Marikay Abuzuaiter

Residential address: Brassfield Oaks Drive (map)

Incumbent or challenger? Challenger

Age: 57

Campaign website or blog: Facebook (link)

Endorsements: Dorothy Brown, Carolina Peacemaker, Greensboro Police Officers Association, Guilford County Community PAC, Muslims for a Better North Carolina, Occupy Greensboro Media Group, Professional Fire Fighters of Greensboro and YES! Weekly

Occupation and employer: Owner, Mahi’s restaurant, co-owner, curb markets and apartments

Previous elective experience (including election campaigns): Candidate for at-large seat on council in 2007 and 2009

Civic and volunteer experience (including service on city commissions and boards): Vice-chair (2010-2011), Greensboro Human Relations Commission, chair of the International Advisory Committee, member of Montgomery/Wells Housing Committee; charter member of LYFE (Love, Youth, Faith and Empowerment) anti-gang initiative, member, Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro; member, East Market Merchants Association; member, Greensboro Landlords Association; graduate, Greensboro Citizens Academy; graduate, IMPACT Greensboro; member, International Refugee Task Force; member, League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad; volunteer, Greensboro Neighborhood Congress; member, Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice

Education (highest degree attained and name of institution): Bachelor’s degree, Greensboro College

Party registration: Democrat (nonpartisan contest)

Where were you born? Plant City, Fla.

What year did you move to Greensboro? 1972

Paid consultants working on your campaign: None

Campaign manager: Jo Isler

Treasurer: Paul Stutts

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

I oppose opening the White Street Landfill and have been adamant about this for years. How can we as a city justify having a dump located close to the center of our city? After reviewing and researching all aspects of the White Street Landfill the only conclusion is that the landfill is a detriment to enticing economic development to the eastern part of our city – who would want to live or bring businesses to an area that will be overrun with traffic, vermin and the possibility of an environmental disaster? What about the due diligence of several of our current city council members in listening to the concerns of the citizens? Health concerns, environmental, racial and traffic concerns have not been addressed. We must think regionally and technology-based for our municipal solid waste concerns!

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

The strong manager form of government was implemented to ensure that our city is run by a qualified professional whose knowledge and expertise would oversee the daily running of our city. I support this concept implicitly! Several members of our current council are trying to micro-manage our departments and I see good, professional city employees with years of experience deciding to leave or retire. If the council believes that the city manager is doing an exceptional job (which they just expressed recently), then they should let him do his job!

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 more emphasis on maintaining a healthy water/sewer fund! Our water and sewer infrastructure is in dire straits and in order to entice new businesses we must have top-notch infrastructure in place. We have had roadways collapsing due to antiquated water and sewer lines – this is not an attraction to bring new businesses to Greensboro! Also, I do not believe water rates should have been reduced 6 percent by city council. Those funds should have been saved for needed repairs and emergency repairs.

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 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?

I believe council must find common ground to entice businesses to Greensboro which will certainly increase our tax base. Having “site ready” tracts developed has seemed to work well for other cities in attracting new businesses. We also need to retain the businesses that are currently in operation in Greensboro. I have seen firsthand the closing of many good small businesses which, of course, affects our tax base. We must also put faith in the city manager’s ability to implement the city’s MAP plan which lists five goals for our city – the fifth one being fiscal stewardship and accountability to ensure efficiency in all city departments.

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 must support city staff in implementation of the federal energy efficiency grant! I do not believe that this program needs additional oversight from council. The original intent of the federal energy grant was two-fold: to heighten the awareness of energy efficiency in eastern Greensboro where it is sorely needed and to enhance the viability of attracting new business to the area. With energy efficient accomplishments in place it could actually attract business to an area of Greensboro that has been neglected for economic growth and with the implementation of the grant the jobs created would be a boon to those starting businesses and seeking jobs in the “green” sector.

How would you assess the value and effectiveness of Greensboro’s Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy program, which is now prohibited by state law?

I was a member of the Montgomery/Wells Housing Committee of the Human Relations Commission which prepared a resolution in support of RUCO. While it was tabled at the council meeting and ultimately prohibited by state law. Should there be any other form of inspection process in the future, I believe that all stakeholders who are interested in making Greensboro’s rental community better should have a seat at the table.

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

In answering this – the decision was just made at the last council meeting – I would certainly hope that the character and those vendors involved in the farmers market are all allowed to have a “say” in how it is operated. The market is a valuable asset to our community and draws our community closer in many respects.

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

Open dialogue and respect for all citizens is a “must” in any city department and especially in law enforcement. I truly believe that more visibility in the community at forums and community events will ensure that a respectful dialogue will fall into place. I have personally witnessed more relationship building with the police department and feel that the more the police department partners with citizens, the better our city will benefit. As chair of the International Advisory Committee, we are partnering with the police department to address concerns from our international community. Everyone must feel safe and secure as a resident and in their rights as residents.

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?

If it were my decision – I would listen to what the citizens want to see in land use patterns. The 2025 comprehensive plan was developed by a group of citizens who have a vision of what our city should look like in 2025. They hope to see neighborhoods go back to the “sense of community” where all can live, work and play. Reduction of urban sprawl and connectivity in areas of transportation were of utmost concern. Quality of life in Greensboro is a right that every resident should have the opportunity to obtain. By listening to residents whether in the Comprehensive Plan or by current community input is a must for anyone seeking a council seat.

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

Greensboro’s greatest asset is its residents! We are lucky to have such a diverse citizenry with talents, knowledge and expertise that we must allow to grow and be nurtured. There are so many residents who are willing to serve on boards and commission to volunteer their time and talents to make Greensboro an exemplary city. Unfortunately, those appointments are sometimes made politically instead of what might be best for our city.

Our most pressing problem is the lack of jobs and economic development that several on the current council promised in their campaigns. Our poverty and unemployment rates are increasing daily and we need to work quickly and diligently to get our residents back to work. For this to be accomplished, we must have “site-ready” development to entice companies to locate their businesses in Greensboro It is also imperative that we not “forget” those businesses large and small who are struggling to “stay” in business in these hard economic times.

Articles about this candidate:

Danny Thompson's specious landfill numbers (link)

Greensboro primary: at-large analysis (link)

Mayoral challenger Perkins swamps incumbent Knight (link)

Campaign website exaggerates discussion of restaurant tax (link)

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

2011 primary election endorsement & voter guide (link)

Candidates take message to east Greensboro voters (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)

Campaign season underway in Greensboro municipal elections (link)