Susan Johnson
Dec. 6. By Dave Vieser. When Susan Johnson was named Cornelius Planning Board chair in December, 2021, she had little reason to believe she would be leaving the post after only two years. But on Monday she rolled off the planning board upon her swearing in on the Town Board.
Johnson will also bring a woman’s perspective back to the board after two years in addition to a deep background in both real estate and government.
Quotable
“I had a lot of amazing citizens who supported me during the election, some of whom I knew before and some I met during the campaign. I really enjoyed meeting citizens and listening to what matters to them and I’m very honored to have received such support,” Johnson said.
“To know that our citizens appreciate my experience and my passion for our community is really very special to me.”
Details
She apparently made quite an impression on voters, compiling 2,857 votes, just two votes shy of the top vote-getter, Scott Higgins, and ahead of two incumbents, Michael Osborne and Todd Sansbury.
Background
Born in Charlotte, she grew up in Stanly NC. Johnson earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Chapel Hill and her Masters from Queens University.
The mother of two boys—Will, turning 20 this month and Noah, 17—now resides in Lake Norman Cove at Jetton.
With her background in real estate and experience on the neighborhood board, she applied to the town’s Land Development Code Advisory Board. After two years serving on LDCAB, she was appointed to the Planning Board where she served for eight years, the last two as chair.
Job 1 and 2: Traffic and congestion
What does she feel is the most serious issue in Cornelius? “Traffic and congestion,” says Johnson.
“In my opinion, one of the ways to combat this issue is that if we can complete some of the smaller road projects with town funds, such as connecting Northcross extension to Westmoreland, then we could create small wins towards improving traffic and congestion until larger road projects, such as widening West Catawba, can be completed,” she said.
