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News & Record election questionnaire - Greensboro City Council District 1

Office you seek
Greensboro City Council District 1

Occupation
Trainer/Consultant

Age
54

Education
B.A. UNC- Chapel Hill, Graduate Work UNCG, Duke, Certified Criminal Justice Trainer, Diversity Trainer, Parent Educator

Address
3211 Delmonte Drive Greensboro, NC 27406

Web site/blog/email address
www.bellamysmallforcouncil.com
www.triadblogs.com/TDianneBellamySmall
bellamy.small@greensboro-nc.gov

Previous elective experience
2 Terms on Greensboro City Council, 24 years Guilford County Board of Elections - Chief Judge

Other relevant experience (boards and commissions, etc.)
Democratic Women, Precinct Officer, PTA, Young Dems, State Youth Advisor NAACP, 1st Vice President North Carolina Black Elected Municipal Officials(NCBEMO), Alliance of Black Elected Officials

Family
Married, 3 Sons, 6 Grandchildren

Why have you chosen to run for this office?
I want to continue the work I started as the District 1 Representative. District 1 needs and deserves consistency in effective leadership. I have worked hard to serve the people and I want to continue to make that difference for all the citizens in my District.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job
* Experience
* Strong knowledge base and strong record as a city council member
* Intensive work ethic
* A willingness to advocate for difficult issues
* A desire to be a servant and reach all people

What distinguishes you most from your opponent(s)?
I believe I have demonstrated my ability to be and effective "talented" leader. I understand and have addressed concerns and needs for District 1. My agenda is the people's agenda. I have served with dignity, honor, integrity and hard work.
My platform is:
* Encouraging and Strengthening Community/Neighborhood Involvement and Empowerment
* Stressing More Emphasis on Best Practices to Maximize the use of Public Safety Resources
* Strengthen Collaborative Efforts to Address Social Concerns- Youth, Homelessness, Jobs and Senior Adults
* Continue Advocacy for Economic Development and Impact for District 1

Please list the top three issues in your district and your stances on those issues (briefly, please).
* Crime - addressing gangs, drugs and property crimes
* Economic Development - attracting stable, clean businesses, strengthen mass transit and encourage small businesses
* Continue to empower and strengthen neighborhoods - educating neighborhoods on how to advocate for themselves, organize community watch and the development of the Southeast Coalition of Neighborhoods

If different from above, please list the top three issues citywide and your position on them (briefly, please).
* Addressing the capacity to handle growth
* Attracting suitable jobs with good income
* Improving and investing in our mass transit system - realizing how it ties in to economic development

What lessons do you think should be drawn from recent problems in the Greensboro Police Department?
* The department needs to have checks and balances to allow officers a fairer way of voicing their concerns without fearing reprisal including an avenue outside of the department
* Provide on going diversity and sensitivity training for all levels of employees
* Continue community resource teams and community policing
* Give the police chief the power to more effectively administer the department
* Strength the process for citizens complaints to be addressed

Have those problems been resolved? Why or why not?
Chief Bellamy has had a difficult task dealing with running the department and the various levels of problems created by his predecessor. I believe every effort is being made at all levels to deal with the issues in the department. And as a result of these efforts I think the police department will be a strong agency. The citizens I think have been patience and the council has asked and received timely updates and explanations on the progress of the issues in the department. The issues the department is dealing with developed over time and it will take time to correct them.

Should this district have had a recall election on Aug. 21? Why or why not?
No - See below

Should the rules for recall elections in the city be changed? Why or why not?
Yes - See below

Have the mayor and City Council done an effective job in addressing Greensboro's economic needs? What more should they do?
The council has tried to assist existing businesses stay in Greensboro and grow. We have supported attracting new businesses. We should do more for small and medium size businesses. We need to do more promotion of currently zoned properties in east Greensboro to attract appropriate types of businesses to the area. We obviously made a strong commitment to economic development with the bond in the last election.

Does Greensboro have a gang problem and if so, how should the city address it?
Greensboro has had a gang problem for a number of years but no one has wanted to acknowledge it and deal with it. I have been trying for the last 2 years to get the council to look at concerns about gangs. I have shared with the council a best practice to take a holistic approach to some of the social ills that contribute to delinquent behavior such as gang activity. It took six months to get a briefing time for gangs. I have worked with GMA, GPD and other members of the HOPE Project to develop materials for parents and other adults working with youth. I have attended 3 gang trainings for law enforcement and other agencies in the past 2 years. And I have requested to be considered for a Train the Trainer for the GREAT program.

