►
Description
You're watching the Charlotte City Council Swearing-In Ceremony for December 2, 2019. Thanks for joining us!
A
A
I
A
To
thank
all
of
the
friends
and
family
members
that
are
here
tonight
this
evening,
our
staff
and
our
volunteers
and
everyone
that
put
some
effort
into
making
this
occasion
what
it
is
tonight
to
have
our
new
council
members
sworn
in
and
to
say
goodbye
to
several
of
our
council
members
that
are
here
for
their
public
service
in
the
world.
Thank
them
to
begin
this
evening,
we'll
have
an
invocation
by
dr.
A
Michelle
Jones
from
my
home
church,
Friendship
Missionary,
Baptist
Church,
followed
by
the
presentation
of
colors
from
from
our
I'm
sorry
Mimi's
right
here,
sweetie
from
the
presentation
of
colors
by
our
own
Charlotte,
Mecklenburg,
Police,
Department,
honor
guard,
and
so
we
will
stand
for
if
you
wish
to
stand
for
the
invocation
and
following
that,
we
will
stand
for
the
color
guard
and
the
posting
of
colors,
as
well
as
our
page
of
Pledge
of
Allegiance
and
national
anthems.
If
you
would,
please
stand
dr.
Jones.
K
For
the
presence
of
your
spirit
that
is
in
this
place,
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
witness
the
swearing-in
ceremony
of
Merrivale
Laos
for
a
second
time
continue
to
renew,
restore
and
refresh
her
continued
prayers
for
her
family.
We
also
pray
for
all
council
members
that
they
will
work
together
as
a
team
and
as
a
family,
and
that
they
will
learn
to
respect
each
other's
differences
and
also
respectfully
agree
to
disagree.
God.
Thank
you
for
this
opportunity
and
I
want
to
thank
you
for
listening
and
I
asked
his
prayer
in
your
name,
amen.
B
L
M
N
A
Good
evening
again,
everyone
now
I
have
the
distinguished
honor
of
presenting
this
year's
mayor
citizens
awards.
It
is
a
tradition
at
this
ceremony
to
offer
awards
to
distinguished
members
of
our
community,
who
have
served
with
distinction.
Honor
selflessness,
encouraged
tonight.
I
am
proud
to
present
the
mayor's
award
in
honor
of
former
mayor
Richard
VIN
Ruth
to
an
individual
who
has
displayed
unselfish
leadership
in
support
of
our
community
I'd
like
to
have
mr.
Jesse
Cureton,
come
down
and
join
me.
A
As
a
native
charlatan
growing
up
on
the
babies,
Ford
Road
corridor,
Jessie
has
developed
a
deep
understanding
of
the
inner
workings
into
the
social
and
racial
relations
that
continue
to
influence
our
city
that
insight
inspired.
The
creation
of
one
Charlotte,
a
group
that
promoted
healing
within
our
community
after
the
demonstrations
that
followed
the
death
of
Keith
Lamont
Scott,
Jessie's
vigeous
visionary
concept
has
helped
to
address
inequities
throughout
the
city
and
has
driven
change
that
will
last
for
generations.
A
His
experience
as
a
financial
executive
with
Bank
of
America
and
as
the
current
chief
consumer
officer
of
Novant
Health,
has
provided
opportunities
to
create
and
develop
long
range
solutions
to
assist
underprivileged
youth
and
underserved
families.
The
work
he
has
done
through
the
Charlotte
Business
inclusion
program
continues
to
enhance
competition,
participation
and
acceptance
of
small
minority
and
women-owned
firms
Jessie.
A
We
are
inspired
by
your
willingness
to
always
help
others
to
step
up
when
we
call
to
answer
those
calls
and
to
make
something
happen:
you're
an
inspiration,
a
true
servant,
leader
in
your
pursuit
of
happiness
and
welfare
of
every
charlatan
who
lives
here,
we're
glad
to
recognize
someone
born
raised
and
working
in
our
community
this
year
with
this
award
today.
Thank
you
very
much.
I
Mayor
and
this
distinguished
council,
it
is
my
pleasure
to
accept
this
award
on
behalf
of
my
parents,
my
mother,
on
behalf
of
my
great
organization,
Novant
Health
I,
am
a
product
of
this
community
born
in
Southside
homes
and
when
I
get
up
every
day,
I
think
about
everyone.
That's
in
this
room
and
all
of
the
people
that
have
been
a
big
part
of
my
life.
So
when
I
start
my
day,
I
can't
start
my
day
without
thinking
about
all
of
the
people
that
we
can
make
a
difference
for
so
tonight.
I
am
honored.
I
A
A
A
This
award
in
Harvey's
honor
is
given
to
citizens
who
have
demonstrated
courage
and
civility,
and,
as
I
said,
this
year's
award
goes
to
our
University's
Chancellor
Philip
Dubois,
since
becoming
Chancellor
of
UNC
Charlotte
in
2005.
His
professional
influence
has
boasted
the
university
that
we
all
want
to
have
in
our
city.
He
also
has
set
a
bond.
That's
solid
and
strong,
with
the
city
that
bares
the
net
that
the
university
bears
the
name
of
our
own
city
with
a
downtown
campus.
With
our
light
rail
system.
A
You
know,
UNC
Charlotte
has
branched
out
with
several
creative
initiatives
to
support
secondary
education
for
non-traditional
adult
students,
as
well
as
traditional
students,
the
your
partnership
and
your
efforts
around
what
we
see
as
one
of
the
real
connections
in
the
city,
the
Lynx
Blue
Line
that
makes
travel
to
and
from
the
campus
easier
for
members
of
the
community
as
well
as
the
students
was
exceptional.
It
was
strong
and
you
were
with
us
every
step
of
the
way.
A
The
focus
on
his
community
partnerships
evident
through
the
increased
events
and
exposure
and
I
think
what
we're
calling
a
championship.
Football
team
now
was
a
decision
that
wasn't
easy
to
have
or
make,
and
the
Chancellor
stepped
out
every
time
strong
think
about.
We
have
a
Charlotte
engineering,
early
college
high
school
on
the
campus
of
UNC
Charlotte,
but
most
of
all,
in
this
last
time
that
you're
going
to
be
that
you'll,
probably
remembered
for,
but
not
just
for
this.
