Year-End Scorecard 

We Wrote

Left in the Lurch Sixteen mostly African-American residents of a west side police district showed up at a March city council meeting to plead with council for better police protection for their neighborhoods.

Redistricting increased the David 2 service area where they lived by nearly half and added some of the roughest areas in the city to the already downtrodden, largely African-American police district. At the same time, the number of officers patrolling the district declined, and the police department shifted more of its officers to more affluent suburban districts to handle tickets and car accidents. Council members showed little concern about the matter when the David 2 residents came to speak to them.

The Outcome CL kept the heat on city council and on the police department to increase the number of officers until additional officers and officer positions were finally added. Ironically, council member James "Smuggie" Mitchell, who represents the area, took credit for "getting" the extra officers for the community.

We WroteThe Human Face of Piedmont Courts Piedmont Courts has long had a reputation as scary, dangerous place. A place where young children, single mothers and violent criminals all call home. Some saw a potential for positive change for Charlotte's oldest public housing development in the federally sponsored HOPE VI program, the same program that helped turn housing projects Earle Village, Dalton Village and Fairview Homes into revitalized mixed-housing communities. However, many criticized the program for displacing low-income families, and failing to provide them with a place to go. We went inside Piedmont Courts to talk to the residents themselves and get their take on the issue. What we found was an eclectic mix of people who were ambiguous about the upcoming project ­ and who were acutely aware of the media machine and how they're perceived by it. Some folks said they welcomed any improvements that HOPE VI might provide, and saw it as a chance for a better future for themselves and their kids. Others said they wished the city would just leave them alone, that things were fine as they were, while still others criticized law enforcement and the property managers for not cleaning up the area. Then there were the residents who were causing much of the drug and violence-related problems. To them, Hope VI was merely a nuisance and a disruption.

The Outcome

In November, the federal government rejected Charlotte's HOPE VI grant application for $29.5 million to remake Piedmont Courts. While spokespersons for the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) wouldn't disclose why Charlotte was denied the grant, a December meeting reportedly told Charlotte Housing Authority the denial was due to CHA not having prepared to move displaced Piedmont Courts residents to a suitable location. Officials with the Charlotte Housing Authority said they plan to apply again next year for a HOPE VI grant. Meanwhile, the residents of Piedmont Courts continue to live in a substandard and often dangerous environment.

We Wrote

Lost in the Shuffle

Robin Hester, a blind woman dying of AIDS, and her elderly grandmother desperately needed a place in public housing. But the Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA) records and administration were in such disarray that for almost a year, they couldn't tell the women where they were on the list, or even if they were on it. What's more, the endless lobbying attempts of an HIV caseworker assigned to Hester to contact city and CHA officials where often ignored. Further investigation found that public housing applications by the poorest of the poor were often lost or misplaced by poorly managed CHA employees.

The Outcome

CL stuck to its guns with follow-up articles, and after further investigation, CHA eventually straightened out its act, and its waiting list.

We WroteShowdown at McCrory Corral: City Fails the CL Counter-terrorism Security Challenge In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, city leaders orchestrated a PR blitz about all the measures they were taking to secure the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center against terrorists, wackos and other violent types. At the time, the city had spent about $5,000 on security guards from Barton Security Protective Services. CL decided to put the rhetoric to the test.

The Outcome

On three occasions, a CLreporter drove past the government center parking deck security check point where a Barton rent-a-cop's only job was to ask each driver if they had a concealed weapon in the car. On all three occasions, he failed to note the gun in plain view on the dashboard or passenger seat of the CL reporter's car. Security officers stationed on the first floor of the government center were supposed to stop people without government worker ID badges and anyone carrying a box to "keep someone from coming in with an explosive device." The CL reporter passed them by several times carrying a box, and even purposely rammed one of the guards in the back with it and asked for directions to the mayor's office. Still, no one took notice of the box. After CL's article ran, the exits of the government center were sealed off and guards now check the bags of everyone who enters and exits. Did we mention we were only joking?

We Wrote

Lake Warriors Duke Energy subsidiary Crescent Resources teamed with Robert C. Rhein Interests and proposed a massive golf course community near the shores of Lake Wylie dubbed The Palisades. We told you that the sheer scope of this project ­ with over 4,100 houses on about 1,500 acres ­ ignited a vigorous, well-organized opposition the likes of which had never been seen in this area before. Organizations like the Lower Lake Wylie Association, The Sierra Club and the Catawba River Foundation all rallied against The Palisades, bringing the issue of water quality to the forefront. Developers stressed that they were going above and beyond the county's environmental standards, and that their plan would result in fewer homes compared to the area being developed in a piecemeal fashion. CL then dug a little deeper. We investigated the history of Duke Energy and Crescent Resources, and how they have long come under fire by environmentalists for their aggressive tactics and, many say, ill-conceived developments along the Catawba River, which was recently named the 13th most endangered river in the country.

