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Charlotte's Mayoral Future


voyager12

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According to Wikipedia, Belk was a Democrat, which sounds right to me. I think they are correct.

And yeah, the Gantt/Helms races were pretty nasty. One of them produced the famous (to politics addicts) "Hands" ad that showed a pair of white hands tearing up a letter that said he was denied a job because of equal opportunity laws. I don't recall that Gantt ever ran against Sue for anything, though my memory is a little rusty on that as well. I was only in my 20's then and didn't follow politics as much as I do now.

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I voted for Gantt the first time he ran for mayor. He was a rarity in that a predominately white-populated city elected a black mayor, and by a pretty good margin. I thought he did a pretty decent job, but I specifically recall him (while running for re-election) commenting (from a chopper, I believe) that he had no idea traffic on Tyvola Road was so bad. Hello??? I believe Gantt lived in Fourth Ward (he may still live there), but that one statement made me vote for his opponent. I thought this guy is OUT OF TOUCH! Current mayor (McCrory) impresses me with his demeanor and responsiveness to e-mails. I know he is there for ribbon cuttings, but we have a WEAK MAYOR system of government. He does have a good gig with Duke and the City. No denying that. I support him for his commitment to the HOF and the LR. I believe down the road, local historians will appreciate him more. One or two trips to Raleigh aren't enough. I hope he doesn't just look at a couple of bus trips as resume points. I hope Myrick stays in DC, and keeps our Mayor for Life in place here. I think Maddens was the strongest opponent he faced. Earle is no Gantt, so it looks like at LEAST two more years. Prior to the late 70's, candidates for mayor and council were non-partisan, thus the lack of party labels. I would like to see a return to the non-partisan format, and a consolidated city/county government. In the past, the arguement has been we are EFFECTIVELY consolidated now (water/sewer, police, libraries, schools, etc.) However, look at the hastle over the new West Park, the minor league baseball stadium, etc. Maybe whoever the next mayor is can lead the community to make these changes. With one governing body mostly Republican, and the other mostly Democratic, turf wars would surely erupt. Let's get that battle behind us.

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Gantt was also caught up in a scandal involving what is now Channel 46 in Charlotte. (or maybe it is 64 or 55) In any case there was once a federal program that gave minorities preferential treatment in bids for very lucrative TV licenses. The idea was to give Blacks and women the opportunity to own a TV station in a local market. In the 1980s, the FCC opened up bidding for a new station over the Charlotte airwaves and Gantt's firm ended up winning the bid based on the fact that he was Black. As it turns out, his major investors that were with him on this deal where not minorities and then they turned around and sold the license while making a huge amount of money.

It was controversial at the time because in those days, TV ownership was still very limited as there were laws on the books to keep the big corporations from buying all of them up as they have done today. (and dumbed them down in the process)

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Here's another scandal-in -the-making on Charlotte.com this afternoon. Apparently Beverly Earle has been sued a number of times in the last 15 years for non-payment on leases and most recently, a line of credit that she co-signed for her son.

Her answers are sorta kinda disingenous:

  • She claims not to remember being sued. Unless you've been sued more times than you can count, I would think you'd remember. And since she complained about The Observer scrutinizing her finances, she must have known about each suit, I think. Still, the suits are resolved and that shouldn't be a deterrent to running. But then there's this....

  • She said that "you co-sign, you expect that person to make the payments." Well, of course you do. More troubling: "I didn't consider that to be my responsibility." That's what it means to co-sign-it's your responsibility if the primary doesn't pay-the bank comes after you.

Dear me. Why can't Charlotte's Democrats field a candidate with a chance? I think most people reading her responses will think that she lacks judgment and is a tiny bit less than truthful. Not a great choice to carry the party's banner in the mayoral election.

McCrory must be beside himself with glee.

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I quite agree unfortunately. I still plan on voting for Earle and these matters are not major ethical lapses in my judgment. That being said she already faces an uphill battle and this story just made the climb even steeper. Speaking of McCrory I went out to eat at NOFO on Liz Ave last night. And guess who was dining there as well? Our fair Mayor. I was going to engage him in civilized discussion about a variety of issues but some other people approached him first. Then when I was getting ready to walk by I shifted in my seat and knocked a full glass of water across the table toward my dining companion :o I guess I got nervous. And then the food arrived and he left soon after. I totally blew my chance :angry: I guess I should stick to writing emails....

