Springing into Charlotte’s city budget priorities and welcoming an interim commissioner
By Jodie Valade
Spring is seasonal rebirth and can be beautiful but the rebirth of trees, flowers and other plants fills the air with pollen which can be a misery for those with allergies.
John Simmons
Charlotte Observer
We’ve already “sprung forward” with our clocks, but Sunday marks the first official day of spring. The vernal equinox, when the amount of daylight and nighttime in a 24-hour span are roughly equal, traditionally has marked a time of renewal and fresh starts, of spring cleaning and getting houses in order.
That includes the city of Charlotte’s budget, which is undergoing a review process before it is finalized.
For the next week, until March 28, residents can rank their budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year in the FY 2023 Budget Survey. The survey, available in English and Spanish, can be found at https://bit.ly/3Jmx4N6.
A news release from the city says that residents can also share feedback through Balancing Act, a simulator tool that allows Charlotteans to test budgeting skills and balance the city’s $2 billion-plus budget. That can be found at https://bit.ly/3KTfoZU.
After gathering feedback from residents, City Council will hold its final budget workshop April 6. The city manager will present a recommended budget on May 2, with a public hearing on the budget scheduled for May 9.
In a photo from January 2000, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board member Wilhelmenia Rembert speaks to the board. PATRICK SCHNEIDER
Officially official new interim commissioner
Last week, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners unanimously selected Wilhelmenia Rembert, a former Mecklenburg County commissioner and school board member, as an interim replacement for commissioner Ella Scarborough.
Scarborough, who is on medical leave, is in hospice care, the board chairman announced this month.
This week, Rembert officially will be sworn in for her new position. Observer politics reporter Will Wright wrote that during her interview with county commissioners, Rembert said she would recommend increasing funding for affordable housing. She said she also wants to focus on education and on closing the equity gap in the county.
FILE -- Duke men’s basketball, N.C. State women’s basketball and both UNC basketball teams will compete in the 2022 NCAA tournaments. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert, File) Bill Wippert AP
Nonstop hoops season
College basketball will narrow down to its Sweet 16 next weekend, with men’s NCAA tournament games in San Antonio, Texas, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. The women’s tournament will have games in Greensboro; Wichita, Kansas; Spokane, Washington; and Bridgeport, Connecticut.
First, we still need to get through opening-round games, which conclude Sunday for men and Monday for women.
At the pro level, the Charlotte Hornets play three games of a five-game homestand this week, and Observer beat writer Roderick Boone says it’s a vital stretch for the team’s playoff chances. Heading into Saturday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, the Hornets had won three straight games and moved into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
Boone writes that the Hornets have “once again (put) destiny in their own hands with 12 games remaining.”
As it currently stands, the Hornets would be slotted for a spot in the NBA playoff play-in tournament.
Charlotte City Council: The council is scheduled to hold a zoning meeting at 5 p.m. Monday. There are 18 rezoning petitions up for a vote. The meeting will be broadcast on the Government Channel and the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Celebrate National Paella Day at Bulla Gastrobar’s Paella-Making Class on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. Courtesy of Bulla Gastrobar
From CharlotteFive
It’s patio season in Charlotte, and we have a comprehensive new online patio guide to help you find the best place for you to lounge. Want somewhere that allows dogs in University City? How about a place that serves brunch outdoors in uptown? You can search for that (and more) here https://bit.ly/34RHOUI.
Join Greg and Subrina Collier of BayHaven Restaurant Group as the couple celebrates their 10-year anniversary as restaurateurs. “Collier Classics” is a 10-course tasting event that will be held at Leah & Louise on Monday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The menu is inspired by some of the most popular dishes from the couple’s restaurants like Tang Tart, Hambone Grits, Bacon & Eggs and more. The cost is $190 per person, and there’s a wine pairing option for an additional $40. The reservation-only dinner is limited to 36 guests. Tickets can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/3vTcX58.
Celebrate National Paella Day on Wednesday at Bulla Gastrobar’s Paella-Making Class, “From Spain To Your Table.” Guests will learn how to make the dish and sangria from start to finish. All participants will receive a Bulla-branded apron and recipe cards. The class is from 7-9 p.m. The cost is $100 per person, with a two ticket minimum. Guests must be 21+. https://bit.ly/3I3lZPG
It’s the battle of the football clubs when Charlotte FC hosts FC Cincinnati on Saturday, March 26 at 5 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium. Tickets start at $55.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” comes to the Belk Theater, with performances Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets start at $25.
Bad Bunny brings the “El Ultimo Tour del Mundo” to Spectrum Center on Saturday, March 26. The Puerto Rican rapper/raggaeton star is staging his first Charlotte concert, and it comes after Bunny was crowned the most-streamed artist in the world on Spotify for 2021.