A
You
display
steadfast
ability
and
courage
and
compassion
during
the
tragic
campus
shooting
in
April
of
2019
your
strength,
your
forwarded
to
provided
support
to
countless
others
who
felt
the
heartbreak
of
that
evening
and
you've
stood
with
your
student
body
every
step
of
the
way
and
we're
going
to
miss
that
kind
of
momentum
and
compassion
and
courage.
It
was
one
of
the
worst
moments
in
our
city's
history
actually
and
think
of
how
the
healing
has
worked
and
how
what
you've
done
to
make
it
possible.
O
Mayor
Gant,
thank
you
for
being
here
at
the
very
first
building
I
built
at
UNC.
Charlotte
was
yours,
I'm
glad
I
could
be
joined
tonight
by
my
wife,
Lisa
Lewis
blah
my
son
Taylor,
my
board,
chair
Mike
Wilson,
my
special
assistant,
Betty
Doster,
and
all
of
you.
We've
got
another
five
six
months
to
go
and
leading
this
university,
and
we
appreciate
your
support.
The
best
days
for
the
university
are
ahead.
Thank
you.
A
On
behalf
of
the
City
Council
I
now
want
to
speak
about
our
outgoing
council
members.
You
know
when
you
serve
with
someone
for
a
while.
You
develop
a
relationship.
It
may
not
always
be
easy.
It
may
not
always
be
fun
and
laughter,
but
in
this
case
we
have
people
that
we
are
really
really
fortunate
to
have
served.
A
The
city
I
have
written
all
of
them
a
personal
note
to
say
how
much
we've
appreciated
the
time
that
they've
spent
with
us
and
something
special
about
each
one
of
them,
because
they
each
brought
something
special
to
the
event
and
the
table,
so
we're
going
to
start
with
recognizing
them
and
thanking
them.
I
hope
that
you'll
hold
your
applause
until
we
recognize
all
of
them.
A
P
Yes,
my
name
is
Lumiere
Greg's,
wife
and
he's
not
able
to
be
here.
Obviously,
as
mentioned,
he
has
started
an
assignment
out
of
state
and
but
I'm
delighted
to
speak
on
his
behalf.
So
without
further
ado,
I
want
to
thank
the
residents
of
district
for
whom
greg
has
represented
and
served
starting
in
2005
when
he
served
the
remaining
term
of
Malcolm,
Graham
and
then
2013
to
2019.
P
Greg
appreciates
and
is
humbled
by
the
trust
and
confidence
everyone
has
placed
in
him
to
do
the
job
that
was
required
and,
lastly,
a
big
THANK
YOU
to
Greg
Greg's
chief
staff,
Robin
Cofer,
know
all
the
constituent
services,
staff,
city
manager
and
assistant
city
managers
past
and
present,
and
the
couriers
that
deliver
council
package.
Each
Thursday,
though
retiring
for
the
second
time
as
an
elected
official
Greg,
will
always
be
working
for
a
stronger
Charlotte.
Thank
you.
A
D
Good
evening
in
1967,
Black
Power
the
politics
of
liberation
in
America
by
Kwame
Torrey,
formerly
known
as
Stokely
Carmichael
and
Charles
B
Hamilton,
was
published
in
this
book.
It
was
written,
in
other
words,
the
white
power
structure,
rules,
the
black
community
through
local
blacks,
who
are
responsive
to
the
white
leaders,
the
downtown
white
machine,
not
to
the
blade
populist.
These
black
politicians
do
not
exercise
effective
power.
They
cannot
be
relied
upon
to
make
forceful
demands
on
behalf
of
their
black
constituents
and
they
become
no
more
than
puppets.
D
They
put
loyalty
to
a
political
party
before
law
team
to
their
constituents
and
thus
nullify
any
bargaining
power.
The
black
community
might
develop.
Colonial
politics
causes
the
subject
to
muffle
his
voice,
while
participating
in
the
council's
politics
causes
scuse
me
causes
us
to
muffle
his
voice,
while
participating
in
the
counsels
of
the
white
power
structure.
The
black
man
forfeits
his
opportunity
to
speak
forcefully
and
clearly
for
his
race,
and
he
justifies
this
in
terms
of
expediency.
It
is
with
this
Bob
above
understanding
that
I
proudly
serve
district
3
for
eight
years.
D
You
entrusted
me
to
keep
the
concerns
of
the
community
to
the
forefront
and,
although
sometimes
sending
alone,
I
work
to
do
just
that
I
will
acknowledge
some
days
were
tough,
yet
overwhelmingly
greater
days
outweigh
those.
As
your
representative
for
district
three,
we
created
the
following
nine
job
fairs,
starting
with
the
Charlotte
Douglas
International
Airport,
the
Charlotte
Premium
Outlets,
and
this
year
my
first
ever
re-entry
job
fair
for
those
formerly
incarcerated,
the
targeted
rehab
program
that
helps
to
stabilize
families
and
quickly
gentrifying
neighborhoods.
D
The
development
of
the
goodwill
opportunity
campus,
the
new
CLT
plus
app
that
creates
ease
for
residents
to
report
community
concerns
via
your
phones,
the
home,
served
home,
serve
protection
plan
for
Charlotte
water
customers,
along
with
many
projects
throughout
district
3.
Just
the
name
of
you.
I
have
been
blessed
to
represent
Charlotte
on
a
local
and
on
national
boards.
D
Fighting
for
equity
and
access
as
I
leave
you
as
your
representative,
who
proudly
served
never
forgetting
that
the
system,
a
systemic
legislative
policy
was
created
to
ensure
blacks
in
America,
had
obstacles
and
being
able
to
break
down
a
few
of
those
alone.
A
way
alongside
of
our
council
colleagues.
I
could
not
have
done
any
of
this
without
my
family,
some
of
who
have
joined
me
tonight,
but
especially
to
my
wife,
julissa
I.
Thank
you
for
understanding
me
and
all
the
energy
are
bringing
to
the
work
that
I
attempt
to
do.
You
are
my
foundation.
D
G
G
Chiara
and
I'd
been
married
for
six
years
to
be
seven
years
in
May.
We
started
all
this.
We
had
one
kid
we
were
pregnant
with.
A
second
now
were
pregnant
with
a
third
I
will
say
that
you
know
without
her
and
her
allowing
me
to
do
this
and
her
allowing
me
to
share
myself
with
you
all
I
wouldn't
be
standing
here.
