Two For Tuesday | November 7, 2023
1. Today is Election Day! Silence is NO WAY to AFFECT Change. PLEASE VOTE!
Election Day for the 2023 municipal elections is upon us. Will you be silent? Will you tell others to vote? Will you use your voice to help us support candidates that make the difference we want to see? Click to view our “2023 Key Candidate Political Guide.”
Here are links to voter information for some of the surrounding counties:
My take: With Early Voting complete, I am still horrified to report that only 5.2% of eligible voters in Mecklenburg County have cast ballots for the 2023 Municipal General Election. During the Primary Election, voter turnout in just the City of Charlotte topped out at under 5% and was not much better for the rest of the region. I can’t emphasize enough the difference your vote makes. It’s not just your right, it’s your duty and your obligation. Your membership with REBIC shows you support ADVOCACY. Please prove that at the polls today.
All races are important, but there are three of major significance:
- Charlotte City Council (District 6) – Council Member Tariq Bokhari is running for re-election in a contest against an opponent he defeated by less than 400 votes the last time around. He is a common-sense voice on council and a smart, innovative thinker. He’s the kind of leader we need as Charlotte charts its course for the next 20 or 30 years.
- Mooresville (Mayor) – Chris Carney is running for Mayor in the open seat being vacated by Miles Atkins. Carney is well liked in the community and retains a number of strong relationships in the General Assembly where he served for several years. He has the type of “can do” personality and leadership style that will propel Mooresville into the next decade as the Town determines where and how it wants to embrace change and grow into the future.
- Waxhaw (Mayor) – Mayor Ron Pappas is running for re-election as the Mayor of Waxhaw. During his time leading the Town, he has used his knowledge and experience to implement systems and processes that have upgraded the overall livability and financial health of the Town. Ron supports managed growth, municipal cooperation, and consistently challenges those who want to shut and lock the door to future economic development. He also serves a vital role as Chair of the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) which will heavily influence how and where current and future transportation dollars are spent. Yes, this a big deal.
And just in case I have not convinced you it is worth your while to invest a few minutes to head to the polls today, check this out.
2. 2023 State of Housing Summit in Charlotte this Thursday, November 9th
Please join us on November 9, 2023, for the next State of Housing in Charlotte Summit. The 2023 State of Housing in Charlotte Report will be presented by Dr. Yongqiang Chu, Director of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate, followed by an industry panel discussion addressing topics from the report.
The summit, in its fifth year, brings developers, government officials, and community stakeholders together at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City for an exclusive first look at the “2023 State of Housing in Charlotte Report.”
Event Details:
Thursday, November 9, 2023
- 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. — State of Housing in Charlotte Report Presentation
- 3:10 – 4:00 p.m. — Moderated Panel Discussion
- 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. — Networking Reception
After the presentation, join the discussion with panelists:
- Anne Marie DeCatsye, CEO of Canopy Realtor® Association
- Fred Dodson, COO and EVP of Dreamkey Partners
- Yates Dunaway, Senior Vice President of Crosland Southeast
A networking reception will follow.Location: In person and virtual
The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City
320 E 9th Street Charlotte, NC 28202
Virtual attendance will be via a shared Zoom link.
REGISTER NOW
My take: This is the 5th year of this event and a great reminder that housing attainability is becoming more and more elusive for many buyers in desirable markets such as ours. A year ago, and for the very first time, the Charlotte region’s median sale price exceeded the median household income by more than a factor of four. While we still have a long way to go to match the unaffordability ratios (median sale price to median household income) of other larger metropolitan areas around the country, now is the time to re-examine our housing policy, regulatory framework, and local zoning to ensure we achieve a different outcome than that of other markets. One that immediately comes to mind is the San Francisco region, that despite its ongoing challenges of increased crime and homelessness, currently stands at approximately ten (median sales price) to one (median household income). Let’s not aspire to be San Fran.
Rob Nanfelt
Executive Director, REBIC
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