“Developing a regional business incubator is the next logical step in continuing Charlotte’s drive to become a world class city” remarked David Howard.

“Cities like Austin, TX, Ann Arbor, MI and San Jose, CA have been able to keep their citizens employed and local businesses thriving because of their commitment to innovation.  Charlotte has a great opportunity to develop its own business incubator, specific to answering the needs of our unique economy.  The US Census says that every year we are attracting more college-educated young professionals who are sold on the amenities that we have to offer; but we can always do better.

David proposes developing a task force of both business and community leaders solely designed to benchmark other regional incubators, paying keen attention to best practices.  This incubator would function similar to a research park but with business innovation in mind, addressing 4 to 5 cluster areas relative to Charlotte’s economy.

“We must gain knowledge about the cities that are poised to compete in a global economy. We need to be just as competitive as they are. We need innovation and diversity in our economy. The municipal government, coupled with business and community leaders, must serve as a catalyst to start the process.”

David believes that a business incubator in the Charlotte region would provide remedy to several of the issues Charlotteans believe is troubling in the city like municipal relationship development, social innovation and job creation and retention.  Keeping college graduates in our state will help not only help to improve the quality of but it also has the ability to put Charlotte on the forefront of technological innovation.

“A business incubator modeled after the 22@Barcelona Innovation District is a proven model.  The Charlotte Observer’s Neal Peirce recently penned an editorial on 22@Barcelona in which he stated that he is optimistic about US cities adopting such ideas.”

In June of 2009, David visited Barcelona’s 22@Barcelona business incubator in which he met with Josep Miquel Pique, CEO of 22@Barcelona, as a member of The German Marshall Fund’s (United States) prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship.  During the 24-day traveling program, he and the other fellows gained extensive knowledge of political, economic, and social institutions and issues facing the United States and Europe.

David believes that this unique experience expanded his reach on an international level as he made lasting relationships that would assist in the development of Charlotte’s own business incubator. David also believes that the success of 22@Barcelona exemplifies collaboration and forward thinking leadership and that Charlotte possesses all of the keys to success that Barcelona has.

“Charlotte has always been intentional about the way we have chosen to grow as a city…this is simply one more way.  We can learn from what our previous leaders have put in place while we execute our own steps to build for the future.  This idea is something that can put in place on day one.”

About David Howard

David Howard, born and raised in Charlotte, works daily to improve conditions for all citizens of his hometown.  He has been Vice President of Special Projects and Community Affairs of The Housing Partnership since 1997. As a candidate for the position of Charlotte City Council at large, David intends to work to advance a strong transportation agenda that includes mass transit and roads; promote regional planning as it relates to land use planning and environmental concerns; support efforts to recruit, create & retain jobs in Charlotte; and our region and strive to maintain Charlotte’s quality of life by strengthening neighborhoods and preventing crime. To learn more about his or his candidacy, please visit www.votedavidhoward.com.

(press release)

David Howard is running for the first time, but in no means a newcomer to the political or community scene. Mr. Howard has served in leadership capacities on several political campaigns and has served on numerous community organizations, including the Mecklenburg Planning Commission. We support Mr. Howard in what we see as a natural progression of his leadership abilities and community service.

See the original article in the Charlotte Post by clicking here.

The mayor’s race is taking up plenty of room in Charlotte’s political circles, but with the city’s council-manager form of government, it’s the City Council that has the power to make things happen.

The council sets property tax rates, approves (or not) development proposals and adopts city budgets to fund the police and fire departments and street and sidewalk projects, among other things.

In a city roughly balanced between Democrats and Republicans, over time the council’s majority has alternated between the parties. Currently there’s a 7-4 Democratic majority – on paper. But it’s not unusual for Democrats Patsy Kinsey and Warren Turner to vote with Republicans, and on some issues, zoning in particular, party isn’t a key determinant.

We like the Democrats’ general attention to environment and social justice issues and strong support for a regional transit system. We like Republicans’ attention to fiscal responsibility and their frequent questioning whether government should be routinely offered as the first and best solution to problems. In other words, a council with a rough balance among the varied philosophies found throughout the city will be a stronger council, even if not always an efficiently unified one.

Of those eight, we recommend Susan Burgess, Edwin Peacock III, David Howard and Tariq Scott Bokhari.

Among potential newcomers, David Howard stands out for several reasons. He has shown impressive civic leadership, including serving on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, two years as chair. He’s a vice president with the nonprofit Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, which is a well-respected affordable housing developer. He brings a sophisticated and much-needed grounding in the complexities of low-income housing. He understands, for instance, that just building subdivisions more cheaply is not a smart affordable housing strategy (despite arguments being pushed by some developers who want to gut key city policies).

See the original article in the Charlotte Observer by clicking here.

In the aftermath of last month’s Charlotte City Council primaries, Democrats believe they have a reasonable chance at something unprecedented: An 8-3 council majority.

Local political strategists in both parties believe there are three favorites for the four at-large council seats being contested.

See the original article on the Charlotte Observer by clicking here.

