Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials contend that their plans to close eight schools, consolidate three others and relocate three more is part and parcel of a desperate scramble to prepare for next year’s looming budget crisis, when the state is already directing local school districts to prepare for budget cuts of 5, 10 or 15 percent, an […]
Despite all the gnashing of teeth and general angst earlier this year – not to mention teacher layoffs, pay-for-play athletic fees, and scuttled neighborhood bus stops – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools saw its total 2010-11 budget increase by about $10 million, up to $1.15 billion, thanks to myriad, last-minute funding boosts from state and federal sources. Not […]
It’s all but self-evident that Mecklenburg County Sheriff Chipp Bailey, a Democrat up for reelection, broke state law, or at least purposefully skirted its intent, when he used a taxpayer-funded county database for campaign purposes. Bailey even admits to nabbing a list of employee names and addresses from his office’s computer, which he used to […]
Fresh out of the starting gate, Obamacare is already creating the wholly predictable disastrous results when confronted by the realities of the marketplace. Companies, large and small, are faced with having to yank healthcare coverage from employees because of the law’s mandates, standards, and exorbitant costs, while insurers are being forced to drop certain coverage […]
Another chance to hear from local and state candidates, this time at a public forum on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, in Davidson. Slated to attend: at-large candidates for Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (minus incumbent chairman, Jennifer Roberts, a Democrat, who has a prior commitment); state […]
Bill James is his own worst enemy. The Republican county commissioner from suburban south Mecklenburg has a history of raising valid questions and concerns about serious policy matters, sometimes even proposing legitimate solutions, but doing so using such inflammatory language and over-the-top rhetoric that it obscures the issue at hand. James was at it again […]
The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners spent nearly 45 minutes Tuesday night bumbling and bickering through an agenda item that was meant to – wait for it – improve the effectiveness and efficiency of board meetings. Commissioners ultimately approved a set of recommendations that was crafted by the board’s oxymoronically named Effective and Efficient Government […]
Eastland Mall could reopen as early as Christmas 2011 with a major facelift to include a Hispanic theme and dozens of small businesses, instead of a handful of major anchor stores, as the catalyst to drive future development. Texas-based Boxer Properties bought the main section of the now-shuttered mall – about 500,000 square feet – […]
And it isn’t pretty: 55 percent of North Carolina voters disapprove of President Obama’s job performance, a record high for his two years in office, according to the latest poll from the Civitas Institute of 600 likely voters. Only 42 percent said they approve of Obama’s job performance. “The worst time possible for a President […]
Stone-broke Mecklenburg County is looking to hit up the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for grants totaling upwards of $385,0000 to support “family planning services to the Latino population.” The funding would include a one-time grant of $10,000 to purchase “expensive long-acting contraceptives.” Mecklenburg commissioners will be asked at their meeting Tuesday night […]
