MAURICE COX
DEMOCRAT FOR CITY COUNCIL

Dear Fellow Democrat

When I was elected to council four years ago, I imagined -- and reassured my wife and children?that I would be able to accomplish many worthy goals in one term and then retire from the fray. I was naive. I've since learned how much patience and perseverance is needed to achieve a substantial consensus to promote and implement any policy or program. I have a new and healthy respect for the accomplishments of past councils -- the creation of the Downtown Mall, the revenue-sharing agreement with the County, the risky venture of the Omni -- and what these milestones represent in terms of innovation, persuasion, and striking out in bold and not always universally acclaimed initiatives.

I have decided to run for re-election because I am eager to apply the lessons learned and I am so encouraged by the good things which I have worked with many others to achieve:

the creation of the Fifeville transition zone ordinance, which provides our community with a critical new tool to develop live/work/walk neighborhoods, and is a model of collaboration between the City, the University and PVCC, and the private sector.

the establishment of the Biotech Workforce Training Center, which brings educational and training opportunities to central city residents preparing them to enter the emerging, local technology economy

the achievement of greater diversity on the city staff and the school board

the adoption of a living wage for all full-time city employees and the charge to the school system to do the same.

the reorganization of the Housing Authority to increase resident representation.

I am asking for your support at the February 21 st Democratic Mass Meeting. I believe that the changing context of city-county relations, with the relentless pressure of runaway population growth and the strains it places on both jurisdictions, presents new challenges and demands new responses. I feel that I have and can continue to contribute significantly to the creation of progressive solutions that will continue the council's tradition of progressive leadership in the community. I believe that with the help of active participants such as yourself, more progress can be made in achieving these important goals:

closing the academic gap between black and white students and between middle- and low-income students

creation of a comprehensive regional transportation plan which will reduce reliance on the private automobile

implementation of appropriately scaled infill urban development

Together, Democrats, old guard and new blood, can move ahead with the important agenda of preserving and enhancing the excellence of our city and quality of life, and of extending these benefits to all residents of the City, now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Maurice Cox (received February 18, 2000).