]]> http://www.votedavidhoward.com/go/2009/10/a-council-majority-like-no-other/feed/ 0 http://www.votedavidhoward.com/go/2009/09/charlotte-observer-picks-for-at-large-slots-on-nov-ballot/ http://www.votedavidhoward.com/go/2009/09/charlotte-observer-picks-for-at-large-slots-on-nov-ballot/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:39:46 +0000 jeniferdaniels http://www.votedavidhoward.com/go/2009/09/charlotte-observer-picks-for-at-large-slots-on-nov-ballot/ The prospect of two at-large Charlotte City Council seats being vacated by mayoral candidates Anthony Foxx and John Lassiter drew seven Republicans and seven Democrats, plus a Libertarian. Voters on Sept. 15 will whittle the choices to four from each party.

City Council members make key decisions about how Charlotte grows. They approve rezonings for developments and adopt policies and ordinances governing transportation, the environment and economic development. For instance, they’re being pressured to rescind key environmental provisions and weaken a proposed upgrade to the tree ordinance. They fund the police and fire departments, garbage collection, street maintenance and other essential city services.

So voters shouldn’t be misled by the low-key campaign. This is a significant election. Here’s how we see the race:

Democrats

Among the seven candidates, four stand out.

…

David Howard, making his first political run, has a lengthy resume of civic service, including six years on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, two as chairman. He’s vice president of the nonprofit Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, which builds affordable housing. That and his community work give him a solid understanding of the need to look beyond simple solutions to the difficult problem of low-income housing.

See the original article on the Charlotte Observer by clicking here.

Even before stepping down as planning commission chairman in June, David Howard could boast a long record of community involvement.

Among other things, he has served on a transportation study group, the county Human Services Council, a county environmental panel and as an advisor for the National Urban Land Institute. He co-founded the group Mothers of Murdered Offspring after the murder of his god-sister.

See the original article on the Charlotte Observer by clicking here.

See the original article on the Charlotte Post by clicking here.

Occupation: Vice President of Special Projects & Community Affairs, The Housing Partnership
Education: Bachelor’s in sociology, UNCC
Age: 39
Family: Married, three children
How long have you lived in Charlotte? All my life
What neighborhood do you live in? Steel Creek area
One thing you want voters to know about you: That I’m a solution-oriented leader and that I won’t be afraid to take on the hard issues.
Web site: www.votedavidhoward.com

Fifteen candidates are running for the four at-large seats on the city council. The Mecklenburg Times will interview candidates before the Sept. 15 primary election, after which the top four vote-getters from both the Democratic and Republican parties will continue to the Nov. 3 general election. One Libertarian also is running for office.

If elected, how would you carry out your promises differently than other candidates?
The first thing I would do is not make promises if I don’t see how to make them work. One of the advantages of being from Charlotte is I have seen the way Charlotte has grown. The leadership was very intentional, they planned ahead, they were practical and innovative in their approach.

Those are the lessons I’ve learned from not only living here, but also having mentors that have made Charlotte what it is. I’ve been involved over the years with a lot of those hard issues and I know how we worked through them. I’ve actually been at the table 20 years, in some capacity or another; I bring a lot of experience and knowledge.

Give us an example of a situation where you have shown strong leadership and decision-making.
In 1993 I was the part of the creation of Mothers of Murdered Offspring after my god-sister was murdered by a serial killer. Back then the relationship between the police department and the community was just not good. … Instead of beating them up, I worked with veteran officers on coming up with a 10-point plan on how to improve relationships with the community and police department. Some thought we were just going to blast them for what they didn’t do. We didn’t; we helped those relationships. I’m proud of that because it changed the whole dynamic.

The other was chairing the planning commission the last two years. Commission and development-community relations were really strained. I spent a lot of time developing those relationships. There was a body called the community liaison committee made up of reps from all elected bodies in Mecklenburg County, with the sole purpose of coming together and talking about growth. Over the years it went to the wayside; no one came to meetings. … Now they get together on a quarterly basis. … The committee was going to die, and now it is a useful tool. I’m not looking for a lot of spotlight, but the city council is the logical next step for me.

Continue Reading at MeckTimes >>

Charlotte’s Black Political Caucus Sunday night endorsed Democarts and Republicans for city council.

For the Sept. 15 Democratic at-large primary, it endorsed incumbent Susan Burgess, Patrick Cannon, David Howard and Darrin Rankin. In the GOP race it backed Georgia Belk, Tariq Bokhari, incumbent Edwin Peacock III and Jaye Rao.

See the original article on the Charlotte Observer by clicking here.

Candidates Start Filing Monday (from Fox Charlotte)

Charlotte, N.C. – The Independence Day holiday is over, now the campaign season officially begins, filing starts Monday.  While many local candidates have already announced, Monday they make it official.

There are plenty of changes in power that will take place come November in Charlotte government.  It’s the first time we will have a new mayor in more than 14 years.  The face of city council and the board of education will change.

Filing in Mecklenburg county lasts until July 17th, so many more candidates could jump on board.