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GREENSBORO — It's certainly not a new phenomenon in Greensboro City Council races.

But some black leaders say it's troubling nonetheless:

Only two of 13 at-large candidates — elected by voters citywide rather than by district — live in District 1 (Greg Woodard) and District 2 (Joe Venable) . Those districts are in southern and eastern Greensboro and contain most of the city's low-income and black voters.

The other 11 at-large candidates live in western and northern parts of Greensboro, historically home to more affluent voters and, presumably, generous campaign donors.

The 13 candidates will be whittled to six after the primary election Oct. 9 . Election Day is Nov. 6 . Three of the six will win at-large seats on the City Council.

It's possible — in fact it's pretty likely — the council's three at-large winners will come from prospering, mainly white districts. And that worries some people that issues affecting the poor and minorities will receive short shrift by the council.

"Most 5-4 votes (by the City Council) are weighted toward the western parts of the city," said Ralph Johnson , co-chairman of Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro . "That's what I'm concerned about."

The Greensboro City Council is made up of nine members . Five come from districts and are elected by voters in their geographic area. Then there's the mayor and three at-large candidates, who are elected by voters across the city .

This year's slate of at-large candidates is fairly typical, said Guilford County Commissioner Melvin "Skip" Alston , a leader of the powerful Simkins PAC that recommends candidates to the black community.

Most years, most candidates live in northwest Greensboro and have the cash and the connections to win a citywide race, he said.

"It boils down to money and name recognition," he said.

He said black voters often are left to look for candidates from other parts of town who advocate on behalf of the poor and minorities.

And Alston said political action committees, such as the Simkins PAC, can recommend single-shotting — voting for one at-large candidate rather than three, to give each vote more weight. That would ensure someone such as Joe Venable, the only black at-large candidate and a District 2 resident, would have a chance of winning, according to Alston.

He noted that only one at-large candidate from eastern Greensboro has managed to pull it off: Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson , an African-American and a District 2 resident. She has won an at-large seat seven times — and three times was the top at-large vote-getter, making her mayor pro tem.

In 2005, Johnson was the second-highest vote-getter among the at-large candidates. Sandra Anderson Groat , a builder whose office is in District 2 , is the current mayor pro tem and is running for re-election.

Johnson is giving up her at-large seat to run for mayor against downtown developer Milton Kern .

Ralph Johnson also noted Yvonne Johnson's success running at-large. But he said she's the exception to the rule because of her citywide popularity and the ease with which she raises money.

That's not the case for most residents of Districts 1 and 2 with ambitions of running at-large — even if they're wildly popular within in their communities.

"If you're running at-large, you have to be well-connected," he said. "I don't care who you are. If you don't get the money and you're not well-connected, you're not going to win."

Contact Margaret Moffett Banks at 373-7031 or mbanks@news-record.com