Commissioner Leigh Altman
What steps will you take (or have you taken) to ensure LGBTQ+ people who live in, work in, or visit Mecklenburg are protected against discrimination? What steps do you support (or have you done) to protect equitable access to healthcare for all people, including Transgender people? Do you support expanding the "Getting to Zero" Campaign for Mecklenburg County?
As an At-Large County Commissioner, I fought hard to achieve a comprehensive countywide Non-Discrimination Ordinance ensuring protections for and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ residents. Re: access to healthcare for Transgender people, thanks to Cameron Pruette, I had the pleasure of attending the #ForThemToo Partner Pledge Luncheon and learning more about how I can support the Transgender community through various County departments. I fully support Mecklenburg County Public Health having all resources it needs for the "Getting to Zero" campaign.
What will you do (or have you done) to maintain equitable access to green spaces and parks in Mecklenburg County? What plans do you have to ensure affordable housing to Mecklenburg County residents?
All of my votes and my direct advocacy to staff and to Board members are made with an equity lens and a commitment to end disparities, including but not limited to, discrimination based on race, religion, sex, gender, disability, or immigration status. Equity is frequently a focus in our Environmental Stewardship Committee, Meck Play Book, and the prioritization we give to projects. Regarding affordable housing, just this past week, we received a briefing about new plans to increase affordable housing in the Grier Heights neighborhood. I wholeheartedly support investments to increase affordable housing stock for our residents.
What actions do you support (or have you supported) to ensure people have equitable access (including transportation and housing) to jobs that provide a living wage, including supporting minority-owned businesses? How are you addressing the Leandro ruling to ensure equitable access to education?
High-quality, good paying jobs has been my primary focus from Day One. I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to better connect our residents who are unemployed or underemployed with the job training they need for our region's employers. I am proud that the Board agreed with my advocacy to make Workforce Development a top priority and we will be rolling our new initiatives in a few months. We should work to target these efforts in communities experiencing more barriers to economic mobility.
Regarding transportation, as Chair of the MTC, I am pushing hard to expand mass transit options. A well functioning public transit system is necessary to give equitable access to opportunity, protect our quality of life, attract new economic development, and preserve the environment.
In reference to the Leandro ruling, Mecklenburg BOCC allocates nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars to CMS. It is the single biggest line item in our budget and I'm proud of that commitment. Our public schools must also implement effective strategic plans to improve student outcomes and closely monitor progress in reducing acute academic disparities.
As a CMS parent, a product of public schools, and a lifelong Democrat, I strongly support public school funding while mindful of our obligation to balance many costly priorities we have such as affordable housing, the environment, and public health.
With racism being declared a public health crisis, what steps do you support (or have you supported) to address the racial inequities that exist in Mecklenburg County? These include but are not limited to environmental racism, overpolicing, and healthcare access.
I am proud that Mecklenburg County works hard to achieve equity across a broad spectrum of our service and investments. For example, throughout the pandemic, we have worked to close gaps in testing and vaccine outreach efforts by investing more resources in communities hardest hit by COVID-19. In the arena of affordable housing, Mecklenburg has funded affordable housing in resource-rich neighborhoods, which is so necessary to end silos and pockets of poverty caused by systemic racism. I have also actively pushed for Mecklenburg County to invest greater funds for primary care where residents have the least access and strongly supported investments we are making to address food deserts. Last, I strongly support Mecklenburg's Business Diversity & Inclusion Program whose mission is to increase participation of minorities, women, and small businesses in Mecklenburg County business opportunities.
Thanks for sharing your vision of how to make Mecklenburg a more equitable, inclusive place! Are there any additional comments or initiatives you'd like to share?
I spent 17 years as a public-interest attorney fighting for people who needed a voice. First as as lead attorney for Georgia's fair housing and consumer protection agencies and later for seniors and adults with disabilities and then for at-risk children, I have always worked to bring greater justice and equity. I have carried that advocacy to my role as an At-Large County Commission where I strive to learn from and listen to all the diverse communities of Mecklenburg so I can be a strong representative of their needs and concerns and ensure our resources and policies align with with community vision that advances the well-being of every person in this community.