Photo by Jason Benavides

Oct. 27. By Dave Yochum. With Early Voting under way—345 people voted yesterday at Cornelius Town Hall—we’re in for an intense election season. There are 10 candidates for five seats on the non-partisan Town Board.

That in and of itself is noteworthy; there’s always a gaggle of candidates and their supporters outside Town Hall.

But that’s not all: There is a two-way race for mayor of Cornelius, with three-term incumbent Woody Washam facing challenger Denis Bilodeau. Both men are popular in the communities they share, so this contest will be just as intense.

One thing that’s noteworthy about this election is the fact that this is the first contested mayoral race in 15 years, perhaps an indication of how Washam has been able to use the bully pulpit even though the mayor only votes when there’s a tie.

How the commissioners—and the mayor in the event of a tie—vote on key issues affects pocketbooks and day-to-day living and commuting. Our local electeds vote on the town’s multi-million dollar budget, which becomes the basis of the local tax rate. They decide which major projects are approved when and where, directly impacting how we travel.

In fact traffic and congestion are the twin issues dominating this election season, so that’s the nature of the question we asked our candidates below.

Newcomers: Robert (Robby) Carney, Dr. Scott Higgins, Susan Johnson, Bob Menzel and Charmaine Nephew.

Running for the seats they lost in 2021: Dr. Mike Miltich and Thurman Ross, both previous commission veterans.

Incumbents: Colin Furcht, Michael Osborne and Todd Sansbury.

Here’s the question:

How bad are traffic and congestion and how can you make a difference locally.

Robert Carney

• Economic development, technology consultant

• Lives in Weatherstone

Traffic congestion is one of the most critical issues for Cornelius; it is easy to create and difficult to fix. It’s important to note that our community is directly impacted by our neighboring communities; we’re in this together, and have to work together to make real improvements.

The road projects currently funded will certainly help; however, the greatest impact on our congestion issue will be the delivery of Exit 27, providing the greatest relief to Catawba Ave. As an Economic Development professional, I’ll leverage my knowledge and relationships with NCDOT and our representatives in Raleigh to make Exit 27 a priority.

Colin Furcht

• Medical sales consultant

• Lives in Rockridge Shores

“Certainly, traffic has been the center of every discussion we’ve had over the past two years. There is no question our roads have become more congested. That said, this is not just a Cornelius issue, its Statewide. Cornelius has 13 road projects approved with many being pushed years out and rising in cost. We need to engage our leaders in Raleigh to help us get more out of NCDOT OR take on more projects ourselves. Understanding the true impact and being open to new and creative ideas will be my focus. This is probably the most difficult issue to solve.”

Scott Higgins

• Retired, Professor and Dean, Graduate School and Chief Research Officer, Western Carolina University

• Lives in Antiquity

Congestion and traffic delays are seen as the primary problem for most residents in Cornelius.

Further, the Town Transportation Advisory Committee is looking at possible options to help accelerate the planned improvements that have been delayed by NCDOT. These improvements would be paid for, in part, from the Manager’s Budget.

Traffic signal sequencing, strategic location of signage “not to block intersections” enforceable by law, with fines levied are additional measures that have been discussed. The roundabouts planned for 21 and Catawba, and Main Street at Potts will help the flow of traffic but more connecting road improvements are needed to optimize these improvements. More multi-modal improvements are needed for those choosing to commute or recreate without getting in their car.

Susan Johnson

• Residential Real Estate Broker, Realtor

• Lives in Lake Norman Cove at Jetton

Over the last ten plus years, due to the increased residential population, traffic and congestion has increased to a level that our existing roads can no longer support. Widening West Catawba Avenue and 115 to four lanes, adding turn lanes and creating connectivity with road improvements, such as the Northcross extension to Westmoreland, will help mitigate traffic and congestion issues. We need to identify needed funding options on a local level in order to expedite these projects to begin construction before any additional housing projects are approved.

Bob Menzel

• Retired business owner

• Lives in The Peninsula

Traffic congestion is the No. 1 concern voiced by citizens. The volume of traffic in and around Cornelius isn’t going to decrease, but here are some things we should look at to lessen our headaches from traffic congestion:

1. Explore ways to use the latest technologies, such as next-generation actuated traffic signals, to ease congestion.

2. Support the forthcoming recommendations from the Mayor’s Task Force on

Transportation Funding and Implementation on how to fund projects and expedite their construction.

3. Prioritizing construction of Exit 27 and working with NCDOT to expedite its completion.

For more on traffic and congestion: https://bobmenzel.com/2023/08/traffic-congestion/

Michael “Dr Mike” Miltich

• Retired ENT Physician/surgeon

• Lives on Nantz Road

Transportation is clearly a major concern, due to insufficient statewide funding. The gas tax is failing as a funding source. At my insistence, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization Strategic Plan includes regional advocacy.

The Beyond 77 Corridor Study recommends 1) forming a regional transportation coalition of governments, businesses and other stakeholders to become a unified voice for the region (as collaboration is rewarded), and 2) to study/recommend sustainable funding mechanisms to supplement/replace the gas tax. I was CRTPO Chair for these pioneering initiatives. Re-election will allow me to continue advocating for real solutions for Cornelius and our region.

Charmaine Nephew

• Retired in 2014 to pursue family interests, volunteer activities.

• Lives in Chapel Point

It will take a multi-pronged approach to resolve congestion.  We must work with the DOT to improve our roads.  We must work with the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization to secure alternative forms of transportation including mass and micro transit.  New developments must be evaluated for their effect on congestion in the short, medium, and long term.

Approximately 85 percent of our town workforce travels to Cornelius to work, adding to congestion.  We must promote local workforce housing so people can live where they work. Our excellent town management has come under budget for years, it may be time to invest that surplus in reducing congestion.

Michael Osborne

• Founder/president Shiptransportal

• Lives in Patrick’s Purchase

Traffic congestion diminishes our quality of life, stealing precious time from our families, exercise routines, and moments of relaxation. While the DOT offers major road widening projects, it falls short in addressing critical bottlenecks like those at Bailey Road/115, Westmoreland/21 and the Diamond interchange at Liverpool. Through thousands of combined hours of unwittingly analyzing our traffic issues, our residents have become the experts. They have offered practical solutions the town can implement like adding turn lanes, increasing stacking capacity and improving the efficiency of our intersections. I wholeheartedly support these recommendations and will push for expeditious completion.

Thurman Ross

• Residential real estate broker

• Burton Lane

While traffic and congestion are serious issues facing our town, we must look deeper into the causes of it. We should encourage the use of alternative routes, cycling and walking where feasible around town. The town should offer areas for park and ride to shuttle attendees to events that cause increased traffic and congestion on our streets.  We should look at our local streets and add turning lanes that would ease the congestion and continue with connectivity to ease traffic around to main streets.

Todd Sansbury

• Regional Sales Manager/Prenatal Screening

• Lives in Emerald Cove

Traffic and congestion are problematic and 6 of our 12 road projects should begin within the next several months. Solutions include increasing walkability, avoiding overdevelopment, and being assertive with road investments. Projects such as the diverging diamond remain unfinished and completing the bookend improvements are essential.

Most importantly, we need to work with private partners such as Atrium and tap into additional funding sources to expedite solutions such as Exit 27. Much of the congestion is through-traffic from other communities and Cornelius citizens should not have to bear all of the financial burden to fix issues beyond our control.

Early Voting

For more information on Early Voting, click here.