So
thank
you,
babe.
Thank
you
for
just
the
sacrifices
and
the
support
to
the
council
of
elders
in
district
2,
historic
Weston,
neighborhood
leaders
and
Association
leaders
and
members.
G
Thank
you
for
your
support
as
well
for
allowing
me
to
help
lead
this
district
for
these
past
two
years.
It
has
really
been
a
pleasure.
We
know
that
the
challenges
are
great,
but
they
all
are
known,
displacement,
gentrification
development
pressure.
We
know
what's
happening
to
Charlotte's
northwest
side,
and
it's
always
been
my
point
to
try
to
protect
the
most
vulnerable,
preserve
the
history
that
is
there
and
promote
the
legacy
that
exists
in
district
2.
I
stand
on
a
lot
of
shoulders.
G
They
were,
in
my
ear
very
early
I've,
been
in
Charlotte
for
five
and
a
half
years
and
very
quickly
got
me
involved
and
plucked
me
out
and
said:
hey.
You
know
you
you,
you
could
be
good
at
this
and
I'd
like
to
think
that
I've
done
some
good
at
this
and
I
couldn't
have
done
it
without
Amanda
Burch.
Please
stand
up
really
quickly.
G
G
Just
keeping
me
in
line
I
have
I'm
proud
to
have
done
some
of
this
work,
even
just
for
this
short
time
in
two
years,
I'm
proud
to
have
introduced
the
aging-in-place
program
that
has
allowed
senior
citizens
in
this
city
to
not
feel
so
much
of
the
burden
of
property
tax
increases
that
we
know
hit
this
community
through
a
revaluation
last
year.
So
seniors,
like
you,
don't
know
about
the
program.
Look
it
up.
G
If
you're
over
the
age
of
65,
the
city
is
helping
you
with
some
tax
relief,
I'm,
proud
to
have
been
a
champion
for
that
leading
neighborhood
development
initiatives
and
policy
changes
on
with
the
noise
ordinance
and
as
well
as
adding
some
strength
to
our
minimum
housing
code.
So
Thank
You
mayor
for
allowing
me
to
help
chair
that
committee
and
bring
that,
through
this
council,
I'm
proud
of
the
investments
we've
made
in
this
short
time.
G
In
the
Westside
continuing
to
support
the
one
hundred
fifty
million
dollar
investment
in
the
streetcar,
when
we
first
started
two
years
ago,
only
eight
percent
of
our
council
appointed
boards
and
commissions
had
members
from
district
2
I'm,
proud
to
say
that
that
number
is
doubled
and
increased
to
18
percent.
Almost
one-fifth
of
our
boards
and
commission
and
commissions
are
now
filled
with
constituents
from
district
2
to
comprehensive
neighborhood
improvement
projects.
G
We
have
ten
total
projects,
eight
of
which
have
now
moved
to
the
construction
phase,
so
forty
million
dollars
of
investment,
Beatty's
forward
and
Brasil's
ferry,
as
well
as
Lakeview
reims,
Beatty's
Ford
sunset
area.
Our
new
partnership
through
economic
development
with
the
urban
Main
Street
program.
That's
going
to
look
to
help,
try
to
revitalize
everything
between
the
Brookshire,
freeway
and
I-85,
particularly
focused
in
on
the
base
for
the
LaSalle
area,
new
investment
by
the
knight
foundation,
continuing
on
the
mayor's
path
of
trying
to
get
more
private
and
philanthropic
investment.
G
The
knight
Foundation
has
really
doubled
down
on
there.
Listening
initiatives,
I'm
happy
to
be
a
part
of
that
introduction.
In
this
past
year's
budget
of
$500,000,
half
of
which
is
mass
matched
by
our
new
partner
list,
for
what
we're
calling
the
Westside
community
collaborative
fund
to
help
with
small
business,
innovation
and
small
business
development
and
incubation
gateway
station
funding,
advanced
funding
for
the
new
CMP
D
Northwest
Division
station,
as
well
as
joining
my
colleagues
with
you
know,
helping
to
usher
in
the
50
million
dollar
housing
bond,
and
thank
you
community
for
your
support.
G
None
of
this
could
I
have
done
without
the
people
behind
me,
my
family,
but,
most
importantly,
this
community,
you
embrace
the
newcomer
you
embrace
someone
who
likes
to
talk
about
where
I'm
from
but
I
know
the
Charlotte
is
home.
You've
supported
my
business.
You've
supported
me
here
on
this
council.
You've
supported
my
family
and
I.
Thank
you
and
I
love.
You
I
love.
You
Charlotte!
Thank
you
for
allowing
me
to
serve.
B
Excuse
me:
Jacob
Robinson
1,700
for
votes
for
City
Council
District,
three
Victoria
Watlington
7765
votes
for
City,
Council,
District,
four
Renee
Perkins,
Johnson,
nine
thousand
fifty
seven
votes,
elected
Brandon,
Pierce,
2209
votes;
five
right
ends
for
City
Council
District,
five
Matt
Newton
collected
7366
votes,
5
radians
for
City
Council,
District,
6,
taught
Akari,
ileft
elected
11100,
63
votes,
Jena,
Navarrete,
7800,
six
votes
for
City,
Council,
District,
seven,
ed,
Driggs,
elected
10
thousand
four
hundred
eighty
two
votes
and
seven
radians
mayor.
Those
are
the
results
of
the
municipal
election
held
on
November
5th
2019.
A
Q
A
A
A
A
A
When
I
first
became
mayor
in
2017,
I
had
high
hopes,
I
wanted
to
make
sure
that
Charlotte
was
a
place
where
everyone
has
the
ability
to
both
work
and
live,
and
I
also
knew
that
Charlotte
needed
consistent
leadership.
We
need
a
change
and
we
needed
a
steady
path
forward.
In
the
past
two
years,
the
Charlotte
City
Council
accomplished
many
successes,
real
successes
and
aspirational
thoughts
and
the
ideas
we
passed,
a
housing
bond
that
many
thought
was
impossible,
but
69%
of
the
voters
proved
that
it
was
possible.
A
A
We
recruited
thousands
of
jobs
and
even
new
industries
industries
to
Charlotte,
and
we
continue
to
address
the
class
crisis
with
a
real
plan,
one
that
we
can
do.
