CharMeckVotes.org

David Howard – City Council At-Large (D)

Website URL: http://www.votedavidhoward.com

E-mail: info@votedavidhoward.com

Phone Number: 704-777-0897

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Howard/35377549994

Twitter: @votedavidhoward

Current Occupation: Vice President of Special Projects & Community Affairs, The Housing Partnership

Education–Highest Degree: UNCC – Bachelors of Arts, Sociology

Please share with us a short personal/professional biography:

I was born and raised in Charlotte. In my current role of vice president of special projects and community affairs of The Housing Partnership, I help to transform the landscape of Charlotte in a positive way. My most visible role has been chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission & the Zoning Committee for the past 2 years. In my six years on the Planning Commission, I’ve served on the nominating committee, retreat follow-up committee, and the executive committee as chairman. I was also the chair of the Planning Coordinating Committee, which consists of representatives from all elected bodies in Mecklenburg County.

Nationally, I am an appointed Urban Community Adviser for the National Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Washington, DC. This nine member committee provides expert insight on urban development matters. I’ve recently completed a twenty-five day, 5-county trip to Europe as a 2009 German Marshal Fund American Memorial Fellow (Washington, DC). The fellowship is awarded annually to 55 emerging leaders from across the United States. In 1997, the Charlotte Observer recognized me as a member of “A New Generation of Leadership” and recently, the Charlotte Business Journal featured me in their annual ‘40 under 40’ section.

Three (3) most important organizations you belong to:

• Member, Committee of 21 – Roads Funding Solutions Committee – appointed by County Manager
• Urban Community Adviser for the National Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Washington DC
• Co-Chair, CONNECT Sustainable Growth Cabinet, part of regional visioning effort of Council of Governments (COG), the Carolinas Regional Partnership and the Catawba Regional Council of Governments (COG).

Three (3) most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years:

• Chair, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission; which included Chair, Zoning Sub-Committee – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission & Chair, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Coordination Committee (PCC) – formerly the Planning Liaison Committee
• Member, Committee of 21 – Roads Funding Solutions Committee – appointed by County Manager
• 2009 German Marshal Fund American Memorial Fellow, which affords emerging leaders from the United States an opportunity to travel Europe and learn more about its societies, institutions, and people. The Fellows tour five European cities during the 25-day program including Brussels, Belgium; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Barcelona, Spain; Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; and Berlin, Germany.

Why are you running for the office of your choice?

I believe that Charlotte needs the same intentional, forward thinking ideologies of our past leaders. That leadership led to unprecedented growth for our city. And that is the type of leadership that I have provided for the citizens of Charlotte for the last 20 years. I wholeheartedly believe that our problems and issues require effective, dependable and knowledgeable leadership.

With a long list of community involvement, I clearly understand the issues and opportunities this community currently faces. I believe that my broad knowledge, experience and skill-sets have uniquely prepared me to serve on the Charlotte City Council as an at-large member.

What makes you the most qualified candidate?

Over the past 20 years, I’ve proven my commitment to Charlotte in a variety of ways. In addition to assuming various leadership roles within the community, I’ve actively participated on church and non-profit boards and committees that have included the Planning Commission, the Mecklenburg Human Services Council and the Environmental Policy Coordinating Committee. I believe that my knowledge, skill set and expertise provide a steady hand at the helm to improve upon economic growth and prosperity for all of Charlotte’s citizens, and make me one of the most qualified candidates for Charlotte City Council at-large.

In addition to assuming various leadership roles within the community, I’ve actively participated on non-profit boards

 Mother’s of Murdered Offspring (co-founded after the murder of my god-sister)

 YMCA-Steele Creek branch

 the Belmont Community Development Corporation
and the following committees,

 Planning Commission – chair (zoning and planning sub-committees)

 Mecklenburg County Planning Coordination Committee

 Housing Charlotte 2007 Planning Committee

 the Mecklenburg Human Services Council

 the Environmental Policy Coordinating Committee

 the ‘Committee of 21′ Road Funding Solutions Committee

 Mecklenburg County Environmental Policy Coordination Committee

 Urban Land Institute – Charlotte Council

 Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO)

In this challenging economy, if elected, what do you see as your role in improving the quality of life in Charlotte for all its residents?

As a native, I’ve been privileged to call Charlotte home for almost four decades. Over the years, I’ve watched this sleepy Southern city and region blossom into an internationally-respected, economic powerhouse. We achieved this status under the dedicated, visionary leadership of many business, community and political leaders. Charlotte has always been a caring, nurturing and culturally rich community that was willing to face adversity head-on. That resolve has grown stronger over the years.

By maintaining strong ties between our local elected bodies and the business community, we can help Charlotte achieve even more growth and prosperity. And we can help assure that both newcomers and longtime residents will be able to enjoy similarly outstanding qualities of life for themselves and their families. As a Charlotte City Council member, I will work tirelessly to make this happen. It’s our job to establish communities where people from all walks of life can live, work and play – all while feeling safe and secure. As a husband and a father in this city, Charlotte’s issues affect me on a personal level. In addressing them head-on, I will be simultaneously serving your best interests and those of my own family.

What role do you see residents playing in improving the quality of life in Charlotte?

This community has historically encouraged interested citizens to become involved with community engagement efforts. In many ways, it is seen as the price of citizenship. While our track record of community service and volunteerism continues attract smart, talented people from all over, All of Charlotte’s residents must continue to be involved in improving the living conditions of their city. This is how a community builds the social capital needed to address the issues that threaten our quality of life.

I will also seek to recruit qualified, interested citizens to serve on city boards and committees as another way to engage the residents of the city.

How can residents get involved in your campaign? Please include campaign manager or volunteer coordinator’s contact information.

Residents can support the campaign by making financial donations; volunteer time their time; hosting “Listening Parties” in their homes for friends and neighbors; placing signs in their yards; working as poll workers on election day; and other methods that will help us spread the word about my campaign including word of mouth and through social media. Residents can flow my campaign on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Howard/35377549994) or on Twitter (@votedavidhoward).

Please contact the campaign at www.votedavidhoward.com to sign up for the aforementioned options or directly at info@votedavidhoward.com.