BUILDING A BETTER GREENSBORO, TOGETHER.

Allen Johnson: Perkins is a good candidate for mayor ... who needs competition

Allen Johnson, Executive Editorial Page Editor, Greensboro News & Record

Allen Johnson: Perkins is a good candidate for mayor … who needs competition

January 12, 2025, Source: Greensboro News & Record – Allen Johnson, Executive Editorial Page Editor

Robbie Perkins looks and sounds pretty much like he did when he was mayor of Greensboro more than a decade ago.

The former Duke track and cross-country team member says he does not run anymore because his ankles won’t allow it. At least not that kind of running.

But, at age 69, he still looks like he could, trim and energetic.

He still has lots of ideas … and opinions.

So, it’s hardly a surprise that he was the first to announce his candidacy for mayor in the 2025 election.

Frankly, not much seems different about Perkins since he served as mayor from 2011-2013 and, before that, as a council member.

But there are subtle distinctions. His sharp edges are smoother, the tone of his voice a decibel or two softer.

He appears less brusque and impatient.

And he rightly sees the next election as a critical juncture in the city’s history.

“We’re at a real inflection point in our city,” Perkins said last week in an interview. “Greensboro can go from good to great.”

He says he will be more focused if he wins another term.

“I’m not going to bounce around and try to do everything,” he said.

Other lessons Perkins says he has learned:

“To take more deep breaths.”

“I’d listen a little bit more.”

“I’m not afraid to say no. I’m not going to say yes to everybody.”

It’s good news that Perkins is running again. He brings experience, knowledge and a sense of urgency to the campaign.

But it will be a shame if he doesn’t face at least one strong competitor. Preferably more.

Though she has not officially announced her candidacy, freshly elected Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter, a sitting at-large council member, seems likely to run.

Former council member Justin Outling may run as well. Outling, who lost to Mayor Nancy Vaughan by fewer than 500 votes in 2022, says he has not yet decided if he will run.

Outling is a rising star in local politics who will be mayor sooner or later.

If all three wind up in the field of candidates, good for Greensboro. The city needs a strong field in the council race, especially now, with significant turnover in the offing. And it starts at the top, with a competitive mayoral race.

If Abuzuaiter runs, that opens her at-large seat.

Veteran District 2 Councilwoman Goldie Wells is not seeking reelection. Neither is District 4 representative Nancy Hoffmann.

Counting the mayor, that means at least four new members on a nine-person board.

By the way, Wells is not going quietly, bless her heart.

In an awkward exchange during last week’s council meeting, Wells sought to succeed the well-beloved Yvonne Johnson, who died in December, as mayor pro tem.

As a tradition, the mayor pro tem is the at-large council member with the highest number of votes in the most recent election. That would be Abuzuaiter.

But Wells invoked “diversity” as a reason she was seeking the honor.

And during a pins-and-needles discussion, when the question of tradition was raised, council member Sharon Hightower noted that slavery was a tradition, too. Huh?

Initially three Black members of the council supported Wells before joining the rest of the council to vote unanimously for Abuzuaiter.

And that doesn’t make the council any less diverse.

Meanwhile, there’s the question of who fills the remainder of Johnson’s term.

It so happens that Johnson’s son, Vernon, will seek the appointment. Fair enough. Vernon Johnson is a retired middle-school teacher and coach with deep community roots.

But he has no birthright to this appointment. He should be judged by the case he makes to the council, not his bloodline.

It was not a good look when his sister, Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court Lisa Johnson-Tonkins, announced her brother’s intention to seek the seat on Facebook. Accompanying the post was a photo of Johnson and his mother.

Since whoever fills the remainder of Yvonne Johnson’s term on the council would have an inside track in the November election, the council’s choice for a short-term replacement could have long-term implications.

Vernon Johnson sounds like a fine candidate. But he should seek the seat on his own merits, not his family name.

All of this augurs well for what could be a lively election.

Let’s hope so. The council has more impact on their day-to-lives — as in potholes, public safety, zoning, homelessness, trash pick-up and (dare I mention it?) leaf collection.

The problem in Greensboro isn’t simply numbers when it comes to council candidates, but quality.

So, it’s good to see Perkins 2.0 stake his claim.

Run, Robbie, run. And may many others follow his lead.

 


 

Let’s build the future our city deserves. Greensboro is ready for a new era—let’s get to work.

Donate today, and let’s choose Greensboro’s future. Together, we can ensure that our city thrives for generations to come. Your voice matters—your vote matters—your support matters. Let’s make it count.

Nicky Smith
Candidate for Greensboro City Council