New Ballantyne resident Leann Simmons wants to be an informed member of the community and understand the issues surrounding her new home.

Simmons was among an estimated 100 residents who gathered Saturday morning with about 20 Charlotte-area elected officials and community leaders at the Ballantyne Breakfast Club's first meeting of the year. The "Priorities 2012" meeting, held at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, allowed the public to approach the leaders with their concerns for the year.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Area Transit System and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce were each represented.

Also in attendance was Ed Driggs, who is competing against Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James for the county seat in District 6. Republican commissioner Jim Pendergraph, who recently stepped into the race for Rep. Sue Myrick's 9th District congressional seat, made an appearance, too.

"I'm not concerned about the candidates," Simmons said. "I want to see where I can get involved and dig in to help."

The breakfast club typically meets about five times annually and sees between 70 and 300 in attendance, said Ray Eschert, president of the club.

Deputy Police Chief Harold Medlock informed residents of the annual crime report, which showed a decrease in crime of 7.1 percent.

"Our priorities are to continue to focus on violent crimes," he said. "Our guys don't stop until (criminals) are caught...we're coming after them, there's no doubt about it."

Medlock also addressed concerns residents voiced about the enforcement of speed in school zones.

"Even though I don't have children in the school system, we need to enforce people who speed in school zones," Simmons said.

And for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in September, Medlock assured residents CMPD is capable of managing large crowds.

"We're use to having big crowds," Medlock said. "Speed Street always draws a big crowd out every year. ...It will draw many more people to the center city of Charlotte than the Democratic National Convention."

Kit Rea, CMS zone superintendent for the southwest region, said most Ballantyne residents are pleased with the progress of schools in the area and her goal this year will be to look into employee raises.

"We have cut $193 million in the past three years," Rea said.

Rea, a Charlotte native, said she received a great education in Charlotte and also hopes to continue to improve student achievement, while decreasing the learning gap.

Raintree resident Susan Spaulding said the meeting with CMS officials was helpful. She also echoed Rea's concerns and said she would like to see raises reinstated for teachers and staff.

"I would really like to see people use their energy to advocate on behalf of their children, as far as keeping good teachers," Spaulding said. "We have these good teachers and they are dedicated. If we just keep not paying them, they are going to go somewhere else."

Officials with Charlotte-Mecklenburg's planning committee spoke to residents wary of the inclusion of more affordable housing in the Ballantyne area. Planning Director Debra Campbell said affordable housing is defined as households with incomes below 80 percent of area median income, as well as a home with a value of $153,000 or less.

"(Ballantyne residents) feel like there is currently affordable housing ... and that we don't need to create additional facilities," Campbell said. "But we have statistical data showing that there are not a lot of affordable housing opportunities."

Campbell said she agrees there are some affordable housing options in the area, but they are scattered.

"We are trying to provide voluntary tools so that if a developer wants the opportunity to put affordable housing here, they will have incentives to do so," she said.