As predicted, Dianne Bellamy-Small has switched from the mayor's race to District 1.
Bellamy-Small has represented District 1 since 2003, but as recently as yesterday, DJ Hardy was the only candidate in the race.
Bellamy-Small's decision to file for mayor had prompted intense speculation about her motives. Her decision to switch improves at-large Councilman Robbie Perkins' chances at unseating incumbent Bill Knight in the mayor's race.
Showing posts with label DJ Hardy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DJ Hardy. Show all posts
Candidate profile: Donnell 'DJ' Hardy
District 1 candidate Donnell "DJ" Hardy (right) fields questions from reporter Jordan Green on the patio at Cafe Europa. (photo by Daniel McKelvey Jr.)
UPDATE: As predicted, Dianne Bellamy-Small officially switched from the mayor's race to District 1 today (Aug. 10).
ORIGINAL POST: Donnell “DJ” Hardy had been called up for jury duty. As of noon today, he was still waiting to see if he would be summoned to service. He had until 2 p.m. to be back at Guilford County Courthouse. I found him waiting at the patio of Café Europa. Daniel McKelvey Jr., his campaign manager, and Kristen Jeffers, his communications director, joined us.
With three days left before the end of filing, Hardy is currently the sole candidate for the District 1 seat on Greensboro City Council. Prior to the filing period Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small had been coy about whether she would seek reelection in the district. Then, on the first day of filing, she made an official bid for mayor, surprising everyone, including Hardy.
Hardy said two years ago Bellamy-Small suggested he consider running in District 1, but he said it was an off-handed comment, and even as recently as this year he wasn’t sure if he wanted to run in the district. At the time of the comment, Hardy was an at-large candidate. He didn’t clear the primary that year, but his candidacy earned him name recognition and respect from other candidates.
Hardy serves as controller of A&D Environmental in his 9-5 job. Considering recent events, I naturally wanted to hear his thoughts about the downgrading of the US bond rating and its possible implications for the city of Greensboro’s creditworthiness. He told me he has read three articles about the US bond rating that he hoped would clarify the matter for him, but came away even more confused.
The downgrading of the US bond rating creates “a new environment,” Hardy said, adding that local governments’ reliance on federal funding is a cause for concern. He stopped short of saying that the city should put the brakes on new borrowing.
“I consider myself pretty cautious to begin with,” Hardy said, “so I don’t think this will impact my decision making. It will impact the overall cost of the bonds, but for those who voted to support those bonds we have an obligation to issue them.”
The candidate said he sees a pattern of inequality in how the city prioritizes bond projects.
“I’ve seen plans for Ole Asheboro that go back to 1979,” Hardy said. “A large portion of that work has been delayed time and time again…. There should be a more fair way of paying for things that have been popularly supported.”
Finance Director Rick Lusk said by law the state has up to 13 years to spend bond money approved by voters through a referendum. The city has seven years to issue bonds, but can apply for a three-year extension from the NC Local Government Commission. After bonds are issued, the Internal Revenue Service requires the city to spend at least 85 percent of the proceeds within three years. Lusk said the city issued the final portion of its 2000 bond cycle last October.
Voters approved a bond to finance an aquatic center in 2008. Less than three years later, the aquatic center is scheduled to open any day now.
“I’ve never gotten how this truly benefits the community,” Hardy said. “You’ve got an asset that is drawing on city funds and drawing interest, and you’ve got neighborhoods that still need sidewalks, and — I would say — buses that need GPS systems. District 1 residents are tired of it. District 2 is not far behind. They’ve got a special circumstance. They’re in the crosshairs to save money. And yet some areas still don’t have sidewalks.”
Hardy said reopening the White Street Landfill — probably the single most important issue in this election — is unfair to the residents of northeast Greensboro who live in District 2 and also demoralizing to their counterparts in District 1. Both are minority-majority districts that primarily cover the east side of the city.
The candidate said he’s disappointed the current council hasn’t looked into ways to increase recycling as a means of reducing the city’s waste stream. He added that while using alternative technologies to convert waste to energy might not be viable for all of the city’s household waste it makes sense to start with a portion of the trash and gradually expand.
While praising Chief Ken Miller, Hardy said he wants to make the police department more accountable.
“We have to be a little more stringent about who we allow to remain an officer of the law,” he said. “We have standards. If they have a disregard for the law, they shouldn’t remain on the force.”
Hardy said he would be open to the idea of a citizen review board with subpoena power.
“They operate under the assumption that investigations are the backbone of the legal process,” Hardy said. “If they respect investigations as the way they deliver justice, why would they have a problem with them as a means of gathering evidence?”
Having sat through a number of city council meetings and having addressed the body on occasion over the past two years, Hardy is well aware of its fractious nature and the stubborn racial divide in municipal politics that often pits the representatives of districts 1 and 2 against their counterparts in majority-white districts 3, 4 and 5.
“It really gets back to, can people who disagree still hold each other in esteem and respect,” he said. “If they don’t esteem and respect each other, they should still hold the positions of representation in esteem and respect.”
He described turnout in the past two elections — 18.1 percent in 2009 and 20.1 percent in 2007 — as “upsetting,” arguing that such thin participation undermines any claim to a political mandate or meaningful representation.
“There’s not really a comprehensive agenda for the city,” Hardy said. “You’ve got a bunch of people claiming to represent the city. But there’s no way to hold them accountable because there’s no agenda that got them there.”
He downplays the significance of the Connections 2025 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by the council in 2003 with citizen input.
“I think there needs to be something that’s a little more grassroots,” he said.
Hardy has participated in a steering committee to bring the Industrial Areas Foundation, a community organizing network established by Saul Alinsky in 1940, to Greensboro. A Winston-Salem affiliate known as CHANGE was founded in 2002. Hardy expressed admiration for the organization’s emphasis on broad-based membership and involving people who are the rank-and-file backbone of churches and other institutions rather than their leadership.
