local politics
Jeff Tarte will run for NC Auditor in 2024
Nov. 29. Former NC Sen. Jeff Tarte, a Cornelius resident, plans to run in the GOP primary for State Auditor in March. Tarte is a former mayor of Cornelius and the incoming chair of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. Background As a state senator he authored legislation that required the six largest departments in […]
Mayor, new Town Board with 3 newcomers will be sworn in Monday
Nov. 28. A four-term mayor, two incumbent commissioners and three new commissioners will be sworn in Monday at Town Hall where family and friends will gather for the ceremonies. A vote for mayor pro tem will also be taken, formalizing the role of incoming Commissioner Scott Higgins who was the top vote-getter in the Nov. […]
Gilroy: A word of thanks as Town Board service approaches an ending
Nov. 21. Town Commissioner Dave Gilroy, who currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem, ran the Town Board’s Nov. 20 meeting in the absence of Mayor Woody Washam. He opted not to run for re-election this fall. He had some personal thoughts which he shared with the audience and the community: “I’ve spent most of the […]
Enhanced security at Town Hall will cost $166,851
Nov. 21. By Dave Vieser. At a relatively quiet Town Board meeting Nov. 20 and run by Mayor Pro Tem Dave Gilroy, Cornelius commissioners approved security improvements at Town Hall. The project will consist of reconstructing the reception area, constructing a new wall at the top of the main stairwell, providing additional egress points, and […]
Washam’s lead narrows to 5 votes in mayoral race; recount requested
Nov. 17. [UPDATE 3 PM] By Dave Yochum. After outstanding absentee ballots and provisional ballots were counted last night, Mayor Woody Washam’s lead over challenger Denis Bilodeau has dwindled from 13 votes to five. Bilodeau, a town commissioner, has asked for a recount. NEW: The Meck Board of Elections has completed the recount. Washam has […]
Analysis: Why the race for mayor of Cornelius appears to be going down to the wire
Nov. 13. [Analysis] By Dave Vieser. It was almost 10:45 pm on Election Night when the last of the unofficial results came in from the Mecklenburg Board of Elections showing incumbent Woody Washam with a 13-vote lead over challenger Denis Bilodeau. Did anyone think it would be this close? While residents await the final official […]
With 13 votes separating mayoral contenders, it ain’t over til it’s over
Nov.9. By Dave Yochum. It turns out the election results from Tuesday night are unofficial, which matters little unless a contest is close—on the order of 1 percent difference between winner and loser. That’s apparently the case with the mayoral contest in Cornelius, with Woody Washam ahead of Denis Bilodeau by only 13 votes out […]
Cornelius local election roundup
Town Board There will more change again on the Cornelius Town Board starting in December as a result of Tuesday’s election. Scott Higgins, Robert Carney and Susan Johnson will join incumbents Michael Osborne and Todd Sansbury on the five-member board. Two years ago, the board was literally turned upside down with an all new cast. […]
Washam edges past Bilodeau, by 13 votes
Nov. 7. By Dave Vieser. Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam bested challenger Denis Bilodeau by 13 votes with all four town precincts reporting. Washam captured 2767 votes while Bilodeau had 2754 votes, a difference of less than 1 percent. Bilodeau put on a strong showing. The town commissioner called Washam to congratulate him Tuesday night. In […]
Clark Wins Huntersville Mayoral Race
Nov. 7. By Mark Washburn. In a race dominated by vexing issues of growth, public safety and clogged traffic, former Democratic lawmaker Christy Clark cruised to victory as Huntersville’s next mayor Tuesday while two incumbents were ousted from the town commission. Clark, a Huntersville teacher, won with 48 percent of the vote over Dan Boone, […]
