"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
First, Ken Lewis says he'll run Bank of America for the long haul.
Then... instead of running B-of-A... he's suddenly just running from our questions.
But this isn't an editorial about Ken Lewis.
This is an editorial about his bank.
Whether or not you agree with B-of-A's practices... if you live in Charlotte you should care what happens to it.
You should want Lewis's replacement to be a leader who is pro-Charlotte.
Just the thought -- just the mere thought -- of Bank of America's headquarters moving to New York or Boston should get your attention.
If you live in Charlotte, there is no escaping the bank's influence.
You don't have to appreciate it... but we're asking you today to recognize it.
15-thousand people work at the bank's thirteen buildings in Charlotte.
The biggest is the 60-story Corporate Center...Which is also the largest skyscraper between Philadelphia and Atlanta.
The bank isn't just business. It spends major bucks on charities and sports... most obviously the stadium.
Its employees are on virtually every community board around.
The bank is not just a job for wealthy families. Its tentacles reach across our area.
As the search for a new CEO keeps stretching out... keep that in mind.
This is an important story to our city, and one we should follow closely.
Because WBTV is "On Your Side," we encourage everyone to "Speak Out" – tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
