Residential address: Lord Jeff Drive (map)
Incumbent or challenger: Incumbent
Age: 53
Campaign website or blog: votejimkee.com
Endorsements: Dorothy Brown, Carolina Peacemaker, Greensboro Police Officers Association, News & Record, Professional Fire Fighters of Greensboro, Replacements Limited PAC, Rhinoceros Times and YES! Weekly
Occupation and employer: Owner, Kee Development Corp.
Previous elective experience:
Serving first term on council
Civic volunteer experience
(including service on city commissions and boards): City council liaison to the Greensboro Human Relations Commission,
Heart of the Triad, Housing Development Partnership and the Piedmont Triad
Regional Council; Mayor’s Steering Committee (a citizens’ board that advised then-Mayor
Yvonne Johnson), 2007-2009; board of directors, Greensboro Historical Museum
(past); previously served on Board of Adjustments and as chairman of the
Firemen’s Relief Fund; member, Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro
Education (highest degree
attained and name of institution): BS in
economics, NC A&T University
Party registration: Democrat (nonpartisan contest)
Where were you born? Garysburg
What year did you move to
Greensboro? In 1977 to attend college,
returned in 1989 and has lived here since
Paid consultants working on
your campaign: None
Campaign manager: Jessica Foster-Bragg
Treasurer: Jack Zimmerman
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 reopening the White Street Landfill because it places the burden of waste disposal for Greensboro on the backs of citizens in District 2 and is dividing our city. Filling Phase 3 eliminates a place for emergency solid waste disposal, increases the cost of disposal in 4.5 years wiping out any short-term savings realized and does not address the problem long term.
Where do you stand on the “strong manager” form of city government and why?
I favor the strong manager form of government because the city manager’s training and experience makes him the most qualified person to manage our city and staff.
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?
Maintaining a healthy water and sewer fund is crucial to economic development and the future growth of Greensboro.
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?
We have to expand small business development and continue to attract new businesses. We also have to continually consolidate departments when feasible and look more seriously at working closer with Guilford County.
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.
This program has been massaged and should be implemented as is with no additional oversight needed. Staff always deserves council support.
How would you assess the value and effectiveness of Greensboro’s Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy program, which is now prohibited by state law?
RUCO without a doubt improved the rental housing stock in Greensboro. We now have a complaint-driven program.
How should the impasse over management and operation of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market be resolved?
It should be awarded to Greensboro Farmers Market Inc. with careful observation of operations by the city.
What, if anything, should be done to resolve racial tensions, and to enhance professionalism, integrity and fairness within the Greensboro Police Department?
A police policy review committee consisting of a cross section of citizens should be established along with a culturally diverse training program for officers. Promotions must continue to be based on merit.
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?
Future neighborhoods should be mixed use with commercial corridors on the perimeters so citizens can have more opportunity to live, work and shop near their residences. This will reduce travel time, cost and negative environmental impact.
What is Greensboro’s greatest asset? What is Greensboro’s most pressing problem?
Our greatest assets are a diverse workforce and location. Most pressing problem is unemployment.
Articles about this candidate:
Taxes and spending: Where Greensboro City Council candidates stand (link)
A&T votes inspires fiery city council campaigning (link)
2011 primary election endorsement & voter guide (link)
Wade, Knight make no apologies for landfill decision (link)
Candidates take message to east Greensboro voters (link)
Campaign trail: Jim Kee kickoff (link)
Northeast Greensboro council incumbent challenges the challengers (link)
Vendor selection in landfill decision questioned (link)
Candidate profile: Jim Kee (link)
Landfill fight estranges human relations commission from council (link)
