October 30, 2007    view this week's photos    

Charlotte Rotary Hears "Other Side of the Tracks"
Patrick Mumford Speaks Against Repeal of the Transit Tax
By Jerri Haigler
            
"It's a defining issue for Charlotte." - That's how Patrick Mumford described the upcoming vote on the repeal of the half-cent sales tax for transit. Mr. Mumford, an at-large City Council member and chair of the Vote Against Repeal committee, shared with the Charlotte Rotary what he referred to as the "other side of the tracks" from last week's presentation supporting the repeal. Mr. Mumford emphasized that this vote is about the future of our community - not just about buses or light rail. According to Mumford, "we will set ourselves back a decade if we repeal this transit tax."
 
Citing growth as one of the biggest issues facing Charlotte, Mr. Mumford stated that the city of Charlotte is anticipated to grow by more than 300,000 people in the next 20 years. That growth equates to the population of Pittsburg or St. Louis being "dropped" into Charlotte. Today, Charlotte is a great place to live, work, and raise children. But will Charlotte continue to be a great place for our children to return to and raise their families? Much of that will be defined by decisions made by the Charlotte community today.
 
Mr. Mumford stated five issues surrounding the discussion about transit tax repeal and the urgency to vote against the repeal:    

  1. Traffic congestion - Repealing the transit tax will certainly cause traffic congestion to worsen in Charlotte, according to Mr. Mumford. He encouraged the group to imagine 300,000 more people on our roads in the next 20 years without the option of mass transit.
  2. Property taxes - The half-cent sales tax generates approximately $70 million a year. If those funds are taken out of the equation, how will Charlotte fund light rail and buses? Without a property tax increase, Mr. Mumford noted that the general fund would be impacted and could, in that case, reduce police and fire budgets.
  3. The need for public transportation - Mr. Mumford stated that currently 45% of the people who use our bus system in Charlotte don't drive cars. In fact, many don't have a driver's license or vehicle. Since the half-cent sales tax was instituted in 1998, the bus service has drastically improved in Charlotte and more commuter routes have been implemented. Repealing this tax will take Charlotte back a decade, stated Mr. Mumford.
  4. Federal Funding - Mr. Mumford stated that if Charlotte votes to repeal the half-cent sales tax, there's really no opportunity to get federal funding again in the future. He noted the strong competition for federal funding from other cities to address transit issues.
  5. Air Quality - Mr. Mumford explained that the transit system is incrementally making a difference in air quality in Charlotte. He also stated that Charlotte is close to losing federal dollars because of our air quality issues.
In rebuttal to a comment made at last week's Rotary meeting, Mr. Mumford shared the "soul of this city" can be found in the hundreds of volunteers who have given their time, talent, and resources to volunteer as part of the "vote against repeal" efforts. He noted more than 180 volunteers who have been involved in this effort, an unprecedented number for any issue in Charlotte.
 
"There are consequences if Charlotte votes to repeal the half-cent sales tax," stated Mumford. "This vote could leave us wandering aimlessly into the future, and this city doesn't do that."
 
Following his presentation, Mr. Mumford answered numerous questions about the vote and what it will mean for Charlotte. When asked if the half-cent sales tax could be used for anything other than buses and light rail, Mr. Mumford stated that the tax must be used for its original purpose, buses and light rail, not roads. He also stated that it's unlikely it could be changed. Another question addressed the timeframe for the South line and the other projects. Mr. Mumford stated that the South line will open in less than four weeks with the other projects (North line and Northeast corridor) both under design with projected completion in the next two years. Mr. Mumford also addressed the question about mismanagement and cost overrun explaining that the biggest mistake was a false representation with the original vision of a plan and that the scope changed dramatically as details were fleshed out. Unfortunately, citizens weren't kept informed as the estimates were more closely aligned to the plan. Mr. Mumford explained that using 1998 figures didn't allow for cost increases over the years.
 
