Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory brought his vision for the community to Charlotte Rotary on Tuesday. "Everything we do," he said, speaking of the area's political bodies, "we must be thinking long-term — 50 years at a minimum. In 50 years, first graders today will be 56 in the year 2050. It's not that far away in a city's life.
     "We are just beginning to reap the rewards of decisions [Mayor] John Belk made 30 years ago concerning the airport, for instance," the mayor said.
     Subbing at the last minute for the scheduled speaker from the South Carolina Aquarium who couldn't get to the Queen City because of snow and ice, the mayor said those future decisions hinge on three things: priority setting, public policies and government organization.
     "We must prioritize our needs," McCrory said. "The city is in good financial health, but there are tremendous strains. We can't afford to say yes to everything that comes up. We just can't afford it."
     He outlined his three major priorities for the community as education, transportation and public safety. "We must get through this education crisis," he said. "We must send a message that our schools are in good shape for the long term."
     Automobile use in Mecklenburg is up 15 percent, while the population has increased only three to five percent. There are questions about building roads and mass transit. "The state's financial resources are extremely limited," he said. Most of the roads that need major improvements in the city and county are state roads.
     "We must never loosen up in the area of public safety," the Greensboro native said. Sixty percent of the city's budget goes to public safety issues, so it's always in the forefront.
     "The message I want to send to the School Board, the County Commission and the City Council is that we cannot agree on spending priorities in isolation," McCrory stressed. "We must put the total bill together to see if we can afford it first," because the taxpayers see only "one total bill" which they may not be able to afford.
     Land use decisions we make today will leave their imprint for 50, 100, 200 years from now. We're just beginning to pay for some unwise land use decisions — mistakes — that we made 10 to 40 years ago."
     He touched on the hot topic of the outer belt loop and land use decisions in and around proposed interchanges. "I'm for the outer belt," the mayor said, but he cautioned that if strip malls, gas stations and office parks are allowed at every potential intersection, the loop will be "obsolete before it's completed."
     He praised the appointment of Ron Tabor as the new transportation czar. He praised the just-announced plans to build light rail toward Pineville and to place more transit hubs in areas away from the center city. But he counseled that we must not expect immediate results from the new one-half cent tax for transit needs.
     There are also major environmental issues, particularly with air quality, said McCrory. The reason meeting Environmental Protection Agency regulations is so important is that the agency can prevent new road construction. But the mayor said he is very involved in the Conference of Mayors' environmental lobbying efforts because some of the EPA regulations "actually encourage urban sprawl."
     He pointed to the newly opened Concord Mills mall in Cabarrus County, just across the Mecklenburg line. The Catawba College graduate explained that Mecklenburg and Gaston counties are considered as one by the EPA when making air quality decisions. Developers took advantage of that fact and developed the mall on the county line with Mecklenburg having no say over it whatsoever.
     The mall development also points to another major priority of the mayor: government organization. Businesses, he said, constantly reorganize to meet changing circumstances. Government must do the same.
     This is beginning to happen with the increased regional cooperation among cities and counties in the Charlotte area in the recent past. There is also recognition that situations like having Mecklenburg and Gaston together for air quality planning and Mecklenburg and Union together for transportation planning does not make sense. "But," he said, "there's a lot of political turf to cover."
     He noted that many problems of allocation of state resources are because funding decisions for education, transportation and criminal justice all favor rural areas. These are not likely to change until the urban areas have more influence in the General Assembly.
     Reapportionment as a result of the 2000 Census will bring some changes, but will not overcome rural domination completely. He said urban areas must be more aggressive in lobbying the legislature, and he noted some successes in that area. The state's urban areas have formed a coalition and now lobby the legislature jointly.
     Concluding his remarks, the Mayor reiterated his belief that "Fifty years is not that far away. We must prepare for the next generation to make Charlotte the best city in the nation."
     President Worth led the meeting. Chuck Lineberry introduced guests and visitors and led the group in the singing of "The Old Gray Mare She Ain't What She Used to Be" in honor of the mayor. Thomas Moore did his usual excellent job, particularly in choosing appropriate "walking music" as the club's program unfolded.
     Harold Hoak read a poem of all the "wonderful things" President Worth can expect to befall him when he turns 60 soon. Harold gave the age breakdown of the club: under 30 — 2 members; 30 to 39 — 19; 40 to 49 — 56; 50 to 59 — 91; 60 to 69 — 51; and 70-plus — 68.
     The Millennium Gala was postponed on Saturday night (January 22) because of the snow and will be rescheduled. President Worth congratulated Special Events Committee Chair Jim Adams for all his and his committee's hard work.
     Former president Ronnie Pruett promoted the annual meeting of the twelve clubs in the city. It will begin at noon on Tuesday, February 22. He noted that members must RSVP if they plan to attend. He urged everyone to get to the Adams Mark by 11:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be U.S. United Nations Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. He will be introduced by Senator Jesse Helms.
     Tom Roberts urged members to sign up to help build the Rotary Club Habitat House. Construction begins February 17.
     Those at the head table in addition to President Worth and Mayor McCrory included John Morley, Harold Hoak, Joe Becker (who gave the invocation), Peggy Wesp, Dave Parsons, and Democrat operative Luther Moore who introduced the Republican mayor. (As Luther said with a smile, "you'll do almost anything when your planned speaker cancels at the last minute!")

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New Member

FLOYD BRIAN GIBSON

Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Assoc.
1600 East Third Street (28204)
945-4133
FAX 944-4805

     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Brian.

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     The Inner Wheel Club of Charlotte wishes to express deep and lasting gratitude to the members of Charlotte Rotary for your generosity. Your Club contributed to the raffle of our Holiday Basket. The funds earned from your Club will be used for our community projects and our Inner Wheel USA Foundation.
     Thank you so much,
     Jo Anne Ellis
     (President of Inner Wheel Club
     of Charlotte)

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DID YOU KNOW?

     A reminder that the Joint Rotary Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 22, at the Adams Mark. Our own Ronnie Pruett is the President of this Council. Reservation form will be in the mail soon. This will take the place of our Tuesday meeting at Four Points Hotel. There will not be a sign-in sheet for Charlotte Rotary members.

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Click here for photos of this Meeting