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News & Record election questionnaire - Greensboro City Council District 1

Office you seek
City Council District 1

Occupation
Machinist - design and build production machines. Maintain machinery.

Age
52

Education
GTCC - associates in police science

Address
1903 Freeman Mill Road, Greensboro, NC 27406

Web site/blog/email address
charlesdcoffey@yahoo.com

Previous elective experience
Ran for City Council District 1 2005.

Other relevant experience (boards and commissions, etc.)
President of the Lee Street Merchants Association.
Board of Directors of the Heritage House Condominiums.
High Point Road West Lee Street Corridor Plan Citizen Committee.
Greater Glenwood Neighborhood Association Public Safety/District Attorney Committee

Family
Married, two children

Why have you chosen to run for this office?
What I've observed over the past four years is that the problems in District 1 are not being addressed. This is why I formed the Lee Street Merchants Association.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job
Honesty and integrity. I have a very good reputation at working well with others.

What distinguishes you most from your opponent(s)?
I formed the Lee Street Merchants Association to make some positive changes to District 1. The Lee Street Merchants Association has been able to lower the crime rate on Lee Street by 70%. I am accomplishing things instead of just talking about it.

Please list the top three issues in your district and your stances on those issues (briefly, please).
There are many homeless people in District 1. The Lee Street Merchants Association, the Guilford Center and the Family Service of the Piedmont have partnered together to work on this. With the help of a grant that the Guilford Center has received we will target the homeless and get some of them off the street.

District 1 is greatly divided. This narrowmindedness needs to end. We need to learn to get along together. The good people of District 1 need to pull together. Together we can create positive change in District 1.

Crime in District 1 is at an all time high. Gangs are taking control of our streets. Drug addiction and the crime that drugs create are growing. We need to support our Police Department and give them the manpower and resources that they require to fight these problems. To create economic development we need the help of developers and investors. They will not come into an area until the crime issues have been addressed.

If different from above, please list the top three issues citywide and your position on them (briefly, please).
There are many areas inside of Greensboro that have become blighted. Revitalizing these areas will boost the economy and bring more revenue into the city. The is a key factor in keeping taxes down.

What lessons do you think should be drawn from recent problems in the Greensboro Police Department?
Things are not always as they seem. Do not jump to conclusions before all of the facts are in. One issue was the placement of tracking devices on some police automobiles. If all police automobiles do not have tracking devices on them then that should be done.

Have those problems been resolved? Why or why not?
Not all of the problems have been resolved. Better race relations are key to solving these problems.

Should this district have had a recall election on Aug. 21? Why or why not?
I believe that the recall was too close to the general election.

Should the rules for recall elections in the city be changed? Why or why not?
The recall rules should be changed so that they will not be so close to a general election.

Have the mayor and City Council done an effective job in addressing Greensboro's economic needs? What more should they do?
The keys to attracting businesses to a city are low tax rates and business license fees. The City of Greensboro needs to control these more effectively. A strong police force and low crime rate is also a necessity for economic growth.

Does Greensboro have a gang problem and if so, how should the city address it?
Yes we have a gang problem. We must reach out to our young people and teach them about the ill effects of gangs. I would, with the help of the Police Department, address gang activity in District 1.

How can the city spur more economic development in District 1?
Economic growth has not been what it should be in District 1. The City of Greensboro has not been as supportive of the small business as they should be. I will work to correct that trend.

How would you evaluate the City Council's handling of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report?
The mayor promised to have an open debate about the report. The debate did not materialize and this created distrust between council members.

If you are not an incumbent, what vote or decision of the council would you overturn? Why do you disagree with the decision?
The matter of the trash transfer stations needs to be readdressed. This is costing the City of Greensboro too much of our tax dollars.

A recent social capital study cites not only continuing distrust among citizens in Greensboro but higher-than-average distrust of the police department and city government in general. How would you address those problems?
The City Council needs to evaluate the city staff and the police department staff. This evaluation should start at the top and run down its hierarchy.

What current council member do you admire most? Why?
Ms. Johnson because she has had a common sense approach to the issues brought to the city council.

What should be the vision for Guilford County be?
Guilford County needs to focus on the school system. The schools are failing. The economic future of Guilford County and Greensboro depends on our work force having an education.