Link to June 7 Charlotte Observer article, "Susan Burgess bids emotional City Council farewell".
Excerpt: Burgess, visibly weak with terminal cancer, cast her final votes for the city’s $1.65 billion budget – and to give the county’s cash-strapped libraries $1.4 million.
She also urged the council to appoint her son Jason as her replacement. The council is scheduled to fill the seat on Monday.
The library straw vote represented a victory for Mayor Anthony Foxx, who set out four conditions for the grant that include contributions from other Mecklenburg towns. The measure passed with six votes in favor. Burgess, a one-time opponent, joined supporters.
Charlotte’s Mayor Pro Tem, Burgess, 64, has been under hospice care. A post last Friday on the CaringBridge.org Web site said she was confined to bed with no appetite and little energy. Until she actually appeared Monday, even friends weren’t sure she could.
Riding in a wheelchair, she entered the packed government center conference room to a prolonged standing ovation from more than 150 city officials and employees. Many of her friends wore vintage Burgess campaign T-shirts.
Related articles:
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
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