Davidson Watchdogs

Bad government happens when citizens aren't watching!
 

Is Our Free Press Under Attack?

Click on the photo to read one perspective of why an investigative reporter may have been canned.

For an entertaining summary of the HOT lane scheme click on the photo.

This video is cute but what we are leaving our children is irresponsible!

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Visit WidenI77.org to learn more

I77 needs more lanes but at what price?  Learn more by visiting WidenI77.org.
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Davidson Watchdogs tries to provide accurate information with opinion indicated as such.  Let us know if you see a factual error.  Thanks!
MUMPO Meetings Are Where the Change in Direction Will Become Meaningful.  Can our Lake Norman elected leaders make the change?  Only if you demand it!!  Here is your opportunity to say "No to the HOT lane approach!"

On May 22nd, the Mecklenburg Union Metropolitan Planning Organization will hold a meeting to approve an amendment to formally include the I-77 HOT lanes project in the NC DOT 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan and FY 12-18 Transportation Improvement Program Amendments.  This will be the last opportunity for our regional politicians to stop or modify this plan.  It is expected that the amendments will be approved in spite of unprecedented citizen opposition to this approach of adding pavement to the I-77 corridor between Charlotte and Mooresville.   Though it is likely that the amendment will be approved, there is opposition within the local governments to the HOT lane and tolling concepts planned for Lake Norman and the region.  It will be extremely helpful to have a strong turnout of citizens who oppose the HOT lane solution.  A strong turnout will send a message to Governor McCory, Speaker Thom Tillis, and Rep. Bill Brawley that the will of the people is not what the MUMPO is approving.  It will help us carry the battle to stop this “non-solution” to Raleigh.
 
 
Please come and participate in this extremely important event for the citizens of Lake Norman.  The meeting will probably last about two hours.  The public comment period will be at the beginning and that is where we will have the most impact.
 
Meeting information:
 
Wednesday - May 22 at 7pm  600 E. Fourth Street | 8th Floor | Charlotte, NC 28202-2853 | (704) 336-2205
 
Parking at the facility is west of the Government Center.
 
We will meet in the lobby on the main floor at 6:00 PM.  After a short meeting we will process through security into the MUMPO meeting room which may be on the second floor.
 
If you would like to car pool to the meeting, please meet in the parking lot of the Northcross Shopping Center between Target and the Gas Station.  We will depart there at 5:00 PM. 
 
Sponsored by WidenI77.org

Davidson Town Board Supports P3 HOT lanes - Mayor Woods says "... HOT lanes ... are the BEST SOLUTION TO WIDENING I-77!"

The attitude of Davidson elected officials is, "You elected me, so let me make the decisons."  Fair enough, but what happened to representative government?  Let's talk about their track record on important issues to help them understand why we want to be more involved.  This is the most important decision since the Adelphia Cable fiasco.  Is it time to listen to the citizens?

What Is Hot In Davidson!

Your Commute to Charlotte is about to become more expensive!

HOT Lanes are on the Fast Track! If you commute on I-77 be ready for a new paradigm in funding your commute.   Learn more on the HOT Lane pages and at  WidenI77.org.  The clock is ticking and it won't be long before our politicians have further damaged our ability to make choices on how we spend our money.  The Toll lane issue is an attack on the middle class.  The P3 HOT lane concept will also drive up congestion in our wonderful town and force the widening of secondary roads at a a very high cost - two to three times  as expensive as widening a more efficient interstate like I-77 for ten miles (approx cost with bridges would be be between $80 and $130 million compared to the $20 to $30 million a mile it costs to widen a secondary road.

 

Our elected leaders seem confused about the roll of government - Davidson Town Government buys hi-tech businesses and then supports selling our roads to private enterprise!  They have been suckered into this HOT Lane deal and they don't know how to get out of it.  Some seem happy with this solution since it will drive people into trains.  I wonder who has been investing along that Red LIne?  Who benefits from $10 tolls and the smoothering congestion on I-77, Main Street, and US 21?  Not the average citizen who dutifly pays their taxes and user fees (user fees is a new name for taxes which do not require a vote like bonds or sales tax increases which might be a better approach to generating revenue for regional road projects).

The P3 HOT lane issue is as serious as the government purchase of cable networks and the excessively subsidized Red Line.  Citizens must learn more and demand their elected leaders take action.  Attend the meetings and voice your opposition.  Volunteer to help the WidenI77.org group win this battle!

Who and What is the Davidson Watchdogs?

The Davidson Watchdogs is a group of concerned citizens dedicated to good government. Our focus is on fiscal and governing issues facing the Town of Davidson which is generally well run and led by some of the finest citizens we could hope to have represent us.  Having said that, it does not excuse the citizenry from doing its duty of providing feedback to our leaders on important matters.  The Davidson Watchdogs will be watching and providing feedback on those important issues without becoming "micro-managers" who question every decision. 

 

We are blessed to live in a small town where we can approach our elected leaders and communicate with them in a one on one basis. They are our neighbors.  But our town government has made a few bad decisons for which we are paying for today and will continue to do for years to come.  The major issue was the MI Connection purchase which was questioned by a handful of concerned citizens who presented compelling arguments to not commit the town to a risky venture.  Their voices were not heard or were ignored.  In retrospect those who argued against it were correct but as indiviudals their arguments were not given the consideration they deserved.  That is why as a group, citizens who disagree with an important decision may have a louder voice that can be heard and may even be able to overcome the inertia of some issues.

 

So, the Watchdogs are an informal group of citizens looking to positively impact the decision making process and encourage our elected officials to be even better stewards of the public trust.  Opinions expressed here are those of Vince Winegardner and others, some of whom may prefer to be unnamed due to their concerns about small town "politics".