New transportation task force will look for finance options
Aug. 11. By Dave Vieser. Just in case anyone needed to be reminded, road improvements and growth are the major topics of concern in Cornelius so far this election year. This certainly was exemplified on Monday July 17. That was the same night that applicant Drew Thigpen withdrew his rezoning application for a multi-structure Cornelius Business Park on Bailey Road, town commissioners added three more members to the town’s Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and Mayor Woody Washam formed his own transportation task force.
Washam
Prior to the regular July 17 Town Board meeting, the TAB met with the commissioners and unveiled their top-priority projects for the town. In summary, the TAB identified three major corridors, all east-west in nature, within which the most important improvements are needed. The corridors are Bailey Road, Westmoreland Road and West Catawba Avenue.
They urged both the board and the NCDOT to prioritize the various projects planned for those corridors.
Immediately after this, Mayor Woody Washam announced the formation of his new transportation task force.
“The purpose will be to investigate how to more quickly move critical town road projects forward within the town. It’s a follow-up to the good work and recommendations from the already established Transportation Advisory Board,” he said.
The task force includes influential citizens:
• Robert Carney – Former executive director of Mooresville EDC and Cabarrus EDC, IT exec
• Keith Eicher – Former chair of Cornelius Planning Board
• Matt Gallagher – Owner, Blue Heel Developers
• Carroll Gray – Former CEO of Charlotte Chamber
• Mike Griffin – Griffin Brothers Companies
• Joe Hannah – Kimsley Horne (Transportation Engineer)
• Dr. Mike Miltich – retired physician and former Chairman of CRTPO
• Richard Pappas – Financial Executive with FNB
• Lou Raymond – Transportation engineer and chair of the Transportation Advisory Board
• Greg Wessling – Executive with The Lake Norman Co., former Lowes executive, chair of Cain Center for the Arts
• Commissioner Colin Furcht
• Commissioner Denis Bilodeau
Jim Engel
Another point of view
Bilodeau, who is running against Washam for mayor, said it will be difficult to get all these people together.
Bilodeau
“While this task force includes an impressive roster, coordinating 14 busy schedules seems destined to bring delays,” Bilodeau said. “Our town manager and finance director with assistance from the Local Government Commission, consultants familiar with available municipal options could quickly bring these options to a panel of our town’s best financial experts.
Does the town need both boards? Depends with whom you speak. Mayor Washam had met with the TAB several months ago and asked them to develop transportation priorities without considering costs. “I will focus on the funding, you focus on the priorities,” he old the TAB at the time.
“I expect this to be a fast-moving, efficient, and powerful group that will make a quick difference, both politically and technically, in moving the needle forward in this critical challenge,” Washam stated. “I am thankful for the leaders that have stepped forward to serve on this Task Force, and that the other North Mecklenburg Mayors have agreed to support this effort on a regional level. Transportation needs in Cornelius are a top priority for our citizens.”
Bilodeau, however, said one committee is enough: “Rather than add a second transportation committee, let TAB pursue the cost of options and prepare for citizen feedback. The clock is ticking, costs are rising, citizens are looking for action not political delays.”
Meanwhile, efforts have been made to change the weighted voting system at the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Members now believe they will need impartial legal advice to determine how changes can be made, so all modifications are on hold.
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It’s undeniable that the mayor has assembled an impressive group of accomplished individuals, each contributing significantly to our town’s growth and progress. Their dedication and service to our community are beyond commendable, and we owe them our respect and gratitude.
However, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the growing number of meetings, task forces, and discussions that seem to endlessly revolve around the same issues. While the capabilities of those on the board are unquestionable, action is where true leadership emerges. It’s high time to transition from deliberation to implementation.
As Denice aptly points out, assembling a task force of fourteen individuals with their own busy schedules seems destined to introduce more delays. The clock is ticking, costs are surging, and citizens are becoming impatient. The promise that “Transportation needs in Cornelius are a top priority for our citizens” needs to be met with concrete action.
It’s not a novelty to hear phrases like “investigate,” “wait,” “ follow up” and “focus on priorities.” These words have been thrown around while valuable opportunities slip through our fingers. The choice between traffic congestion and valuable developments shouldn’t even be a choice. We’re at risk of losing out on significant growth prospects due to the prolonged indecision.
The situation is reaching a breaking point. The relentless cycle of discussions, networking, and coffee talks is numbing our ability to effect change. What we need now is a shift towards proactive action. The urgency of the matter cannot be stressed enough. It’s time to cease the overthinking and initiate concrete steps that will alleviate the congestion and drive forward the progress we desperately need.
To truly honor the commitment of the distinguished individuals on these boards, we need to channel their expertise into results. We must stop using meetings as a means to defer action and instead, make use of their capabilities to make an impact. Our community deserves more than words; it deserves tangible improvements that only action can deliver. Let’s transform our frustration into a catalyst for change, and let our town administration recognize that the time for action is now.
I do expect great things from these movers and shakers in our town. I will lead the task force and be joined by Mr. Jim Engel (whose name was omitted), former CEO of Aquesta Bank who will serve as co-chairman and Mr Carroll Gray who will serve as Vice Co-Chairman. Carroll is the former President of Charlotte Chamber and served as Executive Director of the Lake Norman Transportation Commission. Recommendations of this task force is slated to be presented to town board by this December.
Mayor Washam
I have to wonder why the “movers and shakers “ waited until the campaign election season to assemble. If they have great powers … why did they not start sooner and why are we waiting 6 months?
I have asked the Town’s Transportation Advisory Board to meet as often as needed and we will not wait until Christmas to have a proposal.
Traffic frustration occurs daily… let’s not delay … we need a greater sense of urgency!
Commissioner Denis Bilodeau
Looks as if the comments section will be used by politicians to further their taking points.
So tired of the “talk”. Quit posturing to the citizens, and do something.
Let’s be clear-2 of the three corridors designated for a fast track are east/west corridors. West Catawba is not that.
But once again this leaves downtown Cornelius as the tail of the dog, as if there has been no major construction completed or planned that requires attention. The Hickory street light program is a simple one that those of us living in the east side of town could utilize to get to the new Nanny Potts roadway that would offer a small but quick solution for those traveling across the downtown area, offering an east/west fix at the cost of a traffic light.
This is one more sign of the inattentive attitude of local officials to the needs of those of us living on the east side of town.