Foxx takes handoff from McCrory (Charlotte Observer)
A crowd of hundreds watched as Anthony Foxx was sworn in as Charlotte’s new Mayor Monday night, after which Foxx gave a solemn speech noting the city’s tough economic climate and the need to create jobs.
Foxx mentioned some of the city’s struggles, such as the region’s 12 percent unemployment and “even higher levels of unemployment.” He talked about the region’s declining home values and high rate of foreclosures.
Foxx listed a number of proposals he wants the Charlotte City Council to enact, such as changing a small business loan program to target new businesses in fields such as finance and green energy.
He also issued a call to help the city’s homeless population.
“Charlotte has always had a conscience,” Foxx said during a speech after he took the oath of office. “We have to address housing … in particular, homelessness. We live in a city in which, in any given night, 3,000 young people wake up not knowing where they will go to sleep at night.”
Foxx is the city’s first Democratic mayor in 22 years. He takes office with a council dominated by Democrats, who hold an 8-3 majority – the biggest advantage one party has had on the council since the late 1970s.
Democrats Patrick Cannon and David Howard also became new at-large council members Monday night.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center was flooded with an estimated 700 onlookers, who not only filled the council’s chambers, but the lobby and at least three conference rooms, where they watched the ceremony on television.
Much of the night was introspective – as former Mayor Pat McCrory and council member John Lassiter were honored for their service.
McCrory served as mayor for 14 years, and was first elected to the council in 1989. Lassiter, who lost the mayoral election to Foxx, served six years on the council. He also served on the Board of Education.
Democrat Susan Burgess, who was unanimously chosen by her colleagues as Mayor Pro Tem, thanked McCrory for his service, and then gave him a collection of DVDs from the television show “24” – a joke about McCrory noting during Monday night council meetings that he was missing the show.
McCrory, who occasionally choked up, told a story about President George W. Bush visiting the city earlier this decade.
McCrory said the Secret Service had mistakenly taken him for U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, and asked if he needed a ride to the airport. Not wanting to turn down a ride in the presidential limo, McCrory said yes.
When they arrived at the airport, McCrory remembers the president walking up the stairs to Air Force One and Burr leaving in another car to his plane.
“I get out, and the stairs pull away and the limo drives off,” McCrory said. “I’m stranded on the runway by myself. You are in the arena, you are in the car … and then you are out of the car.”
McCrory later said he’s proud that Charlotte isn’t confused any more with Charleston and that people don’t have to refer to it as Charlotte, North Carolina.
“We’re known as Charlotte throughout the world,” McCrory said.
Lassiter, a fellow Republican who has known McCrory for more than two decades, said:
“He has a knack for complicated issues and long-term issues. His legacy will be in transportation and hospitality and tourism.”
McCrory presented Lassiter with an award named for former Mayor Richard Vinroot, which honors people who have given years of public service to the city.
By Steve Harrison
sharrison@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Tuesday, Dec. 08, 2009
