Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Marion Blackburn has been active in civic, volunteer and neighborhood issues for many years. She serves as the District 3 representative to the Neighborhood Advisory Board in Greenville. She is also on the Convention and Visitors Authority, which promotes tourism and related business activity.

After growing up on a tobacco farm in Edgecombe County, Blackburn completed her education in Chapel Hill and graduate work in Paris before returning to teach in the Rocky Mount public schools. In 1992, Blackburn moved to Greenville.

Her volunteer work began more than 23 years ago when she joined the "Big Brother, Big Sister" program in her hometown. She has served as a patient advocate, mentor to youth and volunteer tutor. Recently, she organized support for creating a park on City-owned land on 10th Street extended (N.C. 33 east) after some officials suggested selling it for development. The land is now part of the City's Parks Master Plan.

In 2008 she led a successful grassroots effort to support the City's Land Use Plan when an out-of-state developer threatened to build a major development in a residential area without adequate street access. After a sustained effort by hundreds of residents, the Greenville City Council voted to support the land use plan and the developer is choosing a suitable commercial site.

She is a freelance writer married to photographer Greg Eans.

Boards & Service

• Neighborhood Advisory Board (current)
• Convention and Visitors Authority (current)
• Greenville Climate Protection Partnership (current)
• Greenville African American Heritage Museum (current)
• Friends of Greenville Greenways (current)
• Neighborhood Association co-president (current)
• Mental Health Association president and volunteer (2004-06)
• Study group leader, St. Paul's Episcopal Church (2000-2003)

I am honored to seek election to the Greenville City Council to represent District 3. I can't think of a better City to be a part of. I've always had a strong interest in my community and feel more committed than ever to serving it. We will need dedicated, hard-working leadership in the months ahead as our City faces tough economic choices. We will need good decision makers on our Council.

A good decision maker acts out of courage -- and not fear -- and gladly accepts challenges. I am ready for these challenges. My goals are to improve all aspects of the community. We'll need sound fiscal stewardship in the next two years, but we must support the exceptional quality of life that attracts well-paying jobs and economic growth.

We need to make sure we move forward, and not retreat from progress. We must also support programs that advance our quality of life, reduce crime and cultivate economic growth, including green initiatives.

Several ideas are key to my campaign. But in short, I believe in Common Sense and Common Ground.

Common Sense means carefully weighing our information, and making reasonable choices for our community.

Common ground means we don't have to make arbitrary choices, such as between economic development and quality of life. They go together. We can achieve win-win solutions by finding our common ground and moving forward.

My priorities include

• A robust cityscape with vibrant neighborhoods.
• Safe homes and streets.
• Enhanced economic development, including green initiatives.
• A thriving Uptown area.
• A walkable, bikable City that nourishes parks and open spaces.

I hope I will have your support on Nov. 3.