ECA 3-17

ECA Officers

ECA Board Members

Paul Shipley President 704 651 5897 Kenmore Avenue paul.d.shipley@gmail.com

Jim Belvin Zoning & Real Estate Committee (interim) 704 334 2611 Lamar Avenue j.belvin@bluewaterdb.com

Jerry Tylman Vice President 704 953 0626 Kenmore Avenue jerrytyleman@icloud.com Beth Haenni Past President 704 562 5152 Greenway Avenue beth.haenni@gmail.com Rusty Gibbs Secretary 704 345 8209 Pecan Avenue rusty@thenicholscompany.com Kelly Jaworski Treasurer 828 446 0243 Clarice Avenue kellyruthanne92@gmail.com

ECA Special Projects ● Business Liaison

position vacant

Susan Green Newsletter Editorial Assistant and Proofreader 704 806 0568 East Fifth Street Susangreen8@gmail.com

● Home Tour position vacant Officer David Padgett CMPD Response Area Coordinator dpadgett@cmpd.org

ECA BOARD MEETINGS

When and where?

6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at Studio K Gallery, 2024 E. 7th St. – all are welcome.

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THE PEOPLE PAGES

Lauren Briggs At-Large 847 530 9419 East Eighth Street lwendorf@gmail.com Laina Kafiti Social Chair 216 577 7232 East Fifth Street lkafiti@cchrealtors.com John F. McBride Newsletter Editor 704 375 8977 East Eighth Street john.f.mcb@gmail.com Claire M. Short Communications 813 326 3223 Greenway Avenue claire.m.short@gmail.com Kris Solow Art Committee and Membership 704 806 4456 East Fifth Street ksolow@carolina.rr.com Ric Solow Beautification & Trees 704 906 1967 East Fifth Street ric@solowdesigngroup.com Robert Zabel Elizabeth 8K Road Race Chair 917 873 8028 Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com

On the cover What could be more patriotic than a neighborhood parade on July 4?

Clement Avenue’s Hardin Minor led this year’s festivities – the 21st – and again a crowd of Elizabethans gathered in his and wife Linda’s backyard afterward for patriotic readings and hotdogs. Don’t let celebrating our nation’s rich democratic tradition be confined to one day a year. Get involved. See our special package of political content beginning on Page 4 of this issue.

Photo by Byron Baldwin.

Back cover Gone but not forgotten: One last look at the 1942 E. 7th St. building most recently known as La-Tea-Da’s.

The lovely lavender structure will be missed. Photo by Kris Solow.

Special meeting notice The Elizabeth Community Association’s Annual Meeting and Taste of Elizabeth Dinner will be held Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Broach Hall at St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Ln. Dinner will be provided from a variety of our favorite neighborhood restaurants so that everyone can enjoy a “taste of Elizabeth” during our annual meeting.

No need to bring anything but yourself and your appetite.

All Elizabeth residents and business owners are encouraged to attend!

contributors

La-Tea-Da’s lives on Part of La-Tea-Da’s slate roof was salvaged and used for a renovation of a historic 1912 Bladenboro church.

“The slate we removed from the home on Seventh Street has worked perfectly on this church,” said Will Funderburk, president of Murr & Laney roofing in Pineville. Photo courtesy of Murr & Laney.

Also, the ECA salvaged a number of items from the LaTeaDa’s/Peculiar Rabbit/ Black Forest Books building before it was torn down for the Faison apartment complex. The ECA held a “pop-up” sale of those items on July 23 at 7th and Ridgeway with proceeds going to the ECA. Photo by Kris Solow.

Photo p2 by John McBride.

John Autry is a member of the N.C. General Assembly representing District 100, which includes Elizabeth.

Kay Minor (East 8th Street) is a gardener.

Cory Arnwine (Ridgeway Avenue) is the newsletter advertising czar.

Lolo Pendergrast (East Eighth Street) is a longtime Elizabeth resident.

Byron Baldwin (Lamar Avenue) is a photographer.

Paul Shipley (Kenmore Avenue) is the ECA president.

Donna Bise (East 5th Street) is a longtime Elizabeth resident.

Newsletter designer Little Shiva (former Charlottean) thinks grassroots publishing is super fun. Yay team!

Susan Green (East 5th Street) is the copyeditor for the ECA newsletter.

Kris Solow (East Fifth Street) is in charge of membership for the ECA.

Monty Kearse (Beaumont Avenue) is a longtime resident of Elizabeth.

Ric Solow (East Fifth Street) is the ECA Beautification and Trees Co-Chair.

John McBride (East Eighth Street) is the newsletter editor.

This could be you!

To contribute a little of your time and talent to the ECA newsletter, write to john.f.mcb@ gmail.com THE PEOPLE PAGES

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From the editor: welcome And most importantly: Who to the politics issue gets to decide the answers to these and other local questions?

by John McBride

And so: welcome to the politics issue!

Washington gets all the focus when it comes to politics, but if you examine what’s going on close to home you’ll find plenty to get worked up about.

Will professional soccer one day call Elizabeth home? How will Charlotte’s apartment boom change Elizabeth – and where will we park all the cars?

What’s going to happen to the Martha Washington Apartments – part of our neighborhood since the 1940s? What can we do to continue to improve Charlotte’s oldest public park, Independence? What will the new streetcar stations on Hawthorne look like? Does continued growth of Central Piedmont Community College and Novant Health threaten or enhance our neighborhood?

We do. But we have to get involved.

Start with the Elizabeth Community Association (ECA).

Join us. Look for ECA president Paul Shipley’s column elsewhere in this issue and his call for nominations for the 20172018 ECA board and its various committees.

Next, get ready to vote. The next chance to exercise that right will be in the Charlotte primary on Sept. 12. The general election follows on Nov. 7.

In the primary, voters in Elizabeth who are registered as Democrats will choose among three candidates running for Charlotte City Council District 1 (which includes Elizabeth), eight candidates running for four city council at-large seats and five candidates running for mayor. Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find responses to questions we submitted to the three candidates for District 1, Larken Egleston, Patsy Kinsey and Robert Mitchell. We hope their answers will help inform your choice.

A pair of solar-powered crosswalk warning systems have been installed on East 7th Street at Clement Avenue, which should make crossing 7th easier and safer. This improvement is an excellent example of how getting involved in your neighborhood can pay off. Several Elizabeth residents and the ECA spent time lobbying the city for the crosswalk signals.