Hardy’s effort to create a more authentic constituent base for his own campaign has resulted in a number of support groups, including Moms for DJ, Students for DJ and Seniors for DJ. Moms for DJ Hardy is chaired by the candidate’s wife, Christina, while Seniors for DJ Hardy is chaired by Nettie Coad, a community leader in the Ole Asheboro neighborhood who ran for city council in District 2 in 2009.
“We need to put aside gamesmanship and begin to address people’s concerns and make sure people’s voice is heard so that results can be obtained,” Hardy said. “Listening goes a long way.”
Hardy notches endorsements from Coad and Sellars
Candidate DJ Hardy strategized with community leader Nettie Coad and communications director Kristen Jeffers last week.The DJ Hardy campaign is announcing that the candidate has received the endorsements of Daron Sellars and Nettie Coad.
Hardy is the sole candidate for the District 1 seat on Greensboro City Council. The current representative, Dianne Bellamy-Small, has filed to run for mayor. Hardy thanked Bellamy-Small for her service in District 1 in a prepared statement today.
Sellars unsuccessfully challenged Bellamy-Small for the District 1 seat two years ago. Coad, a longtime community leader in Ole Asheboro, ran unsuccessfully in District 2 in 2009. Coad joined Hardy and a group of volunteers at the candidate's house last week to develop a community outreach strategy to reach voters in the district.
UPDATE: Sellars, who is the president and CEO of the National Association of Young Black Elected Officials, says, "DJ is an extremely intelligent, bright guy. He has great leadership, great vision. I think he will bring a new leadership style to District 1. He is aggressive and ambitious. He's passionate about his district. How do you not like DJ, you know?"
Sellars said his duties with the National Association of Young Black Elected Officials, which include organizing round tables at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte and Republican National Convention in Tampa next year, will keep him too busy to run for city council this year.
"Everybody that supported me I would like for them to support DJ," he said.
New entrants in Greensboro City Council election
DJ Hardy has apparently announced plans to run for Greensboro City Council in District 1. The seat is currently occupied by Dianne Bellamy-Small.
Another new candidate for city council is Chris Lawyer, who is running at large.
Filing begins in July. The primary election is scheduled for October, and the general election takes place on the first Tuesday in November.
Another new candidate for city council is Chris Lawyer, who is running at large.
Filing begins in July. The primary election is scheduled for October, and the general election takes place on the first Tuesday in November.
One citizen in favor of the South Elm hotel
UPDATE: At-large Councilman Robbie Perkins suggests the council might remand a recent decision to the redevelopment commission to sell property at South Elm and Lee streets to the Ole Asheboro Neighborhood Association.
"I sense that there will be limited support for the project in the location that's proposed, and I understand the developers are looking at other locations," he said in an interview this afternoon.
He added that he prefers that the hotel be built close to the heart of downtown rather than in a "fringe" area such as Ole Asheboro: "In my view a project like this needs to be as close to the center city as possible. More businesses benefit from it."
Above all, the councilman said it's important that the city take advantage of the federal government's low-interest private loans before the window closes.
"My concern is making sure that the $37 million is available for a major project downtown," he said. "If something else comes to the table that the council thinks is a more feasible project, then hopefully we can move forward. That $37 million is not coming back. Center Pointe is $37 million, plus or minus."
ORIGINAL POST: The comment threads at the News & Record are filling up with ag'iners and suspicioners inveighing against the proposed Ole Asheboro Hotel, and skepticism towards the project also finds a home on the newspaper's editorial page.
But one skeptic who has been won over is DJ Hardy, a board member of the Ole Asheboro Neighborhood Association and a recent unsuccessful candidate for city council.
"When I first heard [about] it, I was against it," Hardy told me today. "I've changed my mind. The major reason is jobs are that critical. Something has to change the dynamic, and it's not going to be a grocery store."
He believes the project has to be bold to revitalize Ole Asheboro and put residents to work.
"To really turn around that section of town you almost need something that seems impossible," Hardy said. "You really need a game changer in terms of investment and focus."
Having met developer Bridget Chisholm, Hardy says he feels assured that her private development team is shouldering the overwhelming share of the risk, and if the project falls short of its goals the neighborhood will be no worse off.
"I too share some concern about the viability of the business," Hardy said. "When I heard $200 a night, I cringed. I wouldn't spend $200 a night. I don't run a hotel.... Greensboro does have attractions. I'm not a marketing expert.... I'm not the best person to decide whether a hotel will succeed or not.
"My concern as a citizen who lives in that area is, what is the state of that area now?" he continued. "This stimulus money means that its principal focus is to create jobs, and that area needs jobs. Unless somebody has an idea that can bring that same level of investment and it can be forwarded in the next couple of months before this stimulus money is lost, we have to move on something that's actionable."
"I sense that there will be limited support for the project in the location that's proposed, and I understand the developers are looking at other locations," he said in an interview this afternoon.
He added that he prefers that the hotel be built close to the heart of downtown rather than in a "fringe" area such as Ole Asheboro: "In my view a project like this needs to be as close to the center city as possible. More businesses benefit from it."
Above all, the councilman said it's important that the city take advantage of the federal government's low-interest private loans before the window closes.
"My concern is making sure that the $37 million is available for a major project downtown," he said. "If something else comes to the table that the council thinks is a more feasible project, then hopefully we can move forward. That $37 million is not coming back. Center Pointe is $37 million, plus or minus."
ORIGINAL POST: The comment threads at the News & Record are filling up with ag'iners and suspicioners inveighing against the proposed Ole Asheboro Hotel, and skepticism towards the project also finds a home on the newspaper's editorial page.
But one skeptic who has been won over is DJ Hardy, a board member of the Ole Asheboro Neighborhood Association and a recent unsuccessful candidate for city council.
