Channel 9 obtains texts and emails from city officials discussing HB2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 obtained text messages and emails exchanged back and forth as city leaders debated a deal that would repeal House Bill 2.

Gov. Pat McCrory had said he'd call a special session to repeal HB2 if Charlotte repealed its non-discrimination ordinance, but Charlotte refused.

Interim City Manager Ron Kimble received a text message on Sept. 16 from Sandy D'elousa, director of corporate communications and marketing for Charlotte.

She sent him a screenshot of Channel 9’s push alert saying McCrory is in for a repeal of HB2 but only if Charlotte City Council acts first.

Channel 9 obtained text messages sent to and from Kimble while council was considering repealing its ordinance.

Council Member-at-large James Mitchell told Kimble that he spoke with Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford, who told him there's an excellent chance the college basketball championship football game would be played in Charlotte if HB2 was repealed.

“Just had a conference call with Jim Swofford [sic]. Jim stated if we could help to get HB2 repealed next week [sic]. There is an excellent chance we could still host the 2016 ACC Championship Game in Charlotte,” Mitchell wrote in a text, adding a smiley face, thumbs up emoji and clapping hands emoji to the end of the message.

The Charlotte Chamber CEO replied correcting Mitchell on Swofford’s name and said “good news.”

Kimble also received a text from Chris Thomas, a partner with Childress Klein.

He said Councilwoman Julie Eiselt wanted to make a motion for a conditional repeal of the non-discrimination ordinance based on the state repealing HB2.

“Ron – it’s Chris Thomas (with real estate firm Childress Klein) – you’re no doubt exhausted from a weekend full of talk of a deal with the State to have HB2 repealed following a Charlotte repeal of its ordinance.

"I’m not sure that there are more than five votes in place at this point, but we sincerely hope that the matter will be on tomorrow night’s agenda by one way or another. Julie Eiselt shared an idea with Joe Padilla to make a motion for a conditional repeal based on the state’s commitment to repeal HB2 within 90 days. Please know that many of us in the business community are ready to go to the mat to support the City on this. We must give this compromise a chance. Many thanks,” Thomas wrote.

On Sunday evening, there was a conference call involving Mayor Jennifer Roberts, several City Council members, Charlotte's attorney and lobbyists.

Kimble said in a text message Monday evening that he would work with the Governor's office to set ground rules so no questions about HB2 could be asked.

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