Greensboro City Council, District 2: Dan Fischer, with reservations

I have received questionnaire responses from two of the four candidates running in District 2-- Nettie Coad and Dan Fischer. 

Two candidates have not responded, including Jim Kee, who has been reported to likely be Goldie Wells' choice.  If that is true, Kee might have an inside track for the Simkins machine endorsement.  He has also apparently been involved in real estate development.

I did not agree with all of Dan Fischer's responses.  However, he says he is forsaking the support of the Simkins PAC and TREBIC.  He does not want to provide incentives for private real estate development.  He says he wants to expand use of the White Street Landfill.  He opposes giving taxpayers' money and increased standing for policy decisions to Action Greensboro and the Greensboro Partnership.  Overall, I like his responses more than those Nettie Coad provided; but I did have concerns about some of his positions.

If I lived in this district, I would probably vote for Fischer on the basis of the information available, but with reservations.  If Jim Kee truly does materialize as the machine candidate, it would be nice for the district to find and support a good, strong alternative.  Whether that is likely to happen is another matter entirely. 

Comments

[Brandon Burgess]

I'd like to reiterate some points I made at Roch's.

The landfill issue is a hot topic in my district. I do not live on White St. but I do sympathize with the neighbors there when it comes to traffic and smells. The suggestion by some, including Goldie Wells, that the landfill causes cancer and is "racist" because it is in a predominantly black neighborhood seem closed minded, to me at least, and I wonder if any of the candidates harbor those same sentiments. Gordon Hester and Dan Fischer both recognize that more information is needed before we close the case on the landfill, but that the health of residents is top priority.

Fischer also demonstrates a forward thinking attitude when it comes to the gang and crime issue. He suggests that instilling a sense of community and pride through mentoring, life skills programs, and economic opportunity are the key. He has plans.

Nettie Coad is closely aligned with Jorge Cornell and Co. and for that reason alone, I can not support her. I live in a diverse community of whites, blacks, hispanics and asians and the last thing we need is a polarizing figure with the brown/black vs. white/police mindset, which is how I view Cornell and his supporters. I believe the gang unit has been wildly successful in my neighborhood and Cornell and his supporters have called for an end to the gang unit. Cornell is a gang leader. Something smells fishy.

Jim Kee seems to be the most professional, and probably the "go to" guy, with all the right connections. But, he appears to not be open to re-opening white st under any circumstances and, therefore, is not concerned with what is in the best interests of our city economically or financially.

[Joe Guarino]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Brandon. I knew I could not support Nettie Coad based on her policy positions, but I was not aware of the other information you shared.

Jim Kee, at this early stage, unfortunately appears to be the candidate to beat. We shall see.