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POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

photo: John McBride

I don’t know the answers to our country’s many vexing political issues, but I do think I know the right way to go about solving them: work together by participating in our country’s rich tradition of democracy.

Voters in Elizabeth who are registered as Republicans will choose among three candidates for mayor in the primary. There are three Republican candidates for the four city council at-large seats, so those candidates don’t face a primary, and there are no Republican candidates for District 1 as District 1 is a safe seat for Democrats.

Allow me to interject an opinion: Political districts at any level that are designed with the primary goal of ensuring the election of one party over the other are undemocratic and unAmerican. I believe this is a bipartisan issue that all non-officeholding citizens can agree on. If you agree, I encourage you to let all your elected representatives know (see the list of officeholders who represent Elizabeth elsewhere in this issue).

Finally in this special politics section, I urge you to consider the argument made by Kris and Ric Solow to get involved at the neighborhood level. The ECA represents grassroots politics at the most basic level, and there’s no better way to get tuned in locally than to spend some time helping define what’s important for our neighborhood and then working to achieve that vision.

From the president: Make a difference in your neighborhood by joining the ECA board

by Paul Shipley

The Elizabeth Community Association (ECA) board invites you to make a difference by working with us to help preserve and enhance the historical character and quality of life in Elizabeth. If you or anyone you Looking toward November, know is interested in becoming the ballot will include three a member of the ECA board, candidates running for the please contact me or any current Mecklenburg County School ECA board member (contact Board District 4 seat, which information is listed on page 2 includes Elizabeth, being vacated of this newsletter). This year we

by Tom Tate. Tate is not seeking would like to add two to four reelection. new board members for a total of 13 to 15.

We also asked District 4 school board candidates a few In addition, all ECA questions, and their answers are committees are seeking members in this issue. and volunteers to assist in Also longtime Elizabeth resident Monty Kearse offers a peek behind the scenes at one of Elizabeth’s polling places, and N.C. House Rep. John Autry discusses justice system reform.

providing Elizabeth with a wide assortment of initiatives, events, services and advocacy. These include membership, social media/communications and the newsletter just to name a few.

All ECA members are eligible, yet priority interests include those with a passion for Elizabeth, demonstrated community service, and experience including but not limited to public relations, marketing management, accounting, computer science/ website management, city government, legal, real estate, landscape, public art, grant writing, zoning and architecture or property development.

Please submit nominations for the 2017-2018 board – or for a position on any of our committees – by Sept. 12.

Together we will work to: – Champion conservation and replanting of our legendary tree canopy.

– Seek responsible development according to established rules, including consulting with legal counsel, the Charlotte City Council and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.

– Maintain an active relationship with our community law enforcement officers.

– Preserve and broaden our connections to our neighbors, our community as a whole, and our city.

The current ECA Board will meet after Sept.12 to finalize a recommended slate of nominees and board officers along with the committees. The slate will be voted on at the ECA Annual

POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

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Meeting and Taste of Elizabeth Dinner on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Ln. You must be a member of the ECA to vote. New and renewal memberships will be available at the meeting.

Thank you for your support of Elizabeth and the ECA! 2017 elections The 2017 primary election will be held Sept. 12, followed by the general election on Nov. 7.

If you’re a registered voter in Elizabeth, on Election Day you’ll go to either Precinct 2, St. John’s Baptist Church, or Precinct 109, Hawthorne Recreation Center. If you’re not sure which precinct to vote in, check the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website, www.meckboe.org. Polls both election days are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Here’s a list of offices and candidates in this year’s elections: CHARLOTTE MAYOR Democratic candidates:

Dimple Ajmera, Jesse Boyd, Roderick Davis, Julie Eiselt, Claire Green Fallon, Ryan McGill, James (Smuggie) Mitchell Jr. and Braxton Winston II.

Board of Education District 4: Tom Tate.

Republican candidates:

Charlotte City Council District 1: Patsy Kinsey,

Steven J. DiFiore II.

Parker Cains, John K. Powell Jr. and David Michael Rice.

Democrat.

CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 Democratic candidates:

Larken Egleston, Patsy Kinsey and Robert Mitchell.

BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 4 Non-partisan candidates:

Carol Sawyer, Stephanie M. Sneed and Queen Thompson.

CURRENT OFFICE HOLDERS

Most Elizabethans share the same political districts, but there is one exception. While the majority of Elizabeth is in N.C. House District 100, a seat currently held by John Autry, some folks are in District 102, a seat currently held by Becky Carney. Here’s a list of Elizabeth’s political districts and current office holders:

U.S. House District 12:

Republican candidates:

N.C. Senate District 37:

Alma Adams, Democrat.

Kimberley Paige Barnette, Gary Jeff Jackson, Democrat.

Mitchell Dunn and Kenny Smith. N.C. House District 100: John Autry, Democrat.

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Democrat.

Libertarian candidate:

Joel Ford, Constance Partee (Connie) Johnson, Vi Lyles, Lucille Puckett and Jennifer Roberts.

CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE (four seats) Democratic candidates:

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners District 4: Dumont Clarke,

N.C. House District 102:

Becky Carney, Democrat.

POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

City council District 1 Q&A: Larkin Egleston Q: In what neighborhood do you live and how long have you lived there?

A: Plaza-Midwood

since 2008.

Q: How long have you been in Charlotte?

A: 2004.

Q: Why are you running for city council?

A: I believe that District 1 deserves a representative on city council who is accessible, accountable and engaged.

We need forward-thinking, new property taxes or rent in boomleadership to tackle Charlotte’s ing neighborhoods, allowing them to age in place. current-day challenges and we cannot continue with the status Transportation: Our quo and expect things to change. transportation system needs to Q: What would you bring to city be expanded and retooled to council that will make for a better be more efficient. Our current Charlotte? “hub and spoke” system causes many residents who live farther A: I bring a diverse backfrom center city to have long ground and experience that I commutes to get to their jobs, will tap into as the District 1 representative. I have been heav- school, etc. Creating better connectivity in our current system ily involved in our community while also expanding transit opthe entire time I’ve lived here and have relationships through- tions will better tie people and out the district and the city that neighborhoods to services and businesses. Increased investcan help me accomplish real change on behalf of our city and ment in public transit will also provide new viable corridors its residents. for development and density.

Q: What are the three most Transportation plans must also important issues facing Charlotte include improvements in the and what will you do to address walkability and bike-ability of them? our neighborhoods.

developers to more effectively safeguard Charlotte’s history.

