Jan. 17, 2017

Longtime Charlotte resident Queen Thompson this morning sent in the following document, along with the text that follows.

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The following text was in an e-mail. The text appears to be addressed to Mecklenburg Democratic Party Chair Matt Newton, who himself was a candidate for the District 5 seat appointment.

Matt for over a year, I have been told that Dimple would be getting John Autry’s seat.  It disturbed  me, because Dimple, had not worked in East Charlotte and therefore she could not speak for me.  You have the resources of the whole Mecklenburg Democratic Party at your disposal and with those resources at your disposal you will you stand a greater chance of getting appointed to John Autry’s seat.  I know it is a brief appointment, but the residents of East Charlotte needs someone who will speak for them.  There has never been anyone on City Council to speak for residents like me.  If you are appointed, I hope you will speak for voiceless people like me in East Charlotte.

• My brother, next door’s grandchildren and other children in my neighborhood are in private schools because some of the schools are riddled with problems on this side of town.  No one represents us..   My daughters are now in their 40’s how much longer will East Charlotte have to wait for a unified approaches to urban renewal?
• My husband and I wanted to save Eastland Mall.  We used and paid for office space in Eastland Mall, for several years in hopes of saving it.  I was one of the last persons to move my office.  The Elevations Church and other businesses had invested in the building.  We were all rushed out of Eastland Mall  without a voice in the process.  What was the rush to close Eastland, when there was not plan in place?
• My VA Home never had a builder’s permit and the proper inspections.  Why was it based on our military status or our race?  We can also document other disparate treatment by the City of Charlotte.
• Crime is up in my neighborhood, CMPD, has never involved me or the community in a crime prevention plan for East Charlotte.
• Historical Preservation in East Charlotte, what is the city’s record on African American Historical preservation in East Charlotte ?

Who will speak for all East Charlotte residents on the City Council?  We would just like to have a voice.  Thank you for your attention,

Queen N. Thompson

Jan. 17, 2017

Queen Thompson addressed the Forum during its announements period. The video below includes her entire statement. Click anywhere inside the video window to start the video.