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CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte’s new mayor is wasting no time trying to reassure residents that the city can move past the alleged corruption scandal against ex-mayor Patrick Cannon.
“Trust is an interesting thing. You do it by example, you do it by observation. All I can do is offer myself and let people look at me and the way I conduct myself,” said Dan Clodfelter,
Clodfelter accepts the responsibility of restoring trust in the mayor’s office.
“I think the first task of business is to keep calm and to remind everybody that this is not an occasion for us to go off like Chicken Little. Charlotte is just as good a place, just as well run a place, as it’s always been,” said Clodfelter.
First, Clodfelter will resign from the state senate Tuesday. Clodfelter’s appointment was made by city council members Monday night in a 10-1 vote.
The other front runner, former city councilman James Mitchell, sat in the front row at the meeting with his wife and supporters by his side. A motion and vote to appoint him failed with only four votes.
“He didn’t have a majority of votes at any time,” said city councilwoman Claire Fallon.
“It’s not bad to have someone in light of what we’re going through right now that’s not on this body and hasn’t been on it in recent times,” said Mayor Pro Tem Michael Barnes.
Barnes says Clodfelter is the right guy to tackle big city issues.
“The airport issue is still outstanding, the Duke Coal Ash is about to start growing. He understands Raleigh cause he’s up there now,” said Barnes.
“He’s familiar with the city, he’s familiar with the issues, so he’ll be a very, very quick study,” said City Manager Ron Carlee.
When asked how the new mayor feels about transitioning and taking over Patrick Cannon’s seat, he said, “nervous. I don’t when that translates to excitement.”
Clodfelter says he has no plans to be mayor long-term, and he’s just focusing on the next 18 months. He will be sworn in as the 56th mayor of Charlotte on Wednesday at noon.