"When I first heard [about] it, I was against it," Hardy told me today. "I've changed my mind. The major reason is jobs are that critical. Something has to change the dynamic, and it's not going to be a grocery store."
He believes the project has to be bold to revitalize Ole Asheboro and put residents to work.
"To really turn around that section of town you almost need something that seems impossible," Hardy said. "You really need a game changer in terms of investment and focus."
Having met developer Bridget Chisholm, Hardy says he feels assured that her private development team is shouldering the overwhelming share of the risk, and if the project falls short of its goals the neighborhood will be no worse off.
"I too share some concern about the viability of the business," Hardy said. "When I heard $200 a night, I cringed. I wouldn't spend $200 a night. I don't run a hotel.... Greensboro does have attractions. I'm not a marketing expert.... I'm not the best person to decide whether a hotel will succeed or not.
"My concern as a citizen who lives in that area is, what is the state of that area now?" he continued. "This stimulus money means that its principal focus is to create jobs, and that area needs jobs. Unless somebody has an idea that can bring that same level of investment and it can be forwarded in the next couple of months before this stimulus money is lost, we have to move on something that's actionable."
Thompson, Nixon and Abuzuaiter receive Hardy's endorsement
I previously reported that Danny Thompson received DJ Hardy's endorsement in the at-large contest for Greensboro City Council. What I didn't report is that Gary Nixon and Marikay Abuzuaiter, the other at-large candidates who are neither incumbents nor candidates who have previously served, also received Hardy's endorsement. (My source was Thompson, who didn't mention the other endorsements, and I wasn't able to reach Hardy on the phone until today.)
Enough of the excuses.
DJ Hardy, who did not survive the Oct. 6 primary, says he wants change and a greater voice for young people in Greensboro politics. The low turnout in the primary and the inability of candidates under the age of 40 to gain traction is evidence of a failure of the city's past and current leadership to establish a connection with young residents.
Hardy said he supports Thompson's vision of economic development.
"The main reason is I think his approach in terms of advocating for lower taxes and his experience with small business coincides with the way I see things," Hardy told me. "I think that's what the city needs right now. We disagree about the gang unit. There are some other things, principally on the social side where we disagree."
"Gary Nixon and Danny Thompson are more aligned on economic development. Marikay is more aligned with me on the development of the east side of the city. She's also a small-business person."
Hardy said he didn't exact any commitments from the candidates in exchange for his endorsement.
"We did discuss the fact that I have a dear spot in my heart for the east side of the city," he said. "I think it's important to be open minded abut that and to make sure we bring a greater focus to the area in any sort of vision of the east side of the city that is considered."
Robbie Perkins and Sandra Anderson Groat have traditionally performed well with the electorate in east Greensboro, but Hardy thinks it's time for them to go.
"When I look at Danny next to Robbie Perkins, Robbie Perkins has been in office for awhile. As much as he likes to tout east Greensboro, he knows all the players but they haven't really accomplished much. I'm thinking his vision of east Greensboro doesn't go much further than Murrow Boulevard."
Hardy said he might consider running for city council again in 2011, but for the moment he's more focused on finding ways to get younger voters to participate in the political process, with the possibly by putting together a board of young political leaders with representatives from the Democratic and Republican party.
"We don't really have any young representation for the city," Hardy said. "We don't have the right candidates to really rally the 18-44 range. If we really want to be sitting at the forefront that's responsive and proactive we've really got to have a way for the younger generation and creative people to not have to go through a vetting stage and do an effective job but not really get the votes to make it through the primary. We have to be able to make it possible for a newcomer to get in there and get the votes. It shouldn't revolve around money, which at this stage it seems its does."
"If I can't get the demographic that I appeal to to show up [in future elections], I couldn't make it. Ryan Shell couldn't make it. Jorge couldn't make it. Max Benbassat couldn't make it. If you look at the primary results, the four young guys didn't make it. The gap between was quite well defined."
Enough of the excuses.
DJ Hardy, who did not survive the Oct. 6 primary, says he wants change and a greater voice for young people in Greensboro politics. The low turnout in the primary and the inability of candidates under the age of 40 to gain traction is evidence of a failure of the city's past and current leadership to establish a connection with young residents.
Hardy said he supports Thompson's vision of economic development.
"The main reason is I think his approach in terms of advocating for lower taxes and his experience with small business coincides with the way I see things," Hardy told me. "I think that's what the city needs right now. We disagree about the gang unit. There are some other things, principally on the social side where we disagree."
"Gary Nixon and Danny Thompson are more aligned on economic development. Marikay is more aligned with me on the development of the east side of the city. She's also a small-business person."
Hardy said he didn't exact any commitments from the candidates in exchange for his endorsement.
"We did discuss the fact that I have a dear spot in my heart for the east side of the city," he said. "I think it's important to be open minded abut that and to make sure we bring a greater focus to the area in any sort of vision of the east side of the city that is considered."
Robbie Perkins and Sandra Anderson Groat have traditionally performed well with the electorate in east Greensboro, but Hardy thinks it's time for them to go.
"When I look at Danny next to Robbie Perkins, Robbie Perkins has been in office for awhile. As much as he likes to tout east Greensboro, he knows all the players but they haven't really accomplished much. I'm thinking his vision of east Greensboro doesn't go much further than Murrow Boulevard."
Hardy said he might consider running for city council again in 2011, but for the moment he's more focused on finding ways to get younger voters to participate in the political process, with the possibly by putting together a board of young political leaders with representatives from the Democratic and Republican party.
"We don't really have any young representation for the city," Hardy said. "We don't have the right candidates to really rally the 18-44 range. If we really want to be sitting at the forefront that's responsive and proactive we've really got to have a way for the younger generation and creative people to not have to go through a vetting stage and do an effective job but not really get the votes to make it through the primary. We have to be able to make it possible for a newcomer to get in there and get the votes. It shouldn't revolve around money, which at this stage it seems its does."
