Goodbye GreensboroMetro...Hello Vegas Valley View

It's time to hang the "Closed sign" up on GreensboroMetro.

Hello Vegas Valley View. Yes, Vegas...as in Las Vegas!

Visit and bookmark the all-new Vegas Valley View on http://vegasvalleyview.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Greensboro, for the memories.

E.C. :)

Why I resigned from the city's Planning Board

It is with deep sadness and regret that I tendered my resignation
from the Greensboro Planning Board effective immediately. Sadly,
recent personal events in my family have ultimately led to this sudden
and untimely decision.

One of which is the personal, yet-shocking discovery that several of
my maternal family members are victims in the recent and
widely-publicized disinterment of deceased individuals at a
Chicago-area cemetery. While the true horror of this discovery is
starting to settle in, I suddenly now find myself becoming immensely involved in working
with family members and both law enforcement officials and legal
experts in finding answers, which will be a time consuming effort.

In addition, my family is one of many in the Triad that struggles to
survive paycheck to paycheck, working in a service-oriented economy.
While I consider myself part of Greensboro's dwindling "creative
class," I'm finding myself needing to rededicate more time to securing
better employment, even if it is outside of the Piedmont Triad. While
I would hate to relocate, our family may not have much choice if our
local economy fails to improve quickly, nor if an adequate number of
jobs that I'm degreed for are not brought into the area.

Because I'm involved with these two pressing issues, it is unfair to
the citizens of Greensboro to provide the necessary leadership
required when pressing family concerns warrant my immediate attention.

While my tenure was short, I appreciated serving the citizens of this city.

May God truly bless the citizens of Greensboro and Guilford County.

E.C. :)

Out of tragedy comes triumph

Out of tragedy comes triumph.

It's been a few years since I've flown back home to Chicago (I moved away permanently back in late 1997). But after a relative passed away on my father's side of the family, I found myself flying up late last week. It was good to see my old hometown, even if it was only for a short period.

And while I was well-prepared to blog about seeing my old hometown again and discuss the creative class being very much alive and well in the Windy City and discuss comparisons and contrasts, I got side-tracked.

For the "tragic" part was not the event itself that I flew up for, but what was waiting for me as I opened up the Chicago Sun-Times on my US Airways (shameless plug) flight back to CLT (and ultimately to GSO). It nearly made me sick to my stomach.

A front page story last Thursday reported that over 300 bodies at a southwest Chicago-area cemetery were dug up. Bodies unearthed, like weeds in a field. Burial records destroyed. Plots resold in a massive scheme. Four arrests were made and the FBI has joined the investigation. Chicago Tribune coverage here. The latest from the Cook County Sheriff can be found here.

Normally, I would have read a story like this and would have shook my head...but this was different. See, there is a problem: I have personal ties to this cemetery. And at last count, according to family, I have at least eight relatives buried in this cemetery. Our family counts are continuing.

I shudder the thought of printed pictures like this below (Sun-Times courtesy) where officers from the Cook County Sheriff's Office are combing over the now-shuttered cemetery grounds, hallowed grounds that house remains of my great grandmother and great great grandmother. As of now, we have no information as to if those remains are intact or untouched. We are uncertain if the cemetery's records are intact or destroyed. My family back in Chicago has no information at all.

Talk about a unique kind of stress.

The cemetery, now closed due to the gruesome crime scene that exists there today, is home to many families of color on Chicago's South Side. And as I am quickly educating myself on the history of Burr Oak Cemetery, and its unique relationship to predominantly black funeral homes on Chicago's South Side, I'm constantly reminded that out of tragedy comes triumph.

Triumph in the sense that even though my family is scattered across the country, we're brought together in times of tragedy such as this. And we're made stronger.

While the shock hasn't quite hit yet, the anger is starting to grip me. How could human beings with a conscience do this? How could something like this be allowed to happen? It is my hope and prayer that these questions will be answered in time.

But for now, I'm left to wonder what is happening 600 miles away. We're all left to wonder why and how. And we're left to ask questions...hoping to get answers.

Answers will come. I'm hopeful and prayerful.

E.C. :)

Tax increases? Because she's the governor, dammit

She actually said that...well, not the "D" word, but in defending why she wants to raise taxes to attempt to plug a shortfall in the budget, she said:

"Because I'm the governor."

Moron...

E.C. :)

Still stuck on stupid...

Undoubtedly, this post is going to offend some of you...I apologize in advance. I mean no harm.

But this really has me agitated...the Triad's local economy has been stuck (on stupid) for the past decade, and yet, our so-called economic developers continue the madness of promoting this area (even to out-of-state honchos) as a big aerotropolis. Another article in today's N&R points this out.

An op-ed than ran over the weekend by Dan Lynch shows us that we still don't have the crown jewels to think high...no. Instead, we race to board a developer's private plane in an effort to build a multi-million dollar site in the southern part of downtown for a school system that's broke, building a hotel and office complex for a city that has no jobs...and I don't mean service jobs.

