Who is Elaine Powell, District 1 Democratic Mecklenburg County commission candidate?
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 59
Campaign website: www.electelainepowell.com
Email: campaign4elaine@gmail.com
Occupation: District 1 County Commissioner and vice chair of the Board
Education: BS University of Delaware 1986, Post-baccalaureate UNCC
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Mecklenburg County Commission, currently serving second term
Please list your highlights of civic involvement:
Mecklenburg County Commissioner and Board vice chair 2018-present; Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission, chair, 2010-2018; Mecklenburg County Natural Resources Stewardship Advisory Council, chair, 2010-2018; Mecklenburg County North Park Region Advisory Council, vice chair, 2010-2018; Mecklenburg County Waste Management Advisory Board, 2001-2009; Catawba Area Plan 2008-2010
What more can county government do to help CMS close achievement gaps and support students in impoverished families?
County government is committed to the success of all students and is already doing a great deal. We need to remain vigilant in ‘our role’ to help improve educational outcomes. Policy relief would help students in impoverished families get what they need in a timely manner.
How do you plan to collaborate with other local and state elected officials?
I will continue to build relationships, network and collaborate with elected officials at every level: NCACC, Centralina, NACo, Advanced Leadership Corps Ambassador and most recently Braver Angels.
How do you plan to approach the county’s upcoming revaluation and how will the results inform your stance on the 2024 fiscal year’s tax rate?
I will receive results from our tax assessor, listen to community input, carefully review the manager’s recommendation and listen to community input again.
Name a quality about yourself that makes you a good leader:
I am an excellent listener who likes to hear multiple perspectives before making decisions.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
I worked to establish an Environmental Stewardship Committee at the Board level as soon as I was elected. Once established, we worked with staff and multiple stakeholders to create an Environmental Leadership Action Plan. The ELAP received the full support of the Board in 2021.
This story was originally published October 3, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
