When did progress truly start in Holly Springs?

There is a pretty good article written by Andy Kenney (http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/03/08/2735914/holly-springs-remarkable-journey.html) about the progress which has been realized in Holly Springs over the past years. The article highlights the Holly Springs Town Center shopping center (initially named New Hill Place). What this and other articles tend to focus on is the very early days and today's political landscape in Holly Springs, and seem to always miss the true turning point which brought Holly Springs to where it is today. Most citizens in town are unaware of the period between 1999 and 2001. This is when the majority perspective of the town council evolved. During this time, the town council had three members under the age of 40. This council's majority was not afraid to send away a developer who did not offer an attractive product and also not afraid to try something new. This mindset carried over for many years and has influenced much of the council's business today. During this period of time a long serving mayor resigned citing differences with this more progressive council because it was not "business as usual" and he did not have full control over the opinions of the majority of council members. This was also the period of time when the council dismissed a town manager who didn't embrace this new direction and ended up hiring Carl Dean, who still serves in that capacity. The teamwork between the council and the manager is truly what helped escalate the progress we are now enjoying today. So if you are wondering when this train of progress started in Holly Springs, it was during this two year period. So when you are standing in amazement in Target or Dick's, you can thank the 1999-2001 town council, at least most of the members on that council!