The Outcome

In early December, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission made the unusual move of unanimously recommending to deny the developer's petition, saying there weren't enough water quality precautions in place ­ a vote we've been told was influenced by CL's coverage of the issue. A week later, after developers made a few compromises and concessions, the county commission voted 8-1 in favor of the project. Both environmentalists and a few county commissioners characterized this final decision as the lesser of two evils as opposed to any kind of environmental victory. Others said The Palisades was just the latest example of big money developers getting what they want while local officials pay lip service to something called "smart growth." All the machinations and handwringing that took place over this issue demonstrated that Charlotte's development and planning systems need a major overhaul. Stay tuned on this one. Although the final vote has taken place, the devil is in the details. We'll keep you informed as to how things proceed, and if the developers and the county do what they promised.

We Wrote

The New Nuclear Fallout

After the Cold War, the US and Russia agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals, declaring approximately 68 tons of weapons-grade plutonium as surplus. That's the good news. What's the bad? According to opponents of nuclear energy, it's the plan to get rid of this fiercely toxic substance, a plan in which the plutonium would be mixed with uranium to make something called MOX fuel, which would then be used in nuclear reactors. Duke Energy immediately stepped up to the plate and said they were the right company to carry out the plan. The government agreed, and Duke Energy started planning for the construction of a fabrication plant near Aiken, SC where the MOX fuel is to be made. Once that process is finished ­ and this is where the story gets really scary ­ the MOX fuel will then be shipped up the highways to be used in the McGuire and Catawba nuclear plants near Charlotte. Duke says this is a tried and true process, and will be a great deal for everyone involved, most notably them. We talked to groups like the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), who characterized the MOX fuel plan as more of a Chernobyl-like disaster in the making, and were calling on citizens to oppose what they call a criminally foolhardy risk. Moreover, it is a risk that has gotten scant attention by other local media, who have at best provided glossed-over stories that could have come out of the Duke Power PR department.

The Outcome

In October, members of BREDL filed a petition to block the relicensing of Duke Energy's McGuire and Catawba plants, calling on Duke to replace its nuclear power plants with alternative energy sources, such as wind. Duke officials maintain their plants are safe and environmentally sound, and continue to defend the MOX program, saying it poses no additional threats to the community. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will continue to evaluate Duke's licensing proposal and MOX fuel plan, a process which is expected to take several years. In addition to the Catwba and McGuire relicensing proceeding, BREDL is also involved in challenging the construction of Duke's fabrication plant at the Savannah River Site in Aiken County. If Duke gets approval for their various licensing requests, MOX fuel production could start by 2006.

Other stories of note this year included "World Class City, Third World Paycheck" by Sam Boykin. This April 25 cover story discussed how the working poor ­ folks who work a full-time job, yet still do not earn enough to make ends meet ­ have become one of the fastest growing demographics in the city. We told you about how some of these folks work for the city of Charlotte. Helping Empower Local People (HELP) spearheaded a campaign to pass a "living wage" ordinance which would raise the minimum wage paid to city workers to $9 per hour as well as the minimum paid by businesses who do contract work with Charlotte. Over 60 cities across the country have already passed such an ordinance. Ultimately, the ordinance failed after the city council failed to override Mayor Pat McCrory's veto last May of the living wage initiative, which he compared to socialism and later characterized as a "non-issue." In response to the city's decision, HELP launched an anti-arena campaign a week before the June 5 referendum, asking, in effect, why they should support millionaire basketball players and team owners when the city would do nothing to help the working poor. HELP leaders are currently in the process of reaching out to other groups in hopes of getting the living wage initiative re-started.

Sports writer Susan Shackelford's stellar coverage of the Charlotte Sting, the city's most successful professional sports team ever, smoked the rest of the local media. We ran a cover story on Allison Feaster's emergence as a bonafide star, provided a mid-season report card that noted impressive improvements, and a regular-season recap explaining how the team pulled off their amazing turn-around which took them all the way to the WNBA championship game.

Charlotte's declining air quality continues to be a troubling issue, and it's one we explored at length in "Homegrown Health Hazard" by Sam Boykin. In this September 12 cover story, we wrote about how the EPA sued Duke Power, citing over 50 violations of the Clean Air Act. Moreover, several environmental and health organizations, referring to in-depth studies, accused Duke Energy's antiquated coal-fired power plants of producing a substantial amount of NC's air pollution. According to the studies, that pollution is, in effect, responsible for increased asthma attacks, respiratory disease and premature deaths in the area. Duke Energy responded that they're improving the efficiency of their power plants, and continue to operate within the confines of the law. Duke Energy spokespeople also pointed to car and truck emissions as being a major source of air pollution. The potential for real improvements in our environment was delayed once again as the NC House of Representatives adjourned this year's session without approving the NC Clean Smokestacks Act, which stood to reduce smokestack emissions early 70 percent over the next 10 years.

