Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Born August 13, 1951, in New York City, Joel settled in Greensboro in 1981. He has successfully managed two local small businesses: Deep Roots Market and Joel's Natural Foods. He has considerable experience in reviewing finances, analyzing budgets, understanding the needs of small business, and in serving the community. He lives in the Brandywine neighborhood with his wife Barbara (formerly, Barbara Bixby Kohn.) He is General Manager of Deep Roots Market. Joel was appointed by Mayor Johnson to co-chair Greensboro's Community Sustainability Council. He serves on the Greensboro Planning Board and is on the executive committee of the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress. Joel also has been a part-time professional musician since college, playing guitar and mandolin. Joel also wrote a series of columns for the Greater Greensboro Observer on a variety of health, social and political issues.

A graduate of the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, Joel received his B.Sc. degree from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Civic and Community Involvement:

• IMPACT Greensboro, Neighborhood Committee, 2008
• Greensboro Community Sustainability Council, co-chair, since February 2008 www.greensboro-nc.gov/sustainability  
• Greensboro Neighborhood Congress (GNC), member of both the Executive Committee & the Issues & Bylaws Committee www.gnc-nc.org and Brandywine Neighborhood delegate
• Greensboro Planning Board, since January 2006
• Cool Cities, Greensboro Chapter, since 2006
• Brandywine Homeowners' Association, 2002-2005, Board of Directors, also President 2004, 2005
• Resources for Artful Living, Oct 2001 - Jan. 2004, Board of Directors and Treasurer
• Appalantic Federation of Cooperatives, 1990-1992 Board of Directors
• Citizens for Waste Reduction and Recycling, 1989 Board of Directors
• Deep Roots Cooperative, 1981-1989, 1990-1994 Ex-officio member of Board of Directors

My vision of Greensboro is a city where people care about, respect and look out for one another. A city of fairness, where resources and opportunity are available to all. A city that is prosperous and a safe, healthy place to live.  A city where local government actively engages and listens to the community.

To these ends I believe city government should:

* be fully transparent to, inclusive of, and accountable to the public; Make Boards and Commissions more representative of the general public

* have City Council working for you, not for private interest groups or personal agendas; Consider a "Clean Elections" program for City Council elections

* support locally-owned businesses and encourage "clean" industries

* prioritize Sustainability – conserve resources, be more energy efficient, and reduce harmful emissions; Create a "Sustainability Cash Flow Account" to leverage money saved by energy reduction initiatives

* guide development to reduce sprawl, make the best use of existing infrastructure, preserve green spaces; No forced annexations

* make Greensboro more bicycle, pedestrian, and mass transit friendly

* incentivize waste reduction and recycling – adopt the RecycleBank program that pays people to recycle more, at no extra cost to the City

I have strong experience in small business management (received the 2009 Small Business Retailer of the Year award), budget review, cooperative decision-making, customer service, public service, empowering neighborhoods, smart growth, and sustainability. The issues I talk about express what I already do in my daily life – please see my bio above.  In other words, I practice what I preach.  I believe my experience well prepares me for a seat on the Greensboro City Council. Throughout my career, I've chosen jobs and volunteer activities that I felt were clearly of service to my community, and I'd be honored to be given the chance to continue this service as a City Council member.