Foxx Wins- Lassiter Gracious in Defeat
November 4th, 2009 Categories: About Charlotte
Charlotte NC
Anthony Foxx is Charlotte’s new Mayor, defeating John Lassiter in a close, 51%-49% election Tuesday. Foxx, the first Democrat, and first African-American to be elected Mayor since Harvey Gantt, takes over from popular 14 year incumbent Pat McGrory (R) In an era of highly partisan elections, this one wasn’t as both candidates took the high road, and Charlotte is the better for it.
Congratulations to the new Mayor, his staff and family. Full story at the Observer Democrats sweep city council, now 8-3 majority. Thanks Cltblog for the Foxx picture.
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Two big “gets” for Charlotte area University’s this week, Paul Krugman and Tom Friedman! Uptown’s CPCC had Nobel Prize winner for Economics Paul Krugman speak Monday morning, and yesterday at Davidson college, Tom Friedman of the New York Times spoke about the Green challenge to America. Thanks for bringing these speakers to Charlotte.
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Speaking of North Carolina, Green, and green jobs, I was reading a detailed report from the Pew Charitable Trust, on Green energy jobs through out the US, but here are the NC highlights:
Between 1998 and 2007, jobs in North Carolina’s green economy grew at a rate of 15.3%, while overall jobs grew at 6.4%…nationally green jobs grew at a rate of 9.1% and total jobs grew at 3.7%”
I find this fascinating- first our overall jobs statewide were growing at 6.4%, nearly double the national average growth of 3.7%, and when it comes to Green Jobs, NC is 50% ahead of the national 9.1%. This explains the health economy we’ve enjoyed in North Carolina over the last decade, 2009 excepted.
This study was a hard count of actual numbers- not projections, and the jobs ranged in wages from $21,000 to $111,000. While these numbers are exciting, North Carolina would be ranked 16th, so there is room for improvement!!! and that means more jobs for NC. Full story at www.pewtrusts.org/cleanenergyeconomy
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Charlotte saw the new Art in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art yesterday, I’ll have pics and more coming soon. tm