Mr. Mumford also stressed the need for voter education. According to Mr. Mumford, the wording on the ballot is confusing and counter-intuitive. He stressed that if you are for transit and transportation in Charlotte, then you vote against the repeal.
       
Head Table: Tony Zeiss, Gilberto Bergman, David Zimmerman, Smith Foushee, Natalie English, Wes Clark;
Invocation: Tony Marciano;
Visitors & Guests: Tom O'Brien; Health & Happiness: Harley Dickson; Song: Gregg Walker; Piano: Thomas Moore
 

• Ballantyne Rotary has moved to City Range Steakhouse Grill, 13735 Conlan Cir. (Friday's at 12:30)
        
• Community Related: Find out what CPCC has to offer by attending Free College Day, November 3 from 9:00 - 3:30. Attend free one-hour classes ranging from cooking to creating your own small business; Hope Haven will have their "Cruising Into The Holidays" gala, November 10, 7:00 - 11:00 at Centerstage@NoDa. Black-tie optional, silent and live auction. Contact www.hopehaveninc.org or call 704-372-8809, ext 294; Non-profits needing professional ad agency help? Charlotte ad agency Woodbine is searching for a worthy non-profit to provide 200 hours of pro-bono work to. Charlotte non-profits are invited to register at www.woodbine.com/datingforacause by November 5th. Contact: Rob Niccolai, 704-940-2852.
  
• In the News: Elsie Garner was a recipient of the 2007 Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes award; Tim Newman received a pie in the face as a result of Visit Charlotte's achieving 100% participation in an United Way fund-raising campaign; Roger Sarow was a winner at the 2007 Leadership Charlotte Legacy Awards Gala; Tony Zeiss will receive the second annual Hugh McColl Legacy Award for Charlotte-area leadership; David Barnhardt received the Humanitarian Award by Charlotte Regional Realtor Association; Featured in October's greater charlotte biz: Phil Volponi and JA, Jessica Brasington and Hudson Legal, Bill Staton and Staton Financial Advisors.
 
• Club Fellowship: Chip Scholz and the fellowship committee have worked hard to provide several venues for club members to get to know each other. Host dinners have been a big hit: six families have wined and dined twenty club members and spouses; The Chris Kemper family, Jeff Searcy family, and Charlie Williams had a fun day at the Asheboro Zoo; A trip to a wine vineyard is in the works.
   
• Final Call: Rotary Foundation Banquet, November 8, 6:00 reception/7:00dinner, Sheraton Airport Hotel, tickets $36; Excellence in Leadership Award: Nominations are to be received by November 5th.
   
• Host Family Needed: Lamar Thomas is in need of a host family for sixteen-year-old Isa. If you are looking for someone to share your home between Thanksgiving and January, contact Lamar at 704-372-8615 or lthomas@washcycle.com.
 

Crisis Assistance Ministry Collection to be held the month of November
Men's clothing (jackets, sweaters, etc), bedding and blankets are needed for clients served by Crisis Assistance Ministry. Donations can be dropped off at the tables outside the dining room each Tuesday during the month of November.
 
   
Attendance Record Wedding Anniversaries Birthdays & Birthplaces
  10/30/07 10/31/06
visitors & guests 20 9
club members 188 185
total attendance 208 194
  05 Page and Ed Kizer
07 Anne and Russell Ranson
10 Jan and Ron Kimble		   07 Rob Thomas, Charlotte, NC
08 Ron Mikels, Greensboro, NC
08 Phil Van Hoy, Washington, DC
09 Martin Grable, Wichita, KS
09 Chip Scholz, Wheaton, IL
10 Mike Rash, Charlotte, NC
11 Robert Kirk, MD
12 Bob Boulware, Lakeland, FL
New Members:  Melissa Swanson
Resignations:  Bayard Van Hecke, Ken Harris
Roaming Rotarians:   n/a
 
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Rotary Club of Charlotte -- 841 Baxter Street -- Suite 118 -- Charlotte 28202