Charlotte Tea Party Headquarters

City Council

Mayor McCrory: mayor@ci.charlotte.nc.us

Susan Burgess: sburg346@aol.com

John Lassiter: lassiter@bellsouth.net

Anthony Foxx: foxxcharlotte@aol.com

Edwin Peacock: edwin@edwinpeacock.com

Patsy Kinsey: pkinsey@carolina.rr.com

James Mitchell: jamesdistrict2@aol.com

Warren Turner: district3_turner@yahoo.com

Michael Barnes: barnesdistrict4@aol.com

Nancy Carter: n3157w@yahoo.com

Andy Dulin: andy@voteandydulin.com

Warren Cooksey: warren@warrencooksey.com

County Commission

Jennifer Roberts: jennifer.roberts@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Harold Cogdell Jr: harold.cogdell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Dan Murray: daniel.murrey@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Karen Bentey: karen.bentley@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Vilma Leake: vilma.leake@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Dumont Clarke: dumontclarke@mvalaw.com

Neil Cooksey: neil.cooksey@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Bill James: Wjames@carolina.rr.com

This is what I sent City Council today.

It’s hard for me to begin to express how completely disappointed I was in the outcome of the meeting last night. I thought near the end of the meeting that you were actually starting to “get it” when it comes to cutting down on your spending and staying within the budget in order to save the taxpayers some money. Warren Cooksey actually asked if we had any suggestions when it comes to operating the budget. Then it all came down when Pat McCrory pulled the rug right out from under us and the tax request was voted in. Instead, I walked out feeling like a very dirty trick had just been played on our whole group. You people had your mind made up on what was going to happen before you ever walked into the room. Some of you didn’t even have enough respect for the people who are paying taxes for your wages to stay in the room while members of our group was talking. Actually, you really don’t care about anything except getting re-elected.

Mr. Cooksey, here’s a good one to start with - WCNC NEWS, CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte city leaders just found out new trash cans will cost taxpayers $3,500. Twelve of the trash cans will be placed along Central Avenue as part of an arts project. That means taxpayers will pay $42,000 for the fancy cans. What’s wrong with the perfectly good ones that we have. Do we need to spend the money on something like that? Beides, they look like they belong in a toy room. What’s up with that? It’s sort of like the ugly pieces of clay on South Boulevard that we paid through the nose for. YOU PEOPLE DON’T SEEM TO REALIZE THAT THIS TYPE OF SPENDING IS NOT NECESSARY DURING A RECESSION, OR EVER! I get the response – but we have to have a certain amount of money set aside for art, organizations, etc. Where does common sense come in when it comes to taxpayer’s money? Government exists to make sure we have police protection, roads to drive on and other necessities. It is ridiculously out of hand at this point and you just seem to come up with reasons to spend money. What happens to our police protection when the stimulus money goes away? Are you going to get into our pockets again and use our public safety as leverage for again another increase? If you would just prioritize and only spend money on what is necessary we would be ok. I don’t even want to hear anyone there whining about cutting your work force or reducing hours. There are too many people in government as it is.

Mr. McCrory, I realize you’re going to do whatever you want – you’re leaving anyway and don’t have to worry about getting elected. You can build all of the little trains you want, but most of us just aren’t going to use them-ever. We just get to pay $6.00 a person for others to ride. If we wanted our city to look live Atlanta, we would live there. Mr. McCrory, Mr. Cooksey, Mr. Dulan, and Mr. Peacock – You are a good example of the reason I am leaving the Republican party. You don’t have enough guts to stand up for what is right or how to use common sense when spending our money. Mr. Barnes, Ms. Carter, Mr. Fox, Ms Kinsey , James Mitchell, and Mr. Turner – Your Democrat ancestors would roll over in their graves if they knew what you and the rest of the party are doing to the Democratic party. They were once a party that stood up for what is right and wrong and knows the difference.

I know I’ll get emails saying that you appreciate my input, but in reality you don’t care what we think. But “We the people” aren’t going away any time soon.

Ruth Coffey

I am also working on emails to the mayor and council members in response to last night's meeting. I was surprised to learn about the trash cans this morning and thought maybe it was discussed after we all left the meeting. After some digging, I found that the information was shared during their dinner briefing, before the meeting. Here is a link for the attachment for the arts presentation that they saw. Just take a gander at the price tags on these art projects! I also read some info at the Arts & Science Council website and found this information about their connection with city/county government:

Since 1993, ASC has administered the Public Art Program for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. During 2003, Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte adopted ordinances that appropriate 1% of eligible capital improvement project funds for public art.

During FY06, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Government have allocated over $3 million to ASC.  These public funds combined with ASC’s private sector fund raising will ensure that $12.5 million willbe awarded in grants throughout the community.

I don't know how much was allocated this year. It's hard to find some information online. If anyone else knows, please post. But I'll bet it was more than $3 million. So, I'm thinking that the council didn't actually approve these trash cans, they were just being informed about how the ASC is spending the money it has received from the city. One percent doesn't sound like much, but I think anything over zero percent for public art is a waste of taxpayer money. What do you think?

I'm really glad I went to the meeting last night and I intend to go back again, as much as I am able. And I'm going to keep emailing, calling, whatever, to let them know what I think. Thanks to everyone else who is speaking out and making a difference. So glad to know I'm not alone in this!

~Marge

Thanks for the updates.  We're e-mailing!  We need to let our voice be heard!  Couldn't make the meeting but we're doing our part.  We need to make the changes at the ballot box next time!!!

Having written them all, there were several that responded.  The biggest surprise was Sue Burgess (D) who agreed that particularly during recession times, increasing the tax burden on Charlotte residents was inappropriate, and that we need road work far more than new trains.  I am grateful, but not expecting that out of her.

On the flip side and maybe showing why he failed to get adequate support in the race for Governor, Pat McCrory defended the measure to "keep Charlotte's options open"... of course affirming that he is really against a tax increase for this.  I think I had a diet like this once.  I just kept the cheesecake in the refrigerator to keep my options open, even though I was against eating it. 

Neil and Warren Cooksey both wrote to say they were opposed and that we need roads more.  Andy Dulin wrote to say, "Thanks for your input".  That's all... but maybe he doesn't talk much. 

As far as the rest of them, not a thing.  Not that this is that unusual.  I tend to doubt whether most of them bother reading the email, because they have shown they could care less about what people think anyway... unless it is right before election time.  Then they have been there all along.  [rolls eyes]

Generally e-mailing anyone in the political arena Mecklenburg County is wasted energy because many could care less about the constituents they represent except come election time. I remember reading about Jim Black's cronies trying to get him out of prison early because his wife was ill so I decided to write to the director of the Bureau of Prisons and why they should have had the key thrown away once locked up because he showed no compassion, nor did he respond to e-mails, towards the consumers of North Carolina. For me writing to the White House with a Socialist in office would also be a waste of energy although W.'s staff responded promptly to my letters and I am an Independent. There is an old saying "throw the bums out" that will play out in future election cycles if they raise taxes any more.

I'd like to get more activily involved but if the economy ever turns around I'd like to settle outside of Mecklenburg County since I've learned if a person isn't of the proper persuassion they are ignored and frankly that gets old fast.