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GREENSBORO CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR
The following candidates have declared their candidacy for Mayor of Greensboro. Candidates have until July 17 at noon to file their paperwork with the board of elections.

The following information was compiled through interviews with the candidates. This biographical information will be updated throughout the election.

Name: Yvonne Johnson
Seat seeking: Mayor
Age (date of birth): 66 (Oct. 26)
Residence: 4311 King Arthur Place
Relationship status: Married, four children, seven grandchildren
Contact info: Work, 275-5285; Home, 375-5173; yjjohnson@triadd.rr.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.yvonnejohnsonformayor.com
Occupation, job title and workplace: Executive director, One Step Further
Education: Graduate of Bennett College; masters from N.C. A&T.
Political experience: Seven-term City Council member; one-term mayor.
Other relevant experience: Chair of the board of trustees Bennett College; President Emeritus of the Women’s Resource Center; board member of Malachi House, Board member of the Greensboro Partnership and Downtown Greensboro Inc.
Campaign manager: Gabrielle Beard and Jacqueline Kpeglo
Treasurer: Patsy Drew
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No.
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Bill Knight
Seat seeking: Mayor
Age (date of birth): 69 (Sept. 13)
Residence: 214 Ridgeway Dr.
Relationship status: Married; one children; two grandchildren.
Contact info: Home, 373-8514; wknight@triad.rr.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: Knightformayor.com; on Facebook.
Occupation, job title and workplace: Retired Certified Public Accountant; Former partner of Sharrard, McGee & Co.
Education: UNCG degree in economics and business; post graduate education at the University of Californian Berkley
Political experience: Ran for City Council in 2007
Other relevant experience: Parks and Recreation Commission Member; Board of Greensboro Opera Company; Board of a regional engineering firm; Treasurer for Howard Coble.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Beth Hemphill
Consultants: Bill Burkley
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

AT-LARGE
The following candidates have declared their candidacy for the three at-large City Council seats. Candidates have until July 17 at noon to file their paperwork with the board of elections.

The following information was compiled through interviews with the candidates. This biographical information will be updated throughout the election.

Name: Marikay Abuzuaiter
Seat seeking: At-large
Age (DOB): 55 (July 2)
Residence: 3601 Brassfield Oaks
Relationship status: Husband, Isa Abuzuaiter; two grown children.
Contact info: Cell, 314-9620; abuzuaiter@aol.com
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.vote4marikay.com; on Facebook.
Occupation, job title and workplace: Small business owner of convenience stores and a restaurant
Professional affiliations: Better Business Bureau; Greensboro Merchant Associations.
Education: Greensboro College graduate
Political experience: Ran for council in 2007
Other relevant experience: Member of the Concerns Citizens of Northeast Greensboro, Greensboro Human Relations Commissioner, City Academy graduate, co-chair of the International Advisory Committee, IMPACT Greensboro graduate.
Campaign manager: Jo Isler
Treasurer: Paul Stutts
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: 2-4 p.m. July 12, 520 South Elm St., Studio B.
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Max Benbassat
Seat seeking: At-large
Age (date of birth): 27 (Dec. 29)
Residence: 4328 Carlys Way
Relationship status: Single
Contact info: maxforgreensboro@gmail.com
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.maxbenbassat.org; On Facebook: Max for a Better Greensboro!
Occupation, job title and workplace: Production analysis, Bentex Mills Inc.
Secondary occupation: CFBG Dance co-owner
Education: Bachelors degree in international studies Loyola University in Chicago; N.C. State certificate in textile technology.
Political experience: First time running for office.
Other relevant experience: Adopted three streets in Greensboro
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Acts as his own treasurer.
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: Volunteer recruitment event at New York Pizza on Tate Street, Thursday, July 23 at 8 p.m.
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: No

