Yvonne Johnson

Residential address: King Arthur Place (map)

Incumbent or challenger: Challenger

Age: 69

Campaign website: yvonnejohnson4citycouncil.com (link)

Endorsement: Dorothy Brown, Carolina Peacemaker, Greensboro Police Officers Association, Guilford County Community PAC, News & Record, Occupy Greensboro Media Group, Professional Fire Fighters of Greensboro, Replacements Limited PAC and YES! Weekly

Occupation and employer: Executive director, One Step Further

Previous elective experience: Greensboro mayor, 2007-2009; city council, 1993-2009, including mayor pro tem, 2001-2007

Civic volunteer experience (including service on city commissions and boards): Golden Leaf Foundation Board of Directors; Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors; member, Malachi House board of directors; helped found Summit House and helped bring Delancey Street to Greensboro; first president, Women’s Resource Center; chairwoman of the board of Trustees, Bennett College; Piedmont Triad Partnership; Downtown Greensboro Inc.; Transportation Advisory Committee; liaison, Willow Oaks and Southside; has served on the boards of Foster Friends, Sports Dreams and the Greensboro Arts Council. ADD: member, Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Advisory Committee

Education (highest degree attained and name of institution): Masters in guidance and counseling, NC A&T University

Party registration: Democrat (nonpartisan race)

What is the city and state of your birth? Greensboro

Paid consultants working on your campaign: None

Your campaign manager: Alice Barbee

Campaign co-chairs: None at the time of interview (June 28)

Treasurer: Patsye Drew

Do you favor or oppose reopening the White Street Landfill for household waste, beyond the small amount of sewer sludge currently accepted?

I oppose the reopening of the White Street Landfill for household waste. Studying the map of Greensboro in reference to where future growth is likely to occur, District 2 has the greatest potential for economic growth. Reopening the White Street Landfill would negatively affect economic growth and development. It also amounts to a breach of contract to the citizens of District 2.

There is no other major city in North Carolina that has a landfill within its city limits. I believe this has to do with long-range economic development planning.

Lastly, to reopen the landfill will have a negative environmental effect on air quality and health of citizens in this area.

Where do you stand on the “strong manager” form of city government and why?

I favor the strong manager form of government for our city. It has been cost-effective and efficient for years. A strong council form of government is very costly, requiring full-time representation. Many council members have full-time jobs. What is effective is for council to set goals and objectives for the two-year period they were elected to serve, and evaluate the city manager on how successful the goals and objectives are accomplished.

Should the city of Greensboro place more or less emphasis on maintaining a healthy water and sewer fund to plan for future growth? Why or why not?

The city should place a high value on maintaining a healthy water and sewer fund for future growth. National Analysis predicts the Piedmont Triad area is one targeted for growth. To accommodate “smart growth,” water and sewer quality and capacity, site-ready tracts, quality of life issues, satisfactory services, etc. are of key importance.

The city’s tax base has remained flat for the past two years in a row, and the foreclosure crisis continues unabated. As a member of the city council, how would you balance the need to fund services such as police patrol, fire protection and park maintenance that citizens care about with the reality that the revenue picture remains bleak?

There are certain services that the city is responsible for providing (police, fire, water, sewer, waste management, libraries, parks & rec., etc.). These must be our first priorities. However, it is vital that we are visionary about the future and the quality of life 10 years down the road. There are calculated risks that elected officials must weigh based on potential tax revenue, and quality of life. We must maintain a positive and vital spirit in Greensboro in order to attract progress.

Do you believe that city staff deserves council support to implement a program to spend federal grant money to improve the energy efficiency of residences and businesses, or does this program warrant additional oversight from council? Briefly explain your position.

Council support would be a motivating factor. Getting input is always helpful. Indecision and micro-management is not beneficial.

How would you assess the value and effectiveness of Greensboro’s Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy program, which is not prohibited by state law?

Rental Unit Certificate Occupancy was very helpful. It offered a process for renters to live in safe and healthy homes, apartments, etc. It did not necessarily rely on tenant complaints. I fear the few landlords who do not maintain their properties will continue and be worse.

How should the impasse over management and operation of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market be resolved?

I think the farmers market being run by a nonprofit is the right decision. I understand farmers, vendors, consumers and city government were involved in the process. Having this diverse participation in the design and process is fair.

What, if anything, should be done to resolve racial tensions, and to enhance professionalism, integrity and fairness within the Greensboro Police Department?

There are a number of training programs that may be beneficial. They must be mandated and the administration must adopt a no-tolerance policy for behavior that is not professional, racist, bigoted and unfair.

What would you change about Greensboro’s land use patterns if the decision were yours to make? Please answer the question in terms of places people live, work and shop, in terms of the modes of transportation people use to get from point to point and the vitality of neighborhoods and commercial corridors?

I would have a group of citizens from across the city evaluate where we are, tweak the plan and remove what is no longer beneficial. This must be a citizen driven process.

What is Greensboro’s greatest asset? What is Greensboro’s most pressing problem?

Greensboro has many great assets — our quality of life, our diversity, our colleges and universities and law school, our facilities that are used for sports, recreation and major tournaments, but mostly, our greatest asset is our citizens who strive to contribute their gifts and talents so that Greensboro can be the best it can be.

Our most pressing problem in Greensboro is the need for jobs, economic development, and restoring trust to the citizens by its elected officials.

Articles about this candidate:

YES! endorsements (link)

2011 general election voter guide (link)

Danny Thompson's specious landfill numbers (link)

Greensboro primary: at-large analysis (link)

Mayoral challenger Perkins swamps incumbent Knight (link)

A&T vote inspires fiery city council campaigning (link)

2011 primary election endorsement & voter guide (link)

At-large candidates in Greensboro municipal election struggle to differentiate themselves (link)

Campaign trail: Jim Kee kickoff (link)

Northeast Greensboro council incumbent challenges the challengers (link)