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I quite agree unfortunately. I still plan on voting for Earle and these matters are not major ethical lapses in my judgment. That being said she already faces an uphill battle and this story just made the climb even steeper. Speaking of McCrory I went out to eat at NOFO on Liz Ave last night. And guess who was dining there as well? Our fair Mayor. I was going to engage him in civilized discussion about a variety of issues but some other people approached him first. Then when I was getting ready to walk by I shifted in my seat and knocked a full glass of water across the table toward my dining companion :o I guess I got nervous. And then the food arrived and he left soon after. I totally blew my chance :angry: I guess I should stick to writing emails....
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I don't remember Gantt as mayor (I moved to CLT in 1994, so for 95% of my living here, Mayor Pat's been it), but Gantt does still live in 4W. He lives near 8th and Pine and I've said Hi to him whenever I've walked by and he's been outside his house. Nice guy. I'm a registered Independent and vote heavily Democratic, but I do vote for Mayor Pat during each election. It's not that I agree 100% with every viewpoint he has, but honestly, when do you ever find a politician that you always agree with? To me, it's about the phenomenal growth I've seen in this city since the day I moved here. I've always associated Charlotte's rise in large part on Mayor Pat, whether or not it's the direct result of him, the City Council, the County Commission, or any combination of the aforementioned. But, he's the one very visible person that's been a constant the past 13 or so years.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion of him and any other politico, and they should pick their most important battles and vote for the candidate that most closely aligns themselves with that issue, but for me, Mayor Pat's first and foremost goal has been in taking Charlotte to the next level, and he's gone a long way toward accomplishing that. Now yes, lots of dominos have lined up outside of his actions to make that happen, but I have to give him part of the credit for the growth and success of this city. Not trying to start a riot here, just giving my $0.02. :)

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I'd say that Charlotte's rise has been largely due to the Big 4-Bank of America, Wachovia, Duke Energy and Lowe's-and their flying handmaidens, Charlotte/Douglas and US Airways. Mayor Pat has been an excellent cheerleader and I'd point to LRT and the NASCAR Hall of Fame as two important capital projects for Charlotte for which he has provided solid leadership. But without the Big 4 and Charlotte's international aviation hub, Charlotte might not even be as big and important as the Triad, let alone the Triangle. 3 of the Big 4 pre-date his mayoralty and I doubt he had much to do with luring Lowe's to Mooresville from North Wilkesboro.

Charlotte has a weak-mayor form of government and the mayor has little to do besides wield influence. Given that, I think he's been an excellent mayor, save his paleozoic stance on LGBT issues, which I think results from his future political aspirations outside of the city of Charlotte. I'd like to see him do the following:

1) Lobby for massive road improvements for Charlotte. I77 is disgracefully antiquated near the city center-shame, shame. By the way, are there any lights yet? What about all that litter?

2) Lead a serious effort to protect Charlotte's trees. The trees are Charlotte's signature and if they're ever lost, what a grim place it will be.

3) Recruit another F500 hq or 2 to Charlotte. You can never have too many of those hq's Big 4 notwithstanding. :D

1) requires the ability to coax, cajole, beg things out of Raleigh. He has a little of that (see LRT and the ha'penny tax); he needs more of it. 2) requires getting serious about environmental issues but that would require the finesse of a Bill Clinton and he hasn't shown much finesse. Since he draws a paycheck from Duke Energy, polluter extraordinaire, I sadly am not holding my breath on this 3) he seems most likely to do and capable of doing but I have no idea where any such efforts may currently stand.

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Being an election season any politician worth is salt (pardon the pun) is willing to discuss relevant issues in public places. As I stated in my original post groups of other diners had already stopped by his table and engaged in conversation while I was debating approaching him. There was no rushing the table or yelling and screaming which what some of you seem to think happened :rolleyes: Everyone was very polite and there were no interruptions of anybody's meal. Part time or full time a Mayor is always on the job and even more so during a campaign. McCrory is used to it.

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Paleozoic? I like it. Yes, he's anti-LGBT, but again, he is a Republican. And, speaking of those big corporations, they are pro-LGBT, so for lots of folks living here and working for those those big corporations, of which there are many, they're being supported in a very tangeable way with domestic partner benefits and the tolerant policies of those employers. Pat's views toward lifestyle could very well be the result of his personal beliefs, or political posturing, or both and that's his right (or wrong ;)) . That's one major issue that I disagree with him on, but does his viewpoint really have an impact on the LGBT community living here? I have many gay friends and I've never really heard that Pat's views are a hindrance on their daily existence (other than from a philosophical standpoint), as it seems to me that the LGBT community seems to be thriving. Granted, no one is going to mistake CLT for the Castro District, but have his ideologies negatively impacted that population in day-to-day real life? I'm honestly asking for input here. Again, no flame war necessary.

