I have received a completed questionnaire from City Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small. I appreciate her participating.
She requested that I link to her website, which is found here. Her responses are as follows, unfiltered:
1. What do you regard as the single most important function or purpose of local government?
To provide the quality of life for all the citizens mandated by law and by the citizens that provides life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
2. What would be your specific plan or approach to attract new employers, and retain existing employers, in the City of Greensboro?
1. Provide and/or improve the infrastructure in areas that have potential for economic growth and development
2. Continue efforts with the Greensboro Partnership and the city's economic development staff
3. Provide grants or incentives to existing business and assist them in receiving state and federal assistance
4. Better use our MWBE program to connect businesses to new businesses who receive incentives from the city
5. Continue to work regionally to attract and keep businesses.
3. What would be your specific plan to reduce crime?
1. Encourage neighborhoods to actively participate in community watch programs
2. Encourage other business areas to adopt the Randleman Rd. model
3. Work closer with public school about juvenile issues
4. Fund the gang unit requested by Chief Bellamy
5. Support the S.C.O.R.E. team.
4. Would you ever vote in favor of a tax increase? Yes.
5. Are you going to seek or accept the endorsement of the Simkins PAC? They did not endorse me in 2005.
6. Are you going to seek or accept the support of TREBIC? Editor's note: She did not respond to this question.
7. Do you support same-sex domestic partner benefits for City employees? Yes, if it is offered to others who have dependent needs like siblings, child with elderly parent, etc.
8. What would be your specific plan to clean up the Greensboro Police Department?
Efforts have been underway to deal with the problems in the GPD since January 2006. Everything that can legally and morally be done, I feel is being done. "Cleaning up the police department" is a mandate to give to the city manager. One must keep in mind that having responsive public safety is key to the safety of the citizens and the officers, so the concerns of the department must be dealt with fairly and patiently. I believe the department is on the way to healing and recovery.
My response: I once again want to express my appreciation to Councilwoman Bellamy-Small for responding.
Her response to the first question-- that providing for the area's "quality of life" is the most important function of local government-- seems excessively broad, and flawed. Is this really the single most important activity?
She had some good responses to the second question on economic development, but unfortunately would raise taxes, which would tend to undermine these efforts. In addition, there is not an overall attitude of business friendliness expressed. I wonder upon relying upon the MWBE program as a means of economic development.
Her responses on crime are acceptable as far as they go; but they emphasize soft approaches, and are likely insufficient.
Her response that she would support tax increases is disappointing, but we already knew that based on her record.
She unfortunately did not respond to the questions regarding the Simkins PAC and TREBIC.
Her response that domestic partner benefits be extended to other relationships is logically defensible, but might increase expenses depending upon how the program works. I think it would be better to stick with the pre-2006 model.
Her response to the question about cleaning up the mess in the GPD supports the current status quo, with some degree of enthusiasm, but we already knew that also.
The choice as to whether to re-elect Ms. Bellamy-Small resides with voters in her district. It remains to be seen whether her challengers represent an improvement over the incumbent with respect to their stands on the issues, and the alliances they may or may not have.
The remainder of the questionnaire results may be found by clicking "Council Candidates" below, or at the top of the right column; and links to the questionnaire results may also be found by going to this web page.
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