The LNTC tapped Bill Thusberg as new Executive Director for the LNTC to assume new duties January 1, 2012, announced Brian Jenest, LNTC Chair.  " We are fortunate to find a person with Bill's knowledge and interest in transportation related matters - almost within our midst."  Thunberg replaces Carroll Gray who served in the role over the past three years.

I'm anxious to become more deeply involved in continuing our collaborative approach to secure a better understanding and more funding for our region's transportation needs," Thunberg said.

Thunberg served as a three-term Mayor of Mooresville and is active on a number of board and commissions at both local and State levels.

NCDOT consultants laid out a management and financial plan on December 12, 2011, for the Red Line Regional Rail Project.  The setting was a gathering of 175 people in Mooresville at the Charles Mack Center.

Key plan elements are (1) a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to be created by nine governmental units to oversee/manage the rail line; (2) a two-benefit service concept of commuter and freight rail; and (3) a combo of property taxes to generate the needed revenue streams. (See edited video of report on Home page.)

Consultants Mark Briggs, President of Parsons-Brinkerly Advisory Services, and Katherine Henderson of KKH Counsulting, delivered the comprehensive, three-hour presentation, preceded by introductory comments by John Woods, Chair of the Red Line Rail Task Force, and Paul Morris, Deputy Secretary of the NC Department of Transportation.

The full report and various recommendations have been forwarded to the participating units of government for study and amendment.  Final votes by the parties on the ammended plan are anticipated by July, 2012.

Outgoing LNTC Executive Director Carroll Gray feels that proving "working together works,"  is the most significant accomplishment of the LNTC's first three years existence.

"In 2008 the municipalities of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville were pushing their own agendas---often at cross purposes," Gray observed.  "The four Mayors at that time appointed a task force to recommend a better way, and the LNTC was born," he said.

Since then, with the leadership of Brian Jenest, the affable Davidson Commissioner, the LNTC has become a player in regional transportation issues, and has supported the NC 73 project, the widening of I-77 via the HOT Lanes Project, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Study of the area's economic potential, and has been a constant advocate for a Red Line financial and management plan.

Asked for a final comment, Gray said, "So far so good."