But
you
know
you
know
this:
it's
really
the
character
of
our
Council
in
this
office
that
earn
your
trust.
It's
the
pride
that
we
have
for
the
city.
It
is
the
hope
that
we
have
for
this
city,
and
we
all
know
that
we
as
a
city
of
Charlotte
that
we're
greater
than
any
national
divisive,
neskowin
s--.
It
will
not
happen
here
in
Charlotte.
A
The
foundation
of
city
government
is
to
serve
with
policies
and
actions
that
are
inclusive
and
equitable,
but
really
the
foundation
is
the
plan
for
the
future,
the
future
for
the
generations
that
we
are
hearing
now
in
this
room,
and
yet
there
are
always
challenges
to
living
in
a
growing
city.
So
how
do?
What
are
we
going
to
do
in
January?
A
I
will
ask
the
City
Council
to
review
the
homicide
cases
that
have
occurred
this
year
to
determine
the
neighborhood's
most
impacted
by
violence
and
guns,
so
that
the
city,
the
county
and
our
courts
can
begin
to
work
together
to
provide
evidence-based
and
community
focused
services
to
our
neighborhoods.
We
must
change
the
path
that
we
have
taken
this
year.
We
must
change
that
path
this
year,
we're
going
to
look
at
our
transit
system,
and
you
know
this
is
an
opportunity
for
us
to
address
and
correct
the
inequity
in
our
city
in
the
most
visible
way.
A
We
need
a
bus
system
that
we're
works
reliably
and
responsibly.
We
need
the
Silver
Line
to
improve
our
carbon
footprint
and
our
air
quality.
We
need
to
address
light
rail
with
fiscal
accountability
and,
most
importantly,
we
need
to
have
a
plan
for
transportation
for
Housing
and
Economic
Opportunity
for
the
east
and
the
west
sides
in
January
I
will
appoint
a
Citizens
Committee
on
transportation,
infrastructure
and
funding
to
seek
advice
from
our
community
and
the
cities
in
our
region.
On
this,
most
important
strategic
issue
is
strategically
required
for
our
continued
growth
and
success.
A
I
will
also
appoint
a
Citizens
Advisory
Committee
to
look
at
our
governance
structure,
with
a
focus
on
the
mayor
and
council
roles
and
to
prepare
us
all
for
the
new
council
districts
that
we're
going
to
affect
in
2021
as
I
close
I
like
to
thank
the
many
of
you
that
have
made
the
second
term
possible.
I
hope
you
voted
for
me.
I
hope.
Your
friend
of
mine,
I,
hope
that
you
will
continue
to
support
me
because
I
know
I
would
not
be
standing
here
without
you.
Q
N
S
A
H
B
T
S
B
A
T
C
Do
my
best,
madam
mayor,
thank
you.
So
much
I
wanted
to
start
just
by
extending
a
thank
you
to
my
colleagues
who
were
out
going
tonight
they're
their
leadership,
their
dedication.
Their
commitment
to
the
city
was
a
second
to
none
and
I
learned
so
much
by
being
a
part
of
a
council
with
them
included.
I
wanted
to
to
just
recognize
my
wife
as
well
who's
in
the
the
the
audience
I
asked
her
a
moment
ago.
C
She's,
not
the
type
of
person
to
to
be
out
there
kind
of
front
of
stage,
but
I'm
only
possible
because
because
of
her
and
it's
you
know
being
on
council,
there
a
lot
a
lot
of
long
nights.
Oftentimes,
we
don't
get
home
until
as
late
as
11
o'clock
on
a
a
long
Monday
night
and
she
has
been
so
understanding.
So
so
wonderful
and
I
don't
know
how
she
stays
so
beautiful.
So
so
babe
I
love
you
so
much.
C
Thank
you
for
allowing
me
to
do
what
I
do
and
to
to
provide
service
to
the
you
know
to
the
citizens
of
Charlotte
and,
more
specifically,
to
the
citizens
of
East
Charlotte
I
want
to
thank
my
family
as
well
I.
Thank
everybody
who
supported
me
over
the
past
two
years.
Supported
me
through
reelection,
I.
Think
the
the
residents
of
district
5
who
have
entrusted
me
with
another
term,
many
of
whom,
by
the
way,
are
here
tonight.
So
thank
you
all
for
being
here
as
well.
C
I
really
appreciate
that
and
your
support
we
and
as
we
move
forward
I'm
I'm,
really
looking
forward
to
to
working
with
my
new
colleagues
to
ensure
that
that
the
citizens
of
Charlotte,
as
well
as
the
citizens
of
East
Charlotte's,
continue
to
have
a
wonderful,
vibrant,
dynamic,
City
to
live
work
and
play
in,
and
that
includes,
of
course,
a
silver
line
and
undoubtedly
Eastland.
So
so.
I
look
forward
to
this
next
two
years
and
all
the
great
great
work
we're
gonna
do
in
the
media
comp
many
accomplishments.
We
will
fulfill
and
accomplish.
Thank.
U
U
As
hard
as
this,
as
this
could
ever
get
in
any
way,
it
makes
me
realize
today,
whatever
my
wife
has
going
on
back
at
the
house
on
Monday
nights
is
much
much
harder,
so
Chris
I
love
you
thank
you
so
much
for
all
of
that
and
then
to
all
the
campaign
workers,
the
groups
particularly
the
why
ours
and
Merck
and
folks,
like
that
for
incredible
work
and
help
on
the
campaign.
It
wouldn't
have
been
possible
without
all
of
you
guys,
and
particularly
for
the
last
two
years,
city
staff.
U
You
know
you
I'm
a
glass-is-half-empty
kind
of
guy
Marcus.
You
know
that,
and
there
is
some
incredible
staff
folks
in
this
building
working
hard
and
doing
the
right
things
every
day
and
appreciate
you
all.
So
the
last
two
years
have
been
amazing.
Working
on
affordable
housing,
you've
heard
a
number
of
other
things:
upward,
mobility,
programs,
police
and
fire
pay
raises
economic
development
and
job
recruitment,
really
an
amazing
list
of
items
that
I've
got
to
partner
with
this
group
and
I
will
say
over
the
last
two
years.
It
really
has
been
amazing
to
work
with.
