Candidates Tricia Sisson, Jim Duke, Denis Bilodeau, Kurt Naas and Mike Miltich with various supporters
ELECTION DAY 8 AM. It’s a murky day, but many Cornelius voters can expect a bright and shiny greeting when they go to the polls between now and 7:30 pm. Candidates and their supporters were out in force at the Jetton Park and Town Hall precincts, not so much at Bethel Presbyterian Church and Community in Christ Lutheran Church. Turnout so far was sporadic, according to candidates, with early voting, which ended Saturday, netting nearly 3,000 voters at Town Hall.
Candidates lined up at 6:30 am at Jetton and Town Hall, the moment polls opened in a light rain. Their spirits were not dampened, although some kept their distance from each other, an indication of the bitter feelings among some of the incumbents and some of the challengers.
Campaigners and Commission candidate William Rakatansky
Alliances and endorsements are all over the place, with attack ads in other publications—not Cornelius Today—and what looks like thousands of political signs on street corners in town. Not Richard Stilwell, though. The Town Board candidate stood alone on Jetton Road early this morning, holding his hand-made sign.
There are 11 candidates for five commission seats, four of which are held by incumbents. It’s a toss-up, with bullet voting going on, which means some alliances are asking residents to withhold two of their votes, presumably concentrating the effect of the alliance at the ballot box.
How all this acrimony plays out on Cornelius’ greatest deliberative body in the coming year is anybody’s guess.
Incoming Mayor Woody Washam—who is running unopposed—could have his hands full. While he will not vote except to break a tie, he will help set the agenda going forward as the town’s titular leader. The Town Board, among other things, sets our tax rate, decides on new developments and how to improve roads and sidewalks.
Richard Stilwell on Jetton Road
Candidates and promoters must keep 50 feet away. Their campaign signs must come down within 10 days.
There are 11 candidates for Town Board in the non-partisan municipal election. Four are incumbents; 7 are newcomers, although one, William Rakatansky, served on the Town Board in the 1990s.
Voting for Cornelius Mayor and five commission seats, as well as one School Board member and the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Bond,ends at 7:30 pm.
There are four Election Day polling places in Cornelius: Community in Christ Lutheran Church, 7621 Norman Island Drive; Jetton Park, 19000 Jetton Road; Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19920 Bethel Church Road, and Cornelius Town Hall. Polls close at 7:30 pm.
To check which polling place is yours, visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections or call 704- 336-2133.
Turn-out is light at Community in Christ
