Davidson Watchdogs

Bad government happens when citizens aren't watching!
 
Surveys will be done periodically and shared with elected leaders.  Your opinion does matter!

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(Keep it real please!)
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Davidson Station Area Plan
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Davidson Station Area Plan Presentation
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Red Line Project Overview
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Red Line Business Finance Plan
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NOEL REPORT ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ALONG NORTH CORRIDOR
Red Line Regional Rail Website
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Davidson Watchdogs tries to provide accurate information with opinion indicated as such.  Let us know if you see a factual error.  Thanks!

Who and What is the Davidson Watchdogs?

The Davidson Watchdogs is a group of concerned citizens dedicated to good government. Our focus is on fiscal and governing issues facing the Town of Davidson which is generally well run and led by some of the finest citizens we could hope to have represent us.  Having said that, it does not excuse the citizenry from doing its duty of providing feedback to our leaders on important matters.  The Davidson Watchdogs will be watching and providing feedback on those important issues without becoming "micro-managers" who question every decision. 

 

We are blessed to live in a small town where we can approach our elected leaders and communicate with them in a one on one basis. They are our neighbors.  But our town like any other town has made bad decisons that many of us are paying for today.  The major issue was the MI Connection purchase which was questioned by a handful of concerned citizens who presented compelling arguments to not commit the town to a risky venture.  Their voices were not heard or were ignored.  In retrospect those who argued against it were correct but as indiviudals their arguments were not given the consideration they deserved.  That is why as a group, citizens who disagree with an important decision may have a louder voice that can be heard and may even be able to overcome the inertia of some issues.

 

So, the Watchdogs are an informal group of citizens looking to positively impact the decision making process and encourage our elected officials to be good stewards of the public trust.  Opinions expressed here are those of Vince Winegardner and others, some of whom may prefer to be unnamed due to their concerns about small town "politics".

What Is Hot In Davidson!

Davidson is a hot bed of leaders thinking outside the box  but such thinking keeps getting us into trouble.  Here are a few things that are HOT in Davidson!

 

 

 

Pause?  This train should never have left the station!

The Red Line Task force has decided to "pause" the approval process while they talk with the owner of the railroad tracks. (How much more will that cost the taxpayer?)   Seems that conversation should have occured as part of the initial concept development last Summer?  The question has to be asked, "Why didn't the Red Line Task force bring all of the players to the table and identify the possible barriers before we spent over $250,000 on consultants?"  Why didn't the consultants ask this question?   Can we get a refund?

 

This finance plan should not be paused, it should be stopped!
Hot!  Opinion and Analysis of President's Contribution to Charlotte Blue Line Extension provided by a Davidson Citizen

..... Thought you would find informative this explanation of the Transit portion of President Obama's budget. (see the Politico article for rail budget details).

 

Note (about the 8th paragraph) the FTA's intent to enter into a full funding agreement with Charlotte on the blue line extension to UNCC. The feds will commit to pay 50%, or $535 million, of the $1.07 billion project and CATs will pay the other 50%. No Property Taxes Involved!

 

Compare that with the $1.4 billion Red Line revenue requirement (including 30 yrs of operating expenses) and consider the Red Line is about 85% dependent on property taxes and you can see how N. Mecklenburg and Southern Iredell taxpayers are getting (a very bad deal).

 

We are in this boat, in my opinion, because "the Red Line doesn't qualify" for federal funding....and no one with CATs or the City of Charlotte has wanted to work with the FTA's new proposed funding criteria under which the Red Line probably would qualify..... because then the Red Line would be competing with the blue line extension for limited federal funds.

 

N. Meck politcos didn't want to play hardball with Charlotte and CATS threw us a bone by agreeing to pay for 25%.......

 

Opinion - The Red Line Financing model is bad for property taxpayers in North Mecklenburg and South Iredell !!!

 

Cornelius has stipulations for new Red Line plan

 

Per an article in the March 2, 2012 edition of the Huntersville Herald as reported by Erin Tataragasi, members of the Cornelius Rail Task Force laid out requirements during their meeting Monday, Feb. 27, for the revised Red Line Regional Rail financing plan, that stipulate the plan should:
 
 
  • Be fully vetted with Norfolk Southern in writing.
  • Be fully vetted with the state of North Carolina as a potential participant and guarantor of debt, in writing.
  • Be the best alternative in providing public transportation to Cornelius and the region, in terms of cost, ridership, need, and best option to meet expected growth.
  • Include other public transportation alternatives.
  • Include a list of properties to be included in the Unified Benefit District.
  • Require a super majority for the creation of the special assessment tax district.
  • Include the minimum amount the plan/cost can be covered by user fees.
  • Include a comprehensive financial model.
  • Address connectivity, specifically to the Gateway Center in Charlotte.
  • Include a second financing scenario in case Iredell County votes against the Red Line.
  • Include an analysis that tax increment financing won’t hurt the towns’ ability to finance public services since the current plan requires 75  percent of property tax revenues to go toward the Red Line.
  • Explain the business and legal structure for the joint powers authority.
 
Shouldn't Davidson have similar stipulations?