Name: Sandra Anderson Groat
Seat seeking: At-large
Age (date of birth: 62 (Jan. 10)
Residence: 505 Daybreak Square
Relationship status: Married; three children; four grandchildren.
Contact info: 273-9066, sanderson16@triadrr.com
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: None
Occupation, job title and workplace: Construction consultant, Kelly & Co.
Education: Several years at Greensboro College
Political experience: Two-term Mayor Pro Tem City Council
Other relevant experience: Family Life Council board member; Senior Services of Guilford board member; Homes4NC board member.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Arthur Winstead
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: Yes
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Donnell “D.J.” Hardy
Seat seeking: At-large
Age (date of birth): 33 (Dec. 6)
Residence: 1103 Ross Ave
Relationship status: Married Christina Yongue Hardy; one child.
Contact: 336-337-6224; donnellhardy@aol.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: On Facebook. Donnell J. “D.J. Hardy.
Occupation, job title and workplace: Finance analyst, Ciba, a division of the BASF Group.
Education: B.S. in business economics from Florida A&M University
Political experience: First time running for office.
Other relevant experience: Board member of the Old Asheboro Neighborhood Association; member of Neighbors United; Captains Advisory Board for the Central Division of the Greensboro Police Department; Deacon, member of the strategic planning team and moderator for the men’s counsel at St. James Presbyterian Church; Moderator for the To Do Justice Steering Community; Member of the Greensboro Jaycees.
Campaign manager: Not yet
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: Fundraiser July 31, location to be announced.
Have you ever been arrested: Yes
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Julie Lapham
Seat seeking: At-large
Age (DOB): 64
Residence: 1101 North Elm St. #704
Relationship status: Single.
Contact info: Home, 370-1000; jlapham@juno.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.julielaphamforcitycouncil.com; on Facebook.
Occupation, job title and workplace: Nonprofit consultant, troubleshooting for organizations; Teaches meditation.
Professional affiliations:
Education: B.A. in communications from Kean University; Some graduate work toward a masters in social work at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Political experience: First time running for office.
Other relevant experience: Former Executive Director of Common Cause in Virginia; Former organizer for NOW; Former chemical engineer; Member of Presbyterian Church the Covenant; Member of the Women’s Professional Forum; In-coming chair of the Greensboro Commission on the Status of Women; 2009-2010 Impact Greensboro member.
Campaign manager: Betsey Baun and Linda Waddell
Treasurer: Miranda Bridges
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Jeramy Reid
Seat seeking: District 1
Age (date of birth): 33 (June 9)
Residence: 5201 Lager Court, McLeansville
Relationship status: Married to Valerie; three daughters.
Contact info: Cell ; chefjeramy@bellsouth.net.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: None
Occupation, job title and workplace: Kitchen manager, Heritage Greens Retirement Community.
Education: Garner High School (1994); Attended UNCG and GTCC.
Political experience: First time running for office.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: No

Name: Danny Thompson
Seat seeking: At-large
Age (date of birth): 46 (Aug. 24)
Residence: 6410 Spyglass Drive
Relationship status: Married; four children.
Contact info: Work, 664-5787, dannythompson@triad.rr.com
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: On Facebook
Occupation, job title and workplace: President and owner, Comfort Keepers, which provides in home care for seniors.
Professional affiliations: President of Triad Retirement Living Association, board of the Summit Rotary Club, 1992 graduate of Leadership Greensboro.
Education: Western Guilford High School 1980; Bachelor of Science in psychology from Asbury College.
Political experience: Worked for administrative assistant in Washington for Governor Jim Martin in 1984-85; deputy campaign manager for Jim Broyhill.
Other relevant experience: Ambassador for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; former member of the Guilford County Commission on Aging.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested? No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

DISTRICT 1
The following candidates have declared their candidacy for the District 1 City Council seat. Candidates have until July 17 at noon to file their paperwork with the board of elections. Since there are already three candidates, there will be a primary in this race.

The following information was compiled through interviews with the candidates. This biographical information will be updated throughout the election.

Name: T. Dianne Bellamy-Small
Seat seeking: District 1
Age (date of birth): 57 (Oct. 18)
Residence: 3211 Delmonte Drive
Relationship status: Married; three grown children; seven grandchildren.
Contact info: Home, 855-1847; tdbsforcouncil@gmail.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.bellamysmallforcouncil.com
Occupation, job title and workplace: Parent educator, Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center
Education: Attended Brevard College and Randolph Macon Women’s College; B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill; Graduate work at UNCG and University at Maryland Eastern Shores.
Political experience: Three-term City Council member
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: 6 p.m. July 23, Stephanie’s II, Randleman Road.
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Ben Holder
Residence: 1306 Oak St.
Age (date of birth): 38 (Oct. 12, 1970)
Relationship status: Widow; two children 5 and 8.
Contact info: 617-0624; ben@electbenholder.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: thetroublemaker.blogspot.com; election website to come; on Facebook.
Occupation, job title and workplace: property supervisor; forming rental partnership.
Political experience: First time running for office.
Education: B.A. in communications with a concentration in journalism from Salem College.
Other relevant experience: Released the 2005 Risk Management Associates report, a confidential police document; Advocated for the city’s anti-crack pipe ordinance; Pushed for to cleanup crime on the 2400 block of Randleman Road; Pushed for changes that led City Council to enact rules to ensure safe removal of asbestos; Former journalist with The Carolina Peacemaker; former Greensboro City Local Ordinance inspector; pushed for the SCORE program, that coordinates city resources to take on neighborhood problems.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: No
Upcoming campaign events: Fundraiser Aug. 29; other events and details to be announced.
Have you ever been arrested: Yes. More than once.
Have you ever been sued: No. But there is always tomorrow.
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Daron Sellars
Seat seeking: District 1
Age (date of birth): 35 (Jan. 2)
Residence: 815 Daleview Place
Relationship status: Married; one child.
Contact info: darronsellar@yahoo.com; 336-253-5405.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: None yet
Occupation, job title and workplace: Partner of Modus Restaurant Group and Modus Multimedia.
Political experience: None
Education: North Gwinnett High School (1992)
Other relevant experience: Greensboro planning board member for three years; Member of the board of directors for United Way of Greater Greensboro; Co-chair of the African American Leadership Cornerstone Society of the United Way; Co-founded 100 Black Men of the Triad; Vice chairman of the trustees of Sweet Gum Baptist Church; Tobacco Trust Fund board member.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Terrance Williams
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

