BILODEAU

March 9. Long-time business and civic leader Denis Bilodeau will run for the Cornelius Town Board. The former president of Cornenlius-based Aquesta Insurance says he will file in July for a second run for the five-member, non-partisan governing body.

He would bring a deep business background, as well as considerable experience on non-profit and for-profit boards of directors to the town commission.

The 16-year resident of Cornelius came in sixth place two years ago, some 200 votes behind Commissioner Michael Miltich who was elected to the town board for the first time.

Bilodeau is the vice chairman of the town’s PARC Commission which oversees not just parks, but a wide range of art and cultural efforts organized by the town.

He is also the president of the Cornelius Cultural Arts Group and a board member of the Cornelius Arts & Community Center. The new $4 million-plus arts center, approved by voters in a bond referendum, will be an economic development engine in downtown Cornelius. The town has purchased land for the arts center adjacent to the Police Station for $1.5 million.

Bilodeau, who retired last year, said he has the time “to fully engage” on the town board. “At this point it is something I can do very easily,” he said.

Bilodeau was an early member of the anti-toll  I77 Business Plan, and  traveled to Raleigh to lobby against the toll plan. He also spoke at a Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization public forum.

He is a former president of the Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg, as well as a long-time member of the Big Day at the Lake organizing committee.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut, he was treasurer of NC Rep. John Bradford’s successful run for the House of Representatives. Bilodeau has retained a leading political consultant, Andy Yates of Red Dome Group, to advise on his campaign.

The official filing for the November elections opens July 7 at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections and closes July 21.