The following is a transcript of Greensboro City Council at-large candidate Ryan Shell’s answers at a Guilford County Unity Effort forum on Sept. 22:
Introductory statement
My name’s Ryan Shell. I’ve lived in Greensboro for about ten and a half years. I’ve lived in downtown and Southside for about four and a half years. That’s a District 2 community; I don’t know if you’re aware of that or not. One thing that I hope you do when you go to cast a vote this year for city council, don’t look at what we’re gonna do. Look at what we’ve done. I’ve adopted three streets in this city, two of which, Lee Street, Eugene to Bennett, all of Phillips Avenue. I’ve had trash cans put out there. Doesn’t it sound kind of crazy to have roads in Greensboro where there’s no trash cans? I’ve fought and will continue to fight to get additional bus stops, er bus shelters at our bus stops. I serve on the Greensboro Board of Adjustments. I head up my neighborhood homeowners association. I work with closely with [District 2 candidate] Nettie [Coad] in Ole Asheboro. I’m a guy that gets things done. Best of all, I’ve talked to a massive amount of people in the community. And people say, you know what, one of the first questions they ask is, “What do you do for work?” I work for a credit union. I work in marketing and public relations. No decision that I make on the Greensboro City Council is going to make you think, “I wonder why he made that decision?” My name is Ryan Shell. My website is voteshell.com, and I really hope I have your vote this year.
If elected, what would you do to ensure that there is balanced economic growth and development across the various segments of the city?
One thing you have to do before you decide, alright, we’re gonna have some balance, you gotta understand there’s a major unbalance. I live in District 2. I play in District 2. I know what we don’t have. I know there’s no grocery stores. I know I have to go down MLK to the Food Lion, or I can go to the Friendly Center to the grocery store. I know what’s not there. At the same time, you have to focus on the western side and say, “What is there? What isn’t there?” You have to understand. You can’t just magically say, “Okay, boom, we’re just gonna have smooth economic development all across Greensboro. That might not be the pretty answer that everyone wants to hear, but you have to have a clear understanding of what we don’t have. And there’s a lot of things on the eastern side of the city we flat out don’t have. And I think I have a very clear understanding of some of the things we need. And if I don’t understand something, I’ll be really ready for you to educate me.
Do you support continued funding for the Greensboro Police Department gang enforcement unit? Why or why not?
You know, there’s different opinions on this deal. And I don’t think anyone has said, “Chief, does this department have issues? What are the efficiencies or inefficiencies with this gang unit?” One problem that I’ve heard is that the gang unit is working certain hours, and when they are not on the clock there is no one to deal with gang issues. That, in my eyes, could be a problem. I think we need to have more of our officers have a higher expertise in the gang unit. I know [fellow at-large candidate] Jorge [Cornell] has had issues. I think if we’re going to say the department has issues, or this unit of the department has issues, have an investigation. I don’t want our police department to be drug down because of a gang unit. I either want to know if it works; I want to know if it doesn’t work. If it doesn’t work, can we fix it? If not, make it go away. But if it’s working, great. If it’s accusations, come to the bottom of ’em and if they’re not proved, we need to do away with accusations.
How would you have voted on the question of whether to fire the former city manager?
I’ve got to stand up. I’m like one big ball of energy. From everything that I’ve read — and everyone but Robbie’s not privy to a lot of the information — it did seem like it was time for Mitch to go. I don’t know how many people in the audience have ever been fired, and had the opportunity to keep their job for an additional six months making X-amount of money, and then you get six months of severance pay. When I fire you, you’re fired. Simple as that. Ms. Groat — it was completely inappropriate, at a business function for my employer the day they fired Mitchell Johnson, she leans over and she says, “Ryan, so I’m thinking about making a motion tonight to fire Mitchell.” Asked me that the day that was going to happen. And I can’t tell you how inappropriate I thought that was. It was an employee matter, and she’s asking me, Joe citizen at the time, about firing this man. Feel free to ask her about that on your own account, but I thought it was completely inappropriate.
A recent assessment of the current state of human relations found that the residents thought Greensboro “feels like five cities, not one city” and is a segregated city where there are historical issues that have not been dealt with, that influence where people live. In your opinion, does Greensboro have a problem with housing segregation?
I don’t think it’s necessary a problem; I do think there’s a divide. Those of you in the audience, you can’t see. Right about here, there’s a clear divide in this audience. And when I’m on the council, one thing that I really want to do is to bridge that gap. Black, white, Hispanic — I don’t care what it is. There’s no community that I’m not going to go in. There’s no people that I’m not going to try to get to work together. If there is a gap — if the constituents say, “Hey, we need housing in this part of the city," then we’re going to work on that. I haven’t personally seen — I’m an avid cyclist, so I’m one of those guys that rides around with a really cool spandex outfits on — I’ve not seen huge gaps in housing and that it’s a major issue in Greensboro. If anything, I’ve seen an overwhelming amount of substandard housing, housing that is not something that I would want you, my neighbor or anyone that I know or don’t know to live in. That is a huge problem in Greensboro.
