news-record.com

Office you seek
North Carolina General Assembly, House District 58

Age
49 years old

Occupation
Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP, Attorneys at Law, Assistant
N.C. State Bar Certified Paralegal

Address
2216 E. Lee Street, Greensboro, Guilford, NC 27401

Web site/e-mail address
www.olgawright.com

Party affiliation
Republican

Elective experience
2004 RNC, Alternative Delegate
Guilford County Republican Party, Executive Board Member, Secretary, Present

Other relevant experience (board, commissions, etc.)
IOPL, Institute of Political Leadership, Fellow, Fall, 2008
African American Leadership Summit, 2006,
Guilford County Minority Outreach, Chair, 2004-2006
Guilford County Republican Party, Executive Committee Member, 2003-2007
National Black Republicans, Member
N.C. General Assembly, Candidate, 2004, 2006, 2008
United States Army Reserve 1979-1985
204th Judge Advocate General Detachment, Fort Bragg, NC
Certified Court Stenographer/Law Clerk,
Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, NC

Family
Morgan Elizabeth Wright Pone, 24
John Wesley Wright, III, 16 ¾

Why have you chosen to fun for this office
I often wonder if anyone else draws a correlation between the pride felt as a result of being involved in our neighborhoods and communities and that of filing for political office. Pride, that is more evident when I reflect on the fact that my grandparents did not have the same opportunity when they were my age. The very fabric of my community is sewn together by threads of various cultures that differ economically, educationally and spiritually. This election cycle I include giants of the past, voices of the present and hope for the future in an effort to create a quilt of opportunity for North Carolina citizens. I choose to run for office in hopes that my neighborhood and surrounding communities would be collectively uplifted rather than to continue in the cycle of unemployment, poor housing, failing schools, environmental injustice, and crime.

I was born and continue to live in an area described by some as "poor". I stand as one who believes that we each owe it to the other to make a difference in our local communities and entire state. As a single mother my primary responsibility has been to raise the children I have been blessed with to be productive, effective citizens for the State of North Carolina. I also believe in the African proverb that "it takes a village to raise a child." If we all ban together for effective leadership then our neighborhoods and communities will become areas of prosperity and growth for generations to come. I believe it is our civic duty to help build and sustain our communities economically, financially and spiritually in order to preserve it for our children's children. If not now, when? If not me, then who? This is who I am and that is why I choose to run.

What distinguishes you most from your opponent?
What distinguishes me most from my opponent is my sincere passion to improve the lives of all individuals and businesses within District 58, and not just the universities and large non-profit organizations. As a lifelong resident of District 58 I have a desire to conquer the issues that plague the area such as poor housing, crime, slow economic growth and low performing schools. I also have an earnest desire to offer incentives for small business growth and to help the residents and businesses deal with issues of eminent domain.

What key qualifications would you bring to the job?
I bring to the job the ability to effectively and efficiently lead District 58 with the passion and fervor necessary in order to rebuild the District economically, educationally and productively. Too often we hear that if its not broken don't fix it, well, District 58 has been broken for over 10 years and to continue to patch the pieces together with scotch tape is no longer an option. As a researcher I possess the skills necessary to find resources and programs that will benefit the citizens and businesses of District 58. Most of all, I possess character and integrity to do more than just be a ceremonial figure for the people.

What is the most pressing need in your district?
The most pressing need in District 58 is affordable educational and job training opportunities.

List your top three campaign issues and your stances on those issues.

Affordable Housing/Eminent Domain Protection
Support legislation to increase homeownership, develop education programs to create regional coalitions to identify and reduce barriers to homeownership. Increase funding for the Housing Trust Fund in an amount to have a true affect to assist citizens throughout the state for housing, job skill training and child care costs.

K-12 Education Reform
Sponsor legislation that will incorporate a blended curriculum reflecting the content of
academic and vocational courses in recognizing multiple intelligences, learning styles and
goals towards good paying jobs for those not on a college track.

Living Wage Initiatives
Support Education Assistance Programs for Minimum wage workers through scholarships, support initiatives to provide worker training, development and transitioning between industries in the current market. The quality of life begins with a job and I will support any and all bills to support increased worker training skills to increase wages beyond a minimum wage.

Did ethics reform in the legislature go far enough. Why or why not?
No, ethics reform did NOT go far enough. There is an air of entitlement that surrounds certain legislative practices i.e., awarding scholarship money to friends and family, etc. In order to give the citizens of North Carolina a sense of confidence in all legislative practices there should be an independent ethics commission governing and sanctioning those who commit unethical violations.

How should the state deal with the problems with mental health reform?
In order to deal with problems with mental health reform, the State should first conduct an assessment to determine which programs are working and which ones are not. A determination to establish the strengths and weaknesses of agency procedures should also be made. Once those two things are completed then the State can begin reforming the Mental Health Agency to become a more effective agency for the citizens of North Carolina who utilizes its services.

Where do you stand on the governor's proposal for managing state water use in a crisis?
I believe that a study should be conducted to determine the costs associated with upgrading the current water system. I agree, however, that public awareness is the key to long term conservation measures. Encouraging citizens to conserve by changing consumption habits is the only smart alternative for long term effects. I agree that state building codes must be revised to include water efficient fixtures in all new commercial and residential constructions and that tax breaks should be given for those businesses and individuals that upgrade existing properties. I do not believe that transferring and/or expanding power will reduce the consumption habits of people nor will it have an effect on long term conservation goals.

Did the state House act correctly in expelling Thomas Wright and why or why not?
Yes. Unfortunately, without the aforementioned independent ethics commission in place it is difficult for a body of peers to handle such matters and to prolong it was a detriment to the reputation and confidence of the General Assembly. The perception and the reputation of the General Assembly as a whole should supersede any right of the representative to "wait" to be adjudicated by a court. The integrity of the body must be protected. Representative Wright was subsequently found guilty of his crimes.

Do you favor an independent, nonpartisan redistricting commission? Why or why not?
Yes, I favor any and all independent nonpartisan commissions. Without an independent nonpartisan commission personal gerrymanders will continue to decide elections rather than politically educated citizens.