Friday, September 13, 2002

Hayes e-mail mentions 'uncomfortable areas'



Congressman Robin Hayes' campaign is calling for its most intrepid volunteers to talk with voters in certain Charlotte neighborhoods.

Meet at Eastland Mall Saturday morning, said an e-mail sent to Mecklenburg County Republicans Thursday. And don't worry about your safety in the mixed-income area.

"NRA members will cover neighborhoods that might be uncomfortable for some volunteers," the e-mail said. "Women & children will walk Univ. area."

Hayes, R-N.C., of Concord, faces Democrat Chris Kouri of Charlotte in a race expected to generate heavy campaigning and national interest.

The district stretches east from Charlotte to Fayetteville, including parts of Cabarrus and Union counties. This year, the N.C. General Assembly changed his 8th District to include Democratic-leaning parts of Charlotte, including neighborhoods off Central Avenue, Independence Boulevard and N.C. 49.

Hayes campaign manager Richard Hudson said the campaign's basic concern isn't crime, but safety from fast-moving traffic on busy streets such as Independence and Central. High school students often volunteer to do the precinct walks.

"I could understand, going back and reading it, that it could have been worded better," Hudson said.

So will those National Rifle Association members be carrying guns? Hudson said he hopes not.

"I'm not going to speculate as to what they meant or didn't mean by that," said Kouri spokesman Paul Blank. "If other people want to say what they think that means, (they can)."