Are your voices heard in Charlotte?

That’s hard to say, but probably not. 

We’ve all seen the contentious school board and city council meetings. From small towns with folding chairs and tables, to large cities showcasing a grand dais with marble floors, angry citizens are confronting elected officials in stunning spectacles of disorder.

I doubt anyone’s voice was heard during those meetings.

But why the outrage? 

I suspect that citizens and taxpayers are fed-up. It is not out of control crime, CRT or gender madness, or even mask mandates. It is the lack of response, simply stated the inability or unwillingness of elected officials to engage the public.

Countless Charlotte neighbors have sent emails to Charlotte City Council members in the past two weeks objecting to the Gillespie Property Rezoning in South Charlotte. Some received canned replies, most did not receive any reply at all.

My wife emailed Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and promptly received a polite and considerate response which in part said. “Thank you for your email and for sharing your concerns.  I would encourage you to also share them with the City Council.” Which she did.

Ed Driggs did not respond, neither did LaWana Mayfield, Braxton Winston, Tariq Bokhari or James Mitchell.

Dimple Ajmera responded with a “I’ll continue working with the district 7 representative” not actually naming Ed Driggs but suggesting that the appropriate source of contact was the unnamed “District 7 Representative” and not an at large city council member.

So, my wife wrote back:

Council Member Ajmera,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I am grateful for your willingness to work with Mr. Driggs. However, as an “at-large" council member I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mind working with me directly on this petition.  In fact, what I'd like to do is invite you and your family to come out to Piper Glen and allow me to introduce you to our eagles, "Piper and Glen" one afternoon. (Informally of course.)

I think if you see firsthand their home, their recently hatched offspring, and the proximity to this proposed project you will be able to obtain a greater understanding of the area and why this project is a terrible idea.

Please let me know I'm happy to work around your busy schedule.

And as you might expect, nothing but crickets.

In the years past my experience with Charlotte’s politicians has been exceptional.

I knew Dan Ramirez and his wife CeCe and considered him a good friend. Andy Dulin was always happy to meet for coffee. Richard Vinroot for years had the seats in the row behind ours at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.  We talked about football, we talked about crime and traffic, but mainly football. Go Heels!

My wife served on Sue Myrick’s small business advisory board. Roy Cooper, always recognizes me but can’t remember my name. Jim Martin thinks I’m my father. Harvey Gannt, Matthew Ridenhour, Parks Helms, Pat McCrory, Joel Ford just to name a few have always been engaged and ready to listen.

I’ve never not received a response from Erskine Bowles, even when he was White House Chief of Staff for Barack Obama. Always felt honored, until I learned that Bowles responds with handwritten notes to everyone! The man is pure class.

D. G. Martin was beyond a doubt, the most personal and gregarious Charlotte politician I’ve ever met. With a huge smile on his face, he’d thrust his hand out, and announce “Hi, I’m D. G. Martin”! Never mind you’ve just rear-ended his brand-new BMW. He too would personally answer any email or letter.

Last fall, my wife ran into a bureaucratic road block in Washington, and emailed Tom Tills' office for help. Within 2 hours she had a response and inside 72 hours a solution. And a week later a follow-up letter from Senator Tillis.

Sadly most of Charlotte’s politicians today are aloof, full of hubris, indignant when questioned, and self-serving.

Guess how we are going to change that?