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Johnson planning for return to City Council BY LAY LA UAKMj THE CHRONICLE In a Democratic Primary shocker, Joycelyn Johnson lost her City Council seat four years ago to Derwin Montgomery, who was then a senior at Winston Salem State University. Johnson, who served as the East Ward's representative for 16 years, has made it no secret that she wants the Council seat back. The city native formally announced her candidacy in February, months before the July 5 filing period starts. Johnson, Montgomery and possibly others will square off in the Sept. 10 Democratic Primary. "We had started some work that a number of folks had said, "I'd like for you to go back and finish working on the things that as a community we had started together,"' she said of her motiva tion to run, "because we've worked with them before over the years." She said chief among the most significant achievements of her time on the Council, which spanned from 1993-2009, were the cleaning of a number of blighted areas and landscaping improvements in the ward; push ing for the extension of the down I " town boundaries east to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; and encouraging development in the area, paving the way for improve ments that continue to this day. "We've been here, we've worked hard in the community over the years," she commented. "A lot of the things that are hap pening now are not just happen ing. There were foundations that were laid." If elected, Johnson, a commu nity outreach coordinator at Wake Forest Baptist Health, said the county's recent revaluation process would be one of the chief issues she would tackle right away. The city native has been outspoken in her criticism of the county tax assessor's process, which devalued many homes sig nificantly, causing homeowners, Johnson included, to lose tens of thousands of dollars in equity. Johnson argued that the revalua tion disproportionately affected those in predominantly black and brown communities. Some have accused her of taking the issue on to boost interest in her campaign, but Johnson, who has been a community organizer for more than two decades, said that could n't be further from the truth. "I approached Commissioner (Walter) Marshall years ago when we noticed a property tax value reduction," she said. "There was not a foreclosure issue (then) as one would have you to believe - there is now." New projects that are coming to the city are also ripe with opportunities that Johnson says she hopes to seize for the East Ward if elected. "With the Salem Creek Connector coming through, it's an opportunity for additional (projects) because you'll have infrastructure coming to the area T7 that will lead to other develop ment," she said. Not being a Council member hasn't stopped Johnson from being involved in the local com munity over the last four years. She has remained a fixture in tHe community, working closely with the N.C. Housing Foundation and attending community meetings and events such as Keep Winston Salem Beautiful's Community Roots Day. She has also signed on to serve as co-chair for a luncheon for the city's more than SO centenarians as part of Winston-Salem's centennial cele bration later this spring. "I've always been up and about, doing stuff. I don't know that I've slowed down," she said. "I'm just kind of hands-on. 1 like to plant trees and I liked to get involved and work with folks." Johnson declined to comment on her opponent's record as a Council member, saying she prefers to focus on her own cam paign. "It's about what I feel I can bring to the table, and not what I feel somebody else can't do," she said. "...All I can say is that we're going to get out there and work hard and try to get 51 per cent of the vote ." Montgomery also prides him 1 ? self on his community connec tions and economic development initiatives. The First Calvary Baptist Church pastor said trans parency, accountability and action have been among the hall marks of his carer thus far, citing the regular meetings he hosts with pastors, non-profit leaders, seniors and the East Ward com munity and improvements to the city's support of small business es, among other achievements as examples. "Hopefully, individuals will be able to see what we've been able to do over the last three years. We've been able to do a lot of things, 1 think, move a lot of things forward," he said. "...1 salute her (Johnson's) past work, but as we look now, we're trying to look forward and I hope that the community will look at me as someone who will take the torch and continue to press forward." Win or lose, like Johnson. Montgomery said his commit ment to the community won't change. "Regardless if there's a title that you have or not, I still want to work for this community," he declared. " This community has made me who 1 am and 1 feel 1 have an obligation to give back." File Photo Joycelyn Johnson is trying to regain the East Ward seat. Riding the course is a lot more fun when you don't have to. Are knee pain, hip pain or decreased motion keeping you from doing what you love? Don't wait to get help. At Wake Forest Baptist Health, our experienced physicians and advanced technology mean less invasive procedures, less pain and shorter recovery times. Call 888-716-WAKE (9253) for a free information kit or to make an appointment with one of our orthopaedic specialists at any of our convenient locations: Advance, Lexington, Mocksville, or Winston-Salem.WakeHealth.edu/orthopedics t ORTHOPAEDICS I Call 888-716-WAKE for an appointment. \XVWake Forest* Baptist Health A Mission to Care A Mission to Curt
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