Q: What are the three most

important issues facing District 1 and what will you do to address them?

A: District 1 is the perfect example of the dichotomy of Charlotte. The district includes some of the most, and least, affluent neighborhoods in Charlotte.

While this provides a stark contrast of Charlotte’s “haves” and “have nots,” it could also provide an opportunity for District 1 to be the model for building social capital in young people who may not normally be afforded the opportunities many of us enjoyed. I am currently working on a grassroots program to partner local leaders and business owners in affluent neighborhoods with young people from District A: Affordable Housing: 1’s lower income neighborhoods City council needs to work with Preservation: Charlotte has to help build the type of social developers and the real estate an amazing story to tell, but far capital that the Opportunity industry to re-evaluate the cur- too often tells it through a grow- Task Force’s report referred to as rent incentives for inclusion of ing collection of metal roadside the “special sauce” of economic affordable housing in new con- plaques. Historic landmarks mobility. struction projects. The current and unique neighborhoods are Q: Where do you stand on the density bonus is not enough for attractive to new residents, new issue of Major League Soccer at local developers as none of have businesses and longtime locals Memorial Stadium? taken advantage of it. It is impor- alike. Adaptive reuse of our existtant that the council determines ing, built environment is more A: I would love to see MLS what incentives would work affordable, more eco-friendly grant Charlotte a team, and better. Then developers and and ensures that Charlotte would love to see them playing the city can better address the does not lose the things that in District 1. I cannot in good deficiency of affordable/workmake it special. My work on the conscience, though, support a force housing in our community. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic plan that uses tens of millions The council could also enact Landmarks Commission has of taxpayer dollars to fund a programs, like several other cit- given me a better understandstadium for a billionaire when ies have, that help fixed-income ing of the tools and tactics that our city has so many other more seniors offset the rising cost of can be employed by the city and pressing needs. I also would POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

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prefer to see Memorial Stadium preserved and restored rather than torn down (the Smith’s plan would require demolition of Memorial Stadium). I continue to hold out hope that another plan can be developed to bring MLS to Charlotte without such a steep price for taxpayer dollars.

are committed with stolen guns.

A: I have been in Charlotte This will be an outside-the-box 39 years of my life (native idea to help keep guns out of the of Charlotte). hands of the bad guys.

Q: Why are you running for

On Charlotte City Council I will represent all residents of District 1 and will be there for you when you have a problem. I look forward to working alongside each of you to make District Q: How can people get more information about your candidacy? 1 an even more amazing place to live, work and play. As CityLYNX A: www.VoteLarken.com, Gold Line Phase 2 streetcar conwww.Facebook.com/VoteLarken, struction makes its way into the and Larken@VoteLarken.com.

Elizabeth neighborh and City.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

city council?

A: I am currently working on some unique projects I would like to implement if elected to council. One is a community cabinet of advisors from each of the District 1 neighborhoods who would advise me on the issues facing their parts of the district. It will also create more opportunity for synergy between adjacent neighborhoods and their leaders.

Q: What would you bring to city council that will make for a better Charlotte?

A second project I hope to implement is a gun safety program that encourages responsible gun ownership. Gun ownership laws are not ones that can be changed at the local level, but through partnership with both ideologies of the gun debate as well as gun dealers, we can encourage the use of gun locks/gun safes, additional training for firearms owners and more responsible gun ownership overall. Many of our city’s crimes 8

City council District 1 Q&A: Robert Mitchell Q: In what neighborhood do

you live and how long have you lived there?

A: I live in Country Club Heights which is located near Plaza-Midwood, Villa Heights and Noda.

Q: How long have you been in Charlotte?

POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

A: I decided to run for city council because I wanted to bring back southern hospitality in our local government. I would like to bring back commonsense policies when it comes to affordable housing, small business and the preserving of historic neighborhoods plus the historic people who built it. I ran for city council so that I could serve at the will of the people!

A: I will bring Charlotte culture back to Charlotte, which is by the way a very inclusive culture.

I will bring in a diverse moral system that advocates to leave no one individual back in the areas of housing, safety, transportation, trade training, job fairs or entrepreneurship.

Q: What are the three most important issues facing Charlotte and what will you do to address them?

A: Affordable housing:

I will advocate for the city to obtain its own land developers of whom we will give incentive to locate and build affordable housing units inside thriving neighborhoods. There is no force of law, when it comes to

land developer prices, so we must be proactive in getting to available property with our own land developers. Affordable housing is such a serious topic concerning our senior citizens, handicapped citizens and veteran citizens. Myself and team along with the citizens of District 1 will lead the way in affordable housing and senior citizen placement.

Community and police relations: The Charlotte com-

sives see this as an opportunity to help lives in all districts, as this will help bring down crime and drug related offenses.

Q: What are the three most important issues facing District 1 and what will you do to address them?

A: Disappearing historic neighborhoods: Historic areas

that have been a part of Charlotte and the lives of those living in them are slowly but surely vanishing. This is where myself and team, alongside District 1 citizens, will advocate for building limitations in some historic neighborhoods where in others we will push for the reevaluation of property which in the long run will help natives be able to take part in the new Charlotte.

munity … suffered through the Keith Lamont Scott shooting, which lead to massive protests that unfortunately turned violent. My solution is to develop a medium where community relationships with officers can be nurtured. Another solution which helps build trust in our Crime: As small cities become communities is hiring from the bigger, denser and more popucommunities that Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department lated, crime also becomes part of the city. Here in District 1 crime (CMPD) patrols. is at a high level. Destruction of property and murder, whether it Opioid addiction: Opioid be gang-related or drug-related, addiction in charlotte is a serious epidemic that for some time is not wanted. It is up to myself now has been ignored. We know and company along with a wellconstructed community watch drug addiction leads to very via CMPD to protect our living high crime rates and deaths.

This same addiction is currently areas from outside interference. in our high schools in Charlotte This is where city council conand I intend to have after-school tinues to work with and construct neighborhood watches rehabilitation programs conand appoint captains for streets. nected with non-profit advoThe whole point of constructing cates and religious affiliations. neighborhood associations and It’s sad to see how many young lives will be lost due to pills, her- watches is that we go back to knowing who our neighbors are oin, crack, cocaine and crystal meth. I along with other progres- and each other’s concerns.

Concentrated poverty:

Poverty is a major issue in some parts of District 1 that are transitioning. The South, as we know, has a very large problem when it comes to social income in some of our communities.

