Mary Ramsey

Charlotte, North Carolina

Local Government Accountability Reporter at The Charlotte Observer

Working w/ words @theobserver | @UofSC_SJMC alum | Pizza aficionado | Past gigs: @courierjournal, @azcentral/@DJNF, @thesunnews, @thegamecock

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Articles

Charlotte City Council member alleges corruption amid reported CMPD settlement

1 week ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey

In an evening email from her campaign account, Charlotte City Council member Victoria Watlington alleged corruption within city government. She didn't specify a particular incident, but her message came the same day as new reporting about a city settlement with CMPd Chief Johnny Jennings. CITY OF CHARLOTTE Charlotte City Council member Victoria Watlington alleged corruption within city government in an email to supporters Tuesday night amid reports of a settlement with the city's police chief.
Charlotte City Council member alleges corruption amid reported CMPD settlement

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Mary Ramsey

Charlotte City Council member Victoria Watlington alleged corruption within city government in an email to supporters Tuesday night amid reports of a settlement with the city’s police chief.
Charlotte mayor 'stands with' CMPD Chief Jennings during reported settlement

1 week ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles says she supports Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings amid reports of a settlement with him to avoid a lawsuit. The City Council voted Monday in a closed session to settle with Jennings ahead of a potential lawsuit over now former-Council member Tariq Bokhari's push to get new bulletproof vests for police officers, WFAE reported. Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC first reported Friday city leaders were considering settling with Jennings.
What's in Charlotte's proposed '26 budget

1 week ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey

Charlotte residents may soon pay more to the city despite property tax rates staying flat. City Manager Marcus Jones' proposed budget, presented to the City Council Monday night, doesn't include a property tax increase. But it proposes fee hikes for some city services to help make up for stagnant sales tax revenues, Jones said. The budget proposal also shakes up the structure of the city's Animal Care and Control department after years of advocacy from local volunteers.
Charlotte city attorney received payouts of more than $230k after departure

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey

Charlotte paid now-former City Attorney Patrick Baker more than $230,000 after he reportedly was forced out of his job last year, public records show. WFAE reported in October that Mayor Vi Lyles and a majority of the Charlotte City Council voted in closed session to "end" Baker's employment, in part due to Baker's decision to fulfill a public records request from the NPR affiliate.
Charlotte city attorney received payouts of more than $230k after departure

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Mary Ramsey

Charlotte paid now-former City Attorney Patrick Baker more than $230,000 after he reportedly was forced out of his job last year, public records show. WFAE reported in October that Mayor Vi Lyles and a majority of the Charlotte City Council voted in closed session to “end” Baker’s employment, in part due to Baker’s decision to fulfill a public records request from the NPR affiliate.
Trump admin cuts may open 'significant service gaps,' Charlotte-area nonprofits say

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey |Nick Sullivan |Nora O’Neill

People wait outside the Lucille Giles Center, a shelter run by Roof Above, on Statesville Avenue in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The center opens at 4 p.m. each day on a first come, first serve basis. Space is available only for the night and people start lining up for a bed in the early afternoon. [email protected] A Charlotte nonprofit focused on homelessness. A city trying to shore up its water supply. A group serving domestic violence survivors.
Want to join Charlotte City Council? How the District 6 vacancy will be filled

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey

The Charlotte City Council plans to add its newest member by early June. Council members approved a plan Monday to appoint someone to finish out the term of now-former Councilman Tariq Bokhari. Bokhari, a Republican and four-term representative for south Charlotte's District 6, officially resigned April 28 to become deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. Charlotte will open an application period to the public Wednesday for the seat, though not everyone is eligible to apply.
Mecklenburg Democrats elect new leader after post-2024 election division

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey

Mecklenburg County Democrats are moving on from their embattled leader with a new chair. The Mecklenburg County Democratic Party electedformer state representative and statewide candidate Wesley Harris as chairman at their yearly convention Saturday at Little Rock AME Zion Church. He'll lead the county party through the 2026 midterms as it looks to defend its dominance in local races, improve Democratic margins in the General Assembly and counter the Trump administration's sweeping policy shifts.
After Mecklenburg Democrats' post-election turmoil, will party pick a new leader?

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Mary Ramsey

Mecklenburg Democrats are poised to pick their next leader after months of turmoil following the 2024 election. The Mecklenburg County Democratic Party will hold its convention Saturday, including electing the county party's next chair. Candidates include former state representative and Council of State candidate Wesley Harris, who is challenging current Chairman Drew Kromer.