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INSIDE ▼ Indoor slide park opening soon
It’s hard to keep something this big under wraps.
Park Pointe Village
PAGE 1B More to love. Coming soon.
Friday, December 12, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 50
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Owens outlines goals after ‘longshot victory’ by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – After taking the oath of office Dec. 1 as District 6 representative on the Charlotte City Council, Kimberly Owens offered some honest expectations for her service over the next two years.
Owens credited family, friends, donors, volunteers and previous District 6 candidates for helping her earn a “longshot victory in District 6” on Nov. 4.
She defeated Republican challenger Krista Bokhari with 56.46% of the 28,812 votes cast to flip a seat long held by Republicans. “While the result of the election was affirming, the real history was made in the weeks and months before November,” Owens said. Her team knocked on more than 15,000 doors and showed up to forums and meetings all over, including the Black Political Caucus, the Service Employees International Union and the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum. “We embrace the entirety of the 125,000 residents of District 6 because District 6 is
not a monolith,” Owens said. “It is not simply privileged zip codes with silver spoons in every kitchen. “District 6, you are the grandparents who are raising grandchildren. You are a person with hearing impairment and your spouse who comes out to sign for me so we can discuss your unique transit needs. You're a caregiver worried about how to safely house an elderly parent nearby. You're a recent college graduate returned to your childhood Story continues, see GOAL page 3A
CHARLOTTE EMPLOYEES BUILD BIKES FOR RIGHT MOVES FOR YOUTH
The Bike Build is a community event in which City of Charlotte employees and their families spend the morning together assembling bikes.
Photos courtesy of City of Charlotte General Services
CHARLOTTE – City of Charlotte employees assembled 50 bicycles Dec. 6 that will be given to students participating in Right Moves for Youth.
Driggs becomes party of one on city council
Councilman Ed Driggs thanked his wife, Caroline, for walking alongside him in his 12 years on the council. They became grandparents for the first time a few weeks ago.
Photos courtesy of City of Charlotte by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
The Spokes Group purchased and donated the bicycles and helmets. Since 2008, the City of Charlotte, Right Moves for Youth and The Spokes Group have partnered to assemble, donate and distribute more than 1,000 bicycles to middle and high school students from economically challenged neighborhoods in Mecklenburg County. “The annual Bike Build initiative is a powerful example of how our community comes together to create meaningful opportunities for deserving students,” said Ryan Grammatico, executive director of Right Moves for Youth. “The generosity and dedication of City of Charlotte employees in building these bikes not only provide tangible gifts but also inspire confidence, joy and a sense of achievement in the students we serve. Their support is the perfect example of the spirit of collaboration that drives positive change in our city and reminds our youth that they are valued and supported.”
CHARLOTTE – Ed Driggs has represented District 7 on the Charlotte City Council for 12 years but this new term will be unique is that he’s the only Republican in the group.
Mayor: Mobility is opportunity By Vi Lyles Contributor
As I begin my fifth term as your mayor, I am deeply grateful. I'm grateful for your trust. I'm grateful for your partnership. And I'm grateful for the honor of continuing to serve a city that I love with my whole heart. Over these years, I've seen so much of Charlotte – its triumphs, its challenges and its remarkable spirit. I've stood with families opening doors to their first homes. I've mourned when community tragedy has touched us. Through all of it, one truth has guided me: Charlotte keeps moving forward. That progress is what I want to talk about tonight. The future of our city depends on how we move. Mobility is more than trains, buses or roads. Mobility is access. Story continues, see OPPORTUNITY page 3A
Kimberly Owens comes into her role as District 6 representative for the Charlotte City Council with the knowledge that her constituents aren’t a monolith. Photo courtesy of City of Charlotte
Mayor Vi Lyles presided over the Dec. 1 swearing in ceremony of Charlotte City Council.
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“I don't approach this situation that I'm in with any air of confrontation or hostility,” Driggs said after taking the oath of office Dec. 1. “I see collaboration, but I think there are things that I can point out to people based on a long history of being a traditional conservative. I think I deplore the current political landscape as much as everyone does. But that is my commitment.” Driggs has earned praise from colleagues over the years for his work in building consensus between neighborhoods and developers when it comes to rezoning projects in the Ballantyne area. “I will continue to commit to the people of D7, my district, to serve all of them whether they voted or not, whether they voted for me or not, whether they wrote in or not,” he said. In this past term, Driggs chaired the council’s Transportation, Planning and Development Committee and has represented the city on the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The CRTPO held key votes this year that led to the passing of the 1-cent sales tax for transportation in last month’s election. Driggs said the council has work to do in moving the mobility plan forward as well as launching an authority to finance, operate and maintain the transit system. “That's going to pay great dividends to the city,” Driggs said. “Over the coming year, you'll start to see sidewalk investments and other improvements. And then, of course, over the span of five and 10 years, amazing changes in Charlotte.” Driggs also said the council still has work to do with the Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans, which contain Story continues, see DRIGGS page 3A