We like to think of Democratic candidates being of the classic "tax and spend" type. Honestly, I'm fine with that. If we as a community (aka country) don't support our infrastructure, social programs, etc., then who's going do do that for us? China? Iraq? Other than his stance on LGBT issues, I think he has a rather Democratic flavor (LRT, Nascar, general supporting of city projects) as in, 'invest in our city now to build the foundation for a successful future' for Charlotte. Those "dominos" I referred to in my previous post? Those were BofA, Wachovia, Duke, USAirways, etc. I'm guilty - for me, Mayor Pat is "success by association". I'll freely admit it.

And as for 77, that's a state-maintained highway. The 277 lighting? Same deal. Three years ago, I wrote every city council member and county commissioner asking them to explain the sorry state of the safety of our inner-city highways and byways. That whole "solar-powered 277 lighting" thing has been about a year since discussion on a governmental level, and there's been no visible progress. It's funny you mention that because it's been on my mind the past few weeks. Time to write more letters, I guess.

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Turbo, I don't hate Mayor Pat. To the contrary, he's been a wonderful cheerleader for my hometown (yes, I'm a native) and it's mostly only on LGBT issues that I would find a bone to pick with him. I'm thrilled that the city's big 4 welcome gay and lesbian employees but I would point out that the legendary Hugh McColl only instituted domestic partner benefits the day he announced NationsBank was acquiring (the then) BankAmerica in 1998. Hugh is an iconic legend in Charlotte's history, rightfully so, maybe Charlotte's sine qua non but it took someone with his stature to introduce this to Charlotte-not the mayor, then or now. Still, Pat McCrory may be the best mayor that Charlotte can get and may be the best choice for the times, demographics and position in which the city is now situated.

I agree that no one will mistake Charlotte for Castro Street and that's a good thing. Even though Eureka Valley and Diamond Heights are splendid, Castro at 18th is sketchy, dirty and heavy with porn stores. Yet another reason I'm looking to come home.

See my 1) Yes, those roads are the state's responsbility- that's why I said he had to be able to coax, cajole and beg things out of Raleigh. To date, not an unbroken string of success on that score. And yes, he's not the only one that needs to bend Raleigh's ear on these issues.

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1979, you've really nutshelled my viewpoint of Mayor Pat in this phrase: "He's been a wonderful cheerleader for my hometown". Superficial, right, or wrong. ;) The more liberal Center City power players will 'correct' Mayor Pat on the 'personal' issues. Hence, he'll get my vote. What was that infamous line someone once said of Charlotte? "The great State of Mecklenburg"? Dan Quayle couldn't have said better himself!

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I want to state at the outset that I am not trying to create another "gay" thread since the established one is quite thriving. In the context of disagreements I have with McCrory this particular stance is the paramount one. No, our Mayor does not spend his days publicly attacking us like Mayor Naugle in Fort Lauderdale or Commissioner Bill James when he gets the spotlight. I would argue that he is just as detrimental because he has quietly but steadfastly opposed proposals for City domestic partner benefits and or sexual orientation non-discrimination policies. He would proudly veto any attempt. Times have changed and these ordinances are not seen to be as "radical" as they used to be. For goodness sake Winston-Salem City Council unanimously approved a non-discrimination based on sexual orientation policy two months ago. Hardly a "liberal" enclave like Chapel Hill or Asheville. The Mayor does not hold sole responsibility and I know he is in the "weak mayor" form but he does serve as our city's leader mostly symbolic or not. And his stance on this particular issue does a disservice to Charlotte's forward thinking mantra. Gay rights in this town are never going to be a priority. Many people just don't care straight and gay. Charlotte is not a liberal town. We are not "artsy" or and don't have a prominent university to help engender a progressive movement, but that should not serve as a total excuse when cities such as Dallas and Salt Lake are ahead of us on gay rights on the local level. So even though I support Light Rail and other issues pushed by McCrory I can't vote for him.