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?
Call it subpoena power, call it whatever we want. This board has got to get the answers they need. If they’re not doing that without the subpoena power, then we’re going to need to look at that. That’s going to be my answer for that question.
I want to step back real quick to the public campaign fund. I don’t know all the ins and outs of that, but I can tell you one thing: I’m going to raise less money than [fellow at-large candidate] Robbie [Perkins]. I’m going to raise less money than a lot of other people. That’s not to say that he’s good or bad for raising money. But what I can tell you is it’s not going to keep me from busting my tail from getting out and spreading the word and getting my name out as much as humanly possible. This last Saturday and Sunday I spent 15 hours knocking on doors. Nothing’s gonna hold me back. When you elect me at large, when you have an issue, there’s nothing that I’m not going to do to work to help you. And when it comes to getting elected, money is not the thing that’s going to hold me back.
Would you be in favor of reopening the White Street Landfill to household waste?
I have spoken out very loudly about the White Street Landfill, and not reopening it to its previous capacity. When the council first started bringing this up, I immediately went out knocking on doors in Nealtown Farms, uniting residents and bringing folks together. I had a news story done on Fox and WXII. I took immediate action. One thing we have to do — this process — it’s been all wrong, folks. We’ve said, “Well, we could save $400,000... we could save $9 million... we could save blah-blah-blah amount... we could reopen it for three years, five years, nine years, 50 years.” No one knows. We need some facts, right? It could be three years. So we’ll get the community in arms for three years of use. What’s the plan after that? The question from here on out should be, what is Greensboro doing to plan, long term, for household waste? We’re not doing that. We do a great job skirting all around the issues. But we’ve got to worry about it because it’s not a problem that’s gonna go away. People say, “The people out there, well, you can buy ’em out and they can move. People live there. They bought homes after the fact. Kids have friends out there. We’ve built communities. All we do is talk about, let’s build communities. We built one. Let’s not tear it back apart.
Closing statement
I don’t have a fancy speech. I’m just a nice guy. I’m 30 years old. And I want to do everything possible to help Greensboro. I’m a fresh face. On a daily basis I’m charged with coming up with new ideas for my job. We’re in a new economic time. The same old same old doesn’t work. We’ve got people who have been on the council for nearly half my life. We’re throwing the same answers at the same problems. That doesn’t work anymore, folks. We didn’t hit on youth. One thing that I’m doing — you receive a small amount of pay when you’re on the council. I’m not a rich man, by any means. I work for a nonprofit. I’m taking $5,000 of what we receive from being on the council and I’m doing five $1,000 scholarships for youth. That’s one for each district. Remember the kid — Aug. 4 is my birthday. That’s the day the young man died — he was 16 years old — in Hickory Trails. Three days later we were trying to plan a cookout. The city manager said, “No, it’s too dangerous out there for you guys.” I went out there. I talked to the mother. Jorge went out there. You need people on the council who are just going to knock down doors and are going to do everything we can to fight for you, and to go to places you’re not supposed to go. My website’s voteshell.com, and there’s a lot of information there for you. Thank you.
Showing posts with label Ryan Shell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Shell. Show all posts
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.
Two candidates' response to the Hickory Trails homicide
Jorge Cornell and Ryan Shell both made appearances at District 2 candidate Nettie Coad's campaign kickoff at the Nettie Coad Apartments today. It wasn't the first time the two at-large candidates have bumped into each other on the campaign trail.
Both candidates have reached out to the mother of the young man recently killed at the Hickory Trail apartment complex.
Shell said his effort to organize a community watch awareness event this past week was scuttled because Interim City Manager Bob Morgan advised council members that it would be dangerous to appear, and that family members and residents did not welcome the attention. Shell indicated that, in fact, the family was happy to have attention from elected officials and attention from the media. (I haven't checked with Morgan to confirm any of this.)
Cornell had a different concern. He said the Greensboro Housing Authority is threatening to evict the family because the young man who was killed was allegedly a gang member. The city council candidate -- who leads the North Carolina Latin Kings, a group recognized by law enforcement as a gang -- said he considers the allegation that the victim was a gang member to have no merit, expressing the view that the killing resulted from an individual beef rather than a gang conflict. He said he will be organizing a campaign to prevent the eviction. (Again, I haven't had an opportunity to confirm any of these details with the Greensboro Housing Authority.)
Cornell's comments prompted a conversation about the unfairness of public housing rules. One man, an ex-felon and HIV/AIDS activist named Thomas E. Clodfelter, introduced himself to the candidate.
"I've been following you for awhile," he said, "and I support you."
Community watch event scheduled for Hickory Trails apartments
Greensboro City Council at-large candidate Ryan Shell tells me a community watch awareness event has been scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Hickory Trails apartment complex. Shell, who is organizing the event with District 1 candidate Ben Holder, said he is contributing $50 for food. The Greensboro Police Department has promised to send representatives.
