Seventeen apply for redevelopment group
“Seventeen people have applied to serve on a city redevelopment group recently formed against citizen wishes, which Mount Airy’s mayor admits will require members with a “tough skin” who won’t mind controversy.
“It’s about like being in office,” Mayor Deborah Cochran said of the work facing five finalists to be selected from the field of applicants, which might include seizing private property through eminent domain.
Cochran said the commission members must be prepared to make tough decisions that could prove unpopular, without fear of repercussions from the community. “Some people here, sometimes they don’t like controversy,” added the mayor, saying a “tough skin” is a prerequisite.
She will choose the five finalists, whose names will be submitted to the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners for official approval at a meeting next Thursday night.”
Joyce, Tom. Mt Airy News 8 May 2014.