"If I can't get the demographic that I appeal to to show up [in future elections], I couldn't make it. Ryan Shell couldn't make it. Jorge couldn't make it. Max Benbassat couldn't make it. If you look at the primary results, the four young guys didn't make it. The gap between was quite well defined."
DJ Hardy transcript
The following is a transcript of Greensboro City Council at-large candidate DJ Hardy’s answers at a Guilford County Unity Effort forum on Sept. 22:
Introductory statement
Good evening. Thank you for organizing this event. Forums like these serve to inform folks who we are behind the makeup of campaign money. Thank you, folks, for taking the time to participate in this discussion tonight. As a new hometown for my two brand-new daughters, Greensboro continues to have a special place in the hearts of my family as we grow. For this privilege, I have invested eight years of my labor, both in business and also in my church and my community. When I look at our city now I see Greensboro is a place trying to hit a home run in the minors. We should be trying to play in the majors. We have that potential right here. That talent has arrived. It is within us to lift ourselves to a new plateau on a level where our performance matters more. We are only required to change our perspective, to change our approach. We must work together to bring balanced economic development, transparency and efficiency, lower taxes.... This will get us out of our present cycle to arrive together on a higher ground of prosperity.
Do you support continued funding for the Greensboro Police Department gang enforcement unit? Why or why not?
I do not support continued funding, from what I’ve seen so far. I think they need to make their case. I think it’s been made abundantly clear to everybody who’s a resident of Greensboro and has kept track of how many arrests they’ve made, but if they’re not getting prosecutions and they’re not locking people up it makes you wonder what they’re doing. And if they don’t have any success it makes you wonder if the charges are good to begin with. One thing I think we don’t need, is we don’t need people harassed. And it looks like that’s what we’re doing. So I don’t support continued funding without them making the case for why they should be around.
Members of the sitting council have recently clashed over the proper relationship between the council and the city manager. What, in your view, is the proper role of each of these important entities?
I look at the city manager in our current form of government — he is the CEO. He is the one who runs the organization. The council is there to be a board of directors, if you will, in order to provide vision and also to take in input from the citizens directly. And that’s the correct role. And it seems at times we have 10 managers. I think we need to step away from that and put council in the right role where they take information from the citizens and are there to provide the vision, step in where necessary, but where they’re not needed they need to step out. Thank you.
Would you vote the way your constituents want you to or would you vote your conscience?
I agree with [fellow at-large candidate] Julie [Lapham]: I would hope that every single time they would be in line with one another. Where they would differ — there’s certain things as a representative you’re hired to do, and I would go about doing those as a representative. One of the key things that a representative does is looks at what’s good for everybody. And sometimes that requires going outside of short-term negatives or positives, and looking at a more long-term vision so that we don’t end up in problem situations like we’ve continually been in, in this city when that horizon is moved out further. I would take the approach that if it’s short term in nature but it doesn’t have long-term down sides then I would represent folks to the extreme, but when there are long-term considerations that have negatives then I would have to go with my conscience.
Do you feel the city should have a public campaign fund so that candidates who are less wealthy and less well connected can still afford to consider public service?
As a candidate who has invested quite a bit of personal money and personal time in the campaign, I immediately would respond, yes. However, as Julie said, it’s a pretty extreme measure to make everybody abide by that. I think there should be an option for it, and I like the intent of that idea. However, I am a little bit concerned with its restrictions. And again, there would probably be some legal issues there, too. Again, I like the concept, but I think we need to look at some sort of hybrid or options to put in place. I think what we need to do is have more representation that is able to step up. If financial is preventing that, then by all means I think we should have some aspect of public financing.
The complaint review committee investigates complaints against police officers. Would you be in favor of giving this citizen panel subpoena authority to interview witnesses? Why or why not?
I think ideally it would be great if the police department were more forthcoming with information. This is a group of citizens that represent us in that process. But if they’re not forthcoming and they’re not volunteering the information, then I support having that subpoena power. That’s the right thing, if we’re going to get to the bottom of justice and provide that, then we’ve got to take whatever measures we need as a city to make sure that happens.
Would you be in favor of reopening the White Street Landfill to household waste?
Keeping things unanimous, I’m opposed to opening it also. We’ve had previous councils that have come to this issue, and have voted to keep it closed — it’s been thrown out there — and I don’t see any reason to do otherwise. I’ve heard the financial argument and I heard Robbie speak at a council meeting, and say, “You’ve got to wonder where the numbers are.” One thing I’m very certain of is that if we did reopen it, the development that is out there and that we’ve allowed since, the value will drop. That impacts our tax revenue. It is not a long-term solution. I think this body right here that I’m trying to get onto, with your help, is designed to be long term in nature. And so we need to find a long-term solution, and so that’s what we need to do. We don’t need to find a short-term solution here. The poor planning that has been done in the past is what we’re paying for now. So I’d like to ensure going forward that we have a long-term vision and a long-term way to address this problem so that we don’t have to revisit this....
Closing statement
History, industry, education and prosperity nestled in neighborhoods bountiful with quality of life and comfort. This is what we all want, and we can all attain it: The Greensboro we deserve. This is nothing new here, but it is now time to expand that opportunity, to make that grab for greatness again. If we aim for anything less, then let us pack it in and call it a game. Regardless of the path we choose, our journey is not over. We possess potential in the midst of all our opportunities to fail. We must move forward confidently, sometimes ignorant to circumstance but wise to navigation of purpose. My plan is an attempt to lend my abilities to our quest. Balanced economic development is the key. Let us grow our city wisely and provide an opportunity for all to prosper. Let us have our corridors around the city look different in their occupants, but not in their economic impact. We have ill corridors struggling, even in good times.... I want to represent efforts toward these goals. I need your vote of confidence. Elect me as one of the nine in your starting lineup.