The News & Record reports that 16-year-old Breyon Shon Deese was killed between two sections the apartment complex on Tuesday. Candidate Holder noted that, unlike other residents, Hickory Trails residents did not have the opportunity to attend a National Night Out event last night. Hickory Trails is located at 4214 Bernau Ave.
UPDATE, Aug. 6, 6:28 p.m.: I went looking for the community watch awareness event at Hickory Trails apartment complex and bumped into Officer A. Moos of the GPD. Moos told me the event fell through the cracks because there wasn't adequate time to plan for it.
The News & Record reports that 16-year-old Breyon Shon Deese was killed between two sections the apartment complex on Tuesday. Candidate Holder noted that, unlike other residents, Hickory Trails residents did not have the opportunity to attend a National Night Out event last night. Hickory Trails is located at 4214 Bernau Ave.
UPDATE, Aug. 6, 6:28 p.m.: I went looking for the community watch awareness event at Hickory Trails apartment complex and bumped into Officer A. Moos of the GPD. Moos told me the event fell through the cracks because there wasn't adequate time to plan for it.
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.
Filing closes for candidates for Greensboro City Council
Ryan Shell has switched from District 2 to at-large.
Shell says in a press release: "I have been campaigning in District 2 for nearly two months and am ecstatic with the amount of support we've drummed up thus far. In no way am I abandoning the groundwork I've laid or the initiatives that I've started, but we are simply going to take those efforts to a new level and make things happen citywide. The goal of this campaign is to bridge gaps, unite Greensboro and really make some things happen."
Meanwhile, Nettie Coad, chairwoman of the Greensboro Redevelopment Commission, has thrown her hat in the race for District 2, joining Jim Kee, Gordon M. Hester and Dan Fischer.
Jay Ovittore, a member of the Greensboro Human Relations Commission, filed for the District seat, joining incumbent Zack Matheny and challenger George Hartzman.
Ovittore writes in a press release this morning: "Based on the rise in neighborhood crime, several zoning and planning issues and issues surrounding job creation and a high vacancy rate in our city, I could not feel comfortable sitting on the sidelines in this race."
David Crawford was the last to file before the noon deadline, joining the District 5 race with incumbent Trudy Wade and challenger Art Boyett.
Ovittore and Crawford's entry means that all Greensboro primary races are now competitive.
I spoke briefly with Jorge Cornell, who filed for at-large yesterday. Cornell says his campaign platform will extend beyond issues related to policing and gang enforcement. As for a felony conviction reported in the News & Record, Cornell said he pled guilty to a gun charge in King County, NY (Brooklyn) about 10 years ago. He said he needs to gather more documentation about the conviction to provide to the Guilford County Board of Elections.
Shell says in a press release: "I have been campaigning in District 2 for nearly two months and am ecstatic with the amount of support we've drummed up thus far. In no way am I abandoning the groundwork I've laid or the initiatives that I've started, but we are simply going to take those efforts to a new level and make things happen citywide. The goal of this campaign is to bridge gaps, unite Greensboro and really make some things happen."
Meanwhile, Nettie Coad, chairwoman of the Greensboro Redevelopment Commission, has thrown her hat in the race for District 2, joining Jim Kee, Gordon M. Hester and Dan Fischer.
Jay Ovittore, a member of the Greensboro Human Relations Commission, filed for the District seat, joining incumbent Zack Matheny and challenger George Hartzman.
Ovittore writes in a press release this morning: "Based on the rise in neighborhood crime, several zoning and planning issues and issues surrounding job creation and a high vacancy rate in our city, I could not feel comfortable sitting on the sidelines in this race."
David Crawford was the last to file before the noon deadline, joining the District 5 race with incumbent Trudy Wade and challenger Art Boyett.
Ovittore and Crawford's entry means that all Greensboro primary races are now competitive.
I spoke briefly with Jorge Cornell, who filed for at-large yesterday. Cornell says his campaign platform will extend beyond issues related to policing and gang enforcement. As for a felony conviction reported in the News & Record, Cornell said he pled guilty to a gun charge in King County, NY (Brooklyn) about 10 years ago. He said he needs to gather more documentation about the conviction to provide to the Guilford County Board of Elections.
Candidate talks back on party affiliation
Greensboro City Council District 2 candidate Ryan Shell talks back to my May 27 article about this year’s election. The candidate had the courtesy to call me today and directly address his concerns about my mention of his Republican party affiliation. I told him that when I use loaded terms such as “Republican,” “Democrat,” “black” or “white” I try to be sure that they’re more illuminating than distracting. In this case, I think the former outweighed the latter. We had a good conversation, which was off the record.
Shell joins the race
Ryan Shell announces he's running for Greensboro City Council.
UPDATE, 9:53 a.m.: Shell, who is registered in District 2 (currently represented by Goldie Wells), tells me he hasn't decided whether to run for a district seat or at large.
UPDATE, 9:53 a.m.: Shell, who is registered in District 2 (currently represented by Goldie Wells), tells me he hasn't decided whether to run for a district seat or at large.
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