Winston-Salem City Council races starting to heat up

On a hot, humid day, James Taylor, 28, appeared before a crowd of approximately 40 supporters at the Ken Carlson Boys & Girls Club in Winston- Salem and asked those in attendance for their support as he seeks to win the Democratic nomination for to represent the city’s Southeast Ward. “A wise man once said you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution,” Taylor said. “I’ve dedicated my life to making a difference.”

Taylor, a juvenile justice counselor, said it was only appropriate that he kick off his campaign at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club since the nonprofit has been such a big part of his life. Taylor said he worked for the Salvation Army after getting his degree in criminal justice.

He then outlined his platform in broad strokes — including increased economic development for the Southeast Ward, investment in green energy, and improved communication between the citizens and the city council. Taylor then referred to his youth, and the need for new, progressive ideas in city government.

“I don’t look like the people on the council but to get where we’re going, we have to think progressively,” he said. “Everything was designed to pass on to that next generation.

We are that next generation. We stand poised to lead.” Taylor’s Obama-like message resonated with his supporters who cheered loudly at different points during his remarks. He told them his goal is public service, not the pursuit of a personal agenda.

“It’s not about me. It’s about you,” he said. Six days later, Taylor spoke to attendees at the fifth annual Twin City Texas Pete RibFest at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds. The biggest challenge for Taylor was finding residents of the Southeast Ward to share his campaign platform with. At one point, Taylor was trying to convince two Kernersville residents to volunteer for his campaign. A short while later, the candidate spoke with a man who had past dealings with Evelyn Terry, the incumbent city councilwoman who represents the Southeast Ward. The man, who asked not to be identified, spoke about an issue of putting in a fire hydrant next to his church in the Southeast Ward. He said he felt disappointed in the lack of support he received from Terry. However, the man said he lives in the city’s North Ward and therefore, could not vote for Taylor.

Wayne Patterson, 38, joined Taylor at Rib- Fest on June 12 to speak with voters about his candidacy to represent the city’s North Ward. Patterson, a senior attorney with Patterson & Associates, made his way through the scores of people at the event, introducing himself and informing people of his candidacy for city council. Patterson said the recent news of Winston-Salem Dash owner Billy Prim’s proposal to have the city invest an additional $15.7 million in the downtown ballpark highlighted the city’s lack of support for small businesses.

Patterson said if he is elected to city council, he will advocate for a different approach to economic development — an approach that favors small business owners and creates jobs. Patterson said small businesses fuel the economy of the North Ward, and the city needs to come up with a plan to entice small businesses to take out low-interest loans.

“We have to be much more lenient with small business loans and not try to put small businesses through a lot of red tape,” Patterson said. “We need to give small business owners the opportunity to apply for loans in a way that’s going to fuel the economy and create jobs now. We can’t wait for next year for a change. We have to have a change right now. That’s our whole campaign slogan — a change right now.” Patterson said another top priority of his campaign is improved public safety, which would include increased interaction between police officers and young people. Also, Patterson said he would like to create a more open, honest dialogue between the city council and constituents in the North Ward. On Friday, Patterson said he spoke with 25 residents and eight different businesses while campaigning in the North Ward. Last month, Nelson Malloy, the longtime representative for the North Ward, announced he would retire when his term expires later this year opening up the race for Democratic hopefuls like Patterson.

“Almost everyone out there supported my campaign. They just felt it’s time for a change,” Patterson said. “Right now, the North Ward is frustrated. I know because I have been out there every day. I’ve told them, ‘We can’t change it next year. We have to change it right now.’” Both Taylor and Patterson will face formidable challengers in their respective quests for city council seats. Taylor faces longtime incumbent Terry for the Democratic nomination.

Terry boasted her accomplishments during her four years on city council in a press release announcing her intention to run for re-election, including bringing $675,000 in infrastructure improvements to the ward. However, Terry said this campaign is about the future of Winston-Salem and electing a leader with a proven track record of success.

James Taylor, a juvenile court counselor, announced he plans to challenge Winston-salem city councilwoman evelyn Terry in the Democratic primary to represent the southeast Ward during a campaign kickoff rally at the ken carlson Boys and Girls club in Winston-salem on June 6. (photo by keith T. Barber)

“My focus moving forward with re-election is to attract new 21 st century jobs — jobs that are knowledge based, using green technology and techniques,” Terry said. Terry said she created the first weatherization program in the city’s history and played a key role in the city receiving a $1 million grant from the US Department of Energy “that became a model for the state of North Carolina for low income energy conservation.”

Terry said the race for the Southeast Ward will be won by “the one with wisdom and a willingness to change with purpose” and all that matters is positive action and results.

Patterson also faces a tough Democratic challenger in Dee Dee Adams, who recently announced she will run for Malloy’s seat in the North Ward. A political veteran, Adams ran for NC House in 1990 but lost to Warren P. Odom by just over 100 votes. Adams current serves as the Democratic Party’s first vice-chair for the 5th Congressional District. She said the top two planks of her campaign platform are public safety and annexation issues.

Adams expressed confidence in Winston- Salem Police Chief Scott Cunningham and his ability to transform the culture within the department. She said it took a change in leadership at the top to bring reform to the Winston-Salem PD. “With the hiring of Chief Cunningham, Winston-Salem is driving to be a police department that is fair and just in everything they do,” she said. “He’s shown he’s a listener and he wants to do the right thing.”

If elected to city council, Adams said she would advocate an annexation procedure that gives residents a greater voice in the process.

vative, if you’re going to spend government funds, you’ve got to spend it wisely.” Mayor Allen Joines announced last month that he will seek a third term in office. Joines said economic development would serve as the cornerstone of his 2009 campaign.

“We’re going to be announcing a new economic development plan that will create 30,000 jobs in the next 10 to 12 years,” Joines said. “We’re going to push for the community to get behind that and for Winston to regain stature of being a top metro area by maintaining that level of job creation.”

Joines has worked for the city in some capacity since 1971. He said experience in government is critical to future success at this point in history.

“I have the ability to build collaborations. I’ve worked hard to support the business community and the neighborhoods over my entire career,” he said. Earlier this month, council members Dan Besse, Robert Clark, Molly Leight and Vivian Burke announced their intention to run for re-election. Wanda Merschel said she would make an official announcement regarding her plans in the weeks to come. Besse said public safety is his top priority as he seeks his third term on the council. His second priority is creating good economic opportunities for everyone in the community by improving the transportation infrastructure.

“In the longer run, I think a regional light rail system will help the economies of Winston-Salem and Greensboro, but in the meantime, the bus system needs improvement and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure must be improved,” he said. Besse’s third priority is improving the quality of life for all Winston-Salem residents.

Clean air and water, the protection of trees and the maintenance of public parks are a public health issue, Besse said. “If someone says trees don’t matter, they just don’t get it,” he added.

Besse, 54, acknowledged he might face a young Republican challenger in the November general election, but age shouldn’t be an issue.

“Your chronological age is not the chief issue. It’s your level of involvement in the community,” he said. “If your only selling point is you’re young, that’s not good.”