Poverty, segregation and race have played a huge role in downward mobility in Charlotte. My solution is to invite bigger companies into District 1, companies that can pay over the minimum wage and business that are willing to hire from our low-income population. Social income allows for citizens to be able to use capital to gain better jobs or even social connections for job resources and placement.

Charlotte being a blue city in a red state means very little help from state programs to increase social income. It is up to myself and company alongside the city and state to give incentive for these types of companies to make Charlotte home. We are only as strong as our weakest link no matter race, religion or sex.

Q: Where do you stand on the issue of Major League Soccer at Memorial Stadium?

A: We don’t need a stadium right now plain and simple. We in Charlotte need to use that money to fix our issues with segregation, poverty and race.

We fix Charlotte by not spending millions on soccer stadiums but investing in the lives of single mothers, single fathers, homeless

POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

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veterans and misplaced youth. I am not for that stadium.

known as P.I.E.C.E. or Program for Inclusive Employment and A: All my life.

Career Excellence. This program Q: How can people get more Q: Why are you running for involves training individuals with information about your candidacy? city council? multiple barriers to employment A: Facebook: https://www. while addressing market shortA: There will be at least four facebook.com/VoteRobertForages in the areas of construction Change. Phone: 704-713-1422. new members of Council next year even if the incumbents are – highway, commercial, residential – as well as broadband and Q: Is there anything else you’d re-elected. The (city) manager like us to know about you? has been in Charlotte only seven fiber optic cabling. I supported months and is learning about us. allocating $1 million to the A: I am advocating to create 2018 budget for this program. It a local health care plan that will At this time council needs my has proven to be successful and I steady leadership, institutional be an alternative plan from the would support additional fundknowledge and experience to federal government’s. ing for it in the 2019 budget. continue to move our city forward.

Transportation: The city needs to move forward with its Q: What would you bring to city comprehensive transportation council that will make for a better plan, which includes safe streets, Charlotte? light rail, street car, bike lanes, A: My steady leadership, insti- sidewalks and greenways. While tutional knowledge and experisome of these initiatives are ence in local government. relatively easy to address others require millions of dollars to acQ: What are the three most complish. I would support seekimportant issues facing Charlotte ing matching funding from the and what will you do to address federal and state governments to them? support those efforts. in Charlotte?

A: Housing Affordability:

Affordable housing has been one of my main interests on council.

City council District 1 Although we are limited by the Q&A: Patsy Kinsey state legislature on what programs we can put into place, I Q: In what neighborhood do will continue to work with the you live and how long have you city’s Housing and Neighborlived there? hood Development Department A: I have lived in the Elizabeth and their consultants to find Neighborhood for 14 years but creative ways we can provide much needed additional affordgrew up on Central Avenue in able units. my grandparent’s house, which was located between the railroad Job Creation: One of the tracks and Clement Avenue. ways the city is addressing this Q: How long have you been

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issue is through a new program

POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

Q: What are the three most important issues facing District 1 and what will you do to address them?

A: Housing Affordability/ Gentrification: I will continue

to support the use of property owned by the city as well as the county and school board for affordable housing. We are having discussions on that possibility now for property in District 1. I will also work with citizens who have concerns about affordability whether it be too much or too

little in their neighborhoods. To mitigate the result of gentrification the city must get out in front of it, doing just what I mentioned earlier with using publicly owned property for affordable housing. I also have a concern about tearing down naturally occurring affordable housing (or units that are already on the ground and affordable) for the building of higher end units, either apartments, town homes or single family homes.

Transportation: We are

ordinance will be recommending the citizens of District 1. more of the form-based zoning that has brought us the massive and rather unattractive apartment buildings along Central Avenue. They did not have to be rezoned because they are in a “pedestrian overlay district,” which is an example of formbased zoning.

Q: Where do you stand on the issue of Major League Soccer at Memorial Stadium?

A: I oppose the city or the county giving the historic Memorial Stadium away to be demolished for a soccer stadium. I do support it being programed and updated for future public uses.

And, although I am fine with MLS coming to Charlotte, I oppose giving city money to help bring it here.

losing transportation options in District 1 in the form of bus routes being taken from within neighborhoods and re-routed along major thoroughfares toward the light rail stations.

This does not encourage the use of public transportation and is counter to the city’s goal of getQ: How can people get ting people out of their cars and more information about your opting for a variety of transportacandidacy? tion modes. I am working on this Patsykinsey.com and facenow. Some of the very people who need public transportation book.com/Patsy4Charlotte. the most are losing it.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

UDO (or a I have called it the

School board District 4 Q&A: Carol Sawyer Q: In what neighborhood do you live and how long have you lived there?

A: I’ve lived in Plaza-Midwood since 1999.

Q: How long have you been in Charlotte?

A: I’ve lived in Charlotte for

the past 17 years. I first moved to Charlotte in 1984 to work at Discovery Place. I met my UFO): The UDO stands for UniA: Sure, I am a musician, now husband of 30 years, Tom fied Development Ordinance. It playing piano, organ and viola; Hanchett, at the Elizabeth is a re-write of the city’s old zon- I weave baskets, throw clay and Neighborhood Festival in 1985. ing ordinance which really did make pots on a wheel; I make I moved to Durham to plan a need it. However we need to be Pysanky eggs; I garden and I pre- major expansion of the Museum very watchful of what might be serve figs off my tree. I also love of Life and Science in 1987 and presented to the council when the Charlotte Symphony, the returned here in 1999. it is completed. As a member of Public Library, Discovery Place Q: Why are you running for the the Transportation and Planning and all museums, history and hisboard of education?

Committee, I have been birdtoric preservation. And I considdogging the UDO for over a year. er it a high honor to be elected A: I have been an active I am concerned that the new to the Charlotte City Council by education advocate for decades POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

11

and have worked closely with retiring District 4 representative Tom Tate. I have attended countless CMS Board and Policy Committee meetings, and have addressed the board on crucial equity issues. I am ready to apply my knowledge of CMS and passion for public education to the role of board of education member. I look forward to the opportunity to advocate from within CMS.

towns have profound effects on CMS’s ability to educate children.

Q: What are the five most important issues facing CMS and what will you do to address them?

Attracting and retaining A: Ensuring that all chilteachers: The state legislature dren have access to rich and sets teacher salaries. Unfordiverse educational opportunately, even with a county tunities: While serving on the

CMS Equity Committee I had access to data demonstrating the savage inequities in educational Q: What qualifications do you opportunities among schools. bring to the board?

