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Editorial: A fine field at-large

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Comments (13)

Sunday, October 25, 2009

(Updated 3:00 am)

Voters in Greensboro's City Council primary Oct. 6 made a clear distinction when choosing candidates for three at-large seats. The top six, all of whom advanced to the general election ballot, finished well ahead of the next five. No one made the cut, or missed it, by just a few votes.

Now it gets harder. Although predictions are risky, it might be a good guess that any three of the six could wind up winners on Nov. 3.

All six are capable of making strong contributions to the next City Council. Some have proven their value through past or current service, and others bring professional and life experiences that have prepared them well for public office. Any outcome promises to be beneficial for Greensboro.

Nevertheless, all six can't win. While acknowledging the merits of the other three, the News & Record recommends Nancy Vaughan, Robbie Perkins and Gary Nixon.

Vaughan: ready to return

Vaughan, 48, held a council seat from 1997 to 2001, then stepped down to raise her daughter. She was an effective representative then and gives every indication that she's ready to resume serving now. Primary voters were impressed: She led the balloting in the first go-around.

In addition to parental obligations, Vaughan has remained active as a community leader and volunteer. She completed six years as a Greensboro representative on the Piedmont Triad International Airport Authority at a time of important growth there, including construction of a new runway and FedEx hub as well as the HondaJet development. She is an advocate for keeping taxes and fees low but also building strong relations in Raleigh and Washington to make sure state and federal resources are fully utilized. And she is taking a lead in calling for financial disclosure by candidates and greater openness in city government.

Perkins: most knowledgeable

Perkins, 54, is in his seventh term on the City Council but first in an at-large seat. A commercial real-estate broker, he sometimes has to recuse himself from rezoning decisions, but he makes up for that drawback with valuable knowledge about planning and development issues. Perkins approaches city matters with a business-like demeanor, making sure he understands even complex issues before casting votes and becoming visibly impatient at times when colleagues fall short of meeting that standard. Probably more than anyone on the council, he appreciates the need for a regional approach to addressing major challenges.

Nixon: engineering solutions

Nixon, 67, is a retired engineer and former owner of an engineering company that was involved in projects with area governments. He's making his first run for office and offers expertise in water and sewer, roads and other infrastructure needs. True, he's not campaigning for an engineering job, but it would be helpful to have someone who can say with authority, for example, as he has, that Greensboro wastes money by resurfacing streets too often. He also has a grasp of bigger issues. An analytical mind and sense of professionalism are welcome when dealing with policy problems that come before the council.

Three credible candidates

Sandra Anderson Groat, 62, is a construction consultant and two-term incumbent who has poured her heart and soul into the job. She's struggled with tough decisions, including her vote to force Mitch Johnson's retirement as city manager despite her close working relationship with him. She recovered from that trying experience to lead the search for the new manager, Rashad Young, who was hired with the enthusiastic support of eight of nine council members. It's not that Groat ought to be replaced; it's that Vaughan, Perkins and Nixon bring attributes that might make the council a little stronger.

Marikay Abuzuaiter, 55, owns several small businesses with her husband and has a stake in all five city voting districts. She's earnest and sensible and argues convincingly that more should be done, not just to recruit new companies, but to retain businesses already here.

Danny Thompson, 47, owns an in-home care company and lives in the Cardinal, a development unhappily part of the city thanks to involuntary annexation -- a municipal power he strongly opposes. That aside, he has a keen vision for Greensboro's potential development as an East Coast transportation center. He has put forth interesting ideas for economic incentives paid for by cuts in city spending.

Groat, Abuzuaiter and Thompson are fine candidates but fall just a little behind Vaughan, Perkins and Nixon.

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dusenberry

October 25, 2009 - 4:19 am EDT

Get rid of Perkins.

buzzman

October 25, 2009 - 9:03 am EDT

Amen To That! If you've been paying attention, Perkins usually votes with the mayor, Goldie & TDBS. He's all about politics, not the best interest of Greensboro - he wants to eventually be mayor. There are certainly better choices.

zeus80

October 25, 2009 - 7:23 am EDT

My recommendations: Yvonne Johnson (mayor), Nancy Vaughan, Robbie Perkins, Marikay Abuzuaiter, Dianne Bellamy-Small, Nettie Goad, George Hartzman, Joel Landau, and Art Boyett! The best! No doubt about it!

buzzman

October 25, 2009 - 9:06 am EDT

Not bad for zeus(iq)80! You got one (1) right (Nancy Vaughan)! There are certainly better choices than those listed.

zeus80

October 25, 2009 - 9:15 am EDT

buzzman, I suspect you would prefer "write-in" right-wing choices such as yourself, neocon, danagain, et cetera, et cetera! So, don't forget to vote! And enjoy the day!