U
It's
such
a
surprise
and
I
think
that
it
goes
without
saying
that
you
know
we
went
into
this
saying
local
politics
don't
have
to
be
so
partisan
and
every
once
in
a
while.
We
found
ourselves
in
a
partisan
situation,
but
nine
times
out
of
ten,
we
were
all
together
just
kind
of
going
through.
Madam
mayor.
That
is
unacceptable.
U
So
it's
just
been
it's.
It's
been
a
great
pleasure
to
be
able
to
work
with
everyone,
especially
the
mayor,
doesn't
turn
off
her
phone.
So
we
have
an
amazing
next,
two
years
ahead
of
us
and
I
can't
wait
to
work
with
some
of
our
colleagues.
We've
got
some
huge
items
on
the
docket
to
work
on,
we've
got
to
deliver
a
safe
and
incredible
RN
C
we've
got
or
basically
rezoning
the
entire
city.
U
I
know
many
of
us
are
focusing
on
it,
but
we
have
to
get
a
hold
of
this
and
I'm
so
pleased
to
hear
the
mayor's
commitment
and
her
and
her
plan
to
have
us
focus
on
that,
because
every
morning,
I
think
and
I.
Wake
up
and
I
think
about
Darnell
Harris
from
Steak
and
Shake
and
I
think
about
the
fact
that
he
was
killed
by
repeat
violent
criminal
offender,
just
like
70
percent
of
all
of
those
over
a
hundred
we're
seeing
in
the
stats
right
now
or
dr.
U
John
Holliday
a
visiting
CEO
and
again
that
was
directly
caused
by
conflict
resolution.
So
while
this
is
fun
tonight
the
time
to
rejoice
for
the
victories
and
us
moving
forward,
we
have
a
very
serious
two
years
ahead
of
us
and
I
can't
wait
to
get
to
work
with
all
of
you
on
that.
But
particularly
I.
Just
wanted
end
bikes
thanking
the
residents
of
district
6
for
giving
an
underdog
a
shot
two
years
ago
and
then
allowing
me
to
come
back
and
and
work
for
another
two
years.
L
I'm
so
blessed
and
honored
to
be
here
tonight,
I
just
want
to
take
the
time
to
thank
all
of
those
who's
made.
Who've
made
this
opportunity
possible.
Thank
you
to
my
loving
husband,
Bernard
you've
always
been
my
number
one
Supporter,
and
everything
that
I've
done
and
I
can't
not
wait
to
share
this
next
chapter
with
you.
Thank
you
to
my
children,
India
and
Vijay,
and
to
my
grandchildren.
I
hope
this
encourages
you
that
dreams
really
do
come
true.
L
My
father,
my
in-laws,
my
family
and
friends,
both
near
and
far.
Thank
you
for
your
support,
your
donations
and
your
prayers.
We
did
this
together.
Thank
you
to
my
friends
who
are
here
tonight.
I
won't
name
them
all,
because
I
don't
want
to
miss
anyone,
but
I
do
want
to
name
my
friend
Cynthia
who's
been
here.
Who's
been
my
friend.
L
She
drove
from
DC
and
we've
been
friends
for
40
years,
he's
been
through
a
lot
and
I
truly
truly
appreciate
you
being
here
tonight
to
Jayne
Whitley
and
the
Mecklenburg
County
Democratic
Party,
the
Democratic
women
of
Mecklenburg
County
for
their
support.
Thank
you
to
dearest
price
and
black
Charlotte.
For
my
very
first
political
endorsement,
I
also
want
to
thank
the
black
political
caucus.
The
Charlotte
Observer
and
the
labor
unions
for
their
endorsements.
Also
I
want
to
thank
my
small
and
mighty
campaign
team
dan.
Thank
you
for
your
strategic
leadership
bill
Tony,
David
Levesque,
sir
mr.
L
Kincaid,
and
the
rest
of
my
committed
volunteer
teams,
I,
see
I,
see
you
out
there
and
I
appreciate
your
support.
Thank
you
for
believing
in
me
and
working
so
hard
to
make
this
night
possible.
Lastly,
and
most
importantly,
thank
you
to
the
voters
of
district
4
I,
truly
appreciate
you
you've.
Given
me
the
honor
and
the
privilege
to
serve
you,
as
your
representative
and
in
return
I
will
give
you
my
absolute
focus
and
my
absolute
best
together.
We
will
build
a
strong,
safe
and
healthy
communities
for
now
and
for
generations
to
come.
J
So,
as
my
colleague
just
mentioned,
I'm
also
humbled
and
honored
and
thankful
to
serve
the
city
in
this
critical
time.
So
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart,
I
do
thank
you
to
the
neighborhood
leaders.
Who've
been
carrying
the
torch
long
before
I
arrived
I.
Thank
you
for
leading
by
example
to
the
Ricci
halls
of
the
Frank.
Cole
is
the
Brenda
Campbell's,
the
Beverly
Clark's
and
many
more.
You
are
the
backbone
of
the
community,
full
of
conviction,
compassion,
integrity,
courage
and
resilience.
I
am
so
grateful
that
you
invested
in
me
and
I.
J
Look
to
you
as
equal
partners
in
this
season
to
the
scrappiest
bravest
campaign
team.
Anyone
could
ask
for
I.
Thank
you
for
your
commitment.
I
see
Tiffany
TG
here
in
the
audience
Sam
Sam
Smith
was
here
earlier
and
several
others
I
appreciate
you
because
you've
remained
consistent
for
over
a
year,
taking
on
whatever
challenges
we
faced
with
steady
hands
and
a
willing
heart
always
hopeful
through
the
storms
I.
J
Thank
you
for
being
my
anchor
I
would
not
be
here
without
you
and
I'm
so
proud
to
call
you
friend,
to
the
volunteers,
donors,
host
committees,
supporters,
champions
farewell
and
that
Red
Army
I.
Thank
you
for
bringing
the
vision
to
life
every
door
knocked
on
every
phone
number
dialed
every
personal
introduction.
This
is
what
successful
campaigns
are
built
are
built
upon
authentic
connection.
It's
been
the
lifeblood
of
this
campaign
and
the
essence
that
fueled
this
victory
to
the
outgoing
members,
Mayfield
Harlow
and
Phipps
I.
Thank
you
for
serving
the
city
sacrificially.