The primary tool CMS uses for A: I bring knowledge, passion, equity is a weighted student staffing model. This formula and commitment to the board. counts each student living in I have a deep knowledge of poverty as “1.3 students” in CMS – both its history and its determining teacher allotments current policies and practices. to schools. Thus, a school with I also bring the perspective of 100% low-income students CMS parent, volunteer and advo- would have 30% more teachers cate to the board. that if they were 100% affluent.

I am passionate about ensur- That sounds good, but: ing that ALL children in Char–The weighting system was lotte-Mecklenburg Schools have determined not by actual needs, access to a high-quality, diverse but by what the budget would curriculum presented by exem- cover the year it was instituted. plary teachers.

–While high-poverty schools I am committed to do the work now often have more basicrequired to be an effective board education teachers, they often member. That work includes lack the specialized courses that attending board meetings and open doors of opportunity for school functions, but that is the bright students, such as foreign tip of the iceberg. I will work to language. communicate with District 4 I will work to remedy those constituents on crucial educashortcomings. tion issues and listen to their concerns. I also understand the Building community importance of building intertrust in CMS: I am commitgovernmental relationships. ted to maintaining open lines Decisions in the county, city and of communication to District 4 12

residents about issues that may affect their school or their neighborhood. Keeping community members informed and engaged in CMS issues will help build trust in the system.

POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

supplement teachers struggle to make ends meet. While the board of education has little voice in raising teacher pay, we can work to improve teachers’ working conditions. This will require a culture shift within CMS so that teachers are treated as the professionals that they are. Too often, CMS has imposed programs on teachers without first listening to their needs.

Strengthening relationships with other government officials: I plan to meet with county commission and city council members one-to-one so that we can build a common vocabulary and understanding for the issues each body faces.

Improving CMS facilities:

CMS facilities have not kept up with the growth in the CMS student body. Buildings that are more than 40-years-old need major updates. Many schools across the county have mobile classroom villages outside of the school. I urge everyone to vote for the CMS Bonds this fall and to request that the county release the bond funds quickly.

Q: How can people get more

information about your candidacy?

such as Girl Scouts.

A: Please visit my website: SawyerForSchools.com; Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SawyerForSchools or contact me directly at Carol@ SawyerForSchools.com. I would enjoy meeting you for coffee and a chat.

Q: What are the five most important issues facing CMS and what will you do to address them?

A: Equity of neighborhood schools: One of the biggest

A: I am committed to ensuring the children of Charlotte get an exceptional education that prepares them to be stewards in the community and leaders in the global community. An investment in our children now will pay dividends in the future for our city.

issues for CMS is whether or not to maintain neighborhood schools. It is my belief that the real issue is equity of the schools.

There cannot be a cookie cutter approach to the assignment of funding or programs for each school district or even neighborhoods within a district. In order to address this issue I plan on spending a considerable amount of time with principals, teachers, parents and students within the district to discuss deficiencies or barriers to having a great school.

This will be followed by building community-based resources and developing public and private partnerships that can provide resources and support to students, parents, teachers and administrators.

Q: What qualifications do you bring to the school board?

Recruiting and retaining teachers: I think everyone is

Q: Is there anything else you’d

like us to know about you?

A: I started attending board of education meetings when I was a high school student in Indiana.

Then I was advocating for school field trips to Chicago. Its museums and cultural institutions were just 50 miles away, but few children in my rural, small town community had access to those mind-expanding educational experiences.

I have drawn on my science museum exhibit developer to serve as a volunteer science educator at Irwin Elementary, Ashley Park Elementary and, most recently, Greenway Park Elementary.

School board District 4 Q&A: Stephanie Sneed

ty in Charlotte five years ago and I have been a resident ever since.

Q: Why are you running for board of education?

First and foremost, I am a dedicated parent that invests time and resources to ensure my chilQ: In what neighborhood do you dren are educated. Throughout live and how long have you lived my career as an attorney I have there? worked in many aspects of city, state and federal government, so A: I have been living in the Elizabeth neighborhood with my I understand government and what is needed to improve govfamily for the past 5 years. ernment systems. More imporQ: How long have you been in tantly, I have committed my time Charlotte? to shaping and developing young A: I found a sense of communi- persons through organizations

aware that something has to be done to address CMS’s ability to recruit and retain quality teachers. North Carolina ranks near the bottom with teacher pay. Local funds, such as a bond initiative, can help with this.

However, I plan to address other incentives that can bridge the gap in funding deficiencies, such as a housing incentives program that I am currently developing that will be supported through

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corporate partnerships.

Technology: It goes without saying to be a premiere school system, CMS has to be on the cutting edge of technology in the classroom. This can be addressed by obtaining grants and creating partnership programs for technology to be gifted to CMS. In order to ensure equity some technology programs can be rotated amongst schools through programs that I plan to coordinate with relevant parties.

Q: How can people get more information about your candidacy?

East Charlotte community and I am a lifelong resident of the area. My family has been in the community for generations.

A: I am happy to chat with anyone and I can be reached directly by email at sneedQ: How long have you been 4schoolboard@gmail.com. Be on in Charlotte? the look-out for the launch of the A: I was born in Charlotte. sneed4schoolboard website and I am a career military wife, who Facebook page. has been back in Charlotte for Q: Is there anything else you’d 34 years. I have lived here most like is to know about you? of my life. My husband is retired A: I am a passionate and dedi- from the Air Force, so I have also cated parent who has decided lived in Delaware and Oklahoma to continue my public service and worked in Texas while he Funding: Always a hot button initiatives my running for the was in the military. issue. How to obtain more money school board because I care Q: Why are you running for the about the children of Charlotte. and how the money should be board of education? distributed. Support of the bond If the residents give me the opportunity to serve, they will not will help. But there will always A: I have worked in multiple be funding gaps and innovative be disappointed. states, have an array of expeways have to be implemented riences and I believe I know in order to deal with these schoolhouse secrets as to why gaps. The only way to do this is N.C. schools are behind other through parents, community states. I want to be a part of the organizations, grants and corsolution. porate partnerships. My goal is We need a strong voice on build up these partnerships from the board who will advocate for the smallest level, such as identichildren, educators, the comfying a small community organimunity and public policies that zation committing to donating spell success for the entire compencils to a large corporate munity. entity committing to funding teacher training.

