Rep. Ed MacMahan
Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

     Rep. W. Edwin MacMahan, a five-term Republican state house member representing the 105^th District in Mecklenburg, told Rotarians this week that the state and Charlotte’s region’s future depends on attracting and keeping high-tech related business.

     He noted that the state’s manufacturing job base continues to decline and the service sector continues to grow.  He cited Richard Florida, a Pittsburgh economic development expert, who has written and lectured extensively about how cities can build robust economic futures, who was in Charlotte recently.

     Quoting Florida, former Rotarian MacMahan said “to be a star in the 21st-century economy of entrepreneurial technology, a city has to attract creative people. The way to do that is to be a cool place to live.”

     Robust economies also need a technology infrastructure -- incubators, research university, etc.  There, the co-chairman of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting said he will work to make sure the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Charlotte region is treated fairly by the General Assembly.  He said it is not fair for all state technology-related investment to go to the Triangle region.

     On a quick trip back to Charlotte for his speech, MacMahan noted that the General Assembly is moving swiftly to produce a state budget.  He said the budget contains more spending and fewer tax cuts than he and most of his Republican colleagues would like.

     He said that shared power in the State House is working better for Democrats than Republicans because several Republicans sided with co-House Speaker Jim Black.  Noting that the measure is controversial, Rep MacMahan said he supports legislation to allow cameras to be used in Mecklenburg to catch speeders.

     Head Table: David Anderson, Kevin Anderton, Floyd David, John Tabor, Barbara Price, Keith Nowokunski.

     Invocation: John Smylie, Visiting Rotarians & Guests: Katie Tyler; Health & Happiness: Phil Van Hoy; Song: Carroll Thomas.

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New Member

Jerry Howard Walters, Jr.

 

Classification: Law, Employment

Haynsworth Baldwin Johnson & Greaves LLC

400 W. Trade Street (28202)

704-342-2588

FAX 704-342-4379

jhw@clt.haynsworth.com

     Jerry Walters is an attorney in the law firm of Haynsworth Baldwin Johnson & Greaves LLC.  Jerry provides counseling and litigation services to employers on a wide variety of employment and labor issues.  He advises clients on matters under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other federal and state employment laws.  Jerry represents employers and management exclusively in employment discrimination, harassment, and wrongful discharge cases, among others.  He has successfully handled cases for clients before federal and state courts, the EEOC, and other administrative agencies.  Jerry has participated in cases before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and Eighth Circuits, and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

     Prior to joining Haynsworth Baldwin, Jerry served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard L. Voorhees, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, in Charlotte.

     He was born in Charlotte, and spent the bulk of his growing up years in Gastonia where he graduated from Ashbrook High School.  Jerry is an Eagle Scout.  Jerry earned his Bachelor of Arts, with distinction, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  While at Chapel Hill, he was an active member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.  Jerry obtained his law degree from Campbell University School of Law, graduating cum laude.  In law school, he served on the Campbell Law Review as a member of the Editorial Board.  Jerry has lived in Charlotte since finishing law school.  He attends Covenant Presbyterian Church.  Jerry will marry Kristi Kessler from Davidson in December 2003.  Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Jerry.

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MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

     The 2002-2003 membership figures are phenomenal: 41 new members have been introduced, 4 members are waiting to be introduced, 7 are in line to attend the information meeting, and 4 applications were received this week.  There have been 18 resignations. All members are asked to be on the lookout for quality candidates, keeping in mind there are a number of classifications/occupations that are unfilled and a number of local businesses that have not been approached. Questions regarding your proposed candidate should be directed to Luther Moore (membership) or Doug Bean (classification).

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