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Who's running, who's not and who's still thinkin'
In our story today outlining two significant departures on the council, I didn't get a chance to spell out all the candidates who are in, out, or on the fence for the fall council race.
I'll throw in the proviso that all of this is academic, since the list that really matters will be compiled by the board of elections from July 1 to August 5 at noon.
Mayor:
Incumbent Keith Holliday is running
Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson said she won't challenge him
At-large: (3 seats)
Johnson will run at large again.
Councilman Don Vaughan hasn't announced officially, but a few months back he said that he plans to run again.
Florence Gatten will leave her District 4 seat and run for an at-large seat
David Hoggard, a window restorer and blogger, said he would talk with his family about Wednesday's announcement. He ruled out a run last month because of his wife's cancer treatments. "It certainly makes it more tempting, but family's still family." Hoggard has two options: running at-large like he did in 2003 or running for the open seat in his home District 2.
District 1:
First term rep Dianne Bellamy-Small hasn't announced her intentions
District 2:
Incumbent Claudette Burroughs-White will not run
Neighborhood activist Goldie Wells, an ally of Burroughs-White, will run
Toni Henderson, best known as an anti-drug crusader who's house was burned by crack dealers, called today to say she will run for the District 2 seat.
Lewis Byers, a barbershop owner and blogger, said he was "just not ready to say out loud yet" what his plans were. He has weighed a run on his blog in the past.
District 3:
Incumbent Robbie Perkins will not run again for the seat.
Current at-large Councilman Tom Phillips will run for the district seat. Phillips and Perkins live across the street from each other are both Republicans, but since city issues don't usually fall along partisan lines, they've taken different sides on some issues. Perkins usually advocated a more activist role for the city in attracting business and development, while Phillips often argues for the bureaucracy to just get out of the way. Perkins said he would "wholeheartedly" support Phillips' campaign.
Diane Davis, who ran against Perkins in 2003, said she was interested in serving on the council, but might actually weigh an at-large bid instead of a district run.
District 4:
Incumbent Florence Gatten will run for an at-large seat, vacating her district seat. Gatten said she is fulfilling her campaign promise to only serve two terms.
Janet Wallace, a former county Republican Party volunteer, has begun work to run for the seat.
Bob Skenes, who lost to Gatten by only 8 votes in 2003, said he won't run for the seat. But he's talked with other potential candidates about running for the seat. "If someone I would not like to see is the only one running" when the filing period is winding down, "they'll probably have company."
Former County Commissioner Mike Barber didn't rule a run in or out, but is clearly watching who will be filing. BTW, the quote that ran in the story, "I'm checking to see if someone young, handsome and has $100,000 in the bank is running for it first," is a thinly veiled reference to the candidate who defeated him in his 2004 commissioner election, Mike Winstead. (Former colleague Jeff Thigpen plugs Barber's undeclared candidacy here.)
District 5:
Incumbent Sandy Carmany announced on her blog that she will run again, as expected.
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Update: Toni Henderson, best known as an anti-drug crusader who's house was burned by crack dealers, called today to say she will run for the District 2 seat.
Comments (3)
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Is this Diane Davis's blog?
I posted a suggestion that she add her last name to her blog (or make it more prominent if I happened to miss it).
I found out about Diane's intentions to run through Greensboro101.com and Billy the Blogging Poet.
Diane's blog is titled Greensboro Peer Pressure.
Now we just need to confirm that she is Diane Davis so that we can credit her as not only a potential candidate but also a blogger.
Posted on June 23, 2005 4:57 PM
Matthew,
Thank you for this outline of where we stand.
I appreciate how clearly you broke everything down.
I look forward to continued updates about the Greensboro City Council election.
One suggestion is to set up permanent links to the blogs of potential and/or official candidates (who are not incumbents) at News-Record.com. (Thanks for including those links in this post.)
Incumbent politicians who are also bloggers already have links under News-Record.com's "Blogs from local politicians."
Ideally, and in the name of fairness for individuals who are automaticallly at a disadvantage, non-incumbent candidates' links should be listed on that same page, even if under a separate subheading.
By providing the links there, the News and Record will be contributing to a more democratic process by giving attention to candidates who will have a harder time gaining notice anyway.
(If there is someone else who ultimately must decide whether or not to set up the links I've suggested, please either let me know or forward this post to that person. Thank you.)
Sincerely,
Hardy
Posted on June 23, 2005 5:20 PM
I feel I must respond to the opinion expressed in 'Signs of life in council race' editorial in the Friday, June 24, 2005 edition.
The editorial states there is a need for fresh names and faces. I announced in February that I would be seeking the District 4 seat being vacated by Florence Gatten. I am new to the public political arena though I've been active in party politics for years. Matt Williams has indicated this on the blog. But my involvement in party politics is far from being the only public service and community activities in which I have been involved.
From 1994 to 1995 I served on the Reidsville Appearance Commission. From 1993 to 1995 I served on the Chinqua-Penn Plantation Re-opening Committee. I served on these committees when I was with the Reidsville Chamber of Commerce. The editorial indicated that candidates should be people that have prepared themselves by working on boards and commissions - now you know I have.
In 1995 I began working for Guilford County. County personnel policies prohibit political activity. Since I felt I could not serve the community through a board or commission as the members of those committees are in effect political appointees, I became involved in the Greensboro Jaycees. I have worked on the Empty Stocking Fund, Hospitality Areas of the ACC basketball tournament, the Greater Greensboro Nike Open, and the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic now known as the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro. I am currently the Chairman of the Clothing and Merchandising Tent for the upcoming CCG Tournament. In 1999, I was secretary of the Nike tournament assisting also with housing for the players and transportation for the PGA officials. The hard work of tournament chairman Mike Barber and our committee resulted in a $45,000 donation to Hospice. The CCG tournament has each year raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for our community charities.
The last four years, my volunteer activities have been curtailed so I could focus on my education. I graduated on May 7, 2005 from North Carolina Agricultural and Technological State University with a degree in Political Science. This education, my previous work experience and my volunteer activities have given me the foundation for the position of City Councilperson that I seek.
The editorial expresses a desire for young professionals. I am 36 years old and a Relationship Manager with First Horizon Home Loans. I believe that home ownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream and I am proud to be helping others achieve their dream. I am very proud to be a member of the First Horizon team as First Horizon has made a tremendous investment in our community.
I am young and hard working and care about the community and the people where I live. I will do an excellent job as the City Council District 4 representative.
Thank You,
Janet M. Wallace
4501 Foxcroft Road
Greensboro, NC 27410
336-294-7876
Posted on June 24, 2005 11:07 AM