DISTRICT 2
The following candidates have declared their candidacy for the District 2 City Council seat. Candidates have until July 17 at noon to file their paperwork with the board of elections. Since there are already three candidates, there will be a primary in this race.

The following information was compiled through interviews with the candidates. This biographical information will be updated throughout the election.

Name: Jim Kee
Seat seeking: District 2
Age (date of birth): 50 (July 24)
Residence: 4301 Lord Jeff Dr.
Relationship status: Married; two grown children.
Contact info: Not available
Web site/Twitter/facebook: www.votejimkee.com
Occupation, job title and workplace: Land developer, president and owner of Kee Development Corp.
Secondary occupation: Owner, J&E Properties, property management company
Education: Bachelor in economics, N.C. A&T
Political experience: First time running for office
Other relevant experience: Mayor’s steering committee, co-chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro, board member Greensboro Historical Museum, former board of adjustment member, former chairman of the fireman’s relief fund board.
Campaign manager: Jessica Foster Bragg
Treasurer: Jack Zimmerman
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: fundraiser at Woodmere Park on Phillips Avenue, 2-5 p.m. July 11; kickoff event at Nussbaum Center, 2-5 p.m. July 18.
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in the last election: Yes

Name: Gordon Hester
Seat seeking: District 2
Age (date of birth): 56 (Feb. 9)
Residence: 1537 Rock Spring St.
Relationship status: Single; two children.
Contact info: hestergm@yahoo.com
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: None
Occupation, job title and workplace: Coordinator and counselor for children.
Education: Bachelor degree from Virginia State University; Masters degree from Central Michigan University; studying for a Bachelor degree in Christian leadership at Carolina Christian College and a doctorate in biblical preaching at Newburgh Theological Seminary.
Political experience: First time running for public office
Other relevant experience: Assistant Pastor True Worship Missionary Baptist Church; Sergeant First Class Army Reserve; State treasurer for NC Council for Education Opportunity; former officer of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Ryan Shell
Seat seeking: District 2
Age (date of birth): 29 (Aug. 4)
Residence: 460 Arlington St.
Relationship status: Single
Contact info: 336-345-4646; ryan@ryanshell.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.voteshell.com, Twitter: @ryanshell, Facebook: www.facebook.com/voteshell
Occupation, job title and workplace: Marketing Communications Supervisor, Truliant Federal Credit Union.
Education: Bachelor in Business Administration, concentration in Marketing, UNCG.
Political experience: First time running for office.
Other relevant experience: Board of Adjustments member; Southside Homeowners Association President; Southside Community Watch President; Greensboro Community Watch Founder; GreensboroPolitics.com blogger; Adopt-a-street participant; 2008 City Academy Graduate; 2009-2010 Impact Greensboro Participant.
Campaign manager: Alisha Wielfaert
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in the last election: Yes

DISTRICT 3
The following candidates have declared their candidacy for the District 3 City Council seat. Candidates have until July 17 at noon to file their paperwork with the board of elections.

The following information was compiled through interviews with the candidates. This biographical information will be updated throughout the election.