We need trained and knowledgeable school board members Classroom size: Classroom who have demonstrated experisize – particularly for lower-level ence and track records of effecgrades – should be kept as small tive problem solving.

School board District 4 as possible. Aside from hiring Q&A: Queen Thompson I am very passionate about more teachers, as previously ad-

dressed. I plan to ensure that we Q: In what neighborhood do you are fully tapping into statewide higher education programs that live and how long have you lived partner or can partner with CMS there? for externship programs.

A: I live in the Hickory Grove, 14

POLITICS 2017 – GET INVOLVED!

education and public service.

I have observed issues of educational malpractice, which I believe hold our county and state behind.

Q: What qualifications do you bring to the board?

A: – B.A. Johnson C. Smith

University; M.S. Ed. Counseling Psychology, Southern Illinois University; additional coursework at the universities of Delaware, Oklahoma and North Carolina.

– I bring extensive years of experience in social work, human services and community mobilization. I have a proven track record including programming in children and family services, community organizing for battered women, alcohol and drug treatment centers, dropout intervention and federal compliance. I also organized a sheltered training center for multi-handicapped adults in Altus, Ok.

for Crossroads Charter School.

– N.C. governors awards for dedicated community service.

Q: What are the five most important issues facing CMS and what will you do to address them?

A: 1. In every way foster the love, the joy and the pleasure of learning. Dis-

mantling school failure, which hurts and destroys children, staff and communities. Providing all students a sound, basic education today in order to provide America with a competitive workforce for tomorrow.

2. Attention to staff development, personnel management and recruitment and retention to increase service to students.

– Federal education compliance monitoring, training in N.C. school law, workforce and career development and labor laws.

Address waste and mismanagement.

– Coordinated educational and medical services for the multi-handicapped.

funded mandates for equal protection under the law.

– Awarded Churchman of the Year, 1983, Altus, Ok. – Awarded Ben Craig Outstanding Educator for innovative programs in CMS in 1991.

Dropout intervention awards and numerous CMS Family Affair awards for parent and community engagement. Recognized by CMS as a strong advocate for all children.

– Founder and grant writer

3. Fiscal accountability.

4. Equal access to justice. Adherence to federal

5. Comprehensive government planning with local

government, private investors in sound urban planning and development, which benefits all stakeholders.

Upon being elected a member of the school board, I will meet with all schools in District 4, all neighborhood associations and all stakeholders for a united community mobilization project to ensure a united voice

for quality schools, a reduction in crime and orchestration of planned solutions. To rebuild East Charlotte, we must have quality schools, a reduction in crime and sound economic planning.

Q: How can people get more information about your candidacy?

A: My website is QueenThompson4schoolboard.com.

Call Educational Solutions at (704) 333-7966.

Q: Is there anything else you’d

like us to know about you?

A: My candidacy gives Charlotte the opportunity to help ourselves by standing together for a greater Charlotte for me and for you.

Behind the scenes at Elizabeth’s Precinct 109

by Monty Kearse Editor’s note: Longtime Elizabeth resident Monty Kearse is the chief judge of Precinct 109, Hawthorne Recreation Center, one of two precincts in Elizabeth. We asked him to tell us a little about his work at the polls.

For most poll workers, preparation for Election Day begins the day before the election when the polling place team gets together to: – Set up the voting machines, make sure they all work and that their placement ensures voters will have privacy when casting their ballots.

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– Set up the voter authorization area so that voters can move quickly through the check-in process.

– Set up all instructional/ informational signs.

The election polling place team is made up of these roles and responsibilities:

– Chief judge: The leader of the election team within a precinct.

– Party judges: Two judges, one representative each from the Democratic and Republican parties.

– Provisional transfer (PT) assistant: One or two PT assistants depending on the expected size of the election

turnout. Assist voters with provisional voting and/or transfers between precincts.

Works at the provisional computer.

Next we set up the voter authorization table and the poll books at the voter check-in table. Then we go through the poll books to check off all early voters and absentee voters, place – Equipment assistant: the final signs and turn on the One or two equipment assistants depending on the election phone. At this juncture expected size of the turnout. all of the equipment and Responsible for keeping the materials needed to conduct the election are ready for action. voting machines running properly.

Once the equipment is ready all poll workers take an oath to – Voting assistants: Two to six conduct the election in a fair and voting assistants depending equitable manner and swear not on expected turnout. to influence any voter to vote Multiple job responsibilities. for any particular candidate or On Election Day we all arrive proposition. at 5:45 a.m. First we turn on the equipment and run At 6:30 a.m. the polls open. a procedure to ensure that Each polling place has a smart all of the voting machines phone that is used as the official are initialized. All three timepiece for opening and judges have to certify that closing the polling place. the machines are initialized The voter authorization properly. Any machine that process is as follows: is not working properly will not be used for voting until – The voter fills out the voter the machine is fixed. authorization form. On this

Voters line up to cast their ballots during last November’s election at Precinct 109, Hawthorne Recreation Center.

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photo: John McBride

– Set up the voter provisional transfer assistant table so that voters not in the poll books can be directed to their proper voting place.

form the voter writes their name and address and signs the form attesting that the information contained on the form is correct.

As long as the voter is registered to vote in Mecklenburg County, there is a good likelihood that the PT assistant will be able to resolve the issue and authorize the – The voter’s form is checked voter to vote. One of the most against the precinct poll common reasons for denying a book, which is a pre-printed voter authorization is that the list of voters in the precinct. voter never registered to vote in The poll worker asks the Mecklenburg County. So if you voter to state their name and are new to Mecklenburg County, address and, in a primary please register to vote! election, party affiliation.

As a general rule the polls Poll workers are required close at 7:30 p.m. Any voter who by law to ask and the voter is required by law to answer is in line at 7:30 will be given the these questions. If the voter’s opportunity to vote. Once the polls close the poll works certify name and correct address the election results that are are in the book the voter is stored on the machines. authorized to vote.

The precinct’s voting results – Voter is queued up to vote are certified by the precinct on the voting machine. judges. The certification process If the voter is not found in includes both paper and the poll book then the voter is electronic results and includes directed to the PT for help. The the results of the votes cast for PT can help with the following the precinct only. The results voter registration issues: will include each race, the votes cast for a particular candidate – Voter is registered in Mecklenburg County but at or proposition and any write-in votes for the race. a different address.

Once the votes are certified – Voter registered to vote at the results are driven to the an alternative registration Mecklenburg County Board of facility, for example the DMV, but is not listed in the Election (BOE) office, the polling place is taken down and packed precinct poll books. away and everyone goes home – Voter has had a legal name to watch the results on TV or the change.

