Headlines for week ending: Sunday, October 10 2004

(10.08.04) $17 million proposed incentive for Midtown
CHARLOTTE — City officials described a possible $17 million, 10-year tax break for the developers proposing to revitalize Midtown Square, marking one of Charlotte-Mecklenburg's most aggressive forays into incentives for private business. The public money would make possible an expensive deal that cannot work with private money alone. It would allow the developers to build a long-awaited complex next to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

(10.08.04) Public reacts to new code enforcement
CHARLOTTE — Citing backhoes in back yards and cars parked on front lawns, Charlotte neighborhood leaders praised the city and county Wednesday for taking the first step toward saving the city's older, middle-class neighborhoods. But they said much more needs to be done. Their biggest requests: stricter rules on what's allowed in neighborhoods, more code inspectors to enforce the rules and tougher penalties for violators.

(10.08.04) Long serving councilman may leave post
ROCK HILL — The longest serving member of the Rock Hill City Council said Wednesday he is waiting for a doctor's diagnosis before determining whether to stay in office. Winston Searles, 82, who has served on the council 24 years, is recovering from a clogged artery at home this week. Searles received a stint and said he also was being tested for diabetes.

(10.07.04) Conservatives could control Meck. commission
CHARLOTTE — Voters could wake up the day after the 2004 election to find conservative GOP control of the Mecklenburg commission, reminiscent of the Gang of Five six years ago. “It’ll be worse,” said a Democratic commissioner. “The Gang of Five was only about the arts and sciences. These people are talking about reducing government, which will reduce programs and services. Not only that, it’s going to reduce employees and that’s what I'm afraid of.”

(10.07.04) Commissioners delay vote on schools' money
CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County Commissioners said they were impressed by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' plan to revitalize three failing high schools, but will wait two weeks before voting on money to pay for it. "These targets represent the kind of boldness I was looking for," County Commissioner Chairman Tom Cox told Superintendent James Pughsley, after a presentation on the plan.

(10.07.04) City and county respond to preservation gripes
CHARLOTTE — Two months ago, about 30 neighborhood leaders told city and county leaders they weren't doing enough to protect Charlotte's older neighborhoods, expressing concerns about junked cars, 18-wheelers parked in neighborhoods and broken furniture heaped by the curb. This week, the city and county responded.

(10.06.04) City's 1st choker road is a compromise
CHARLOTTE — Some east Charlotte residents will soon have the link to Plaza-Midwood they've coveted for years. The new road, though, has a catch. The city is connecting Logie Avenue to Plaza-Midwood's Roland Street with a 300-foot choker road -- the first of its kind in Charlotte. Like a one-lane bridge, it will be wide enough only for a single car, requiring drivers to make sure the road is clear before passing through.

(10.06.04) County candidates debate growth
CHARLOTTE — Candidates in the pivotal race for Mecklenburg County commissioner stopped by one of the county's fastest-growing areas Monday for a debate on schools, open space and arts spending. Although the candidates agreed on many issues, the forum in the Steele Creek section of southwest Mecklenburg revealed several clear divisions, particularly on their approaches to taxation and school funding.

(10.04.04) Planners consider studies of toll lane
KANNAPOLIS — Transportation planners from throughout the Charlotte region Thursday said they need more information before choosing a study that would look at new kinds of express lanes for interstate highways. The discussion focused mostly on a study that would look at creating high-occupancy toll ("HOT") lanes along regional freeway systems, including I-77, I-85 and I-485, as a way to manage increasing traffic congestion.

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