Incumbent or challenger? Challenger
Age: 51
Campaign website: None
Occupation and employer: Executive director, The Open Door Program
Previous elective experience (including election campaigns): None
Civic and volunteer
experience (including service on city commissions and boards): Volunteered serving lunch with Good Shepherd's Kitchen in Burlington, worked with homeless in Greensboro's first Transition Housing for the Homeless program, sponsored food drives and worked with landlords and tenants in mediation
Education (highest degree
attained and name of institution): High school diploma, Walter Hines Page Sr. High School
Party registration: Democratic (nonpartisan contest)
Where were you born? Greensboro
Paid consultants working on your campaign: None
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
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.
The decision whether to open or keep closed, White Street Landfill, I think, has divided our city racially, economically and socially. Because I am not yet a member of the council, I do not have all the information available to the current members, although I think any future growth or development to the east side of town could be hindered by a fully operational landfill. And the people who live near the landfill would suffer in terms of the real estate value of their greatest investment, their homes. I think more thought should be put into alternative methods for disposal of the waste.
Where do you stand on the “strong manager” form of city government and why?
Our city deserves a manager who is qualified to make well thought-out decisions that will impact the community in a positive way. He or she should not be micro-managed by the city council, but he should involve the council in the decision-making process. Their knowledge of city government, I think, will enhance any decisions he makes.
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 most definitely place more emphasis on the quality of our water and sewer. The fund is needed so that we can stay competitive with other cities who are trying to attract new business to their area. We need to keep the fund strong so that we can maintain, and in the future, enhance the infrastructure of our water and sewer process.
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 with the reality that the revenue picture remains bleak?
The council as a whole would have to look carefully at what funds are available. It’s somewhat like a wire balancing act when it comes to which services should get more or [less] funding. It’s obvious we need increased police patrol presence [as] the city grows. And we also need increased fire protection force. I would suggest soliciting and encouraging our citizens to volunteer in helping maintain our parks in whatever capacity they can.
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.
I think that it’s important for city staff and the city council to always have an open line of communication concerning any decisions about money being spent to enhance our community, especially federal funding. The oversight should not be imposed unless city staffers have serious issues with how the money should be spent.
How would you assess the value and effectiveness of Greensboro’s Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy program, which is now prohibited by state law?
It was prohibited by state law, but I think it was effective in that it held all landlords accountable. The so-called slumlords make it difficult for the landlords and rental agencies that do comply with the rules and laws.
How should the impasse over management and operation of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market be resolved?
Although the council has voted and resolved this issue, it is my feeling that the farmers and vendors who participate should always have a voice in any decision agreed upon.
What, if anything, should be done to resolve racial tensions, and to enhance professionalism, integrity and fairness within the Greensboro Police Department?
All police personnel should be required to go through a sensitivity course. Our city has such a large mix of races, ethnicities and religions. The Greensboro Police Department has the unenviable job of trying to maintain law, peace and order in an atmosphere where there will always be racial tension. Professionalism, integrity and fairness should be prerequisites before hiring.
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?
As our city grows and expands, I would like to see more “close-knit” communities and essential businesses, i.e. grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping centers, etc. closer to these communities.
What is Greensboro’s greatest asset? What is Greensboro’s most pressing problem?
Our citizens’ love of community and their willingness to aid each other in time of crises is our greatest asset. Although the city council can’t solve all of our problems and issues to everyone’s satisfaction, a more unified city council that is willing to work with each other and put personal feeling aside can accomplish great things for our city!
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