Remember, I work a $9/hour service job in Winston-Salem; it barely pays the bills, we struggle, but we're surviving. And yet, I continue to get frustrated when I see empty websites (ones I frequent) like this:

	Companies may advertise a position opening in the PRSA Job Bank. The charge is $75 for members and $100 for non-members. The available position will be e-mailed to chapter members, listed in the next monthly chapter newsletter and in the job notebook available at every chapter meeting. It will also be posted on the Web site two weeks after the initial e-mail to members. For more information on our Job Bank, contact our Job Bank chair, at jobbank@prsatarheel.org. Also be sure to check the PRSSA JobCenter for more job hunting resources. Position City State

*************************************************
that's right....empty.

It makes me question my future...and my role in this area.

This area cannot survive on a service-based economy. It cannot. If you think it can, look to articles like this, where we continue to play 3rd fiddle to Raleigh and Charlotte, with a population loss.

And for those of you planning a run for City Council, heed this now...think higher, think broader, think jobs...GOOD jobs, so that this area can survive. Otherwise, you will not get my vote.

E.C. :)

PTI E-fares for 7/2/09

After some well-deserved days away from the Triad, I'm back...and it is good to be back.
*******************************

Fare Deals

ACT NOW Many fares have time limitations for response and are removed from this site as the special fare offer time expires. Many fares are only available for 48 hours. If you are interested in a specific fare, you should inquire as soon as possible because seats and availability are limited. Many fares are for online purchase only. You may also check with your travel agent for other low fares from PTI.

EVERYTHING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Low Fare information is provided to PTI by individual airlines and is subject to airline conditions. We make our best effort to keep the information current and accurate, but cannot guarantee all fares are available at all times. Please use the Airline Links to check specific airline fares, availability and conditions. All fares are subject to change without notice.

United Airlines
	Chicago (Same Day Return Special) ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Same Day Return" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart before 11:00 a.m. CT and after 4:00 p.m. CT Sat., July 4, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$134.00
	Cleveland ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Domestic This Week" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart Sat., July 4; return Mon., July 6 or Tues, July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$140.00
	Columbus ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Domestic This Week" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart Sat., July 4; return Mon., July 6 or Tues, July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$140.00
	Dayton ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Domestic This Week" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart Sat., July 4; return Mon., July 6 or Tues, July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$140.00
	Knoxville ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Domestic This Week" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart Sat., July 4; return Mon., July 6 or Tues, July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$140.00
	St. Louis ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Domestic This Week" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart Sat., July 4; return Mon., July 6 or Tues, July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$178.00
	Tampa ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Domestic This Week" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart Sat., July 4; return Mon., July 6 or Tues, July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$172.00
	Washington, DC ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Domestic This Week" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart Sat., July 4; return Mon., July 6 or Tues, July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$186.00
	Washington, DC (Same Day Return Special) ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at united.com, click "E-Fares Specials" and select the "Same Day Return" tab by Fri., July 3. Depart before 11:00 a.m. CT and after 4:00 p.m. CT Sat., July 4, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$134.00
US Airways
	Charlotte ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at usairwayscom, click "Specials" and select "e-saver specials" by Sat., July 4 at 9 p.m. PT. Depart Sat., July 4; return Sun., July 5 through Tues., July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.	$138.00
	Washington, DC ROUND TRIP. Purchase online only at usairwayscom, click "Specials" and select "e-saver specials" by Sat., July 4 at 9 p.m. PT. Depart Sat., July 4; return Sun., July 5 through Tues., July 7, 2009. Price does not include taxes or fees.

$150.00

Welcome to Winston-Salem?

So the Piedmont Triad Research Park lays off staff, including its executive director and marketing director (guess not a whole lot of research is going on right now)...at the same time a baseball team wants more money from Winston-Salem coffers.

Ahh, the irony.

Welcome to Winston-Salem.

E.C. :)

Welcome to Greensboro?

So another 121 workers in this city get pink slips, only days after your city council increased water rates for city residents...simultaneously while"synerG" staff promote a new welcome brochure to the city's rapidly dwindling pool of young professionals.

Ahh, the irony.


Welcome to Greensboro.

E.C. :)

PTI E-fares for 6/10/09

TO ROUND TRIP FROM PTI: Albany $168 See this fare Atlanta $118 See this fare Boston $190 See this fare Chicago $202 See this fare Cleveland $150 See this fare Nashville $150 See this fare Rochester $150 See this fare Syracuse $158 See this fare Washington, DC $150 See this fare Click here for more special fares

Use the links provided in this e-mail or visit the PTI website FlyFromPTI.com and use the Fare Deals links from the PTI web site to see this and other special fare offers when possible. Some airlines will have a special button called, "Special Fares, or Promotional Fares" that will link you to fares not found through the regular booking or search process.

It is important to book a fare early because fares are subject to change and availability and go very quickly. You can also check with your travel agent to assist you with special fares from PTI.