Name: George Hartzman
Seat seeking: District 3
Age (date of birth): 41 (July 27)
Residence: 250 Baytree Dr.
Relationship status: Married, Robin; two children.
Contact info: info@questionsforamerica.com; 545-7103.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.questionsforgreensboro.com
Occupation, job title and workplace: Vice president of investments, financial adviser, Wells Fargo Financial Advisers.
Secondary occupation: President and owner, Think Professional Education, teaching financial ethics for CPAs.
Political experience: None
Other relevant experience: Coached recreational softball; in 2008 girls’ fast-pitch 12 and under team won the Greensboro City Championship.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: Ticketed for driving under the influence while in college; expunged from record.
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Zack Matheny
Seat seeking: District 3
Age (date of birth): 36 (Dec. 24)
Residence: 205 West Newlyn Ave.
Relationship status: Single
Contact info: zack.matheny@greensboro-nc.gov
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.mathenyforcouncil.com
Occupation, job title and workplace: Bell Partners, investor relations.
Education: N.C. State graduate
Political experience: One-term City Council member
Other relevant experience: Former zoning commission member; former instructor at GTCC; Greensboro bicentennial fundraising chair.
Campaign manager: Elizabeth Rankin
Treasurer: Rob Kidwell
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

DISTRICT 4
The following candidates have declared their candidacy for the District 4 City Council seat. Candidates have until July 17 at noon to file their paperwork with the board of elections. Since there are already three candidates, there will be a primary in this race.

The following information was compiled through interviews with the candidates. This biographical information will be updated throughout the election.

Name: Joel Landau
Seat seeking: District 4
Age (date of birth): 58 (Aug. 13)
Residence: 6 Collwood Court
Relationship status: Married to Barbara Landau; two children; one grandchild.
Contact: 292-9216 ext. 3; jandblandau@bellsouth.net.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.joellandau.com; on Facebook.
Occupation, job title and workplace: General manager, Deep Roots Market.
Education: Bachelor of science from Cornell University
Political experience: Ran for council 2005, 2007.
Other relevant experience: Co-chair of the Community Sustainabilty Council; Planning board member; Executive committee member and Brandywine neighborhood delegate of the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress; former treasure of Artful Living.
Campaign manager: Nick DiVitci
Treasurer: Nick DiVitci
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: William Mike Martin
Seat seeking: District 4
Age (date of birth): 63 (Sept. 11, 1945)
Residence: 3005 Shady Lawn
Relationship status: Married to Cathy; three daughters; six grandchildren.
Contact info: Home, 282-1376; mike.martin45@hotmail.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: Facebook coming.
Occupation, job title and workplace: Consultant for polyurethane foam supplier; Retired manager from Guilford Mills and Textiles for 30 years.
Education: Attended UNCG and GTCC.
Political experience: First campaign.
Other relevant experience: Counselor for the Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Church Saints.
Campaign manager:
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Joseph Rahenkamp
Seat seeking: District 4
Age (date of birth): 73 (Aug. 13)
Residence: 3501 Tanglewood Dr.
Relationship status: Married; five grown children; five grandchildren.
Contact info: 707- 2392
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: None
Occupation, job title and workplace: Retired Greensboro firefighter
Political experience: Ran for state house, county commissioners, City Council.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Self
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

DISTRICT 5
The following candidates have declared their candidacy for the District 5 City Council seat. Candidates have until July 17 at noon to file their paperwork with the board of elections.

The following information was compiled through interviews with the candidates. This biographical information will be updated throughout the election.

Name: Arthur “Art” Boyett
Seat seeking: District 5
Age (date of birth): 66 (Sept. 12)
Residence: 810-A Carriage Crossing Lane
Relationship status: Married, Beth; two grown children.
Contact info: Cell, 207-9246; boyettforcouncil.blogspot.com; boyett2009@gmail.com.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: On Facebook
Occupation, job title and workplace: Retired college accounting professor, most recently at Guilford College.
Political experience: First run for office
Other experience: Acting in community theater; starred in “Twelve Angry Men” at Greensboro Community Theater.
Campaign manager: Beth Boyett
Treasurer: Will be Seth Baldwin
Consultants: None
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: No
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes

Name: Trudy Wade
Seat seeking: District 5
Age (date of birth): 57 (July 18)
Residence: 1 Crestwell Court, Greensboro
Relationship status: Single
Contact info: twade2@triad.rr.com; work, 454-3171; home, 323-6480.
Web site/Twitter/Facebook: www.trudywade.com
Occupation, job title and workplace: veterinarian, owner of Jamestown Veterinary Hospital.
Political experience: Former Guilford County Commissioner; City Council, 2007 to present.
Campaign manager: None
Treasurer: Betty Wood
Consultant: Bill Burckley
Upcoming campaign events: To be announced
Have you ever been arrested: No
Have you ever been sued: Yes. Defendant in police officer discrimination lawsuit.
Did candidate vote in last election: Yes