At-large City Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter has made it official with an announcement that she will be running for reelection in 2022.
It’s no surprise. Abuzuaiter has not been shy about saying that she intended to run for reelection, but the announcement on Wednesday, Aug. 25 makes her intention official. It is still unknown when filing for the 2022 City Council election will open because it could vary depending on when the City Council completes the redistricting process.
Abuzuaiter was first elected to the City Council in 2011 and was at the time seen as one of the more liberal members of the council. In her present term, which began in 2017, Abuzuaiter is seen as one of the more moderate members. It’s not that Abuzuaiter’s politics have changed, but that the City Council has shifted left. In 2011, Greensboro elected a Republican mayor, Robbie Perkins, and two Republican councilmembers. There isn’t a single Republican on the current City Council.
Abuzuaiter is chair of the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (GUAMPO), which approves federally and state funded transportation projects and, as such, she has become the City Council’s expert on transportation issues.
She is also chair of the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART), which provides regional public transportation in a 10-county area.
In the press release announcing her candidacy Abuzuaiter states, “I work hard to make sure our city is the best it can be in order to attract businesses large and small. My support of small business is ongoing and continues. As the only councilmember who has own a small independent business, I know the challenges they face on a daily basis and will continue advocating for them. During the pandemic I created ‘Greensboro Takeout’ page on Facebook to help our local, independent restaurants in their quest to stay open.”
Abuzuaiter owned and operated Mahi’s seafood restaurant on Lawndale Drive from 1996 to 2014. Mahi’s was a casualty of the Greensboro Urban Loop, officially I-840.
In the 2017 City Council race, Abuzuaiter finished second in the at-large City Council race to City Councilmember Yvonne Johnson. Former City Councilmember Michelle Kennedy finished third.
Abuzuaiter is known for attending a vast number of community events and she states in the press release, “I have a passion for serving our community and I did so for many years prior to being elected to City Council. My involvement in the community is shown by my involvement with our residents at neighborhood events and meeting in every district in Greensboro.”
The Law(lessness) and(dis)order candidate. From her role as a (non)confidentail informant on some of those groups for our very own troubled GPD. Illegally purchased and concealed weapons charges and seemingly extremely light wrist slaps for Council member’s husband speaks volumes as well. Voters have seen what a mess we have….will they show up at the moving target that is voting day here on Greensboro.
We all have our favored candidates, however, Alex, each time there is an article about Mrs Abuzuaiter, you have to comment that somehow her husbands getting stopped and being accused of carrying an illegal gun is the cause of all of Greensboro’s problems. The one thing you always fail to mention is that Mr Abuzuaiter did, indeed, have a legitimate receipt for his legal gun and was completely exonerated. (Not Guilty) Your continuing to mention that is nothing more than sour grapes, and lots of people, whether a fan of Mrs Abuzuaiter or not, see it as exactly that. You need a new subject. This one has gotten old.
The question is: do we voters favor another 4 years like the last 4, or do we want an energetic, forward thinking council? Already there is an announced mayoral candidate who capably demonstrates a level of enthusiasm and creativity that has been lacking for a number of years. At-large candidates should take a hint at what a new council may look like. Career council members who have been along for the ride and money need to step aside.
Perfect response . . . especially for the last sentence.
TC : The facts are charges were dropped. But the guns were illegally concealed; one was a confirmed stolen weapon, and lots of unconnected poor young folks get thrown right into jail and prison for similar offeses. To quote News and Record from December 10 2014 “The officer found a Smith and Wesson .38 revolver inside a plastic bag and a Walther 9mm semi-automatic handgun inside a case. Both were between the driver’s seat and the center console.” And “The stolen gun was the Smith and Wesson revolver, Neumann said. It was reported stolen from a Greensboro city employee’s home nearly six years ago.”
It is extremely relevant given that our council has a checkered history of police and community interactions, council and Mandate Mayor trying to illegally ban gun shows, rioting unchecked last summer and folks that are of a certain political class getting special treatment. The do what I say, but not I do actions of Council and mayor, combined with a history of youth curfews, oppressive panhandling and busking laws(since changed due to their unconstitutionality), ever changing targeted noise ordinances, and most recently Mandates and threats of fines during luck downs last year merit discussion of hypocrisy and bad leadership.
Greensboro needs a fresh NEW beginning and ALL NEW City Council members. IF WE EVER get to vote EVER again for a NEW City Council. I would not be surprised if they try to put the election off for even another year if they think that they can get away with it. Lets save Greensboro for ALL of us citizens to be proud of as soon as possible.
We need ALL NEW Council members to represent the citizens of Greensboro.
Not the current council that continue to embarrass the city, citizens, drive away businesses and give our tax dollars to worthless programs.
Cure for violence to mention one.