Clodfelter sworn in as Charlotte's newest mayor

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city of Charlotte has a new mayor. Dan Clodfelter was sworn in to office Wednesday at noon, replacing Patrick Cannon who stepped down as mayor after being arrested on federal corruption charges.

On the agenda after his swearing in is tackling the city's budget in the Council's final budget workshop before City Manager Ron Carlee makes his recommendation on May 5.
 
However, at the forefront of Clodfelter's mind and many other people's minds in Charlotte, is getting past the arrest of former mayor Patrick Cannon. Cannon resigned from office on March 26 when he was arrested on federal corruption and bribery charges.
 
Cannon is accused of accepting at least $48,000 in cash from undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation agents posing as commercial developers who asked for his political power in development projects.
 
Clodfelter, 63, is the city's fourth mayor in a year.
 
Anthony Foxx resigned in July 2013 to become the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
 
Councilwoman Patsy Kinsey was appointed to replace him until Cannon was elected in November.
 
Cyndee Patterson worked alongside Clodfelter on Charlotte City Council.
 
"He's the right person to kind of lead us in this moment," said Patterson.
 
Clodfelter served on the Council from 1987 to 1993. He was on a budget committee with Patterson and two others during the 20-year stretch the city did not raise property taxes.
 
"We had big things happening in Charlotte. We had to create a contract for the use of the coliseum so we could get the original Hornets basketball team," Patterson said.
 
Clodfelter was also a part of the Council that brought the Panthers to Charlotte, built a new convention center and issued the first bonds for low-income housing that would eventually evolve into the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership.
 
Charlotte now faces many issues, including the light-rail extension and a power struggle with state lawmakers over control over the airport. Gov. Pat McCrory said he's already been dealing with Clodfelter in the state house in recent years. He's prepared to hammer out Charlotte's issues with him now.
 
"We were both City Council members together," said McCrory. "We worked fine together then, and I anticipate us working fine together in a mayor's/governor's relationship."
 
The governor said he called Clodfelter to congratulate him on his new role. The two served alongside each other on City Council in the late 1980s.

WSOC