Pam Syfert
Reflections of a retiring City Manager
By Jill Santuccio
 
In her more than 35 years with the City of Charlotte, soon-to-be-retired City of Charlotte Manager Pam Syfert saw the population swell from 250,000 to more than 664,000, the annual budget multiply from $4.8 million to $1.6 billion and the property tax rate go from $1.64 to 45.86 cents. She attributed her exposure to Rotary to former city manager and past Rotary president David Burkhalter, who used to regale city staff with jokes he prepped for Health & Happiness.
 
During her tenure, Pam worked for seven different mayors and numerous city council members, most of whom she remembered fondly. She characterized them as having visionary leadership, a spirit of growth and the ability to tolerate controversy.
 
Illustrating the city leaders' ability to "build, tear down and rebuild" and "make the tough decisions," she discussed the 1970s bond referendum that added a new terminal to Charlotte-Douglas Airport. When the bonds didn't pass the first time, city leadership retooled the referendum so it would pass the second time.
 
Similar "tough" construction projects that transpired over the past 35 years included the convention center and the Charlotte Coliseum that occupied more than 150 acres on Tyvola Road from 1988-2007. "Unfortunately, it wasn't built to NBA standards," she said.
 
Perhaps her proudest accomplishments were in the areas of housing and neighborhoods. Through multiple bond referenda, more than $110 million has been reinvested into communities over the past decade. One need look no further than the transformation of Fourth Ward and slated improvements to Second Ward to see the vibrancy these bonds contributed to the city's overall health.
 
Quite possibly the most devastating event she lived through as a city employee was Hurricane Hugo in 1989. She recalled a council candidate wanting to volunteer his assistance by answering the Hugo Hotline, which gave rise to the city-county 311 information system. She insisted that he have a certain level of training before he could answer phones and now quips that "it was the only time I was able to get Pat McCrory to take any training."
 
Returning to the theme of elected officials tolerating controversy, Pam harkened back to the nine streetcar lines in the 1920s giving rise to suburbs such as Dilworth and Myers Park. She drew a parallel to today's light rail lines and reminded us that once again, although the lawmakers' decision may not be popular, it is indeed the right thing to do to shape the growth of Charlotte's future.
 
In retirement, Pam hopes to stay involved civically by reinvigorating the spirit of the annual MecDec celebration. Restoring a strong sense of community and historic pride by celebrating the area's independence on that May day will pay tribute to the struggles and sacrifices Charlotte leaders made more than 200 years ago, as well as in the past 35 years.

Head Table: Darrel Stephens, John Lassiter, Luther Moore, Pam Syfert, Mac McCarley, Luther Fincher, Anthony Foxx;
Invocation: Leroy Mayne
Visitors & Guests: Martin Waters; Health & Happiness: JimWoodward; Song: Gregg Walker

• Ed Wadsworth advised Charlotte Sister Cities and International House will be hosting business visitors from the Ukraine this summer. Three of the visitors are in need of one-week intern opportunities. If you can offer assistance, contact Ed at ed@wadsworthgroup.net.
     
• George Wilson and Heidi Barringer have announced plans to marry in September. Congratulations!
      
• Mike Butler and the PRstore were highlighted in the Observer as an example of business leaders moving forward.
 
• CPCC Summer Theatre will present Thoroughly Modern Millie at the new Halton Theater June 22-29. Call the box office at 704-330-6534 or visit arts.cpcc.edu.
 
• HOST FAMILIES ARE NEEDED to cover December 1-March 1 and March 1-June 1 for incoming exchange student Isabel Masa Tejeda. 16-year-old Isa will be attending Charlotte Country Day, and for transportation logistics, a south Charlotte family would be ideal. Contact Ed Wadsworth (ed@wadsworthgroup.net) or Lamar Thomas ( lthomas@washcycle.com) for additional information.

JUNE 26TH 6:00 pm
SMS CATERING
NO LUNCH MEETING

1764 Norland Road - take Central Avenue from downtown area.
Cross through Eastway intersection. Turn right at the next light - Norland Road