Morning, gang.

Early voting is winding down for Greensboro’s municipal primary races, with primary day coming next Tuesday, October 7.

This last Sunday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the Citadel Church and Justice 4 the Next Generation’s City Council Summit. It’s the first such candidate forum the church has done, and while there were a few hiccups, it was easily the best and most engaging forum yet this political season.

The church managed to get nearly the entire field of candidates to come out to the event, held in the ballroom of the downtown Marriott. That’s a feat in itself. The production of the event was top-notch, the questions led to a lot of interesting discussion, and the unconventional moderator — activist, and radio personality Dr. Irish Spencer — was disciplined and tough with candidates across the political spectrum.

There were a few uncomfortable moments. At the end of the event, for instance, Spencer delivered a lecture to the assembled candidates and said she was thankful she lived in the county and didn’t have to vote for any of them. Refreshing candor or a bridge too far when moderating a candidate forum? Mileage will vary.

I recommend you check out the excellent video of the event, available on Rev. Greg Drumwright’s YouTube page. The reverend says the church is looking at doing more of these as we head toward the general election. If they do, I’ll certainly be there.

— Joe Killian

Correction: An earlier version of this newsletter inadvertently omitted Dr. Irish Spencer’s last name.

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A Last Gift From Her Father

For Laura Carney, it began with three pieces of folded notebook paper.

Her father’s handwriting covered each of them, front and back. A list of sixty items, titled “Things I Would Like to Do In My Lifetime!”

At first, she and her brother, who found the list, laughed over some of her father’s ambitions in 1978, the year she was born. Some were simply dream travel destinations, from Vienna to St. Thomas. Nearly all were, in one way or another, endearing.

Some in their modesty—“Type forty words a minute correctly,” “Plant an Apple Tree.”

Others in their grandiosity—“Sell millions of dollars worth of merchandise,” “Correspond with the pope.”

A few provided warm insight into the young family man: “Make my wife feel happy, healthy, pretty and young all her life,” “Give my children the most love, the best education, and the best example I can give.”

But the very first item on the list, “Live a long, healthy life until at least the year 2020,” was not to be. Mick Carney was killed in a car accident in 2003, hit by a driver distracted by a mobile phone. He was just 54.

Carney’s father only checked off five of the sixty items on his list. Her book is the story of how she completed the others, reconnecting with him and herself in the process.

Read the full story here.

— Joe Killian

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

What We’re Reading

What Seems to the Problem, Officer?: A Guilford County Sheriff’s Deputy has been charged with driving while impaired and failing to report an accident. Deputy Demetris Rashaun Farrow’s blood alcohol level was nearly two times the legal limit, according to warrant. No one was hurt when Farrow’s car hit a guardrail on West Wendover Avenue. The News & Record has more.

You Thought D.C. Traffic Was Bad Before: A group of 100 veterans are hoping the Triad Honor Flight, wherein they visit memorials to their service in Washington D.C., will carry on Wednesday. But the threat of a looming federal government shutdown could see a lot of sites and services in D.C. offline. WXII has the story.

Honoring the Fallen: This weekend the Greensboro Fire Department will hold a memorial service for colleagues who died over the last year. WFDD has more on the memorial, to be held at Green Hill Cemetery, home of the Firefighters Memorial Statue.

Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.