How can the city spur more economic development in District 1?
* Marketing , incentives
* Improving the infrastructure to make it more attractive for developers to invest in southeast Greensboro
* Recruit businesses and services that meet the needs and wants of the specific markets in District 1

How would you evaluate the City Council's handling of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report?
Not very good

If you are an incumbent, what vote or decision as a council member would you change in retrospect? What led you to change your mind?
I would change my decision about rezoning property near the airport residential. Now, we have 2 major players developing businesses in the airport area. I think the land would be more useful as industrial.

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?
* By continuing to go to the people with answers to their concerns
* Encouraging the manager and his leadership team and department heads to engage the public at community meetings. The citizens need to see who runs the city and the staff needs to see the city they work for.
* Continuing to send out mailings and other forms of communication to the people and meeting them in person
* Do not rely on the media to get the city's message to the people

What current council member do you admire most? Why?
Each council member has unique talents that I find interesting and I have learned a lot from watching them.

What should be the vision for Guilford County?
* To work more cooperatively with cities and towns in the county
* To do a better job of bridging the gaps between race, culture, economics
* To have the elected bodies work closer together for the greater good of the county

What steps should the city take to address escalating energy costs?
* Use the most efficient methods possible in energy uses
* Explore and develop best practices for conservation of energy
* Use "green" designs for future city building projects

How can the city help the growth of locally owned small businesses?
* Listen to the needs of the small business owner all the way to the push cart vendor level
* Form an advisory council for the LOSB and encourage better access to the Chamber
* Provide information and education on grants and incentives to encourage LOSB success and growth

Attachment for two questions: "Should this district have had a recall election on Aug. 21? Why or why not?" and "Should the rules for recall elections in the city be changed? Why or why not?"

This Recall Election Makes No Sense

The recall election of T. Dianne Bellamy Small makes no sense. This recall, though constitutionally allowed, is a poor way to exercise this power. A recall should happen when there is a legitimate reason for one. Reasons cited for a recall of an elected official have been misuse of office, misrepresentation of office, dereliction of duty, conviction of a crime, immoral or unethical behavior. And there should be substantiated proof of these actions. The timing of the recall does not make sense with a General Primary for the Municipal Elections being held 43 days later.

In November, 2005, 3010 voters in District 1 went to the polls and cast their vote for their District representative. In April, 2007, 776 voters signed a petition to recall this duly elected representative on unfounded allegations and insinuations. Of that number, 612 signers did not vote in the District 1 election. Some people feel this recall is racially motivated. The numbers say this: the leader of the petition committee and most of the members are white and over 65% of the petition signers were white. The person who called for the District 1 representative to resign is white. District 1 is 66% African American. The U. S. Justice Department, however, did not feel this recall would be a threat to minority representation on the City Council. So the recall election will be held Tuesday, August 21, 2007.

As the duly elected representative of all of District 1, I have made every effort to represent my entire constituency base regardless of race, income or need. Very little has been said about my quality of service to the District. No other elected official in city government has been scrutinized the way I have in the last 18 months by the media. The media continues to repeat statements that are not factual about my actions, integrity and performance on council.

In the area of information:
I am the only city council member who has produced an annual report detailing information about what has happened and will happen in District 1 with additional information on how to get involved and who to contact for anything one might need. I also send out at least 2-3 other mailings to community and neighborhood leaders in District 1 during the year.
As the District 1 representative I made sure the appropriate information to empower neighborhoods and individuals to advocate to the city council for their needs was made available. Examples: Zoning Information for Glenwood and Warnersville, sidewalk concerns of Genesis Baptist Church, HEAT Bus Concerns for the Summer Students at GTCC Many individuals have asked for assistance from minority contracts to lights to jobs to assistance with housing and many more. I promote the various events that have or will occur in District 1 during my comments from council. So many positive things happen in the district that never receives adequate media coverage. I want everyone to know the very positive aspects of District 1.

In the area of communication and response:
I average 20 - 30 phone responses a month, 10 - 15 email responses and a number of mail responses. I utilize the community relations staff assigned to help council to give professional and quick responses to calls made by citizens about concerns. The staff reports to me daily if needed on the outcome of those situations and if needed I will do additional follow up.
I have had websites and now a blog to help communicate District 1's needs and to give information. http://www.triadblogs.com/TDianneBellamySmall

In the area of visibility:
I attend more activities throughout the city than most council members except for the mayor. In 3 years, I have attended nearly 45 National Night Out sites in District 1. I have held 3 or 4 public meetings and informational sessions for residents.
I attend a number of receptions, groundbreakings, neighborhood meetings and events and participate in almost every parade Christmas, ML King, Fun Fourth. I attend board and commission meeting, neighborhood congress and participate in youth and school activities such as Career Day at Washington St. School.
Serving as Vice President of NCBEMO and a member of the Black Alliance planning committee

