Sandra Anderson Groat has failed in her bid to be returned to Greensboro City Council. Hallelujah!
The big news is that Bill Knight has defeated incumbent mayor Yvonne Johnson. There’s nothing like televised sausage-making sessions to display the weaknesses of a politician. Some will point to the chink in the armor of the Simkins PAC, and local Republicans are no doubt thrilled to have elected Howard Coble‘s former Treasurer. This is also a win for unhappy annexed Cardinal Country Club residents.
Guilford GOP Marketing Director, Tony Wilkins, gave us a scare when he posted of difficulty registering his vote for mayor. Some have suggested he touch more lightly and others that he squat. It was but another pratfall by local Republicans who managed victory in a non-partisan race. The win says a lot more about the qualities of the candidate than the party to which he belongs.
Do tonight’s results portend better government for Greensboro? Who knows? At least it will be a substantially different one.
23:00: Amanda Lehmert at the N&R has contacted GBOE director George Gilbert regarding Tony Wilkins’ claim:
He said the board usually gets one or two complaints to this affect every election, however he has not heard of any widespread problems this time around. Elections staffers at the polls are asked to check the calibrations on the machines if they get complaints.
Usually votes are registered wrong because voters touched the area just between the two candidates, Gilbert said. That can happen if you are looking at the voting touch screen at a certain angle – like if you are taller than the average person.
So some advice to tall voters: squat for accuracy.
I am concerned that a local party official would post such a story in the midst of an election without first determining the veracity of his complaint. Some might construe such an action as an attempt to influence voters, a very bad thing indeed.
I still can’t believe what has happened. That’s Greensboro, one step forward, two steps back.
Well bright side is that Robbie will be Mayor in two years and that will be vindication for the black and progressive community.
I agree that would be the conventional trajectory. There was a time not long ago when I would have fought it tooth and nail, but in a bad economy Robbie is golden.
how do you think knight is going to do? Do you think with his election all the polarization is going to now disappear?
I am not toast. I am the same person now that I was when I went there. My identity and life is not tied to a Council seat. It is indeed time to move on. Should have followed my instincts in the first place. I’m over. I’m through. I am not too interested in watching from the sidelines. Places to go, people to see, work to do.
well knight certainly isn’t gracious in victory. So I guess that’s how things are going to go in Greensboro for the next two years.
Sandra, bills to pay.
ngee, no pol is prepared for what is about to assail us.
after spending time on the local blogosphere this evening, everything is going to be peachy king here in the boro tomorrow.
Think I’m going to take a break on the local blogs, because there is definitely not a place out here for a person like myself. But I want to thank you for always being gracious and supporting my comments. I really appreciate it.
Like I said when I first started visiting the local blogs, which are EXTREMEly rightwingy, you are my favorite repub in Greensboro. I think you even beat out Robbie.
Keep giving them hell and continue to be supportive of new and diverse voices that may happen upon your blog.
Peace. I’m out.
Your decision is unfortunate, but I understand. Like you, I expect the local booger-eaters will do a little wilding. It will be interesting to see how far the new mayor goes in putting down such celebrations.
On the thirtieth anniversary of Greensboro’s greatest tragedy, it appears we may not have progressed very far at all.
fec, I filed no complaint. I simply informed the precinct worker, the BOE, and Bill Knight. I’m 6’2″ and I don’t squat to pee or to vote.
Tony, you have a history of being an habitual miscreant on election day. I will deal with you in my own inimitable way.
I am pleased with the election outcome. I am very glad that some of us aren’t as apathetic as you think.
As an Adam’s Farm resident, I don’t understand why the polling location was moved. I did notice this change when I received an updated voter’s registration card earlier this summer. I thought it damn inconvenient that the city closed the most direct access from my section of Adam’s Farm to the polling location, East Woodlyn Road, for construction on November 2.
The incumbents generally prevail with low turnout. Moving polling places helps with the effect. And I never contended everyone was apathetic. Many of the voters remain ignorant; they just happened to be pissed off.