J
You
served
with
passion
and
commitment
and
I
wish
you
success
in
your
future
endeavors
as
we
look
to
the
next
two
years.
We
know
we
face
challenges.
We
must
deliver
a
comprehensive
plan,
preserve
affordability,
invest
in
transportation
and
support
economic
mobility,
even
as
we
prepare
to
showcase
our
city
on
a
national
stage.
These
are
no
easy
tasks,
however.
I
continue
to
be
inspired
by
each
of
you,
those
committed
to
continue
the
work
of
building
this
world-class
city
from
Pawtucket
to
steel.
Creek.
J
V
You
thank
you
in
a
mere
clock,
is
ticking.
Thank
you
as
we
transition
into
a
new
role
in
a
new
year
with
fresh
goals
and
opportunities.
I
sincerely
want
to
thank
the
people
of
Charlotte
for
their
continued
support
and
I
pledge
to
continue
to
fight
for
what
is
right
and
what
is
just
I'm
grateful
for
my
selfless,
caring
and
generous
family.
My
dearest
husband,
dr.
Burgess,
for
many
sacrifices
that
he
makes
so
that
I
can
continue
to
serve
I'm.
V
So
grateful
for
your
support
and
my
mom
mom
tribes
are
the
best
drive
and
my
sister
Kim
Joel
and
my
family
in
California.
They
are
watching,
live
and
to
my
amazing
campaign
team
I'm,
so
grateful
for
each
one
of
you
for
your
generous
time
that
you
have
given
to
our
campaign
Andy.
Thank
you.
Danitra
Thank,
You,
Tracy,
Barbara
I'm,
so
grateful
to
have
you
as
part
of
our
team
and
then
McCorkle
our
advisor.
V
Thank
you
for
being
with
us
since
day,
one
I'm
very
grateful
for
you
and
my
extended
family,
who
is
here
today
with
us
from
Morrisville.
Thank
you
for
being
here
and
to
madam
mayor.
Thank
you
for
your
leadership.
You
are
the
working
soul
of
our
city
and
we
are
grateful
for
your
continued
leadership
and
I
also
say
we
have
few
leaders
here
in
the
room
that
I
want
to
recognize
our
congressional
district
12
Chair,
cozy,
Watkins,
Cynthia,
Wallace,
congressional
district
9
chair
as
well
as
Jane
Whitley.
V
Thank
you
for
your
leadership,
also
on
us
tank,
incredible
staff
that
we
have
so
mr.
managers.
Thank
you
for
your
leadership,
our
city
attorney.
Thank
you
for
your
leadership
and
the
amazing
staff
that
we
have
many
times.
You
don't
see
them,
but
they
are.
They
actually
always
have
our
back
and
we
couldn't
do
what
we
do
without
them.
I
want
to
recognize
Amanda
Burch,
as
Justin
had
said
earlier.
She
is
the
best
and
I'm
so
glad
grateful
to
have
her.
V
E
Thank
you
to
the
members
of
team
Mitchell
for
your
time
of
your
commitment
to
make
sure
I
could
sit
in
this
chair
today
and
I
see
two
of
them
in
the
audience.
So
I'm
gonna
give
a
special
shout
out
my
treasurer
Jamil
Simmons
and
my
social
media
director
Travis
P
Jackson
jr..
Thank
you
for
my
church,
seeing
Jenkins
Presbyterian
for
your
prayers
and
your
support.
Thank
you
to
my
brothers
of
a
mega-size
paternity,
thank
you
to
my
family
members
and
cousins.
E
Thank
you
to
my
blessings,
Kayla
and
Nicole
for
your
love,
your
passion
and
your
styling
up
daddy.
Thank
you
to
my
queen
for
allowing
me
to
serve
another
two
years.
I
love
you
and
I
appreciate
you
putting
up
with
just
a
little
hyper
energized,
bunny
yeah.
Last,
not
least
thank
you
for
the
citizens
of
Charlotte.
Allow
me
to
serve
two
years
of
a
city,
I
love,
I,
endure
and
I'm
glad
to
be
known
as
a
cheerleader
for
Charlotte.
Thank
you.
M
For
me,
my
son
Joe
who's
here
tonight,
representing
also
his
brother
and
sister
Jack
and
Kate,
who
couldn't
be
here
tonight,
I'm
grateful
for
you
guys
for
every
time,
you're
in
town,
putting
on
those
pink
t-shirts
and
getting
out
and
supported
me
at
the
polls.
I'm
grateful
for
my
team.
My
I
have
the
best
volunteers
in
the
world.
Three
of
them
are
here
tonight,
representing
so
many
more
Marci
Indic,
and
thank
you
so
much
for
standing
in
the
rain
for
writing
letters
for
everything
that
you've
done
to
help
me
get
elected.
M
Thank
you
to
the
most
amazing
staff.
A
city
has
we've
got
we
wear
the
face
of
the
council
or
what
you
see,
but
so
often
our
staff
doesn't
get
credit
for
what
happens
in
this
city.
They
work
super
hard,
the
ones
in
this
building
the
ones
on
the
streets,
driving
trucks,
fixing
your
water
pipes
when
they
break
collecting
your
garbage,
protecting
us
from
public,
for
public
safety
and
for
fire.
M
M
And,
yes,
we're
not
going
to
always
agree
on
anything.
But
the
best
work
that
gets
done
is
when
we're
willing
to
sit
down
and
listen
to
each
other
and
say
that,
yes,
we
want
to
build
a
city
that
offers
opportunity
to
everyone.
So
I'm
grateful
to
all
of
you
who
put
time
and
energy
as
volunteers
into
this
city
because
you're
what's
make.
M
What
makes
this
city
great
and
I'm
honored
to
represent
you
all
so
and
then,
lastly,
to
my
colleagues
council,
because
if
someone
mentioned
that
shoes
I
think
Tariq
said
the
truth
of
the
matter,
is
we
all
work
together
because
we're
really
working
on?
We
might
have
different
points
of
view,
but
it's
all
towards
what
makes
Charlotte
a
great
city
and
that's
what
I
wish
we
could
have
happen
at
a
national
level
too,
but
I'm
honored
to
work
with
all
of
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
F
F
It
is
true
that
we
all
bring
a
different
view
on
approaches
to
the
issues
of
our
city,
but
everybody
out
there
should
know
that
Charlotte
has
11
council
members,
one
mayor
and
over
8,000
city
employees
that
are
dedicated
to
make
this
the
city
that
we
all
do
deserve.
