The News and Record reported Friday that Yvonne Johnson has declared her candidacy for mayor of Greensboro. Since then, there seems to have been expressed a sense elsewhere that her election is nearly preordained-- that there is a certain atmosphere of inevitability.
I hope that is not the case. We need a vigorous contest for this position, with viable opposition.
The article was headed with a quote from Ms. Johnson: "I believe it is my time." It was pointed out she would be the city's second female mayor, and its first black mayor.
There is no entitlement to this office, and there should be no presumption that any given individual is next in line for the position. That is to be decided by the voters. The fact that she is a woman, or that she is African-American, should not matter one iota. What should matter is whether she is the best person in Greensboro for the position.
We need to remember a few things about Ms. Johnson. First, she is a machine politician. Second, she was one of the four city council members who blocked the audit of Project Homestead. (Two of the others, Robbie Perkins and Claudette Burroughs-White, were on hand Thursday to endorse her candidacy. It must have been like Project Homestead's Homecoming Day.)
Third, she played a role in advocating the non-acceptance of residential trash at the White Street Landfill at considerable cost to Greensboro taxpayers. Fourth, her own personal household in the past has faced considerable unpaid tax liabilities, amounting to the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fifth, she was mayor pro tem at the time that arrangements were made to undermine David Wray at the Police Department during late 2005.
Perhaps it may seem unfair to some that a candidacy be judged by such criteria. But I ask: is this the best we can do?
If it is, we all need to be concerned. I truly hope that an excellent person will materialize to run for this office.
Postscript: The News and Record also reported that Rev. Howard Chubbs offered his endorsement and spoke on her behalf. He is the pastor of Providence Baptist Church, reported to be "one of the most prominent black churches in town". Once again, our local separationists failed to squeal in outrage that the esteemed wall between church and state had been breached. If a local conservative Christian or Catholic pastor had done something like this, we never would have heard the end of it.
Joe,
Do you have a ballpark of time frame that Johnson voted to block the audit of Project Homestead?
This could be a huge issue during election and a few "in the know" people that I spoke to today did not have knowledge of that vote.
Thanks Joe.
Posted by: tony | April 23, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Tony, it was not a vote. Instead, it was a meeting Johnson and three other council members had with then-city manager Ed Kitchen to stop city auditor Jacky Dowd from doing her job. The time frame was September, 1999.
The link for the News and Record's coverage is here:
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040201/NEWSREC0101/60111046
Posted by: Joe Guarino | April 23, 2007 at 07:21 PM
It is a big concern for me also. I hope we are able to encourage candidates for the council and mayor who are not part of the present council. I believe it is necessary to replace the majority of them or we will end up with the same ole, same ole situation we have now. We do not need a group of council members who just rubber stamp ideas and suggestions put forth by the city manager or anyone else. Council members need to do their investigation and ask questions.
Posted by: Betty Almond | April 23, 2007 at 11:39 PM
I agree, Betty, and I thank you for commenting. In addition, there is another phenomenon that we have seen on recent City Councils, and that is a tendency toward monolithic thought and action on the part of council members. We need vigorous debate and discussion of the great issues affecting our city from individuals on council from a wide range of sociopolitical vantage points. That debate should not be stifled or prevented. I am not sure how well the non-partisan structure of our council truly works.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | April 24, 2007 at 06:57 AM
The Rhino's suit against the Council over Willow Oaks, which if they win will force the council members to each pay the city tax payers back the excess payment they approved, will go a long way towards making any members of a governing board consider their individual vote a lot better than has been in the past. I see the city legal office (Linda Miles) has ask for time "at least 30 days" to get the documents together and discuss it with the staff. In other words they are stalling for time and trying to figure a way to cover their buns. Too late! The buns have already been exposed. Each member will have to fork over $4000 for their share of the $35,000 over payment. Now if the Rhino carries thru and goes after them on the Bryant Electric deal that is a nice $300,000+ they will collectively have to pay back. Yes, indeed this suit will send a message loud and clear.! It will be the best thing done for Greensboro/Guilford for ages.
Posted by: Brenda Bowers | April 24, 2007 at 01:41 PM
Brenda, that would be a very interesting turn of events if it were to occur. Thanks for commenting.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | April 24, 2007 at 08:24 PM
Joe, I've addressed your postscript on my site:
http://www.pleadthefirst.com/2007/04/26/squealing-about-an-endorsement/
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