We also covered local efforts to enact a death penalty moratorium. Groups like Charlotte Coalition for a Moratorium and People of Faith Against the Death Penalty were at the forefront of this campaign, and continued to point out what they see as inequities within the capital punishment system. Their efforts are part of a growing state and national movement which, to date, has resulted in over 30 municipalities ­ including seven in NC ­ calling for a moratorium. The NC legislature this year passed a law that bans executions of prisoners who are determined to be mentally retarded. Legislators also discussed whether black defendants who have all-white juries are being discriminated against during their trials, and lawmakers approved a measure to improve the quality of representation for death row defendants. *

Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to come together right? Well, if it's possible to have an entire year like that, we had one in 2001. From here, the century can only get better.

In January, the nation swore in a president the people weren't completely convinced they had elected. The seemingly unstoppable pendulum of prosperity reversed itself, taking with it quickly made fortunes and hard-earned retirement funds. NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt was killed in an accident that should have merely rattled him while racer Tony Stewart walked away from a violent airborne wreck. The Mecklenburg County Commission squabbled with the Charlotte City Council over land for a new arena for the Charlotte Hornets, then offered to help the city after a referendum on a new arena failed miserably.

Meanwhile, schools of sharks of different breeds swam the East Coast in a bizarre behavior pattern that included a rash of attacks on humans and the death of a 12-year-old boy. Then in September, the secure world we knew shattered along with the walls of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Anthrax, a disease unknown to Americans for a quarter century, was unleashed in newsrooms and our nation's capital.

But if ends were left untied nationally, locally the year 2001 was one of reckoning, settling old scores and writing new chapters. Voters said no to an new arena for the Charlotte Hornets, banks merged, the school desegregation lawsuit was settled, a founding father retired and a local racing legend was laid to rest.

The year 2001 was a turning point. The only question that remains is exactly where we're headed now and what lies around the corner we've turned.

"It's a tremendous struggle. A lot of times I've had to rely on my mom for groceries. I've had to go to Crisis Assistance a couple of times to keep my power on." ­ Former City of Charlotte employee Leah Whiten.

"We have so much prosperity; we can afford to pay city workers a decent wage." ­ Charlotte City Council member Susan Burgess.

"I just got back from East Germany where they're trying to get away from socialism. I've got some very liberal council members who are going the opposite direction." ­ McCrory, pledging to veto a living wage ordinance that would have guaranteed city employees at least $9 per hour. At the time, McCrory and the council were working to placate wealthy Hornets owners by building them a new sports arena.

"Why do we have to have this rigid articulation of such a specific rule if it's something we come by naturally?" ­ UNCC professor Dr. Judy Aulette on the custom of marriage.

"I want everyone to hear loud and clear that I'm going to be the president of everybody, whether they voted for me or not." ­ President George Bush after his swearing-in ceremony following a bitter battle over who really won the presidency.

"Everything we're hearing from corporations is, business is falling off the cliffs in the fourth quarter, and it's not getting any better." ­ Economist Robert Mellman after the Fed cuts interest rates by half a percentage-point to spur the faltering economy.

"We are aware of the impact that power plants have on air quality in this state, and we believe we are addressing that issue." ­ Duke Energy spokesperson Joe Maher

"Obviously they need to do more." ­ Elizabeth Ouzts of NCPIRG, a non-profit environmental group.

"After 38 years and five children, Jackie, you're still here." ­ Reverend Jesse Jackson, founder of the Rainbow/Push Coalition, to his wife during his first public appearance since news broke about the out-of-wedlock child he had with lover Karin Stanford.

"We were going to grow old together." ­ Former racecar driver Darrell Waltrip, on the death of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.

"We're establishing a partnership. . .unfortunately, there are those who don't want things to change, they prefer to see things remain as they are. But we can't let those few stand in the way of progress." ­ Charlotte Housing Authority President Harrison Shannon on the HOPE VI program.

"It sounds good the way it comes out of their mouths, but it don't work like it comes out of their mouth." ­ Addie Pearce, long-time Piedmont Courts resident on the HOPE VI program.

"This whole thing is a subterfuge to get by the expressed desire of the people to have a referendum on an arena." ­ Charlotte City Council member Don Lochman, on the city council's decision to "bundle" the arena referendum question with five other more popular projects.

