Mayor Foxx: Aide's Behavior 'Highly Inappropriate'

In a shocking turn of events Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx today apologized to leaders of Charlotte's International Cabinet after his special assistant warned them to "please expect hell" with future budget requests if they failed to upgrade him to first-class on a November trip to China.

Even more shocking is that the $72,000 aide is still employed.

From The Charlotte Observer:

In a letter today to Sharon Reed, executive director of the International Cabinet, Foxx apologized for an email from aide Tracy Montross. Foxx called Montross's email "highly inappropriate."

"I cannot tell you how disappointed and surprised I was to read its contents," he wrote, "including an implication that the funds supporting the Charlotte International Cabinet would be jeopardized unless a request to reimburse my travel expenses was granted."

Two days after being re-elected, Foxx led an 11-member delegation to China in an effort to broaden the city's economic ties to the country. He and the delegation, including Montross, met with business and political leaders in Beijing, Shanghai and Charlotte's sister city of Baoding.

Email correspondence shows Montross sought the upgrade at least three times since mid-September. The International Cabinet turned it down.

"After considering the past practices and present financial capabilities of the organization and its stewardship of public dollars allocated to the CIC, the executive board unanimously voted NOT to fund the additional (money)," CIC Chair Maha Gingrich wrote Montross in September.

Writing from China, Montross emailed the cabinet to "please expect hell with your presentation to Council on next year's budget."

"There is no reason for (Foxx) to support this expenditure in years to come. His position has not changed but has become more resolute. Thanks for your consideration in advance of our return."

Thursday, a contrite Montross emailed Foxx. "I am incredibly embarrassed by my actions and my amateur approach in communicating with the Charlotte International Cabinet about this matter," she said. "I am equally devastated that my stupid mistake could bring into question your leadership commitment to our community."

Montross declined comment. Foxx could not be reached.

Montross, who earns $72,000 a year, was hired as the mayor's special assistant in the summer of 2010. She replaced Kevin Monroe, who left the city to work for the local host committee putting on the Democratic National Convention.

She had previously worked as a scheduler for Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.
In her e-mail to the mayor, Montross said she was the "principal planner" for the China trip.

The mayor's assistant works for the mayor, but technically reports to City Manager Curt Walton.

Walton said in an e-mail to the Observer Friday that "Tracy's employment status is unchanged. Any performance matters with any employee are discussed privately with the employee, not in the media. I will say, however, that Tracy is an extremely talented employee that I look forward to working with for years to come."

Montross, who earns $72,000 a year, was hired as the mayor's special assistant in the summer of 2010. She replaced Kevin Monroe, who left the city to work for the Democratic National Convention Committee. Montross works closely with the mayor, advising him on some policy issues and at times working with the media.

She had previously worked as a scheduler for Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.
In her email to the mayor, Montross said she was the "principal planner" for the China trip.

City of Charlotte policy calls for employees to be reimbursed only for economy-class tickets. Emails from CIC board members said the group didn't have a specific travel policy.

"Outside agencies are not bound by our policies," Walton said, "although I suspect they are similar."

Charlotte City Council member Michael Barnes, Foxx's fellow Democrat, said the email was "completely inappropriate."

"I don't expect staff to be threatening anyone over their budgets," Barnes said.

The Charlotte Observer story is here.

Cedar's Take:

Is this the perception of our City County Government we want to share with the world in less than 12 months? If this is what we learn months after the fact what kinds of things are we not learning? What kind of shady dealing is his honor Mayor Foxx doing behind closed doors?

Why does our appointed by City Council City Manger offer nothing more than a flippant response to something that speaks volumes as to how our City County Government is being run.

Keep in mind that this is not the first time a member of our City County Government has been cornered after a shake down attempt.

We as citizens would like to think Charlotte is above the politics of Detroit or Chicago. But there is a former Governor in the "Windy City" who is looking at serious jail time because he to thought he was entitled to a better seat on the Obama bus.

Note: The above story is from the Charlotte Observer as noted. Cedar Posts has posted the entire story because the Observer has removed the comment option from their on-line edition, thereby removing the countless calls for Mayor Foxx's resignation and the firing of Tracy Montross.


Update December 25, 2011

Investigation sought of threat by Foxx aide

Councilman Andy Dulin wants to know if there was 'Quid Pro Quo' demand involved.

A Charlotte city councilman is demanding an investigation into whether a veiled threat of a budget cut might have prompted a city-funded group to change its stance on travel reimbursements for Mayor Anthony Foxx.

Councilman Andy Dulin asked for the investigation in an email sent on Christmas Eve to the mayor, other city council members and city officials. He suggested the city attorney or an outside investigator handle the matter.

The full Charlotte Observer story is here.