Two - Two One

This country fought the Revolutionary War and about taxation without representation. In Forsyth County we now have the same problem; we are being taxed without any chance of the Forsyth County Commissioners paying any attention to the wishes, desires and issues of District A. Of the Seven (7) County Commissioners, only two seems to have any interest in what happens in District A. District A is where one third of the populations lives, works and plays. District A is Democratic and has the only non-White County Commissioners. The other five (5) Republican Commissioners are so confident in their ability to control the County’s Agenda that they do not even bother to show up at Public Forums where major issues concerning Public Health and Taxes are discussed. Excuses are made for these no shows by saying that they are running unopposed. Does unopposed mean, “Don’t give a damn?”

Until our Forsyth County Commissioners feel that all County Voters are their constituents, we who live in District A will continue to be ignored. Because the voters in District A have no impact on Forsyth County Commissioners in District B, District A residents have no voice in County Government. Current District A Commissioners say, it takes four (4) votes to get anything done in County Government. On the best days, District A issues lose four (4) to three (3). That is why I recommended a new structure for Forsyth County Government, Two - Two One. The County Commission would consist of two (2) Members from District A and two Members (2) from District B and one Members elected At-Large. This means, it would only take three (3) votes to pass legislation. Both Districts, A and B would be represented and could still focus mainly on their constituencies, but would have to consider the entire County to get anything done. Since the At-Large Member would be elected County Wide, they would be the swing vote and insure the tax payers that both Districts are considered before any legislation is passed.

For those of you who think this is a crazy idea, think back to the times when having a African American as a Forsyth County Commissioner was just as crazy. Now that we have African American Commissioners, how about making their votes count and giving them a real role in how Forsyth County is governed. As the Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”, I hope to bring New Leadership and Vision to the Forsyth County Commission.

East Ward Town Hall Meeting

There was an East Ward Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, March 30, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at City Hall Council Chamber, Room 230. The three topics that interested me the most were higher taxes, the crime on Rich Avenue and the new Apartment Complex on New Walkertown Road.

What is a Property Tax Increase? Answer; when you pay more this year than you paid last year and you have not made any improvements to your property. Without changes in the Property Tax Rate, why are citizens of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County paying higher taxes. Answer; your property was reassessed to a higher value. Why don’t our elected officials just tell us they are raising our taxes, it is not the politically correct thing to do, especially in elections years.

There is a situation on Rich Avenue according to the people who live there; they are losing their neighborhood to drug dealers. There are loud parties that go on well into the night. Young people are taking over and making the older residents feel afraid. Hopefully, the Winston-Salem Police Department will correct this problem. Police Officers are showing up at community meetings and appear to be doing their job. The cooperation between the Police and Neighborhood Organizations is the best and only way to solve these problems. I have to congratulate Councilperson Joycelyn Johnson on her attention to complaints and having City Employees attend these community meetings. Also, kudos to Police Chief Norris and the men and women of the Winston-Salem Police Force for the help provided to our communities.

Who does the City Council represent? There is an African American Investment Group out of Charlotte, North Carolina that wants to build Town Houses on the site of Doctor Bruce’s old building on New Walkertown Road. There is nothing wrong with investing in East Winston and I encourage Economic Development in the East Ward, but when the residents of a community tell their Councilperson that this is not the right fit for their community, their wishes and desires should carry more weight than any out-of-town investors. Not only did the Community Organization and East Ward Real Estate Professional say that this was not the right location for more apartment houses, but they pointed out that these Town Houses would not sell at the asking price of $165,000.00 and up. When the residents on the West Side of Town did not want a Wal-Mart Superstore in their neighborhood, although a superstore would provide jobs and taxes for all the residents of Winston-Salem, it was not built in their community. I support residents deciding what will and will not be put into their communities. Why aren’t the same rights given to people who live in East Winston? What makes our neighborhoods so different from other parts of the City? Why can’t we decide what is best for us? Answer, because we do not vote in the numbers that will make ours voices heard at City Hall.

Task Force on Racial Healing

Forum to Look at Future Trends for Winston-Salem

The future for African Americans in Winston-Salem, North Carolina may not be as dire as I first thought. According the Nat Irvin, in the year 2020, you may not be able to identify citizens of Winston-Salem by the color of the skin or traditional racial characteristics. If this racial identifier is not available, then people will have to judge people by some other means, let me suggest the contents of their heart, character, integrity and their beliefs in right and wrong and in good and evil. Let people join with other people who believe as they do and not be forced into racial stereotypes.

All the panelists were very positive about what needed to be done to make Winston-Salem live up to its potential. All the panelist agreed that we citizens are in the same boat and we either sail or sink together. Like always, the citizens are far ahead of the Powers That Be about what it takes to make Winston-Salem/Forsyth County a great place to live and raise a family.

Some people seem to think that there will be trouble between African Americans and Hispanics. I do not see this happening because we live in the same neighborhoods and face the same problems. This first group of Hispanics know and understand how much better living here is compared to where they came from. Their children will be Hispanics Americans that have never seen Mexico and will demands more than the minimum wage and will not be concerned about being deported. Their issues will be same as for all people, how do I get my piece of the American Dream.

Think about being hired because there is no question that you are the Best Qualified. Think about a Color Blind Society that judges people of on their God given talents and abilities. Think about this, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” This will also make the Task Force of Racial Healing more successful.