Greensboro Mayor Allen Not Seeking Re-election 

Greensboro Mayor Carolyn S. Allen announced today that she will not seek re-election in the Council election to be held in the fall of 1999. Mayor Allen, whose public service extends back over more than 30 years, will mark 10 years of service on the Greensboro City Council in December having first been elected as an at-large member and Mayor Pro Tem in 1989 and again in 1991. In 1993, she was elected Mayor of Greensboro, the first woman to hold this office. She was subsequently re-elected twice (in 1995 and 1997).

"This December will mark ten years of service to all the citizens of Greensboro, four as an at-large member and Mayor Pro Tem and six years as Mayor," stated Mayor Allen. "While much remains to be done, I have a sense of accomplishment in the progress we have made for Greensboro in a number of areas. These include:

• the Forecast 2015 process
• construction of the new central library
• maintaining a fiscally sound city government
• creation of the Greensboro Community Initiative
• implementation of a comprehensive recycling program
• strengthening our Police Department with additional personnel, improved technology and emphasis on community policing
• working on economic development in East and South Greensboro and with the East Market Street Development Corporation
• development of new water sources, expansion of wastewater treatment capacity and emphasis on water conservation
• exploring a variety of public/private partnerships some of which led to the successful Eastside Park neighborhood revitalization and the receipt of the $27 million Hope VI grant
• creation of the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART)
• developing environmental initiatives including moving forward with the acquisition of parkland and the creation of new trails and greenways through collaboration with businesses, donors, and the Piedmont Land Conservancy"

"None of these things was accomplished alone. I have been privileged to work with a number of dedicated, committed, hard working council members and City staff as well as many citizens who have unselfishly given their time, ideas, energy and resources on ad hoc committees, boards, task forces and projects," continued Mayor Allen. "I am sincerely grateful for every bit of that effort, all of which was needed for us to achieve what we have."

"While filing for Council offices will not begin until July, there have been many questions about my plans and my decision now will allow others the time needed to consider this form of public service," said Mayor Allen. "In the nine months that remain in my term I will continue to provide leadership on the issues that face our community--race relations, water conservation and additional water resource development, environmental protection and other issues that will help to ensure the well-being of all parts of Greensboro."

"Greensboro is fortunate to have had the dedicated service of Carolyn Allen as both Council Member and as Mayor for the past ten years," said Reid L. Phillips, local attorney who chaired Mayor Allen's 1997 mayoral campaign. "She has provided a collaborative, thoughtful, inclusive, consensus building style of leadership that has given many people from all parts of the city a real sense of representation and participation in the governing process."

"Mayor Allen's participation in public life will not end when she leaves office in December," Phillips added. "I expect she will continue to speak out on issues that impact the lives of all Greensboro's citizens."

For additional information, contact Mayor Allen at (336) 373-2396 or Reid Phillips at (336) 271-3116.