburn. In a race dominated by vexing issues of growth, public safety and clogged traffic, former Democratic lawmaker Christy Clark cruised to victory as Huntersville’s next mayor Tuesday while two incumbents were ousted from the town commission. Clark, a Huntersville teacher, won with 48 percent of the vote over Dan Boone, […]

Early voting results in Cornelius: It’s neck and neck for mayor

Nov. 7. By Dave Vieser. Early voting results show challenger Denis Bilodeau with a razor thin lead over Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam while the term limit referendum is currently going down to a 60% to 40% defeat. CMS school bonds are heading for approval with a two to one margin. . On the town board,  […]

Photo by Jason Benavides

Election 2023: Will you vote yes or no on term-length proposal?

Nov. 7. Voters in Cornelius will decide today if term limits for mayor and commissioners, should be expanded to a staggered four-year format or remain at the current two years. The issue arose early in 2023 when some members of the town board questioned whether the longer terms are more advantageous. Ultimately, they decided to […]