Just heard the news that former Charlotte city councilman Don Lochman passed away last night.
Lochman had opted not to run for a fifth term in November, in large part to spend more time with his family. WBT’s Pete Kaliner reports that Lochman passed while visiting with family members in Philadelphia.
Since I returned to Charlotte in 2003, Lochman had been the most consistent and principled opponent of wild spending plans drawn up by local officials and interests. Lochman was often the only member of the city council to raise basic, common-sense questions about the financial assumptions behind a given plan or policy. This reflected his long and successful business background.
I always found him personable, open, and in good humor — the hallmarks of a statesman going back to the Hellenic Age. He served his community well and made Charlotte a better place as a result. He put in long, often thankless hours doing so, sacrificing time with his family in the bargain. We are in their debt as a result.
He will be greatly missed.
Update: This CO account adds some more perspective.
