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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Handshake snub caps off heated District 4 candidate forum for Charlotte council
Candidates in the head-to-head contest for Charlotte City Council District 4 traded barbs on Tuesday over development, transparency and affordable housing. The Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum ended on sour terms when incumbent Renee Perkins Johnson didn't shake hands with challenger Wil Russell. They used their closing comments to defend their records and take final swipes at the other. Both focused on Russell's background as a construction manager for affordable housing. Whereas Russell touted his experience as a benefit to addressing the city's desperate housing needs, Johnson criticized him as standing to profit from a city leadership position. She also raised concern over Russell's delayed and missing campaign finance reports. The outcome of the September 9 primary election will determine who represents District 4 on city council for the next two years. The winner will not face a challenger in November's general election. This election marks a rematch of the heated 2023 primary in which Mayor Vi Lyles controversially endorsed Russell over Johnson, who's served alongside Lyles since 2019. Handshake: Why Johnson, Russell are at odds The forum's climactic ending saw Russell stand and extend his arm towards Johnson. She did not return the gesture. In the moments leading up to the exchange, Johnson used her closing comments to portray herself as a steadfast voice for her constituents, even if that means disrupting the status quo. She offered a contrasting image of Russell. 'He's a part of the system where his vote will be controllable. While he falls in line, I've been the one pushing back,' Johnson said. 'My opponent is backed by those same interests and developers who profit while our communities are being left behind and people are displaced.' Russell criticized Johnson's characterization, saying she talks about the need for more affordable housing while diminishing what he does for a living, he said. Russell questioned her record, too. He claimed 40% of her donations in the 2023 election campaign came from the development community. 'Transparency is important. You need to know who you're dealing with, and I don't have anything up my sleeves but armpits,' Russell said. Johnson attempted to rebut his statements but was cut off by moderators, who ended the forum. Rather than grabbing his hand, Johnson looked up at Russell and asked where his campaign reports were. Russell smiled, dropped his hand and turned away. 'I'm interviewing for a part-time job, and you're telling me I'm exploiting the community,' Russell told reporters after the forum. 'I think it's keeping it consistent with her character and the issue with professionalism and being open and honest. This is a campaign. There are going to be disagreements and contrasts, and we have to be professional enough to understand that.' Johnson told reporters she was caught off guard by Russell's closing statements and did not intend to snub his handshake. 'I am a professional. I would've shaken his hand, but if you noticed, I was shocked,' Johnson said. 'He talked about my campaign reports when his campaign reports aren't even viewable.' The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website shows Russell has not yet filed his thirty-five day report, which was due on Aug. 5. A thirty-five day report shows campaign finance information 35 days before an election. Records also show Russell was a year-and-a-half late in filing a year-end finance report for his 2023 campaign, which he just filed this month. District 4 candidates on affordable housing needs Russell highlighted his experience building more than 500 affordable housing units in Charlotte. That's given him an insider understanding of the issue unlike others on council, he said. Developers often recoup construction prices through higher rent prices. Since rent on affordable housing is capped, Russell said developers have a hard time finding ways to finance these units. The city does a good job of building affordable multi- and single-family homes, Russell said, but he would like to see more investment in smaller-scale units. Those projects would cost less to create and can be built more quickly for families who need them. Johnson wants to provide more incentives to developers to help with construction costs, she said. She also wants to improve wages so people can afford to live in the city, she said. She had a hand in raising city employee minimum wage from $23 to $24 an hour this spring and wants to see more work done on that front. Though, she said the city is limited in how it can impact private employers' pay. Johnson proposed the city adopt higher procurement policy standards for organization Charlotte contracts with, which could include an expectation for higher employee wages. Solve the daily Crossword
Axios
01-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Former U.S. transportation secretary: I'm a "yes" vote on transportation sales tax
Former mayor of Charlotte Anthony Foxx says he's a "yes" vote on Mecklenburg County's transportation plan. Why it matters: As the U.S. Transportation Secretary from 2013 to 2017, Foxx has been to all 50 states and seen a "a lot of transit systems." "I've not seen a perfect one, but I have seen some good things," he told attendees during the July 1 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum in Charlotte. The forum, held since the '70s, is a place where the local African-American community discusses pertinent issues. Zoom out: As the forum was taking place, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein took out his pen in Raleigh and signed a bill into law that will empower Mecklenburg County to hold a referendum for a 1-cent sales tax increase for transportation investments. If passed, the tax would generate $19.4 billion over 30 years. What he's saying: Foxx, whose signature transportation project as mayor was the Gold Line streetcar, acknowledged there are parts of House Bill 948, known as the P.A.V.E. Act, that are challenging — "One of them being how prescriptive it is about what needs to be spent on what." The bill requires that 60% of the money be spent on transit and 40% of the funds go to road projects, which could include sidewalks and bike lanes. Former Charlotte mayor pro tem Braxton Winston said he knows the region needs transit, but compared the bill to giving someone dying of thirst a gallon of milk: "It might bring some relief, but it ain't really what you need." Yes, but: Former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt, who chaired the task force that was the driving force behind the sales tax, asked, "What happens