It made national news when the FBI lured the recently elected black mayor of Charlotte into taking bribes. Less visible nationally is he was replaced by a powerful white Democrat. Blacks hold 6 of the 11 seats on the council, so there is no racial tensions that I’m aware of over this.
The new Mayor is the guy in the middle with gray hair wearing a purple/pink tie.
See if you can spot the two Republicans. Here is a hint – they are standing next to each other.
That passes the MSNBC test. Whenever I turn it on, it is hard to spot a white guy. Can’t remember the last time it showed two of them standing together.
The mayor is a lawyer who spent time riding herd over the Z Smith Reynolds foundation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zachary_Smith_Reynolds
You could devour their entire web site and never realize the money came from tobacco.
The City Council approved the City budget with a raise in water/sewer rates and transit fares
http://www.wbtv.com/story/25734267/council-passes-budget-water-raters-increase
Three City Council members (out of 9 + mayor) did not show up for the meeting, the most important of the year.