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INSIDE ▼ Hurricane season is weeks away
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PAGE 2A Friday, May 8, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 18
thecharlotteweekly.
@southcltweekly
Council to discuss data centers by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
CHARLOTTE – Dimple Ajmera saw an opportunity for the Charlotte City Council to put a moratorium on data centers as early as this month but she couldn’t get a majority of her colleagues to agree on the sense of urgency. The first domino toward a
moratorium involved setting a public hearing on the issue. The council was split on that vote April 27, prompting Mayor Vi Lyles to break the tie in favor of not setting a public hearing. Lyles preferred data centers to be placed on the May 11 meeting as a discussion topic. She credited Ajmera for raising concerns about data centers while also mentioning staff would share additional information with the
council in three to six months. Ajmera felt the topic deserved “urgent and immediate attention.” She explained that data centers are allowed by right in several districts, such as commercial, industrial, research, mixed-use and uptown, without council approval. “We have one of the best planning staff, not just in the state but in the nation, and I feel like we are not leading on this
issue,” Ajmera said. “We need to take an action now, where taking action means even considering a temporary moratorium so we can study the impacts and ensure that we have guardrails in place to protect our communities.” She mentioned data centers opening in the University City area and proposed for East Charlotte. She made a motion that the council place a public hearing on
Sounding off
by JD Arias Councilman
County leaders wary of state legislation, 3A
See who is performing at popular venues, 2B
Leaders react Mayor announces plans to leave post, 2B
Elevate bagels Recipes offer playful twist on staple, 3B
see DATA, Page 3A
Fresh face expresses frustration with council
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Let's rock
the May 11 agenda to consider whether a temporary moratorium on new data centers is necessary as they evaluate their impacts. “We can have a hearing in the near term, but I think it will take a little time for us to come to grips with all of the issues here, the public need, the actual impacts, the noise, the water,” District 7 rep Ed Driggs said. “Therefore,
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as the place to go where people can get one-on-one help. Staff helps make all this happen. “We have 500 library employees who bring their hearts to work every single day across those 21 branches, support areas, outreach and others, and they make the magic happen there,” Myers said. “They’re the MVPs.” Mecklenburg County commissioners observed National Library Week (April 19 to 25) by reading a proclamation into the record
do really like working with all of my colleagues, and I deeply respect my colleagues, but this council has me deeply, deeply frustrated. It seems like we want to quoteunquote roll with every problem that faces the working people of this city every single time. And I think we have to show up differently as a council, as elected leaders. How many more conversations do we need to have about something before action is made on it, especially conversations that we’ve been discussing for years? Arias I mean, we knew I-77 was coming, and it hit us like a deer in headlights. I think I’m just frustrated by the lack of action on any pressing, urgent issue that is facing our community. I think I’m also frustrated with the inconsistency that we sometimes show as a council. You know, Dr. Victoria Wallington suggested earlier this evening to bring the housing trust fund recommended projects back to committee. And that was not approved or not spoken about. But yet with data centers, we want to bring it back to committee. There’s inconsistency there. I think sometimes, oftentimes, we have outside relationships that might influence the way we vote. I think the weight of decisions that we have as a council impact our neighborhoods. The weight
see LIBRARY, Page 3A
see ARIAS, Page 4A
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offered a tease of its future May 1 on Facebook. “See how we will transform, for a new experience that’s fresh and modern but still holds true to everything you love about Charlotte Mecklenburg Library,” the system posted. CMG file photo
CML's by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
CHARLOTTE – Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is coming off National Library Week (April 19 to 25) with a renewed sense of mission. Interim CEO Angie Myers describes it as improving lives and building a stronger community. “We do that through our 21 physical branches in the community, as well as outreach efforts,” Myers said. “We go into the hard-to-reach places. We go to visit the seniors at
RENEWED MISSION
senior centers. We go into pre-K. All ages, all stages of life.” People of all ages also visit the library. There’s more than books or places to study. Branches offer programming that supports STEAM skills, college and career education, workforce development and continuing learning. “Your libraries are the place where any member of this community can go for free and be welcomed,” Myers said. “In this day and age, that is more important than ever.” She also described libraries
Cambodian Legacy Project builds connections by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County proclaimed April 2026 as Cambodian Heritage Month while acknowledging the work of the Cambodian Legacy Project and the Cambodian Buddhist Society of Charlotte. The official proclamation approved April 21 mentions the Khmer Rouge genocide from 1975 to 1979, which prompted many Cambodians to leave the country to settle in Charlotte and
other parts of the United States in the 1980s. The Cambodian Buddhist Society of Charlotte became a place where newcomers gathered for their spiritual needs and cultural celebrations. The Cambodian Legacy Project has built on that work. "For many of us, our stories begin with survival – families rebuilding, parents working multiple jobs, children growing up between languages and cultures, often without spaces where we felt fully seen,” said Kaovny
Ma Jonas, co-founder and CEO. “This experience is not unique. It is shared across generations in our community. And now we’re stepping forward.” Jonas said in the span of a year, the organization grew from an idea to showcasing culture at schools, libraries and other community spaces. “We bring the richness of our heritage to life through language, dance, art and wellness,” Jonas said. “We are reconnecting families and rebuilding culture in real time.”
The organization not only celebrates culture but also tries to empower Cambodian Americans. “When people feel seen, they show up differently,” she said. “They engage. They lead. And they give back. That’s what this work is about.” Kim Lam admits to feeling isolated, lonely and invisible when she arrived in Charlotte 20 years ago. Now she feels at home. She is co-founder and chief operating officer for the Cambodian Legacy Project. She spoke of the elders
who escaped the killing fields and started their lives over in Charlotte. “Those survivors raised their children here, and those children, born unbreakable courage, built something real in this county – donut shops and nail salons – through extraordinary sacrifice and pride. That is the Cambodian story – resilient, returning to roots.” Aneelia Ma, a founder of a Neelia’s bakery in Charlotte, grew see LEGACY, Page 4A
(through 5/24/26)
Expires 6-30-26