The surprising news that Councilwoman T. Diane Bellamy-Small has filed to run for mayor has generated much puzzlement among observers. What is going on? What is she trying to do?
Previously, it had seemed that she was joined at the hip with Robbie Perkins. But now, her candidacy could theoretically undermine his bid to become mayor.
It must be understood that, in the eyes of some in the east Greensboro political community, Robbie Perkins is likely regarded as a Rich Republican White Male who happens to be developer-centric. He has been groomed by the Melderec crowd as the Great White Hope for east Greensboro in the mayoral election.
One other point needs to be made. Her opponent for the old district seat, D.J. Hardy, is viewed as a potentially strong challenger. It is possible she might have had difficulty winning reelection for the district seat.
A number of theories have circulated around or been verbalized. It must be emphasized that these are merely speculative. But here are some of the ideas I have been hearing:
1. She might legitimately be running to win.
2. She might have filed to get attention; but instead may subsequently drop out and perhaps file for the district seat.
3. She might be running to champion a particular political cause or point of view that Robbie might not emphasize as much.
4. She might be the candidate to vocalize loud criticisms of Bill Knight and/or Tom Phillips leaving Robbie to run a more positive campaign; or might be the candidate to somehow create chaos.
5. She might have filed to extract something from Robbie. It could be perhaps some policy concessions. But another recently published item suggests that she is starting up a new non-profit. There has been a precedent for east Greensboro political figures to set up non-profits, receive local governmental funding and in some cases derive income-- Yvonne Johnson, Michael King, Alma Adams, Skip and Earl's museum.
In any event, we will likely learn in due course the motivation for this filing. Or perhaps we won't.
But we cannot discount the possibility that Robbie Perkins, the Rich Republican White Male, could somehow be made to pay for the black vote being delivered to him. It should be noted that Robbie has not always been able to deliver to east Greensboro what it expects over the last several months. Would he be required as mayor somehow to throw bones in their direction; and if so, what will it cost us? The problem is that, during harder economic times, there are fewer bones to throw. You can placate and acquiesce only to a certain degree.
But could it be that Robbie is not even trusted by his closest political ally on the City Council?
She won't hang with the Mayor candidacy. She'll bail and run for her district seat. Rude and mean Dianne wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in hell...... Fit's right in with the crowd who constantly have a chip on their shoulder in her district. Every other Tuesday evening the Harold's get out the popcorn and pop and watch Greensboro's version of a Mad Black Woman on the telley.
Posted by: Harold | July 28, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Why do you think she filed, Harold?
Posted by: Joe Guarino | July 28, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Extortion.
You mention it above in #5.
Posted by: Harold | July 28, 2011 at 02:35 PM
She has had Yvonne Johnson, Michael King, Alma Adams, Skip and Earl as mentors, looks like another money pit for the tax payers. All you racist (whites) out there get ready to pay!
Posted by: KeepYourHandOutOfMyPocket | July 28, 2011 at 09:41 PM
i hope she wins, to silemce folks like all of you
Posted by: keep hope alive | July 29, 2011 at 08:47 PM
"i hope she wins, to silemce folks like all of you"
I can't decide.....is this from a product of our local government schools, or is it the handiwork of one who dropped out of the eighth grade at the legal age for doing so?
Posted by: bubba | July 29, 2011 at 10:50 PM
"i hope she wins, to silemce folks like all of you" - this is probably from T. Diane Bellamy-Small
Posted by: KeepYourHandOutOfMyPocket | July 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM
No one silences B-s. She feels entitled to her nasty attitude.
Posted by: bubba | July 30, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Most likely, tdBS was afraid that she could not win district 1. No one would expect her to win the mayoral race, so that is a safe way to exit stage left.
No matter how it all goes down, this will be the most entertaining fall in Greensboro, ever!
Posted by: sensei | July 30, 2011 at 04:20 PM
No argument here. But what if TDBS wins the center seat-- what then?
Posted by: Billy Jones | July 30, 2011 at 04:44 PM
"No argument here. But what if TDBS wins the center seat-- what then?"
You sure won't get a word in edge wise that is for sure. Maybe she can run for County Commissioner and she and Skip can form a coalition. We could call it the Small-Alston liaison.
Posted by: KeepYourHandOutOfMyPocket | July 30, 2011 at 06:41 PM
What would a TDBS victory mean to/for the local conservatives?
Posted by: Billy Jones | July 30, 2011 at 09:22 PM
" What then ? " Billy Jones
What would B-52 carpet bombing do to Haw River ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIhGYu5Uc08
Not much for good government.
Posted by: Fred Gregory | July 31, 2011 at 04:07 PM