sail

October 26, 2009 - 11:25 am EDT

Zeus 80, your recommendation for mayor equate to more of the same. You’re looking in the rearview mirror for answers on how to operate a city in the 21st century. Now, I now the far left libs out there have only one method to take on reasonable debate, attack, dismember, character assassination and other verbal strong arm tactics, So, go right ahead and take your best shot.
Yvonne Johnson is probably a very nice lady; however, that's where it ends. Sitting on a city council for several consecutive years does not necessarily mean you have experience, and that comment also goes for several of our city council members.
The Police Department is a disaster, with no resolve accept to flounder around and spend more tax dollars on legal fees. Greensboro's crime is getting worse. People are on edge and concerned for the safety of their families. No new business opportunity will look to Greensboro until law enforcement is fixed. It is a huge problem that must be addressed immediately.
Johnson's refusal to engage herself or the city council in the budget process during a time of financial crisis is totally unacceptable for a city leader. Clearly, it is not business as usual, we are navigating without a rudder in a recession/depression. Further, you never ever leave the budget process solely to an interim city manager and department heads without formal review.
The Mitch Johnson situation was an embarrassment, and another example of her lack of insight and leadership.
The city council, under her watch, has been dysfunctional at best. In some situations, she allowed insubordinate council members to take over the meetings with self serving hidden agendas. This is inexcusable, never should be allowed on the floor and a waist of precious time/money. The agendas have been poorly conceived and significantly lack prioritization. The city has been operating from seat of the pants motions, elementary delay tactics and shooting from the hip on voting and spending tax dollars. The city is currently taking in less tax revenue and no one is taking about any recovery strategy, accept to raise taxes. Well, here's another wake up call, people simply do not have the money right now. So now what?? If this was a business, we would be cutting expenses fast, or preparing for bankruptcy. It's third grade math, not rocket science. It is beyond a mess, it's totally unprofessional and clearly another example that Johnson does not have clue of how fragile our local economy is. She does not understand the numbers, so she refuses to engage in the process.
Johnson needs to go and so do several of the long time council members. We need fresh thinking from skilled leaders. People who have a proven track record of success in business. People who exhibit strategic expertise and fiscal accountability. Having long time experience in a flawed city government does not serve as a foundation to continue to lead as Mayor.
Bill Knight has more experience, common sense, fiscal knowledge and professional acumen then the current Mayor and city council put together. Further, new blood on the council is critical. Ms.Vaughn appears to have a focused agenda and working knowledge of the city. Mr. Thompson appears to have fresh strategies to streamline operating expenses and to help bring new sustainable jobs to Greensboro. Mr. Nixon appears to have a life long successful track record in business.
So, do we continue down the same path because that’s what we have always done? What do we have to show for it? Has the investment in tax dollars achieved any reasonable results? How about unemployment, a bunch of government subsided failures like the coliseum, an ineffective police force, huge expenses for consultants, audits and legal fees?
Let's vote for common sense change. What's the risk, it can't get much worse. So let’s give a new team a chance to turn the ship around.
Please, vote-vote-vote, or expect more of the same mis-management.
We can’t afford it, nor does Greensboro deserve to be left behind.

gsostudent

October 27, 2009 - 12:49 am EDT

George Hartzman is nuts and mostly doesn't make a lot of sense. That being said, if I lived in District 3 I wouldn't vote, because Zack Matheny is an even worse alternative.

gsostudent

October 27, 2009 - 12:51 am EDT

I do agree with you about most of your recommendations it seems, especially Nettie, Joel, Yvonne, and Abuzuaiter. I guess Robbie and Art wouldn't hurt. That would be a very interesting Council that could finally get this City going in a new, positive direction.

regularvoter

October 25, 2009 - 8:19 am EDT

I agree with 3 of zeus80's recommendations: Yvonne Johnson for mayor; Robbie Perkins and Marikay Abuzuaiter for at-large seats.

Yvonne Johnson and Robbie Perkins are a given. But Marikay Abuzuaiter is a great candidate due to her interest in small businesses. After all our country's economy was founded on Mom and Pop businesses. Washington pundits and national news outlets say that small businesses are the way to bring our economy back to normal.

Ms. Abuzuaiter has strong ties to all areas of the city. Isn't that what an at-large council member should have?

To quote the N@R: Ms. Abuzuaiter is earnest and sensible and argues convincingly that more should be done not to just create new companies, but to retain businesses all ready here.

buzzman

October 25, 2009 - 9:09 am EDT

There is certainly more to Greensboro than small business. I believe Marikay's "strong ties to all areas of the city" consists of being a landlord.

regularvoter

October 25, 2009 - 5:47 pm EDT

Hum, you must not have read her other accomplishments. She's a Human Relations Commissioner, and a graduate of not only Greensboro College, but a graduate of Citizens Academy and Impact Greensboro so that she could learn about all functions of our city - from the dump to the water system to riding with our police at night.

If you really want to know about Ms. Abuzuaiter, why don't you go to her website www.vote4marikay.com. I'm a supporter of this lady because I believe in her being "earnest and sensible" as reported by the N&R.

gsostudent

October 27, 2009 - 12:47 am EDT

Marikay Abuzuaiter is a clear stand out from the rest of the candidates. Most of these folks are offering more of the same, including the newcomers. She has significant other important experience that isn't mentioned here, most notably on the Human Relations Commission. Unlike Nixon, she's run a number of times before and has significantly more experience in Greensboro politics.
It is telling that none of the people you've endorsed addressed what are typically classified as "social issues" in any way, instead talking abstractly about jobs and development. So what, they have experience and expertise. Look where that got us! We need fresh people in this City, not more of the same thinking, same orthodoxy, and same status quo.