Charlotte City Council on Edge About Economy

Wachovia's uncertain future has Charlotte's City Council on edge. The first hour of the council's meeting tonight will focus on discussing which bid for the Charlotte-based bank will be best for the city's economy. The Charlotte City Council will quiz Chamber President Bob Morgan about the status of each offer in the rapidly-changing battle for Wachovia. Councilman John Lassiter says the council is hoping to settle on a unified message about the Wachovia situation. "It's not so much picking a bid, it's picking what's best for Charlotte," says Lassiter, who chairs the city's economic development committee. "We want Bob Morgan to walk through the various scenarios and how to we put Charlotte in the best position. And the best position is what preserves the most jobs for our community." While the City Council has little control over which offer ultimately prevails for Wachovia, Lassiter says the council may help convince the bank's suitors to keep a strong presence in Charlotte after the deal is done.