news-record.com

Yvonne Johnson was elected by a wide margin as mayor of Greensboro in November 2007, but at times it may have seemed that voters didn't do her much of a favor.

The city was still divided over police department troubles, which included the forced resignation of Chief David Wray and complaints of racial discrimination within the force. Council members also split over the actions and effectiveness of Manager Mitchell Johnson. After acrimonious debate behind closed doors, a 5-4 majority pushed the manager into retirement.

And the lousy economy challenged city leaders to balance the budget despite falling revenues, while maintaining essential services.

Calm, confident leadership

Through these trials, Johnson has exercised calm, confident leadership. She possesses a reassuring equanimity and good humor. A mayor without those qualities might have let dissension boil over into paralyzing conflict. Some say she allows discussions to continue too long and get too heated, but knowing just how much steam it's safe to release can avert bigger blow-ups.

Johnson's demeanor and positive attitudes about Greensboro set a good example. She's optimistic about the city's prospects and loves to list its many assets. Not that she doesn't recognize challenges. Those include creating more and better jobs, improving public safety and making government more effective and efficient.

Signs of economic progress

Progress on the first goal is tough during a recession that has produced the nation's highest unemployment rate in decades, but the city has moved forward on infrastructure projects and other plans to attract new industries. There have been successes, including the relocation of Mack Trucks' headquarters to Greensboro from Pennsylvania and the recruitment of Precor and FedEx Ground to sites just outside the city. Greensboro also is moving ahead on important improvements in the High Point Road-Lee Street corridor, including the coliseum area, and on South Elm Street redevelopment.

To help small businesses, Johnson favors a grant program like that adopted by the county commissioners. But businesses would have to create new jobs as well as add to the tax base.

Johnson's opponent, retired certified public accountant Bill Knight, calls for a more business-friendly outlook and "fiscal constraint" at City Hall. Johnson, he says, has shown "little regard and understanding for fiscal and budgetary matters." But he hasn't pointed to many specific areas where the council should have cut spending.

Knight expresses concerns about police turmoil, but his assertion that Chief Tim Bellamy, who's black, was hired because of his race undermines public confidence in the department.

He made the statement at a League of Women Voters forum last month but, asked about it during a News & Record interview last week, didn't offer evidence to support his conclusion. A candidate for mayor should be more careful. For her part, Johnson said she didn't see any racial aspect to Bellamy's hiring, which was decided by the former city manager.

Generally cordial contest

Otherwise, the contest between Knight, 69, and Johnson, who turns 66 Oct. 26, has been cordial. The challenger deserves credit for presenting voters with a choice. A mayoral race increases voter interest and focuses more attention on city issues.

The mayor really doesn't have more power than the eight other City Council members. She presides at meetings, signs proclamations and represents the city at events and functions but holds just one vote when it comes down to making decisions.

Yet, the office raises her visibility over that of her colleagues. It gives her the opportunity and responsibility to articulate goals for the city's future and to win public support for plans and policies. Johnson, elected seven times to an at-large seat and once as mayor, has earned the trust and respect of Greensboro citizens.

She promotes the city's interests, not self-interest. She doesn't have political agendas. She doesn't pursue policies of division by playing one group against another. She doesn't favor any part of the city over any other. Her leadership may not be as forceful as perhaps it ought to be at times, but she's more comfortable exerting the power of persuasion.

Johnson has served Greensboro with dignity through a stressful period. Now, with new City Manager Rashad Young's arrival and signs of economic recovery on the horizon, she deserves another term to lead the city into better times.