"It's about two women having sex." ­ Martin Davis to the Mecklenburg County Commission moments before he was thrown out of a commissioners' meeting for threatening to read from a book called Women on Top, which he had checked out of the public library.

"She was upbeat and full of life. . .She said she had some big news to share." ­ Linda Zamsky, the aunt of missing intern Chandra Levy, about an April 29 message left by her niece the day before Levy was last seen alive.

"This team belongs to the fans of Charlotte." ­ Hornets co-Owner George Shinn, explaining why the team withdrew its application with the NBA to relocate the team to Memphis, TN.

"It is something I had to do." ­ Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords on his defection from the Republican Party, which gave the Democrats control of the US Senate and its committees.

"We've spent 30 years proving we put public safety as our first priority. We have the most at stake here. If there was something dangerous or risky about this, we certainly wouldn't be involved." ­ Duke Energy spokesperson Steve Nesbit on the Duke Energy MOX fuel plan.

"We feel there are enough serious implications in this program that the people of Charlotte clearly have the right to know what's going on, and be given some kind of voice in the matter." ­ Catherine Mitchell of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League on the MOX fuel plan.

"I guess you have to celebrate anything you get in this town if you're an environmentalist." ­ Lower Lake Wylie Association member John Byrd on some environmentalists' reaction to The Palisades deal.

"Why not? Why should we not have a great city?" ­ Hugh McColl, the outgoing chief of Bank of America, to the Charlotte Observer the week he retired. McColl built the former North Carolina National Bank (NCNB) into a national banking giant, turning little-known Charlotte, NC, into the second largest financial center in the nation.

"I just think we need to find this guy. He has a lot of questions to answer." ­

Rebecca Felmet on the mysterious disappearance of former Mecklenburg County Democratic Party Chairman Andrew Reyes, who disappeared in May. Felmut is the daughter of Reyes' now-deceased client Doug King, who authorities believe Reyes stole at least $1.5 million from.

"This is the greatest upset in Charlotte political history." ­ Don Reid, a co-chair of Citizens Opposed to Sports Taxes (CO$T) after the $342 million arts and arena referendum package was pummeled 57-43 percent by Charlotte voters.

"Look around us. All those people gathered to watch someone die." ­ Nathan Chambers, attorney for Timothy McVeigh, who was executed for his role in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in April 1995.

"They're all in state waters right now, so they're protected." ­ Bob Spaeth, owner of Madeira Beach Seafood, in the Tampa Tribune after a rash of shark attacks up and down the East coast, including two in Hilton Head, made national news.

"We see airplanes passing overhead all the time from Newark Airport. No, these weren't airplanes." ­ Carteret, New Jersey, police Lt. Dan Tarrant in the Bergen County, NJ, newspaper, The Record. Along with Tarrant, about 75 motorists and several state troopers parked their cars on the shoulder of the New Jersey Turnpike at about 12:20am on July 17 to watch what onlookers described as dozens of UFOs flying in a 'V' formation.

"Any way you cut it, it's the biggest thing either company has ever done. The stakes are high." ­ First Union Corp. businessman David Carroll about the merger between that bank and Wachovia Corp., which, combined, make the new Wachovia the nation's fourth largest bank.

"You needed that job, and you were the best qualified. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota." ­ The voiceover from US Sen. Jesse Helms' famous 1990 campaign commercial. The controversial paleo-conservative US Senator announced he wouldn't seek a sixth term, ending an era in North Carolina politics.

"Now's an opportunity to do generations a favor by coming together and whipping terrorism, hunting it down, binding it and holding them accountable." ­ President George Bush, in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

"School choice is yours." ­ A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools billboard, after the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the school system to concoct a race-neutral student assignment plan, ending 30 years of court-ordered desegregation.

"This is an isolated incident." ­ A US Health official, referring to the death of Florida newspaper photo editor Robert Stevens, the first victim of inhaled anthrax.

"Yes, be cautious, but resume your normal lives." ­ Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory at an October news conference. The mayor said he would attend that Sunday's Panthers game at Ericsson Stadium to show Charlotteans that life shouldn't stop just because terrorists blow things up.

"We and local law enforcement are doing everything we can without knowing exactly what we're guarding against." ­ Duke Power spokeswoman Becky McSwain, on efforts to fortify the two power plants within miles of Charlotte's uptown against terrorism.

"Our dream is that someday we could take a patient's cell, skin cell, and give them back anything that they needed to cure disease." ­ Dr. Michael West, president of Advanced Cell Technology. The Massachusetts company announced it had cloned a human embryo.

"All things must pass." ­ Time article headline about the death of former Beatle George Harrison.

"In some ways, you'd just assume keep on going and just work your way through the remainder of the season." ­ Carolina Panthers Coach George Seifert on the team's (as of deadline) 12-game losing streak. *