Introductory statement
Good evening. Thank you for organizing this event. Forums like these serve to inform folks who we are behind the makeup of campaign money. Thank you, folks, for taking the time to participate in this discussion tonight. As a new hometown for my two brand-new daughters, Greensboro continues to have a special place in the hearts of my family as we grow. For this privilege, I have invested eight years of my labor, both in business and also in my church and my community. When I look at our city now I see Greensboro is a place trying to hit a home run in the minors. We should be trying to play in the majors. We have that potential right here. That talent has arrived. It is within us to lift ourselves to a new plateau on a level where our performance matters more. We are only required to change our perspective, to change our approach. We must work together to bring balanced economic development, transparency and efficiency, lower taxes.... This will get us out of our present cycle to arrive together on a higher ground of prosperity.
Do you support continued funding for the Greensboro Police Department gang enforcement unit? Why or why not?
I do not support continued funding, from what I’ve seen so far. I think they need to make their case. I think it’s been made abundantly clear to everybody who’s a resident of Greensboro and has kept track of how many arrests they’ve made, but if they’re not getting prosecutions and they’re not locking people up it makes you wonder what they’re doing. And if they don’t have any success it makes you wonder if the charges are good to begin with. One thing I think we don’t need, is we don’t need people harassed. And it looks like that’s what we’re doing. So I don’t support continued funding without them making the case for why they should be around.
Members of the sitting council have recently clashed over the proper relationship between the council and the city manager. What, in your view, is the proper role of each of these important entities?
I look at the city manager in our current form of government — he is the CEO. He is the one who runs the organization. The council is there to be a board of directors, if you will, in order to provide vision and also to take in input from the citizens directly. And that’s the correct role. And it seems at times we have 10 managers. I think we need to step away from that and put council in the right role where they take information from the citizens and are there to provide the vision, step in where necessary, but where they’re not needed they need to step out. Thank you.
Would you vote the way your constituents want you to or would you vote your conscience?
I agree with [fellow at-large candidate] Julie [Lapham]: I would hope that every single time they would be in line with one another. Where they would differ — there’s certain things as a representative you’re hired to do, and I would go about doing those as a representative. One of the key things that a representative does is looks at what’s good for everybody. And sometimes that requires going outside of short-term negatives or positives, and looking at a more long-term vision so that we don’t end up in problem situations like we’ve continually been in, in this city when that horizon is moved out further. I would take the approach that if it’s short term in nature but it doesn’t have long-term down sides then I would represent folks to the extreme, but when there are long-term considerations that have negatives then I would have to go with my conscience.
Do you feel the city should have a public campaign fund so that candidates who are less wealthy and less well connected can still afford to consider public service?
As a candidate who has invested quite a bit of personal money and personal time in the campaign, I immediately would respond, yes. However, as Julie said, it’s a pretty extreme measure to make everybody abide by that. I think there should be an option for it, and I like the intent of that idea. However, I am a little bit concerned with its restrictions. And again, there would probably be some legal issues there, too. Again, I like the concept, but I think we need to look at some sort of hybrid or options to put in place. I think what we need to do is have more representation that is able to step up. If financial is preventing that, then by all means I think we should have some aspect of public financing.
The complaint review committee investigates complaints against police officers. Would you be in favor of giving this citizen panel subpoena authority to interview witnesses? Why or why not?
I think ideally it would be great if the police department were more forthcoming with information. This is a group of citizens that represent us in that process. But if they’re not forthcoming and they’re not volunteering the information, then I support having that subpoena power. That’s the right thing, if we’re going to get to the bottom of justice and provide that, then we’ve got to take whatever measures we need as a city to make sure that happens.
Would you be in favor of reopening the White Street Landfill to household waste?
Keeping things unanimous, I’m opposed to opening it also. We’ve had previous councils that have come to this issue, and have voted to keep it closed — it’s been thrown out there — and I don’t see any reason to do otherwise. I’ve heard the financial argument and I heard Robbie speak at a council meeting, and say, “You’ve got to wonder where the numbers are.” One thing I’m very certain of is that if we did reopen it, the development that is out there and that we’ve allowed since, the value will drop. That impacts our tax revenue. It is not a long-term solution. I think this body right here that I’m trying to get onto, with your help, is designed to be long term in nature. And so we need to find a long-term solution, and so that’s what we need to do. We don’t need to find a short-term solution here. The poor planning that has been done in the past is what we’re paying for now. So I’d like to ensure going forward that we have a long-term vision and a long-term way to address this problem so that we don’t have to revisit this....
Closing statement
History, industry, education and prosperity nestled in neighborhoods bountiful with quality of life and comfort. This is what we all want, and we can all attain it: The Greensboro we deserve. This is nothing new here, but it is now time to expand that opportunity, to make that grab for greatness again. If we aim for anything less, then let us pack it in and call it a game. Regardless of the path we choose, our journey is not over. We possess potential in the midst of all our opportunities to fail. We must move forward confidently, sometimes ignorant to circumstance but wise to navigation of purpose. My plan is an attempt to lend my abilities to our quest. Balanced economic development is the key. Let us grow our city wisely and provide an opportunity for all to prosper. Let us have our corridors around the city look different in their occupants, but not in their economic impact. We have ill corridors struggling, even in good times.... I want to represent efforts toward these goals. I need your vote of confidence. Elect me as one of the nine in your starting lineup.
