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Monroe, Foxx
(continued from page 1)
greeted him warmly.
“We have got to take care of problems,
and he’s the man who’s going to
do it,” Fallon said.
Jobs, crime and transportation were
the main issues of the afternoon. But
both leaders and residents were positive
about the future.
Foxx said his first 41 days in office
have been a challenge, but the city is
making progress. “I believe 2010 is
going to be a good year in terms of job
growth,” he said.
The mayor called for a special focus
on small businesses, which provide 96
percent of the jobs in Mecklenburg
County. Foxx wants to see changes in
the way small business loans and support
programs operate. He also supports
field-specific incentives to attract
jobs in industries like biotechnology.
The mayor praised Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Police Chief Rodney Monroe
and the department’s crime reduction
and prevention efforts.
“That doesn’t mean we’re done yet,”
Foxx said. “There’s still too much crime.
We’re not resting on our laurels.”
Before the police chief addressed residents,
Fallon praised Monroe’s work in
19 months on the job.
She brought up the issue of former
Officer Marcus Jackson, who was fired
three weeks ago in the wake of allegations
of sexually assaulting several
women he stopped while on duty.
Fallon saif the department hired Jackson
before Monroe arrived and hiring
practices have changed since he took
over.
“He (Jackson) is one bad cop, OK?”
Fallon said. “… So before we start
berating him (Monroe) about it, know
the facts.”
The audience applauded, and the
subject wasn’t didn’t come again.
But residents did ask about everything
from school resource officers to “Internet
sweepstakes” businesses, as well as
the problem of repeat offenders.
Time and again, Monroe said residents
have power to help, from community
organizations to volunteers who
participate in “court watch” programs.
“You guys play a role in dictating what
we’re going to do and where we’re going
to do it,” he said.
Outspoken residents helped ensure
more than 400 “habitual offenders”
were arrested and sentenced to jail time
last year, Monroe said.
The department also has changed the
way officers communicate internally.
Better internal communication has
helped identify repeat offenders and
people who are violating probation, he
said.
Local resident Dolores Harmon asked
Monroe about emergency preparedness,
in the wake of Haiti’s devastating
earthquake. “Would we be able to
handle it?” Harmon asked. “Charlotte
is like a little New York now.”
The city participates in ongoing disaster
preparedness and anti-terrorism
exercises, Monroe said, and millions
of dollars worth of training and equipment
had come into the county thanks
to federal grants.
“I can say that our preparedness here
in Charlotte, as well as in the state, is
the best,” Monroe said.
Tom Polys, president of the Farmington
Homeowners Association, brought
up so-called “Internet sweepstakes”
businesses, which many consider gambling.
“It’s out there,” Monroe said. “Unfortunately,
there are no clear-cut guidelines.”
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A judge blocked a recent effort to go
after such a business in Charlotte, the
chief said.
State Sen. Malcolm Graham, D-District
40, attended the meeting and
said pending legislation would address
wording in the current laws that those
outfits are exploiting.
City Council members Michael
Barnes and Patrick Cannon also spoke
briefly to residents.
Barnes praised the city and state for
incentive programs that have brought
businesses.
Barnes spoke of Electrolux moving its
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Ga., to University City. “They’re going
to bring some folks, but they’re going to
start hiring as well,” he said.
Barnes announced last week he’ll
campaign for the Mecklenburg district
attorney’s post, following Peter Gilchrist’s
decision to retire.
Fallon praised Barnes’ announcement
and said she hopes the area will soon
have “a D.A. from one of its own.”
State Rep. Nick Mackey, D-District
99, also attended Sunday’s meeting. He
didn’t take the floor but spoke to residents
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www.universitycityweekly.com University City Weekly • Jan. 22-28, 2010 • Page 13