if we don't pass this?" Commissioner Leigh Altman said the county would be back to "square zero." Zoom in: Much of the discussion Tuesday focused on avoiding past mistakes, both of Charlotte and other cities. Attendees questioned why the Black community did not benefit from the Blue Line, and discussed how to ensure affordable housing is built and preserved along new rail corridors. Still, most of the room cheered when Rep. Aisha Dew announced that Stein had signed Mecklenburg County's bill. "I know we have a lot to discuss, but it's a good moment to celebrate," she said. The tone shifted to how to get voters, especially Black voters, to support the tax and how they would make the most of the opportunity. Foxx said leaders should think now about who they want to appoint to the 27-member transit authority that would make the big future decisions about how the transit system is built out. You can make it an equitable system, but that's up to us. Pass the referendum. But don't relax. Don't set it and forget it. It's day to day, line to line, stop to stop, driver to driver, brick by brick ... By the way, if we do this well, guess what? We've exercised the muscles that allow us to practice democracy well, more broadly, to show the country that some place can actually figure out how people can live together in a region. So I just think it's an opportunity for this region to demonstrate some things to this country that this country needs to see. — Foxx
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams encourages people to write officials on how gov. cuts are effecting them
CHARLOTTE () — Congresswoman Alma Adams told attendees of the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum that these are turbulent times in Mecklenburg County and across the nation. Adams also told the crowd she and other Democratic leaders are fighting, but they need help from the people. Adams started off the meeting by recognizing National Women's History Month, but cautioned those in the room and online that the current administration led by President Donald Trump is taking millions of dollars from Mecklenburg County residents. She said programs that provide free lunch to students have been cut and she is worried about the mass firings of government employees because many were providing services to constituents. Adams says other benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and veterans services are being targeted as well. Questions over county manager appointment lead to fiery discussion at Cabarrus meeting The Congresswoman said in January, she took an oath to uphold the constitution, and she has many concerns. But notes getting more people involved can call attention to some of the executive orders hurting people in her district. 'It doesn't seem like it, but I can tell you that if enough calls, if enough emails, tweets, texts, whatever it is that you do. That will get the attention,' said Adams. Congresswoman Adams did credit Governor Josh Stein, and NC Attorney General, Jeff Jackson for joining lawsuits that have been filed by other states. Adams added that she feels some of the legislation battles will be won in court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charlotte's Black mayors reveal hopes for Charlotte's future — and issue a challenge
Advancing long-awaited transit plans and promoting private investment in the Black community are key to making Charlotte's economy equitable, current and former mayors said Tuesday. Mayor Vi Lyles joined former mayors Harvey Gantt and Patrick Cannon at the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum as part of its Black History Month series. Former Mayor Anthony Foxx also appeared via video call, which brought together every African American mayor in the city's history. The group discussed their personal journeys and hopes for Charlotte's future. The city 'has been moving the needle' on growing wealth in the African American community, said Gantt, elected in 1983 as Charlotte's first Black mayor. But he would've liked more 'progress' in the decades since he left public office. 'In many ways, I see y'all doing the same thing we were trying to do, the city that is, 30-some years ago. That's not progress to me,' Gantt said. Lyles told attendees many of the city's ongoing initiatives, including efforts to overhaul the region's transportation system, will spur economic growth in communities of color and citywide, making Charlotte 'one of the stars across this country.' Lyles, first elected in 2017 and now in her fourth term as mayor, advocated for the crowd to support the city's transportation plans. If the General Assembly approves a bill crafted by local officials last year, voters will decide the fate of a ballot referendum to raise Mecklenburg County's sales tax to pay for transportation needs. The money would go towards expansion of train and bus services as well as road projects. 'There is a plan. There is a strategy,' Lyles told Tuesday's audience. '... I hope at some point I'll be able to say 'thank you for your support.'' Lyles said public transit is an integral part of the city's economic development strategy that can help more residents access high-quality jobs, education and health care. 'If we can actually have trains, perhaps we can build houses next to trains, and people don't have to spend $5,000 to buy a new car,' she said. Gantt said Tuesday he wants to see more focus in the African American community on the private sector, not local government, driving economic growth. 'I think we should have gotten to the point where the city is not the major instrument by which we see economic improvement in our people,' he said. The former mayor said he's proud to see Charlotte's Black population grow and more Black business leaders accumulate wealth. But he also wants to see those leaders investing more in their communities, both monetarily and with mentorship. 'What we need is an economy that, in fact, goes full force with an engine of private sector involvement by richer Black people in this community who are joining their resources to build solid businesses,' he said. Cannon said the city needs to be 'more intentional to create some upward mobility.' The former mayor, who resigned in 2014 after he was arrested on public corruption charges, noted that he focused on bringing back manufacturing jobs when in office. Charlotte's transition from a blue collar community to more white collar jobs created an economic 'imbalance,' he said. Cannon called for current leaders to consider getting more involved again in job training programs and advocate to bring back events that have left Charlotte, such as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's basketball tournaments. 'Not in all things, but sometimes we should consider going backwards in order to go forward,' he said.
