- A summary of decisions made by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.

The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners met in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center on Tuesday, January 4, 2005. The meeting was televised live on The Government Channel, cable 16, and broadcast tape delayed on WTVI at Midnight. The meeting was scheduled for re-telecast on channel 16 January 5 at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., January 7 at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and January 8 at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. It also airs at various times on GOV-TV, Time-Warner Digital Cable Channel 232.

AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS.

The Board recognized the service and contribution of former Commissioner Ruth Samuelson. She received a plaque and was inducted into the Order of the Hornet, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the Board. The other eight members of the 2002 * 2004 Board of County Commissioners were recognized on December 21, 2004.

The Board also proclaimed January 17, 2005 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Day in Mecklenburg County.

PUBLIC APPEARANCE.

The following people addressed the Board: Scott Patterson spoke about vagrancy and several vacant houses on Charles Avenue; Allan Miller spoke on truancy; Mark Palmer spoke on Elmwood and Pinewood Cemeteries; Jim Bensman spoke on Westmoreland Elementary School and four-year terms for County Commissioners; Dr. Ricky Woods, Robert Muhammad spoke on comments made by Commissioner Bill James; Martin Davis spoke on comments made by Commissioner Bill James and the Knowledge Is Power Program.

LAND ACQUISITIONS.

The Board approved the acquisition of 1.369 acres on Pavilion Boulevard for $265,000 from Louis and Anita Helms.

SUPPORT OF TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS.

The Board approved a resolution in support of relief efforts for victims of the Asian tsunami that has resulted in considerable human death and destruction. The resolution commends International House for its leadership role in coordinating local efforts and organizing Tsunami Relief Day in Mecklenburg County. Tsunami Relief Day is a fundraising event on January 8 from 6 p.m. * 8 p.m. at Queens University's Dana Auditorium.