Photo by Jason Benavides
Feb. 22. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board officially formed a growth management task force at their Feb. 21 meeting, naming nine members to the new advisory group.
The group, whose name morphed from committee to task force, is expected to make recommendations to elected officials and staff in conjunction with the update of the Cornelius Land Use plan.
“Commissioners Mike Osborne and Denis Bilodeau worked together during the past two weeks to formulate a final recommendation for membership “ said Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron as the names were unveiled by Osborne.
Election issue
How to manage growth became the leading issue in last year’s local elections, with four out of five commissioners losing their bids for re-election. Bilodeau is the one remaining commissioner.
Osborne said he envisioned that the task force will be a short-term assignment, probably finishing their work during the summer of this year.
Task force members, affiliation
1. Denis Bilodeau, Town Commissioner
2. Mike Osborne, Town Commissioner
3. Susan Johnson, member Town Planning Board
4. Hardy McConnell, member Town Planning Board
5. Jon Show, member Town Parks and Recreation Board
6. Kelley Garner, Antiquity resident
7. Fred Westaway, Westmoreland area resident
8. Richard Pappas, resident, also representing business and chamber of commerce interests.
9. Ava Callender, resident East Cornelius area.
In other action
Josh Murray
—Officially Recognized Cornelius Police Officer Joshua Murray who passed away Dec. 29, 2021 due to an off-duty medical event. He had been with the Cornelius Police Dept. since April of 2019 and was assigned to the Lake Patrol Unit. Commissioners also approved a resolution to retire his badges and award the badges and service pistol to his father, Andrew Murray. Murray also received the department’s Officer of the Quarter Award.
—Officially designated February as Black History Month. In the town proclamation Mayor Woody Washam said: “Black History Month reminds us of our responsibility to honor the contributions and achievements of African Americans and their pivotal role in shaping our nation, state and town.” A special celebration to mark February as Black History Month will be held Feb. 26 at Town Hall.