Greensboro election: where the candidates are spending their money
Significant expenditures from recently filed 35-day reports:
At-large:
Nancy Vaughan
• $3,870 to Arrowhead Graphics of Greensboro for yard signs on Aug. 13
Marikay Abuzuaiter
• $1,678 to Triad Sign Guys of Greensboro for yard signs on Aug. 10 and 19
• $300 to Studio B in Greensboro for kickoff party on July 6
DJ Hardy
• $924 to 1721 Media LLC for website development on Aug. 17
Ryan Shell
• $500 to Bill Burckley for consulting on July 29
District 2:
Jim Kee
• $500 to Arrowhead Graphics of Greensboro for yard signs on Aug. 15
• $500 to “Event at Revolution” for campaign kickoff at Revolution Mill in early July
District 3:
George Hartzman
• $678 spent on office supplies and website development throughout July and August
At-large:
Nancy Vaughan
• $3,870 to Arrowhead Graphics of Greensboro for yard signs on Aug. 13
Marikay Abuzuaiter
• $1,678 to Triad Sign Guys of Greensboro for yard signs on Aug. 10 and 19
• $300 to Studio B in Greensboro for kickoff party on July 6
DJ Hardy
• $924 to 1721 Media LLC for website development on Aug. 17
Ryan Shell
• $500 to Bill Burckley for consulting on July 29
District 2:
Jim Kee
• $500 to Arrowhead Graphics of Greensboro for yard signs on Aug. 15
• $500 to “Event at Revolution” for campaign kickoff at Revolution Mill in early July
District 3:
George Hartzman
• $678 spent on office supplies and website development throughout July and August
DJ Hardy, unbound
For those who haven't noticed, we've been filing short candidate profiles each week — two for each of the cities with upcoming municipal elections. We want to be comprehensive, and inform our readership of the full range of political choices with the goal of — dare we hope? — more fully realizing the promise of democracy.
This approach has its downside. Trying to capture the essence and policy positions of a forthright, intelligent and provocative candidate in 600 words can be a little like trying to hook up a garden hose to a fire hydrant. Equitable coverage is one thing, but holding information back from readers is another.
DJ Hardy, an at-large candidate for Greensboro City Council, impressed me in an interview this afternoon as someone who has staked out unique positions on some issues that other candidates don't like to talk about much. He formulates his thoughts succinctly. In the interest of stimulating discussion, I'm posting some select quotes here that didn't make the cut for my forthcoming Aug. 26 profile in our print edition.
On moving from the west side of town to his current home in Ole Asheboro:
"We used to live in Rachel's Keep. We still have rental property there. Some days I want to move back. There's a lot less stress. The need for security is different. Grocery shopping is easier. What we need on the east side is a grocery store. The fact that we don't have one is horrible."
On involving young people:
"I would like to have youth participation on boards and commissions after they go through a city academy. They might not be able to vote. Their voice needs to be heard, especially if these are people we want to retain. We have people that once they turn 18 they can vote. Before that, we don't engage them. I think they do count. They're participants in our society."
Experience with the Obama campaign:
"Canvassing for Obama was inspirational because of what it did for me personally. I found a person who was involved in politics, and who was an agent of change. And he got other people to be active participants. What got me going was seeing people's faces in response to Obama, and the hope he brought them."
On governance:
"It's not about the issues so much as people feeling like they have a part in a place, and that they're heard. You're less inclined to make mistakes when you know the policy impacts on people. We don't have to agree on everything. I still respect what you have to say."
On Greensboro police Officer AJ Blake:
"I asked Chief Bellamy to hold off on his termination hearing until his appeal process went through. He wasn't getting paid. Why don't you wait, just in case he's found not guilty. Now, a jury has found him not guilty of what he's been terminated for. That's a potential lawsuit. There's such a rush to judgment. That's the kind of thing that disgusts people about local government."
On why the police department fired Blake before his case went to superior court:
"I know the answer. It's pressure from city leadership."
On an allegation that Councilman Mike Barber attempted to get criminal charges dropped for Blake with the understanding that the officer would withdraw as a plaintiff from a discrimination lawsuit against the city:
"I think it's true. I think he certainly was sticking his nose where it didn't belong. He was potentially making deals without the knowledge of other council members."
On voter dissatisfaction:
"I think a lot of people are really fed up because they see it doesn't have to be that way. That's where the Obama effect is relevant: People have seen good leadership. They've seen someone who engages them, fosters their participation and who they feel is working for them. The primary is going to send a clear message to the incumbents that the status quo is not going to cut it."
On the potential for a challenger slate:
"Whether I win or not, I do want to see a change — however we get there, whether it's me or someone I can align myself with.... I will say that one person I'm particularly impressed with is Ryan Shell. We have some significant differences. I like the fact that someone young is stepping up. He has creative ideas, and is constantly coming up with solutions on issues council doesn't spend much time on. I definitely support Joel Landau in District 4. I think he has a real shot."
On the GPD gang enforcement unit:
"Clearly they have a problem when there's a guy [Jorge Cornell] who's arrested on a frequent basis and charges are dropped. Something smells.... You have somebody on the inside of the gang unit [AJ Blake] who says there are racial motivations, comments that are disparaging to Hispanics. The city has a real bad history with special units [e.g. special intelligence under former Chief David Wray]."
"The gang unit really needs to be looked at. It needs to have clear indicators of what success is."
"We should also look at alternatives that prevent gang activity, and consider if that money spent on the gang unit could be spent more efficiently on prevention. Because if we lock people up, guess what? They get out, and they go right back to what they're doing."
This approach has its downside. Trying to capture the essence and policy positions of a forthright, intelligent and provocative candidate in 600 words can be a little like trying to hook up a garden hose to a fire hydrant. Equitable coverage is one thing, but holding information back from readers is another.
DJ Hardy, an at-large candidate for Greensboro City Council, impressed me in an interview this afternoon as someone who has staked out unique positions on some issues that other candidates don't like to talk about much. He formulates his thoughts succinctly. In the interest of stimulating discussion, I'm posting some select quotes here that didn't make the cut for my forthcoming Aug. 26 profile in our print edition.
