Honorable Work by Fellow Citizens in the Public Housing Sector

Affordable housing, health care, education and addressing unemployment issues were all part of this week's discussions with the citizens of North Carolina (NC) Senate District 38.



I had the opportunity to take a tour of Affordable Housing Facilities around Mecklenburg County. There were community leaders from all across Mecklenburg County and the State of NC. Habitat for Humanity, League of Women Voters Members, Housing Coalition of NC Staff, Church Leaders, Educators, Realtors, Builders and even average citizens who were just concerned and supportive of affordable housing efforts in our state attended the tour. These homes were very inviting. A long way away from my memories of affordable housing that were complete with concrete floors cinder block walls and tons of roaches. After meeting all of the players associated with affordable housing, completing the tour which lasted almost four hours, I am a fan of their efforts and will support affordable housing legislation in the NC State Senate.



To all those who think affordable housing discriminates, decreases your property value and/or increases crime rate, think about something for a moment. There is no place for such selfishness as public and private partnerships lend a helping hand to your fellow North Carolinian who aspire to live the "American Dream". Let's take some time out of our busy schedules and go visit the faces and places of Mecklenburg County Affordable Housing. You will be suprised, as was I, to see what appeared to be quality construction and the many ammenities at each location.

Life Reflections: Past, Present and Future

I love Beatties Ford Road and all of the communities of North Carolina (NC) State Senate District 38! I have planted trees, mowed lawns, unclogged toilets and drains, cleaned gutters, hauled junk and many other various and sundry tasks all over the district. Why? Not for money, not for praise, but for my appreciation of life and the hard times it can bring sometimes.

In fact, taking care of nieghbors and other community members is what Geraldine F. Scott (Ma) taught me to tell you the truth. Ma is my grandma. She would feed members of our community every day of the week. Especially on Saturday and Sunday when my aunts, uncles and cousins visited. She would cook three meals a day taking a break from her "slitting" work at Willis Hoisery in Concord, NC.

I had a really good childhood even though Larry Wayne Morrison (father) was never a part of my life. Even now he has remain invisible in my life and the life of my four children. Eleven aunts, seven uncles, two grandmas (Ma and Nina Kirkpatrick (Grandma Nina), one great-grandma (granny), one mother, Carol Scott Peek (Carol), one dad-David C. Kirkpatrick (Mac) are just the immediate short list of family to whom I owe my career acheivements. They all built my leadership and character skills. Sometimes with a spankin' and sometimes with a speak. I think they called that child abuse in today's terms. Not me though, I call it love! Love for life, fairness, honestly and American pride.

I hope I am blessed to formally serve this community as Senator. This community reminds me of my childhood in so many ways, and as I remember the neighbors and family members who always made sure Ma's house and my Mama's house were 'kept'---who taught me everyone deserves the respect for which they earn, and that life is about working as hard as the Lord will let you work....