In the area to attendance and responsiveness:
I have been in attendance at council meetings about 99% of the time. I have attended council briefings on a regular basis and continued to be a contributing member of the council. And even though council members have not given me the respect of coming to me with there concerns I have communicated directly with council thru memos and in person about my concerns. When I felt it was appropriate I have responded to questions asked of me by the media and other council members. I have met with the mayor on the concerns council had on a number of occasions because I considered him the leader of the council. I have made compiling presentations at the council's annual retreat to help fellow council members understand what makes up District 1. They have even used my material to make their presentations. I attend meetings of city wide concern with GMA, TREBIC, TAA, Legislative Town Meetings in Greensboro and Raleigh and the Chamber.

In the area of advocacy for my district:
Recognition with approx. 30 resolutions in memory of ordinary people who have made extraordinary contributions in our communities
Glenwood Revitalization
Homeless needs on Eugene St., Affordable and Healthy Housing
Economic Development for Southeast Greensboro
Continued support to the Randleman Road Association
Commission on the Status of Women and Domestic Violence Issues
Recognition of Women in Law Enforcement, Additional Police Officers and Police Support
Request for a Gang Unit and engaging the School System and community in allowing appropriate training of school and community staff. Developed information training parents and other adults on Gangs, Requesting immediate removal of Gang Indicators in communities and on buildings
Supported City Employee Recognition and Education
Improved Bus Service and Bus Stop Enhancements Assisting Individuals and Organizations with Bus Passes
Promotion of GTA Bus Programs
Gun Safety for Youth and Families, Requested SCORE assistance for high crime areas in and outside of the district
Recognition of Historical Events and Support of GCTV
Support of A&T's Homecoming Vendor needs, Supporting Higher Education Efforts at UNCG, Bennett, A&T, GTCC
Building relationships with the Guilford County Schools in District 1
Attend School Career Days and responded to surveys by graduate students for research papers
Encouraging the formation of the Southeast Neighborhood Coalition
Supporting Economic Incentives with an emphasis on Minority Contractors
Participation in Truth and Reconciliation Town Meetings
Support the VFW on Elm-Eugene St., Supporting a new fire station on Willow Road
Requesting WiFi for the public libraries in Greensboro with Glenwood being one of the first sites
Removal of a blighted building on the corner of Benbow Rd. and MLKing Drive.
Advocate for the Barber Park bond money be spent on Barber Park

In the area of Innovative Approach:
Having Department and Division Heads ride District 1 to see first hand needs and concerns some of them had never seen. It is my understanding I am the first and only council member to do this.
Semi annual meetings with department heads or their designee to talk about concerns, improvement and needs of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and District 1. The last meeting was held July 12, 2007.
Constant monitoring of ML King Drive and its needs
Suggestions for improved use of Channel 13 such as the Factoids, Clock and Music and encouraged the use of the station to get information out especially for people who may not have internet access.
Request and provided training for citizens on emergency preparedness
Requesting more personal contact with citizens by city manager and his leadership team
Encourage more openness about the issues surrounding the police scandal,
Community meetings with schools, businesses, and citizens
Meeting with developers to promote assets of District 1, Helped to convince other members of council that high density in East Greensboro was not a good practice, quality of developments was important, too.
Developing a citizens' voice to deal with future land use planning in Southeast Greensboro using the Comprehensive Plan 2025 as a guide, Working closely with city staff on solutions to needs in District 1 and encouraging staff to work with citizens
Request quarterly police crime reports on the district
Riding behind the waste management trucks on service day to assess services and needs
Participating in the Homeless Count and going on the block to talk with the homeless men about their needs Putting trash cans on the block to assist with keeping the area clean on Eugene St.
Riding the GTA Bus and asking the Director of GTA to accompany me to assist conditions and needs for the bus riders then writing and submitting a report to the council and the GTA Board

I have worked with dignity, honor and integrity to make a lasting difference for District 1. It has been a challenge standing up against the status quo, but I felt in order to do my job well I had to take an approach that would get the best outcome for my constituents. District 1 did not need more of "just go along" with what had been done in the past. I have had no need to self promote. I asked to be elected to serve the citizens of my district and the city. My focus has been on the often overlooked detail needs of the district which if given the proper attention makes the district stronger from the inside. District 1 has seen improvements: economic growth, crime in some areas, cleanliness, responses from city services, citizen participation and in the quality of representation. For this progress to continue, the focus needs to stay on what District 1 really needs in its leadership at the community level, at the district level and city wide. This recall was misguided and I hope the voters in District 1 will vote against it and then elect who they want to represent them for the next 2 years in October and November, 2007.