Talk focuses on tough times

About 75 gather for a ‘community conversation' to make sure no one's left behind by budget cuts.

By Jim Morrill
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Posted: Friday, Mar. 13, 2009

How do people talk to each other in times of economic stress?

That was the question that drew around 75 people to a discussion Thursday night at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Ballantyne. And one answer, according to participant Ruth Samuelson – is “recognizing that we're all in it together.”

Samuelson, a Republican state legislator, was one of four elected leaders who spoke to the event designed to foster dialogue across racial and economic lines, especially during the recession.

She was joined by Republican John Lassiter, a City Council member and mayoral candidate, Democrat Jennifer Roberts, chair of the board of county commissioners, and James Ross, a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board.

The four kicked off the conversation, which broke into round-table discussions.

Ross, noting the concentration of poor schools in his district, said the challenge is making sure no one is left behind as governments slice up shrinking budget pies.

Lassiter agreed. “Most of us in this room have not been affected as much by the downturn as some of our neighbors,” he said. “… I know if we don't do the things that lift the boat up for everybody, there's a ready consequence for the community.”

The whole evening was about communication, which moderator Rev. Claude Alexander called the key to any community.

“The challenge of our region, of our city, of our county is ‘Can we be one community made up of many communities?'”

Roberts said the particular challenge during a time of economic hardship is finding connections to other people.

“The challenge we have is finding those connections where sometimes we're more isolated by the changes around us,” she said.

Participants asked panelists detailed questions: Exactly how would they cut their respective budgets? How can ordinary citizens get involved in decisions? What are two ideas to ensure no one is left behind?

The event, billed as “a community conversation,” was sponsored by Mecklenburg Ministries, the Community Relations Committee and the Community Building Initiative.