On moving from the west side of town to his current home in Ole Asheboro:
"We used to live in Rachel's Keep. We still have rental property there. Some days I want to move back. There's a lot less stress. The need for security is different. Grocery shopping is easier. What we need on the east side is a grocery store. The fact that we don't have one is horrible."
On involving young people:
"I would like to have youth participation on boards and commissions after they go through a city academy. They might not be able to vote. Their voice needs to be heard, especially if these are people we want to retain. We have people that once they turn 18 they can vote. Before that, we don't engage them. I think they do count. They're participants in our society."
Experience with the Obama campaign:
"Canvassing for Obama was inspirational because of what it did for me personally. I found a person who was involved in politics, and who was an agent of change. And he got other people to be active participants. What got me going was seeing people's faces in response to Obama, and the hope he brought them."
On governance:
"It's not about the issues so much as people feeling like they have a part in a place, and that they're heard. You're less inclined to make mistakes when you know the policy impacts on people. We don't have to agree on everything. I still respect what you have to say."
On Greensboro police Officer AJ Blake:
"I asked Chief Bellamy to hold off on his termination hearing until his appeal process went through. He wasn't getting paid. Why don't you wait, just in case he's found not guilty. Now, a jury has found him not guilty of what he's been terminated for. That's a potential lawsuit. There's such a rush to judgment. That's the kind of thing that disgusts people about local government."
On why the police department fired Blake before his case went to superior court:
"I know the answer. It's pressure from city leadership."
On an allegation that Councilman Mike Barber attempted to get criminal charges dropped for Blake with the understanding that the officer would withdraw as a plaintiff from a discrimination lawsuit against the city:
"I think it's true. I think he certainly was sticking his nose where it didn't belong. He was potentially making deals without the knowledge of other council members."
On voter dissatisfaction:
"I think a lot of people are really fed up because they see it doesn't have to be that way. That's where the Obama effect is relevant: People have seen good leadership. They've seen someone who engages them, fosters their participation and who they feel is working for them. The primary is going to send a clear message to the incumbents that the status quo is not going to cut it."
On the potential for a challenger slate:
"Whether I win or not, I do want to see a change — however we get there, whether it's me or someone I can align myself with.... I will say that one person I'm particularly impressed with is Ryan Shell. We have some significant differences. I like the fact that someone young is stepping up. He has creative ideas, and is constantly coming up with solutions on issues council doesn't spend much time on. I definitely support Joel Landau in District 4. I think he has a real shot."
On the GPD gang enforcement unit:
"Clearly they have a problem when there's a guy [Jorge Cornell] who's arrested on a frequent basis and charges are dropped. Something smells.... You have somebody on the inside of the gang unit [AJ Blake] who says there are racial motivations, comments that are disparaging to Hispanics. The city has a real bad history with special units [e.g. special intelligence under former Chief David Wray]."
"The gang unit really needs to be looked at. It needs to have clear indicators of what success is."
"We should also look at alternatives that prevent gang activity, and consider if that money spent on the gang unit could be spent more efficiently on prevention. Because if we lock people up, guess what? They get out, and they go right back to what they're doing."
Vaughan leads money race for Greensboro council
Greensboro City Council at-large candidate Nancy Vaughan leads the money race with $9,710 in cash on hand, according to 2009 mid-year campaign finance reports filed with the Guilford County Board of Elections. Vaughan, who previously served on the council between 1997 and 2001, has so far raised 10 times more than any other candidate.
Since opening her campaign committee in late April, Vaughan has raised $10,971 from an array of contributors, including former mayors Jim Melvin and Carolyn Allen, protest petition activist Keith Brown, former Councilman Tom Phillips, civic volunteer Betty Cone and Cemala Foundation Executive Director Susan Schwartz.
Other at-large candidates with campaign cash going into the primary election include, in order of their balance, Marikay Abuzuaiter ($1,738), incumbent Robbie Perkins ($1,419), Ryan Shell ($928), Julie Lapham ($695) and DJ Hardy ($45).
Only one District 1 candidate reports cash on hand: Daron R. Sellars, with $8.
District 3 candidates with cash on hand are incumbent Zack Matheny, with $385, and challenger George Hartzman, with $100.
District 4 candidate Mary Rakestraw reports $1,331 in cash on hand.
District 5 incumbent Trudy Wade reports $4,555 in cash on hand, compared to challenger Art Boyett, with $432.
After Vaughan, Shell has raised the most money, with $1,015 garnered from an array of sources. Other at-large candidates, listed in order of their receipt totals include Lapham ($695) and Hardy ($180).
In the district races, Boyett has contributed $552 to his campaign. Rakestraw has raised $100. Hartzman has contributed $100 to his campaign.
Sellars has loaned his campaign $38.
Vaughan also leads campaign spending, having plunked down almost two grand to cover the cost of invitations, food, music and bartending for her campaign kickoff. Rakestraw has spent $313, mainly on printing letterhead and buying stamps. Hardy has spent $135 on paper, envelopes and photography. Shell has spent $110 on online media services. Boyett has spent $52 on a post office box and stamps. Sellars has spent $30 on his filing fee and a checking account. And Abuzuaiter has spent $25 on a domain registration fee.
Since opening her campaign committee in late April, Vaughan has raised $10,971 from an array of contributors, including former mayors Jim Melvin and Carolyn Allen, protest petition activist Keith Brown, former Councilman Tom Phillips, civic volunteer Betty Cone and Cemala Foundation Executive Director Susan Schwartz.
Other at-large candidates with campaign cash going into the primary election include, in order of their balance, Marikay Abuzuaiter ($1,738), incumbent Robbie Perkins ($1,419), Ryan Shell ($928), Julie Lapham ($695) and DJ Hardy ($45).
