04/01/22

Dear Friend:

When progress comes knocking there’s always someone to tell you what can’t be done, or that it could, perhaps, possibly be done, but not now, and not soon.  Not coincidentally, the people saying that often have a personal interest in the status quo.

When I led the fight leading to passage of Greensboro’s Good Repair Ordinance for non-residential (e.g., commercial) buildings in 2019, I saw that first-hand.  With other major cities in the state already using this process to reduce blight, encourage new businesses investment, and improve property values, these measures were a win-win for the cities and for their business communities.

Had the incumbent mayor embraced the ordinance we would be much further down the road three years later.  Instead, the incumbent mayor used the special powers of the mayoral position (including the ability to set the city council’s agenda and chair meetings) to delay passage, buy time to allow well-connected persons with financial interests in affected properties to organize, and did all she could to water down the measure.

Failing to maintain commercial property which presents health and safety issues for adjacent properties and neighborhoods is fundamentally unfair.  Special interests ultimately succeeded in adding provisions, which allow a few owners to essentially “mothball” their neglected and blighted properties for two to five years before the ordinance is enforced.

We can do better and, when I become mayor, we will.

• I’ll fight to take out the delayed enforcement provisions.
• Add more resources for enforcement.
• We’ll bring our policies more closely in line with widely accepted standards.
• And I’ll listen to responsible property owners who want practical regulations that benefit the entire business community.

As mayor I will work for all of you and your voices will carry as much weight as those who now, too often, are allowed to slow down Greensboro’s progress in becoming a modern, safe, and healthy city.

For Our Future,

P.S. – primary voting day is May 17th, early voting starts April 28th, and absentee voting starts March 28th.