BOE website.

– Voter has not voted in several years and is noted as an “inactive” voter on the voter registration lists.

If you are interested in working at the polls on election day please contact the BOE at (704) 336-2133. For more

information about voting or registering to vote visit the BOE website at www.meckboe.org.

A view from Raleigh: Justice reform in North Carolina

by John Autry Editor’s note: John Autry represents District 100 in the N.C. House. Elizabeth is one of several neighborhoods in the district that covers much of East Charlotte along Independence Boulevard to Matthews and includes 82,105 residents.

I serve on the House Appropriations sub-committee for information technology, so I would like to take this opportunity to focus on technology in the N.C. court system.

In 2015, N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin convened the N.C. Commission on the Administration of Law and Justice (NCCALJ), a 65-member, multi-disciplinary group, to undertake a comprehensive and independent review of the N.C. court system. It had been two decades since North Carolina had reviewed its court system and systemic challenges were mounting.

The Commission’s members were divided into five committees, civil justice, criminal investigation and adjudication, legal professionalism, public trust and technology.

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A final report was published in March of this year and made a multitude of recommendations on improving the administration of law and justice. One major recommendation is that a uniform, statewide court system would enable local and statewide officials to manage court performance using datadriven decision-making while promoting better stewardship of judicial resources and increasing the capacity of low-income legal service providers.

The challenge for the technology committee was to rethink the courthouse, including how citizens interact with the courts, and deliver a plan on how to realize a new unified court system. Also: – How to address the nearly four miles of shelving needed each year to store the massive amounts of paper generated in state courts. – How to enable people interacting with the courts to do so without having to make the trip to the courthouse and file another piece of paper.

providing services to more than 500 courtrooms handling approximately 2.7 million cases a year. The system must be modernized or be buried under its own weight.

recommendations from the NCCALJ is critical as our state continues to grow. It will require human capital and money. Initial estimates before any requirements or public comments have been collected The mission is further range from $75 million to $91 complicated by the fact that million and will take six years the 200 different applications used today are rapidly becoming to complete. I am committed to seeing this work done and better obsolete. Maintenance is serving the people of our great complicated due to the underlying obsolete technology state. I hope you will support that isn’t being taught any longer these efforts to safeguard the and current developers are aging rule of law in North Carolin, an endeavor that is invaluable. out. Accessing simple data is becoming more difficult if not Help shape the direction impossible. of our great neighborhood This is the sort of situation that erodes the public trust in the timely administration of justice – a situation a state with the ninth largest population cannot tolerate.

The work of the NCCALJ covers all aspects of our justice system. I’ve just scratched the surface of the work from the technology committee. The legislature in the recent long session enacted legislation – How to provide traveling addressing one initiative of judges and prosecutors with the the NCCALJ. The Juvenile same information, electronically, Reinvestment Act (Raise the Age) no matter where they are in the was passed by both the House state. and Senate and signed into law

by Gov. Roy Cooper. The bill Needless to say, the task before us in reforming our justice means that teens ages 16 and 17 will no longer be automatically system is massive. Currently, charged as adults for all crimes the justice system has 200 beginning in 2019. different applications used by 6,000 employees, along with A long-range commitment nearly 550 elected judges, to implementing the 18

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by Kris and Ric Solow

As longtime Elizabeth residents and ECA board members, we have witnessed the resolve and determination that results from the strength of an active community like Elizabeth.

Over the years the talent and commitment of our residents has been exemplified by such wonderful social activities as the Progressive Dinner, Holiday Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Elizabeth Recycles Day, Elizabeth 8K Road Race and the Pumpkin Wall, just to name a few. We’ve seen property values increase dramatically as Elizabeth has become one of Charlotte’s most desirable inner-city neighborhoods.

But the continual onslaught of pressures like street and highway projects, commercial

development and, most recently, poorly conceived or intensely developed residential projects can threaten the fabric of our neighborhood.

Meet your neighbors and ECA board members, find out what’s going on in the ‘hood and find opportunities to step up and be a part of this amazing community.

The diligence and commitment of a continually revolving ECA board, starting back in the mid-70’s, has always been the front line of defense to protect the integrity of this awesome neighborhood. People willing to commit their time, talent and energy to shape policy and protect a way of life have always been the strength of our collective, eclectic and diverse group of residents.

You can also become a member of the ECA to show your support for the neighborhood you call home. New ideas, fresh perspectives and seasoned veterans are the lifeline of this community. Come be a part of it!

Everyone is welcome.

See you there!

Team Elizabeth won the Queen City Quiz Show competition held at Saint Martin’s Episcopal Church June 24.

Members of the Elizabeth team were Suzy Niemann, Dan Clodfelter, Nancy Albert and Josh Barnhardt.

Funded by a Knight Foundation grant and hosted by Tim Miner and Matt Olin of CreativeMornings/Charlotte, Queen City Quiz Show is partnering with diverse neighborhoods and communities to share information about Charlotte’s past and present.

Team Elizabeth will compete in the final Queen City Quiz show event on Oct. 7 (check the Queen City Quiz Facebook page for time and place).

Now we find ourselves at a crossroads where development pressures have never been greater and neighborhood participation has never been lower. The percentage of residents actively involved as board members, sitting on special projects committees, attending public meetings or even attending social events is low and surprising.

photos: Donna Bise

This neighborhood didn’t just happen. It is the result of a committed few representing the rest of us. A little time and energy goes a long way toward benefitting our community.

A perfect opportunity is coming up with this year’s Annual ECA Meeting and Taste of Elizabeth dinner, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Ln. THE PEOPLE PAGES

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New Caswell Station owners aim for cozy neighborhood feel

by Lolo Pendergrast A new neighborhood restaurant and bar is opening on Caswell Road near the corner of 7th Street, possibly as early as Sept. 7. Caswell Station, with a renovated “comfy, cozy neighborhood” look, replaces Kennedy’s Premium Bar and Grill at 366 Caswell Rd. Its planned hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., with a Sunday brunch that begins at 10. The dinner menu includes hamburgers, sandwiches, soup, salads, wings and flatbreads, along with “new American” fare like tater tot nachos and lobster corn dogs. The lunch menu will include, among other things, “pick-two” options of soup, salads and sandwiches. The extended lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re trying a modern, neighborhood feel,” said Justin Sprowles, one of four owners of Caswell Station. Sprowles said Caswell Station could be a nice addition to an area that has lost some of its dining and bar options to redevelopment.

