Town postpones All-America City bid

Mooresville’s efforts to obtain an All-America City designation have been postponed.

But that decision was not because of the recent public exposure of Mayor Chris Montgomery’s use of town e-mail to communicate with a woman who is not his wife, said Karen Shore, president and CEO of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce and member of Mooresville’s All-America City steering committee.

The All-America City bid was Montgomery’s brainchild and his most touted project in 2010.

“Obviously, (the mayor) is a key player, and he’s the leader of the (All-America City) steering committee,” said Shore, adding, however, that the decision not to pursue the award in 2011 “is not really about him.”

Montgomery, in a Tuesday, Jan. 25, e-mail to Mooresville Weekly, said, “Transitions in municipal government and economic development, plus recent strains between myself and the board have unfortunately overshadowed the initial intent.”

He said, “We have had several issues over the last few weeks that have taken away from the effort. This is an event where we need to focus all of our energies on the prize.”

Shore cites the resignation of the town manager, as well as the economic development director, as factors for the decision.

Town Manager Steve Husemann’s resignation became effective at midnight on Jan. 9, at which time Erskine Smith, Mooresville’s longtime assistant town manager, became interim town manager.

Only three days later, the Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corporation announced that Executive Director Russ Rogerson had accepted a position as senior vice president of economic development services at the Charlotte Regional Partnership.

Rogerson’s resignation from the MSIEDC is effective Monday, Jan. 31. Robert Carney, MSIEDC’s industry and marketing manager, has been named the interim executive director.

Rogerson served on the All-America City steering committee, but Husemann was not included in updates Montgomery e-mailed to the committee, according to e-mails obtained last month by Mooresville Weekly.

Regarding the town’s push for the All-America City designation, Shore said, “We all recognize this is an enormous amount of work and all the stars have to be in alignment.”

She said the steering committee has discussed over the past month the idea of postponing the town’s efforts. “We’re not pulling the plug totally,” she said. “Perhaps we’ll reconsider it for 2012.”

By then, Montgomery may no longer be mayor. His term expires in November.

Montgomery told Mooresville Weekly that he has no intentions of stepping down as mayor before his term is up. He said this week that he’s still deciding on a possible re-election bid later this year.

“Although I have not decided on a second term, let me make it perfectly clear how proud I am of Mooresville,” Montgomery said. “It would be an honor to strive for All-America City in any capacity when that opportunity presents itself.”

The All-America City designation is the country’s oldest and most prestigious community recognition award, according to the website of the National Civic League, which grants the annual award to “communities of all sizes that collaboratively tackle challenges and achieve results.”

Since 2000, 10 communities in North Carolina have received the All-America City designation, including Statesville, Concord, Gastonia and Hickory.