We
will
be
losing
three
council
members
who
have
passionately
served
their
constituents.
I
am
grateful
for
all
three
of
your
service
and
excited
to
see
what
is
next
for
each
one
of
you.
The
voters
of
Charlotte
have
selected
the
Knicks
next
iteration
of
council.
F
It
will
be
up
to
us
to
operate
cohesively
to
set
the
clear
position
of
the
city
so
that
our
staff
can
operate
efficiently
efficiently
and
that
the
mayor
can
succinctly
amplify
our
message
for
far
and
wide.
We
will
work
together.
We
will
work
cooperatively
if
we
do
what
so
many
of
us
have
said
and
stick
together
through
thick
and
through
thin
yesterday,
I
was
also
able
to
spend
some
time
with
a
friend.
I
met
this
friend
about
three
and
a
half
years
ago
during
the
Sharla
uprising
out
on
the
streets
of
Charlotte.
F
We
both
committed
to
ourselves
and
to
each
other
that
we
would
dedicate
our
life
and
our
efforts
to
permanently
disrupting
what
some
of
us
may
refer
to
as
the
Charlotte
way.
I
often
refer
to
it
as
the
status
quo,
and
we
have
both
followed
through
on
our
commitments
to
disrupt
the
status
quo.
But
while
we
were
talking,
he
said
something
that
I
stayed
up
last
night.
Thinking
about,
he
said
something
to
the
effect
of.
Why
is
this
work
so
hard?
We
worked
so
hard
in
our
neighborhoods.
F
F
The
city
should
be
tonight
all
of
us
sit
in
this
chamber
and
we
sit
on
land
that
was
once
indigenous
land,
but
we
also
sit
on
land
that
was
once
a
city
within
a
city,
the
center
of
black
Charlotte,
the
neighborhood
of
Brooklyn
in
1958,
the
Charlotte
City
Council
voted
to
erase
an
entire
black
community
from
Uptown
Charlotte
for
the
stated
purpose
of
creating
a
better
environment
for
its
residents.
Families
were
told
they
could
return
to
Brooklyn
once
the
city
used
federal
urban
renewal
money
to
build,
affordable
housing.
F
Here,
no
residences
were
ever
built
and
the
promises
were
never
realized.
In
Brooklyn,
over
a
10-year
period,
9,000
residents
were
displaced,
nearly
1500
homes
were
demolished
and
216
black
businesses
were
forced
to
close
many,
never
reopening
some
people
who
owned
homes
and
businesses
still
contend
that
they
were
not
adequately
compensated
for
their
property.
Eleven
black
churches
will
bulldoze
and
their
congregations
scattered.
F
We
know
how
we
got
here.
Knowing
is,
is
part
of
the
battle.
Now
we
must
do
the
hard
work
to
repair
what
we
have
broken
but
as
I
met
somebody
today,
just
as
I
was
I
was
getting
ready.
They
told
me
to
keep
my
head
up,
because
if
it
ain't
hard
it
ain't
worth
it
I
do
want
to
take
a
moment
as
a
personal
point
of
privilege,
to
talk
about
the
day.
F
A
different
part
of
the
day
that
I
had
yesterday
yesterday
I
was
able
to
reflect
on
the
journey,
not
just
in
the
past
two
years,
but
really
the
past
three
and
a
half
years
that
I
have
been
on
along
with
my
family,
much
of
which
has
been
shared
with
the
greater
Charlotte
community.
I
want
to
thank
my
entire
family,
those
binded
by
blood
and
those
who
have
been
selected
by
choice
and
fate
along
the
way.
I
love
you
all
I
could
not
and
would
not
be
here
without
you,
the
ride
has
been
wild
and
I.
S
You
mayor
I'm
honored,
to
be
sworn
in
today
for
my
fourth
term
on
City
Council
serving
district
7
I
would
not
be
here
without
the
tremendous
effort
of
my
campaign,
team
donors,
volunteers
and
friends,
or
the
support
of
the
voters
who
made
my
reelection
effort
a
success
I'm
grateful
to
all
of
you
at
those
present
and
hope
to
live
up
to
the
trust
that
you
have
placed
in
me.
Most
of
all,
of
course,
I'm
grateful
to
my
wife
Caroline.
She
would
be
mortified
if
I
pointed
her
out
so
I.
S
S
Last
time
that
the
swearing-in
ceremony
I
offered
some
sage
advice
to
my
new
colleagues,
which
they
then
proceeded
over
the
next
six
months
to
ignore
at
every
turn,
so
I'm
not
gonna.
Try
that
one
again
I
will
point
out
that
I
believe
the
coming
council
term
will
be
exceptional
in
many
ways.
As
we
deal
with
continued
high
growth
and
urbanization,
we
will
be
called
upon
to
make
important
decisions
on
matters
such
as
charting
our
future.
S
Through
the
2040
comprehensive
plan
making
multibillion-dollar
investments
in
transportation
and
defining
our
relationship
with
major
sports
franchises,
we
will
safely
host
a
national
political
convention.
We
will
build
on
the
things
we
love
about
Charlotte,
while
continuing
to
address
challenges
such
as
high
crime
rates,
the
shortage
of
affordable
housing
and
the
need
to
create
economic
opportunity
for
all
of
our
citizens.
S
W
Thank
you,
madam
mayor
and
members
of
Charlotte
City
Council,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
and
to
the
voters
of
Charlotte
City
Council,
District,
2
I
want
to
thank
each
and
every
one
of
you
for
your
support.
Your
prayers
and
your
your
words
of
encouragement.
I
also
would
like
to
thank
I
think
this
is
the
greatest
best
campaign
team
in
the
state
led
by
my
wife,
Kim
Graham,.
T
W
W
W
I
saw
along
the
way
business
owners,
people
in
the
street
homeless,
folks
Lauder's
homeowners,
property
owners,
and
this
is
what
I
found
out
and
I
want
them
to
know
that
I
heard
what
you
said,
that
the
issues
that
are
important
to
you
are
also
important
to
me
that
I
care
about
gentrification
and
and
being
uprooted
from
your
homes,
I
hear
you
that
we
need
to
Apollo
history
and
tradition.
