Post Election

Naturally I'm disappointed that I wasn't elected to City Council, but having come from an unknown position just four months ago and giving my well known opponents a degree of heart burn was gratifying to me. The sheer number of the votes - there were 88,511 votes cast for at-large candidates - says a great deal about the level of concern for the well being of our city. The new council will be challenged to follow up on promises made to bring about real change in city government.

The City Council has an opportunity to show true leadership by example: it can take steps to make a final determination on the David Wray termination and do what it right for the community by clearing his name and record; it can assure us the police department is rid of officers who tarnish its clean image; and it can take a tough, zero tolerance policy on crime and gang violence and push efforts to combat this threat to our well being.

Balancing growth with the ability to provide basic city services should be a priority objective of the new council. We need to get ahead of the curve on this so continued fast growth does not result in deteriorating quality of life issues for our citizens.

I will be watching the new City Council to see if its members are as good as their words. I learned a great deal about local politics that will be useful in a couple of years if the new council comes up short on leadership and ability to get things done.

What the November 6 Election really means

Leadership has been on vacation from the City Council, but has a good chance of returning after the November 6 election.

I look forward to taking a seat on the next council and getting to work on the formidable challenges that lay ahead. The new City Council can ill afford to be complacent and conduct business as usual. Stronger alliances with the business community and educational interests are essential to rebuilding respect for the city's ability to achieve positive results on the critical issues such as growing crime and violence, achieving balance between growth and our ability to provide essential services, budget fiscal responsibility, and smart interface with the business community.

As a member of the new City Council, I believe we should immediately address issues that have ripped the community for the past few years. The new City Council should openly discuss the impact of the long Bledsoe series and look at the issues he has raised. We can determine if they are matter-of-fact, or unfounded. The matter of David Wray should be opened to discussion and resolved without delay. We owe this to Wray and to the officers who served under him, and to the many citizens who want a resolution that will restore a lot of lost pride in our city. We must make a decision on our city management to make sure the executive leadership is the one needed for the path ahead.

The new City Council must set an example of proficiency and community that will encourage civic involvement. I would like to see frequent meetings between council members and residents to discuss issues, concerns, and frank appraisal of the job the council is doing. I would like to see working sessions with business interests to listen to their plans and coordinate efforts to further their goals that will benefit the city.

If the new City Council goes to work in earnest, addresses unanswered questions, and maps a course of progress for all to see, I believe we will have a good start on the road to restored trust and respect in city government. It will be up to us to lead and show that we can get the job done for the good of all Greensboro citizens.