The restaurant joins a number of proposed new dining options that may be announced soon at the intersection of 7th and Caswell. “We want to embrace that area, bringing that area up a little bit, igniting that corner a bit,” he said. “We are really excited about it.”

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As deadly ash-killing beetle enters Charlotte, ECA treats Independence Park trees

by Kris Solow Heartwood Tree Services owner Patrick George has confirmed that the emerald ash borer (EAB) has been found in Charlotte, and the result is that 20 ash trees near South Tryon Street and Billy Graham Parkway have been killed.

Meanwhile, in Elizabeth, the Elizabeth Community Association (ECA) has paid for the treatment of all six ash trees in Independence Park on Aug. 11. We first alerted the Elizabeth community to the emerald ash borer in the Spring ECA newsletter. According to Wikipedia, all 8.7 billion ash trees in North America are threatened.

“After initial infestation, all ash trees are expected to die in an area within 10 years without control measures. It has killed at least tens of millions of ash trees so far,” Wikipedia says.

used. One provides a year of protection and the other two years protection. Trees will need to be retreated every one to two years depending on the method. igns and symptoms S of the EAB:

– Dead limbs in the top of the canopy.

– Overall thinning of the canopy.

– Birds clawing at bark, woodpeckers in canopy.

– Small shoot growth (suckers) at the trunk base or lower portion of trunk.

– D-shaped exit holes in bark.

To identify an ash tree, for more information about the EAB or to get an assessment of your ash, call a certified arborist.

Yard Yak: Recovering balance in an out of kilter system

by Kay Minor

If you’ve traveled to other parts of the country or Canada where the EAB has already done its damage, the effects are extreme with countless numbers of dead ash trees on properties and lining streets.

Following our inaugural meeting, in the merry month of May, the Bonnie Appleseed Club decided to take a breather.

An inspired yet daunting todo list coincided with summer schedules, creating space for “acceptable” procrastination.

July and August being “unacceptable” months to plant, we schemed instead.

If you have an ash on your property be sure to treat it right away. There are several methods for treatment and two products

Truncated list: enhance traffic circle on East 8th Street and Lamar Avenue; add native plantings along new pedestrian

Ash photo: Kris Solow / beetle photo courtesy Houston Chronicle

a small army of resolute researchers and concerned volunteers, are all soldiers in the quest to understand a triangular puzzle: plants that sustain insects that sustain birds.

The ECA paid for this ash and five others in Independence Park to be treated against the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer threatens every untreated ash in North America.

path between East 8th Street and Bascom; raised herb beds flanking sidewalks under water tower on Pecan Avenue and East 8th Street.

Overwhelmed, our energetic beekeeper donned the crown of reason, suggesting a focus on one mission. With a unified sigh of relief we all agreed.

The abandoned alleyways of Elizabeth are a gold mine of planting potential. Initially constructed for power lines and garbage collection, many remain today as driveways, buffers

A tangled web of interdependence, our native flora and fauna provide nourishment for the native insects that provide caterpillars for our native baby birds. Soft and protein rich, caterpillars comprise 95% of a fledgling’s diet. The conundrum: we’ve planted our parks and urban gardens with exotics (non-native species of trees, shrubs and flowers). Basically, we’re out of balance. An over abundance of non-native plant selection has reached a tipping point in an unwelcome direction, proving unsustainable for the birds and the bees.

Hence, the birth of Elizabeth’s local garden club. Armed literally with seed bombs and garden between backyards and access hoses, collectively aiming points for electrical transformers. towards recovering balance in an Sunny spaces, given the judicious out of kilter system. If ignorance pruning by Duke Power, these is bliss, knowledge is power. The petite parcels are the prime focus ultimate weapon. If interested, of the Bonnie Appleseeds’ core the local library at The Plaza and mission: increase indigenous Central has access to several biodiversity in local urban areas, copies of Doug Tallamy’s book one alley at a time. titled “Bringing Nature Home,” While searching for relevant and an ebook is available as well. information on aforementioned Upon reading, you may become subject, I found Doug Tallamy, inspired to start a revolution in professor of entomology at the alleyways on your block. A Delaware University. Tallamy, colorful and melodic one for the whole neighborhood to share. along with dedicated students, THE PEOPLE PAGES

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THE BUSINESS SECTION

ADVERTISE WITH US The ECA newsletter is hand delivered to residents, businesses and organizations around the historic Elizabeth Community. Advertising with us is a great way to promote your business.

John McBride, ECA newsletter editor john.f.mcb@gmail.com Little Shiva, ECA newsletter designer shivita@mac.com The Ad Czar position is vacant!

Interested? Contact John McBride.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: February 5 for the March 1 Spring issue May 5 for the June 1 Summer issue August 5 for the September 1 Fall issue November 5 for the December 1 Winter issue Quarter page: 3.205” wide by 3.715” tall (641 x 743 pixels) $80 per issue or 4 for $280 Half horizontal: 6.53” wide by 3.715” tall (1306 x 743 pixels) $160 per issue or 4 for $560 Half vertical: 3.205” wide by 7.53” tall (641 x 1506 pixels) $160 per issue or 4 for $560 Full page: 6.53” wide by 7.53” tall (1306 x 1506 pixels) $320 per issue or 4 for $1120 Prepare ad as a black and white jpg or pdf at 200 dpi and keep important type at least 1/8” to 1/4” in from the edge to allow for the standard 4 point black border. Indicate the ad size you want, the frequency with which you’d like to advertise, and email to john.f.mcb@gmail.com and shivita@mac.com.

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Queen Thompson for District 4 School Board Dedicated – Experienced – Strong – Leader Advocate for all children, parents & staff Track record of proven results “School failure hurts, destroys children, neighborhoods and economic growth!”

Queen’s Stands Queen’s Platform Quality schools, regardless of your address and income Dismantle school failure and low performing schools Uniting the community to stand together Staff development to meet the needs of all children Experienced problem solver Support fair & equitable personnel policies Education equality, reform advocate and visionary Address discipline by teaching social & behavioural skills No compromising on school failure Fiscal accountability

Vote Q-U-E-E-N for a better Charlotte!

Email: educationalsolut@bellsouth.net 704 333 7966 P.O. Box 29022 Charlotte, NC 28229-9022 Paid for by the committee to elect Queen Thompson.

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