An Open Forum brought a number of threads of community information to the floor. Lucy Bush Carter announced a new culinary jobs training program; that announcement is here. Two board members gave an update on “reorganization” at C.W. Williams Community Health Center; that material is here. There were thank-you messages from politicians (below) and a celebration of veterans (below) and an announcement about an Art & Soul event coming up this weekend.

But first, Superior Court Judge Linwood Foust with some comments about Election 2014.

Linwood Foust on Election 2014 judicial races

Linwood Foust rose to tally the demographic changes on the local bench since he was elected a Superior Court judge in 2004. He also was asked about how budget decisions in Raleigh have affected access to justice in this community. His comments are below.

 Art & Soul Sunday

Judge Foust said he was a member of Historic West End Partners board of directors, so he had another event on his mind as well: the free Art & Soul presentation Sunday.

The live music, art auction and soul food event will be Sunday, Nov. 16 from 3-6 p.m. at the Latibah Collard Green Museum, 720 Tuckaseegee Rd.

“We are showcasing local artists and local businesses, most of which are restaurants,” Foust said. “You’ll be able to taste some of the food the restaurants have…. Now, don’t miss dinner or lunch, because it’s not that kind of thing: There will be samples.”

Election outcome thank-you’s

Facilitator Mary Foxx Johnson invited those in the room who had been successful in their Nov. 4 ballot quests to speak.

• Pat Cotham stood to thank voters for her re-election to an at-large seat on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.
• Ella Scarborough stood to thank voters for her election to an at-large seat on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.
• Joyce Waddell stood to thank voters for her election to the N.C. Senate District 40.
• Rodney Moore stood to thank “the 15,000-plus voters who voted for me even if I didn’t have an opponent” for re-election to the N.C. House District 99 seat.
• Joel Ford stood to thank voters for his re-election to the N.C. Senate District 38 seat.
• George Dunlap stood to thank voters for his re-election to the District 3 seat on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.
• Rodney Moore offered an appreciation of N.C. Sen. Malcolm Graham for his service. Graham did not seek re-election to stand for the U.S. Congress 12th District primary last spring won by Alma Adams.
• Greg Phipps, City Council District 4 member, stood to thank voters for their support of city bond issues.
• C. Renee Jarrett spoke for successful District Court Judge candidate Yolanda Trotman, “who is still recovering,” thanking participants “for those who voted for Yolanda Trotman, who voted for Elisa Chinn Gary, who voted for Alicia Brooks, and who voted for my sorority sister, amazing Superior Court Judge Carla Archie.”
• Cheri Beasley sent in a thank-you to voters, saying she is “confident that our 3,000+ vote margin of victory will stand” in her bid for re-election to the N.C. Supreme Court.

Looking to next time

The Forum heard short comments from two unsuccessful candidates: LaTrice McRae in the N.C. Senate District 41 race, and Robin Bradford in the N.C. House District 92 race.

Honoring Veterans

On this Veterans Day, Forum facilitator Mary Foxx Johnson asked veterans in the room to stand and identify their years of service. The following participated:

• Tommie Robinson, Army, 1964-67.
• Nasif Majeed, Air Force commander over North Vietnam.
• Randolph Muhammed, Army, 22 years, 2 combat tours.
• Malyn Pratt, Navy nurse during Vietnam.
• Bolyn McClung, Air Force, 1968-72.
• George Dunlap, Marines, 1974-1980.
• Richard Morris, Army, 1971-75.
• Linwood Foust, Army, 1968-70 in Vietnam.
• Gyasi Foluke, Air Force, 21 years.
• Frank Nelson, Coast Guard, 1978-86.