Axios
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Axios
4 quotes from Charlotte's 4 Black mayors
Charlotte's four Black mayors — some of the city's most prominent living history makers — united for a rare discussion this week at the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum in the Belmont neighborhood. During the conversation, they reflected on their upbringings, legacies and the challenges Charlotte faces today. You can watch the full discussion here. Here are some takeaways from the mayors' remarks: Vi Lyles: Red Line is "great opportunity" 2017 — Present "If we get the ability to charge that 1-cent sales tax, I promise you this city will change, and it will change for people of color more than anything else." Why it matters: The Red Line could define the sitting mayor's legacy. The proposed commuter train, connecting Uptown to north Mecklenburg, is decades in the making. The project is finally gaining momentum under Lyles' tenure, and possibly starting construction as soon as 2026. Mayor Lyles spoke of how important it is for the city to create a reliable transportation system that moves people to and from work. Mobility is one of the best ways a city can promote economic mobility. Go deeper: Everything to know about the Red Line Patrick Cannon: Bring the CIAA back 2013 — 2014 (Cannon was arrested in March 2014 after he was elected for public corruption.) "What sense does it make for us to let something go that's on average bringing in $47 million a year to our city? Creating opportunity for many people that look like us, right? We need to continue to go back, I think, sometimes on some things — not all things — but in order to go forward. And I think we have the leadership here to be able to do that because I believe it's about time for that thing to be up in Baltimore, Maryland. It needs to come back to the city of Charlotte." Why it matters: The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's is a historically Black athletic conference that includes Johnson C. Smith University. Charlotte hosted the CIAA's basketball tournament from 2006 to 2020. In 2021, Baltimore outbid the city for the tournament, which was once Charlotte's largest annual event. Some suggested the city let the tournament slip away and took it for granted. Bringing it back could be a major boost for Uptown's revitalization and a win for the Black community. The CIAA tournament is described as a celebration of Black excellence and HBCU pride. Baltimore is slated to host the tournament through 2026. Mayor Lyles says that council member Malcolm Graham reminds her daily, "We're going to get the CIAA." Anthony Foxx: Still "bullish" on the Gold Line 2009 — 2013 Foxx was the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2013 to 2017 under President Obama. "I'm still very bullish on [the Gold Line]. It has a different challenge than the South corridor line did. The South corridor was built along more or less abandoned industrial sites. The street car's being built in a highly (residential) area. So, the development of it is going to have to be much more careful, and it's got to be done with the community. But we're starting to see the Beatties Ford Road corridor become more of a corridor of opportunity." Why it matters: The Gold Line, once dubbed the"biggest political football" of Foxx's tenure, faced strong opposition and remains controversial today. Critics argue it fails to move people effectively, and often gets stuck amid traffic. Still, CATS is pushing forward with a six-mile expansion, including an additional two miles along Beatties Ford Road. It expects to continue gaining ridership by looking at options like signal priority. Go deeper: Why CATS is moving forward with the $845M Gold Line streetcar extension Harvey Gantt: "We have close to a thousand Black millionaires in Charlotte ... Are they visible to you?" 1983 — 1987 "We should have gotten to the point where the city is not the major instrument by which we see economic improvement in our people ... I see [the city government] doing the same thing we were trying to do ... 37 years ago. That's not progress to me." Why it matters: Charlotte's first Black mayor expressed disappointment in the community's partnership toward promoting upward mobility. He says the economy needs the full force of private sector involvement from wealthy Black leaders who build businesses and can join resources.
