The Ballantyne Breakfast Club will bring together many public officials for its annual Priorities Meeting. Charlotte residents will have the opportunity to speak to public officials at 8 a.m. on February 23, 2013. The anual Priorities Meeting will take place at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge located at 13015 Ballantyne Corporate Parkway.
The location moved to the hotel in order to allow for small rooms for discussion. Ray Eschert, president of the Ballantyne Breakfast Club, believes this will help the meeting run smoothly.
The format of this year's meeting has also changed. Rather than each official and employee taking turns discussing their priorities one at a time in front of a large crowd; each will have an individual table to talk about their particular issues.
Eschert says this meeting could be one of the most popular yet, due in part to many important issues that can be expected to be discussed: the addition of an Uptown streetcar, the $125 million renovation of the Panthers stadium and the future of the Eastland Mall.
Representatives from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will be on hand to discuss changes such as the possibility of year-round schools and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will address the rise in crime.
The Charlotte Area Transit System and Char-Meck Department of Transportation will discuss issues such as the extension of the light rail, bus routes, and road and bike lane improvements.
Several issues affecting the public at the county and state level, such as property tax valuation, voter identification, and economic growth will also be on the agenda.
Representatives will be there to speak with the public on an individual basis and answer questions.
Eschert said it’s vital for residents of the Char-Meck area to attend the meeting as "there are going to be a lot of changes because of what the election brought us. “It’s reached the point where we need to have a place where people can come and speak directly with someone who has some responsibility in these matters.”
District 7 City Council Member Warren Cooksey hopes the location of the meeting doesn’t deter people from across Charlotte. “These are issues that affect us all, not just the people of south Charlotte,” Cooksey said. “If you pay taxes, or drive, or have kids who go to school in Mecklenburg County, then these issues affect you.”
At-Large Charlotte City Council Member Beth Pickering will be in attendance and encourages the public to attend as well.
“The meeting is a rare opportunity for neighbors to have access to so many elected officials at the city, county and state levels" Pickering said. “I guarantee that anyone who attends the meeting will walk away feeling more informed, more plugged into their community and more familiar with their elected and non-elected public officials" says Pickering.
Free parking is available on site. Public is encouraged to attend and no registration is required.
Visit www.ballantynebreakfastclub.com for updated details.
Also, please feel free to contact For more information about the Ballantyne Breakfast Club please contact Ray Eschert at 704 651-1237 or by email at reschert@aol.com for more information on the Ballantyne Breakfast Club.
Comments