I
hear
you
that
we
need
to
protect
our
seniors
from
property.
W
Tax
increases,
I,
hear
you
and
that
we
need
to
do
something
about
the
rising
gun,
related
incidents
that
were
experienced.
I
hear
you
I
hear
that
some
black
business
owners
believe
that
they're
still
getting
shortchanged
I
hear
that
a
lot
of
people
believe
that
our
district
is
still
being
left
behind,
while
other
parts
of
the
cities
are
growing.
W
Some
say
that
our
schools
and
inner-city
Charlotte
are
not
enough
to
date
that
we're
not
being
competitive
with
other
parts
of
the
city.
I
hear
you
some
believe
that
the
babies
for
it
rolled
into
the
Silas
tree
coroner,
has
looked
at
same
way
for
the
last
40
years.
I
hear
you
some
believe
that
we've
been
so
focused
on
shiny
brand-new
things
that
we
forgot
about
the
people
that
live
in
Charlotte
I,
hear
you
some
believe
that
small
business
owners
and
our
MWBE
program,
while
we
try
to
fix
it,
Stowe,
doesn't
work
for
them.
W
Some
believe
that
while
they
can
see
the
skyline
from
their
neighborhoods
that
it
might
as
well
be
a
thousand
miles
away
because
they
can't
relate
to
the
jobs
announcements
because
they
can't
get
them
or
can
they
can't
go
to
the
Panthers
game
or
don't
know
much
about
soccer,
but
they
know
that
their
streets
looks
the
same.
They
know
that
their
neighborhoods
is
declining,
they
know
they're
being
forced
out
and
they
want
a
sense
of
community
to
do
something
about
it.
I
make
that
commitment
today
to
do
that.
W
I
also
make
a
commitment
to
work
with
this
council
to
again
bring
those
major
corporations
who
want
incentives
to
come
to
our
community
to
work
with
conventions
who
want
to
come
to
our
community
to
bring
jobs
and
business
opportunities.
But
anyone
that
wants
to
do
business
with
our
community
should
share
our
values,
values
based
on
integrity
and
honesty,
diversity,
inclusion
and
racial
equality.
W
So
I'm
back
to
do
big
things,
not
small
things.
Why
can't
we
pull
out
the
transit
line
all
at
once?
That's
a
big
thing!
Why
can't
we
work
with
the
county
and
call
gun
violence,
what
it
is
which
102
individuals
have
died
in
our
streets?
Call
it
what
it
is,
which
is
a
public
health
crisis.
This
work
with
the
county
and
Mecklenburg
to
do
that.
Why
can't
we
work
with
the
county
and
say
we
understand
that
greenways
are
important.
W
The
rec
centers
that
merge
with
inner-city
communities
are
important
too
and
that
they
should
be
21st
century
rec
centers,
where
kids
can
go,
10
11
12
o'clock
at
night
and
get
SAT
counseling
financial
literacy.
Job
training
still
play
a
little
bit:
basketball
and
baseball
and
football
we
have
to
find
a
way
to
work
together
across
county
lines.
Lastly,
and
more
importantly,
I
have
breakfast
this
morning,
madam
mayor
with
the
DA,
and
we
share
the
concern
about
a
hundred
and
two
individuals.
W
Who's
died
on
our
streets
and
you
were
there
with
me
when
I
spoke
to
the
police
department.
Two
months
ago,
national
day
of
mourning,
where
I
saw
parents,
relatives
are
victims
in
our
city
who
were
killed.
Some
no
follow
their
own
just
being
in
the
wrong
place
at
the
wrong
time.
I
understand
that
too
so
I'm
willing
to
work
with
this
council
work
with
the
sheriff
the
DA
Mecklenburg
County.
Anybody
who
wants
to
call
what
we
have
in
our
community
of
crisis.
H
You,
madam
mayor,
first
of
all,
I
want
to
acknowledge
some
people
who
are
here
and
some
people
who
are
not
without
whom
I
could
not
do
this
and
would
not
be
here.
First
and
foremost,
my
family,
my
wife,
Lauren,
is
here.
She
like
mr.
Riggs
does
not
want
to
be
asked
to
stand
up,
so
I
will
not
do
that,
but
her
patience
and
support
has
been
critical,
leading
up
to
my
being
on
council
and
in
the
tears
I've
been
on
council.
H
T
H
The
three
outgoing
council
members,
Harlow,
Phipps
and
Mayfield
I
knew
all
three
of
them
to
some
extent
before
we
got
on
council
together,
but
there
is
no
better
way
to
really
get
to
know
somebody
than
to
serve
two
years
in
elected
office
with
them
and
I
am
closer
to
all
three
of
them
now
than
I
was
when
we
started
two
years
ago.
I
will
miss
them
dearly,
but
I
know
they'll
also
be
very
engaged
in
our
community.
H
So
I
think
that
for
all
that
they
have
done,
and
although
they'll
continue
to
do
to
make
this
city
a
better
place,
all
the
people
sitting
around
the
dies
tonight
look
forward
to
the
next
two
years.
I
think
the
last
two
years
we've
made
a
lot
of
progress,
and
we
can
be
very
proud
of
the
term
that
this
council
just
finished.
But,
as
has
been
stated
by
many
of
you
and
your
remarks
tonight,
we
know
what
the
challenges
are.
H
There's
still
a
lot
of
work
left
to
do
and
I
have
a
lot
of
faith
that
this
group
of
people
can
do
it.
So
I
won't
I,
won't
repeat
all
of
the
points
that
were
made,
but
we
know
what
we
need
to
do.
We
know
what
we
need
to
do
to
help
make
sure
that
more
people
in
this
community
can
benefit
from
the
growth
and
benefit
from
the
investment
and
benefit
from
all
the
things
that
we're
excited
about
that
are
going
on
in
this
city.
But
it's
a
mr.
Graham's
point.
H
A
A
A
Guys,
former
mayor
harvey
gantt
in
the
audience,
I
know
that
we
have
a
number
of
other
elected
officials
and
former
elected
officials
that
have
attended
the
ceremony.
We
are
grateful
for
you,
you
led
our
way
and
we
are
very,
very
glad
that
you're
doing
your
work
now
and
the
work
that
you're
continuing
to
do.
Please
stand
if
you
are
an
elected
or
former
elected
official,
so
you
can
be
recognized.