Only one District 1 candidate reports cash on hand: Daron R. Sellars, with $8.
District 3 candidates with cash on hand are incumbent Zack Matheny, with $385, and challenger George Hartzman, with $100.
District 4 candidate Mary Rakestraw reports $1,331 in cash on hand.
District 5 incumbent Trudy Wade reports $4,555 in cash on hand, compared to challenger Art Boyett, with $432.
After Vaughan, Shell has raised the most money, with $1,015 garnered from an array of sources. Other at-large candidates, listed in order of their receipt totals include Lapham ($695) and Hardy ($180).
In the district races, Boyett has contributed $552 to his campaign. Rakestraw has raised $100. Hartzman has contributed $100 to his campaign.
Sellars has loaned his campaign $38.
Vaughan also leads campaign spending, having plunked down almost two grand to cover the cost of invitations, food, music and bartending for her campaign kickoff. Rakestraw has spent $313, mainly on printing letterhead and buying stamps. Hardy has spent $135 on paper, envelopes and photography. Shell has spent $110 on online media services. Boyett has spent $52 on a post office box and stamps. Sellars has spent $30 on his filing fee and a checking account. And Abuzuaiter has spent $25 on a domain registration fee.
Candidate Hardy supports beleaguered officer
At a press conference held by ex-gang officer AJ Blake and Latin King leader (and city council candidate) Jorge Cornell today at the Beloved Community Center, another city council candidate expressed support for Blake.
DJ Hardy, who is, like Cornell, running at large for Greensboro City Council, asked Blake: "Do you feel you're going to file suit on this obvious miscarriage of justice?"
Blake, who is appealing his termination from the Greensboro Police Department, responded, "I believe that will be part of it."
Blake was acquitted by a Guilford County jury of two charges of misdemeanor assault on a female last month. The police department reportedly fired Blake after an administrative hearing based on a finding that he committed one but not the other assault. The Rev. Cardes Brown, who accompanied Blake to the hearing, said the police department held Blake responsible for assaulting Lorraine Galloway, who testified in court that she confronted Blake when she witnessed him kick his girlfriend. Brown said the police department concluded that Blake had not assaulted his girlfriend. Why then, he asked, did they conclude that he assaulted Galloway, when Galloway's intervention was allegedly to stop Blake from assaulting his girlfriend?
Later, Hardy told Blake he commended him for wanting to continue to be a police officer, and asked how he would handle expected hostility within the ranks if he were to be reinstated.
Blake responded that he would do his job "professionally and ethically."
DJ Hardy, who is, like Cornell, running at large for Greensboro City Council, asked Blake: "Do you feel you're going to file suit on this obvious miscarriage of justice?"
Blake, who is appealing his termination from the Greensboro Police Department, responded, "I believe that will be part of it."
Blake was acquitted by a Guilford County jury of two charges of misdemeanor assault on a female last month. The police department reportedly fired Blake after an administrative hearing based on a finding that he committed one but not the other assault. The Rev. Cardes Brown, who accompanied Blake to the hearing, said the police department held Blake responsible for assaulting Lorraine Galloway, who testified in court that she confronted Blake when she witnessed him kick his girlfriend. Brown said the police department concluded that Blake had not assaulted his girlfriend. Why then, he asked, did they conclude that he assaulted Galloway, when Galloway's intervention was allegedly to stop Blake from assaulting his girlfriend?
Later, Hardy told Blake he commended him for wanting to continue to be a police officer, and asked how he would handle expected hostility within the ranks if he were to be reinstated.
Blake responded that he would do his job "professionally and ethically."
Greensboro campaign finance
Some early campaign finance information from organizational reports received by the Guilford County Board of Elections from April through July:
In the at-large race, DJ Hardy has received $180 in contributions from unidentified individuals, Julie Lapham has raised $695 from contributors hailing from locales ranging from Loughton, England to Apex, NC, and Nancy Vaughan has contributed $500 to her campaign. Ryan Shell's most recent campaign report, filed in January, reflects that the candidate had $20 in cash on hand. Incumbent Robbie Perkins reported $1,419 in cash on hand in his most recent report, filed in January.
District 1 candidate Daron R. Sellars has contributed $38 to his campaign.
District 3 candidate George Hartzman has contributed $100 to his campaign. Incumbent Zack Matheny reported $385 in cash on hand in his most recent report, filed in January. Matheny topped district candidates in the last election with total receipts for the election cycle of $46,358.
District 5 candidate Art Boyett has contributed $552 to his campaign. Incumbent Trudy Wade reported $4,555 in cash on hand in her most recent report, filed in January.
Meanwhile, a new industry political action committee has organized. The Greensboro Landlords Association Political Action Committee reports a $100 contribution from Sandy Sandler of Sandler Properties.
In the at-large race, DJ Hardy has received $180 in contributions from unidentified individuals, Julie Lapham has raised $695 from contributors hailing from locales ranging from Loughton, England to Apex, NC, and Nancy Vaughan has contributed $500 to her campaign. Ryan Shell's most recent campaign report, filed in January, reflects that the candidate had $20 in cash on hand. Incumbent Robbie Perkins reported $1,419 in cash on hand in his most recent report, filed in January.
District 1 candidate Daron R. Sellars has contributed $38 to his campaign.
District 3 candidate George Hartzman has contributed $100 to his campaign. Incumbent Zack Matheny reported $385 in cash on hand in his most recent report, filed in January. Matheny topped district candidates in the last election with total receipts for the election cycle of $46,358.
District 5 candidate Art Boyett has contributed $552 to his campaign. Incumbent Trudy Wade reported $4,555 in cash on hand in her most recent report, filed in January.
Meanwhile, a new industry political action committee has organized. The Greensboro Landlords Association Political Action Committee reports a $100 contribution from Sandy Sandler of Sandler Properties.
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