New Charlotte mayor shakes up City Council assignments

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just days after being sworn into office, Jennifer Roberts' tenure as Charlotte's new mayor is being attacked. 

"This is a radical administration that I wish no part of," City Councilwoman Claire Fallon said.

Fallon is mad at the mayor because she said she's being punished politically for endorsing former mayor Dan Clodfelter.

Roberts on Wednesday released a list of assignments to city council committees that vet issues before they come to before the full city council. 

The assignments are one of the few powers that the mayor of Charlotte has.

The result has been a shuffling of key positions, including one held by Fallon.

Roberts demoted her from being chair of the Community Safety Committee. 

Fallon was still assigned to the committee but will rank below newcomer Julie Eiselt, whom Roberts named chair, and also below Al Austin, who has less seniority.

In addition, Fallon was taken off the coveted Economic Development Committee. 

As a result, Fallon said she'll refuse to serve on any committees to which Roberts assigns her. 

"You don't just take someone and put them where you want to put them to bury them.  And that's what she's doing," Fallon said. "It's her prerogative. But it's my prerogative to say, 'No.'"

Among the council members appointed to chair committees are James Mitchell and LaWana Mayfield, whose associations with the African-American and LGBT communities represent key Roberts constituencies.

Political expert Eric Heberlig believes that, for good or bad, Roberts has gotten the attention of City Council members.
 
"This is her way of sending a strong message that she expects them to follow her lead or face consequences," Heberlig said.

Fallon isn't the only council member who lost a key position. 

After 12 years of leading the Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee, Patsy Kinsey was replaced as chair. 
She didn't respond to a request for comment.

Neither did Roberts, who said earlier this week that she believes some committees needed "fresh voices."

The new mayor and city council will meet for the first time next week.

Committee assignments: 

Community Safety:
2015-2017 Committee Assignments
Chair: Julie Eiselt
Vice Chair: Al Austin
Members (3)
Claire Fallon
Gregg Phipps
Kenny Smith