Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue's campaign says the Democratic candidate for governor is not kissing off Charlotte-Mecklenburg in this year's election while it stumps for votes in Eastern North Carolina, as This Old State wondered yesterday, based on an analysis by Public Policy Polling suggesting she was risking ticking off voters in the state's largest city. The campaign has an office there, she has campaigned dozens of times in Mecklenburg, Perdue's son Garrett is working the election circuit there and if elected governor, Perdue plans to open a governor's office in Charlotte. And campaign spokesman David Kochman notes the following letter of support published in the Durham Herald by Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess:
As Charlotte's mayor pro tem, many people have asked me who I support for governor. My answer is clear -- Bev Perdue.
In fact, the majority of the Charlotte City Council supports Perdue for governor. I know both candidates personally. I served with Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory on the City Council for seven years, and I've seen first-hand Perdue's work as lt. governor. She is the leader we need during these difficult times.
Unlike McCrory, she understands that we must bring our entire state together, all 100 counties, rather than pitting regions or groups against each other.
The difference is clear here in Charlotte -- McCrory vetoed a budget that would have added 70 more police on the streets. He opposed a program to revitalize a troubled neighborhood and reduce crime.
Perdue, on the other hand, personally visited those communities to learn about their concerns. Charlotte's form of government, like other North Carolina cities, gives the mayor no power. McCrory has never written a budget nor does he vote on City Council actions except in limited cases.
He has absolutely no experience in human services such as education, health care or mental health. In these most challenging times, we cannot risk a governor who needs on-the-job training. As governor, Bev Perdue has the experience and temperament to give all North Carolinians a seat at the table. Only she can move our entire state forward.
SUSAN BURGESS
Charlotte
October 28, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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2 comments:
Agreed. This whole "pitting one part of the state against the others" argument is garbage.
The rest of the state has had money thrown at any pet project they want for years. Driver east from Raleigh to the coast. Check out the outerbelt they're planning for Rockingham.
And yet here in Charlotte, we aren't even with a decade of 485 being completed, and when it does, it will be too narrow to handle the traffic. The 77/85 interchange coming south on 85 to merge onto 77 south might be the biggest boondoggle in the history of Charlotte roads. I can promise you they would never allow such a travesty to grace the highways and byways around the state capital.
I hope to God, McCrory wins and I hope to God he is serious about seeing to it that Charlotte starts getting an appropriate portion of state funds.
I am somewhat concerned that Mayor McCrory may, if he wins the governor's seat, sharply cut back on education in our state. Education has been reduced so much across the country since the Reagan years: the ripple effects from these reductions have been detrimental to succeeding generations. All areas of education — from technical skills to liberal arts and the sciences — are equally valuable, and in today's global economy, well-rounded students are a necessity. I do believe that Mr. McCrory would place greater emphasis on mass transit and road improvements for all urban areas in our state, but these jobs require people who work in office settings, as well as those who are good at using their hands and muscles. Again, my opinion on this issue is going back to the importance of having in our state a well-rounded system of schools ready to prepare students for our rapidly-expanding global economy! I have much respect for Mayor McCrory, but I believe that when it comes to educating and preparing our young people for their futures as the next group of movers and shakers in our state, my choice is for Lt. Governor Perdue.
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