Town Hall Meetings - Councilman Anthony Foxx

Dear Neighborhood Leader:

I am writing to invite you to a four-part series of town hall meetings concerning the “Future of Charlotte.” These conversations will bring some of the most knowledgeable experts to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center to share ideas about how to make our city an even better place to live. Each meeting will last no more than 90 minutes and questions from attendees will be entertained as time allows. I hope you and others in your neighborhood will plan on joining us for all or some of these meetings:

September 29, 7:00 pm
Growth and Infrastructure Challenges: Strategies for A Rapidly Changing City

Panelists: Rep. Becky Carney (Member, N.C. Senate and Member, 21st Century Commission on Transportation), Debra Campbell (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Director), Peter Gorman (Superintendent, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools), Pat Mumford (Vice-Chair, Joint Chamber-City-County Committee of 21) & Keith Parker (CEO, CATS)

September 30, 7:00 pm
Perspectives on Criminal Justice: Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness

Panelists: N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfelter (Member, N.C. Senate and Vice-Chair, N.C. Senate Committee on Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety), Judge Shirley Fulton (Former N.C. Superior Court Judge), Chief Rodney Monroe (Police Chief, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department), Ralph Walker (Administrative Office of the N.C. Courts) and Thomas Walker (Attorney, Alston & Bird and former Mecklenburg County District Attorney)

October 1, 7:00 pm
The Charlotte Economy: Regional Strength As An Economic Growth Strategy

Panelists: Kenny McDonald (Charlotte Regional Partnership), Mayor Richard Boyce (Belmont, NC), Dr. Phil Dubois (UNC-Charlotte) & Mayor Robert Misenheimer (Kannapolis, NC/Vice-Chair Centrolina Council of Governments)

October 2, 6:45 pm
Housing In Charlotte: Strategies to Create and Maintain Affordable Housing

Panelists: Darren Ashe (WISH Program), Collin Brown (K&L Gates), Liz Clasen (Urban Ministry), Mary Klenz (Mixed Income Housing Coalition), & Charles Woodyard (Charlotte Housing Authority),

Please spread the word and RSVP to Wanda Braswell at 704-336-3123 or wbraswell@ci.charlotte.nc.us by Thursday, September 25, 2008.

Sincerely,

Anthony

Anthony Foxx
At-Large Council member

Citizens on Patrol warning residents about crime

Last evening Ann Sheridan of WCNC did a good story on how a group of volunteers are helping to prevent car break-ins. The story concentrated on the "hot spots" and we in Uptown were not included in that list. The bottom line is don't leave anything of value in your vehicle as this is an invitation to a criminal. A little personal responsibility will go a long way.

Click here if you would like to see the video.

By ANN SHERIDAN / NewsChannel 36
ASheridan@WCNC.com

Citizens group works to prevent break-ins CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Fred Haeflein and Larry Robinson patrol South Charlotte looking for people to help. Looking for people to warn.

The volunteers are part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Citizens on Patrol.

Most recently the group has helped CMPD warn residents that car break-ins are rampant in some areas. They’re putting fliers on cars reminding motorists to hide valuables in the trunk when they leave their vehicle. They’re targeting areas like parks and shopping centers that have been hot spots for car break ins in recent months.

"We got a golf bag that’s really nice and some clubs," said Robinson. He and Haefleiin are walking through McMullen Creek Greenway looking into cars and noticing that most have valuables on the seats in plain view. When they find a car with things inside, they’re leaving fliers that say "Stop Thief." The tags urge motorists to hide valuables.

Because of programs like Citizens on Patrol, police say they’re able to work on more serious crimes. The group also helps divert traffic at accident sites. But their push right now is to remind citizens to be proactive and responsible in their own safety and well being.

Just last week, Haeflien and Robinson say they took a call from five women at McMullen Creek Greenway.

"Five women out walking and all five left their purses on the floor boards because they didn’t want to carry them. And the thief got all five purses," said Robinson.

Robinson and Haeflein also approach people at the parks and shopping centers and offer advice on how to stay safe.

They warned Sarah Ashcraft that leaving her CD player on her car seat is a no-no.

"A lot of times I leave my cell phone in the car. But I won’t anymore, I won’t anymore," she said.