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I have to agree with metro. Cheerleading is not what Charlotte needs. Sure it's a weak position he's in, but there's been little to no pressure from McCrory to institute changes in Charlotte that would benefit the city in the long run. If you consider a pell-mell rush towards supersprawl, a la Atlanta, a good thing, then yeah, McCrory's done a great job cheerleading us right down that path. In my view, he assumed the mayorship (mayorhood?) at a critical time in Charlotte's growth and rather than try to lead the city down a more environmentally friendly, progressive, people-oriented city, he's allowed corporate interests to have their way with us. We're booming in part because, in my opinion, there is easy money to be had here with few roadblocks and what developer or company is going to pass that up.

No living wage, no restrictions on discrimination (beyond the Federal/State requirements), almost no chance you'll be denied a building permit, lax enforcement of what environmental regulations we have, etc. Of course he's not directly to blame for all these things (well, he did veto the living wage and he opposes any LGBT measures, so those are directly his fault) but he is much more a friend to big business than to the citizens of Charlotte.

I understand that there's a balance. We need business to locate here, we need to develop, and so on. So I'm not advocating Hippie Q. McHemp as our next mayor, but McCrory is too far to the corporate/developer side of the balance.

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I have to agree with metro. Cheerleading is not what Charlotte needs. Sure it's a weak position he's in, but there's been little to no pressure from McCrory to institute changes in Charlotte that would benefit the city in the long run. If you consider a pell-mell rush towards supersprawl, a la Atlanta, a good thing, then yeah, McCrory's done a great job cheerleading us right down that path. In my view, he assumed the mayorship (mayorhood?) at a critical time in Charlotte's growth and rather than try to lead the city down a more environmentally friendly, progressive, people-oriented city, he's allowed corporate interests to have their way with us. We're booming in part because, in my opinion, there is easy money to be had here with few roadblocks and what developer or company is going to pass that up.

No living wage, no restrictions on discrimination (beyond the Federal/State requirements), almost no chance you'll be denied a building permit, lax enforcement of what environmental regulations we have, etc. Of course he's not directly to blame for all these things (well, he did veto the living wage and he opposes any LGBT measures, so those are directly his fault) but he is much more a friend to big business than to the citizens of Charlotte.

I understand that there's a balance. We need business to locate here, we need to develop, and so on. So I'm not advocating Hippie Q. McHemp as our next mayor, but McCrory is too far to the corporate/developer side of the balance.

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I don't know if it's fair to blame McCrory for cultural trends that are outside his control. From my limited experience in Charlotte, it seems like the suburbs are more "diverse" than I remember in other places I have lived. In my burb, the majority were college-educated with a broad range of views and ideas. We had a variety of household types that included single-mothers, gay and lesbian households and plenty of ethnic/racial diversity. Of course, this was in U City-- a place that is actually achieving diversity but is shunned by planner types as crap.

In terms of politics, I *think* my neighbors tended to vote Republican but it was not overwhelming. In fact, many of them were independents.

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I agree that McCrory is not completely responsible for Charlotte's nasty smoggy sprawly state. He is supposed to be our leader though and should set the right example by pushing for responsible growth. He gives lip service of course but will never do more because he is literally in the pocket of one of the biggest development players in town ( Duke Energy). Clearly most Charlotteans see no conflict or problem with this arrangment. It's all part of Charlotte's Good Ole Boy System. The big players in this town run completely roughshod over the citizenry at large. Our "planning dept" rubberstamps everything under the sun and our Mayor Pat is the string puppet for the business interests and everyone else is supposed to "shut up" because they all "know better" :rolleyes:

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Charlotte's smog is a big issue and Duke Energy is a major culprit. But there's this place to Charlotte's southwest that is much larger and spews much more dirt into the air than Charlotte does. Regardless of Charlotte's actions or Duke Energy's actions, that dirt will still blow Charlotte's way, regrettably. It cries out for a comprehensive national solution (clean energy electricity, PZEV automobiles) but we're much more likely to get there in a piecemeal local fashion, I think. The Congress and this not-much-loved President aren't going to accomplish much.

If families have kids in school and they are buying a home, they will almost always choose the best school district that they can get into (unless they plan to use private schools or can get their kids into a specific magnet school.) We are seeing that here in SF, where parents will not consider schools with low test scores or (again regrettably) any school with a high African American population. Except for a few in-town schools like Sharon/Selwyn/AG/MP, the best test scores are found in the newest schools on the city's edge. This means flight to the edge, rather than to the center, creating sprawl and pollution.

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So what I am hearing since I made my post is that McCroy should be credited with all the good here and none of the bad as it isn't his fault. OK. I really didn't expect much of a conversation on this line anyway. I have no doubt he will be elected because Charlotte is a city where the status quo is celebrated over all else.
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