Guarino: Greensboro City Council, District 3: George Hartzman, by a hair

The District 3 primary pits incumbent Zack Matheny against two challengers, George Hartzman and Jay Ovittore.  All three candidates responded to my questionnaire.  This race is quite interesting, and poses difficult dilemmas.

 

George Hartzman recognized the central function of municipal government is "keeping the peace".  He opposes incentives for private real estate development.  He advocates fixing the GPD (although he does not specify what that would entail).  He favors expanding usage of the White Street Landfill.  He says he is forsaking support from the Simkins machine and TREBIC-affiliated organizations; and is the only candidate in this race to do so.  He emphasizes sound economics, including avoidance of debt and reductions in spending.   (He does not, however, commit to forsake tax or fee increases.)  He probably exhibits some of the most curiosity among all the candidates with respect to holding down employee benefit costs.  He expresses misgivings about giving special standing to Action Greensboro and the Greensboro Partnership.

 

I disagreed with Mr. Hartzman on a number of issues, but overall, his responses on paper are fairly good.

 

…Matheny says he wants to find a way to increase use of the White Street Landfill "the best possible way".  He says he wants to avoid tax and fee increases, and feels this would help recruit new jobs to the area; but he does not categorically rule out the possibility of voting in favor of increases...He favors bringing the city attorney under the control of the City Council…He has a seemingly defensible algorithm for deciding what projects are appropriate to fund with economic development bonds.  But I am not sure how that has played out with his votes over the last two years.

 

One cannot ignore the practical dimensions of this race.  Mr. Hartzman has had a significant online presence, with contemplative posts often focusing on economics.  It is difficult to know, however, to what extent he has been able to raise money and drum up support in the community.  It is tough to win local elections without doing well all the mundane, real world, nuts-and-bolts aspects of campaigning.

 

I know Jay Ovittore and like him personally.  We disagree on a number of issues, however.

 

Mr. Matheny ran to the political center two years ago, and won the support of the Simkins machine and the Melderec bunch.  The Simkins influence in district 3, while palpable, is not overwhelming...Some of us will disagree with at least some of what he has done as a council member.  He has certainly demonstrated an ability to campaign and win elections; and will be difficult to beat this year.

 

If I lived in District 3, I would probably vote for George Hartzman.  But I also acknowledge Zack Matheny's advantage politically; and the evolution of his political profile in a seemingly more positive direction.

 

Dr. Joseph A. Guarino, MD

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