Palillo addresses mayor and town board Dec. 7

Dec. 10. By Dave Vieser. Despite town officials saying during their “Coffee Chat” earlier Monday morning that face masks must be worn by everyone at the upcoming town board meeting, developer Jake Palillo did not wear one during a 17-minute development proposal that managed to insult public officials and residents.

He used the word “junkyard” to describe the neighborhood where he plans 252 apartments on West Catawba Avenue near Junker Drive. To view the meeting, click here.

Meanwhile, coronavirus numbers are soaring statewide and nationally.

MANAGER GRANT

Town Manager Andrew Grant, who was sitting just a few feet away, said he didn’t notice that Palillo wasn’t wearing a mask.

Neither the mayor nor members of the Town Board, who were facing Palillo, called him out, though they were a little farther away.

Palillo also said the nearby Publix store was an “under-performing supermarket.”

What Publix says

We checked in with Publix: “Our stores in Cornelius and the region are strong and our associates continue to earn the trust and satisfaction of our customers,” said Jared Glover, Charlotte media relations manager for Publix.

“Since we do not break out sales by individual stores, we would find it difficult for a third party to comment on our performance,” he said.

Dec. 7 town board meeting; everyone is masked