Low Fare information is provided to PTI by individual airlines and is subject to airline conditions. We make our best effort to keep the information current and accurate but we can not guarantee that all fares are available at all times. Listed fares are for one adult, round trip and do not include applicable taxes and fees.

And remember flying from PTI is the best way to keep the air service we have and to attract new service. In other words, we need to use it or we will lose it.

Thanks for flying from PTI

Confirmed: NC is the Land of the Lost

I had this back on May 26 where I grew concerned about the median lighting along I-40 was out in several long stretches during the evening hours. Now, CBS-2 WFMY has the "developing story" over just why this has happened.

The state is broke. Gee, so what else is new.

All that money spent putting the lights up...just for decoration. Sad.

E.C. :)

Knight rules the Day

...yesterday, that is, when the former one-time city council candidate announced his run for mayor of Greensboro. Tony Wilkins has some shots on Knight's presser yesterday. I think the momentum is there for others around town to make strong inroads inside City Hall.

The time is right.

E.C. :)

Stimulus money may fund new tower at PTI

Airport officials at PTI reportedly want to use federal stimulus money to build a new control tower at the Piedmont Triad International Airport.

State Sen. Don Vaughan (D-Guilford) told local freelance journalist/blogger Erik Huey in an interview that PTI brass recently met with the Greensboro area legislator to explore the possibility of tapping some of the $6.1 billion coming into North Carolina from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Sen. Vaughan, who sits on the Select Senate Committee for Economic Recovery, said the current control tower's height is of concern to airport officials because of the lack of a clear vantage point and sight lines toward the airport's new runway and associated taxiways.

"I met with [PTI executive director] Ted Johnson, and also brought in NCDOT Secretary Gene Conti and DOT Board chairman Doug Galyon...we toured the new runway, the new FedEx and HondaJet facilities and I sent a letter on behalf of the airport requesting what stimulus money that could be used for the airport and how it can best be used," Vaughan said. "The height of the [existing] tower is a big concern to airport officials, you can’t see the traffic. It will be a critical need for the airport."

It is uncertain what the timeline would be for constructing a new tower, or if one would be funded using federal stimulus money. Vaughan said his committee is hosting at least 2-3 hearings a week while mulling through various stimulus money requests from municipalities statewide.

PTI E-fares for 6/3/09

TO ROUND TRIP FROM PTI: Albany $166 See this fare Boston $188 See this fare Charlotte $138 See this fare Chicago $202 See this fare Cleveland $140 See this fare Columbus $140 See this fare Dayton $140 See this fare Indianapolis $130 See this fare Knoxville $140 See this fare Milwaukee $186 See this fare Nashville $140 See this fare New York / Newark $119 See this fare Orlando $158 See this fare Pittsburgh $140 See this fare Rochester $150 See this fare St. Louis $176 See this fare Syracuse $156 See this fare Tampa $172 See this fare Washington, DC (Same Day Return) $134 See this fare Washington, DC $186 See this fare Click here for more special fares

Use the links provided in this e-mail or visit the PTI website FlyFromPTI.com and use the Fare Deals links from the PTI web site to see this and other special fare offers when possible. Some airlines will have a special button called, "Special Fares, or Promotional Fares" that will link you to fares not found through the regular booking or search process.

It is important to book a fare early because fares are subject to change and availability and go very quickly. You can also check with your travel agent to assist you with special fares from PTI.

Low Fare information is provided to PTI by individual airlines and is subject to airline conditions. We make our best effort to keep the information current and accurate but we can not guarantee that all fares are available at all times. Listed fares are for one adult, round trip and do not include applicable taxes and fees.

And remember flying from PTI is the best way to keep the air service we have and to attract new service. In other words, we need to use it or we will lose it.

Thanks for flying from PTI

Goldie Wells engages in a little race hustlin'

From today's N&R:

“For a person running for the district, particularly for the predominantly African American district, if the first person who declared is a white fellow, it is a Herculean feat (to win),” said Goldie Wells, who will leave the seat this year. “That person has to be someone who the citizens feel will fight for them and keep them from falling backwards,” Wells said of her potential successor.

Some things are better left unsaid.

E.C. ;)

More candidates come out

Local activist Ben Holder will announce today his intent to run in D-1 against likely opponent T. Dianne Bellamy-Small. A natural decision by Holder. And judging by his recent statements in front of City Council, Holder is a fan of transparency and accountability; something this Council desperately needs. Good move. This one bears watching.

Other names likely for D-1 include a rematch with Luther Falls, who challenged Small two years ago, along with political unknown Daron Sellars.

Meanwhile in D-2, N&R hears the name of Jim Kee, co-chair of Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro, who may challenge Ryan Shell for the D-2 seat. And school board rep Deena Hayes' name is still alive and active out there.

Finally, Mayor Yvonne Johnson formally kicked off her campaign over the past weekend.

yawn...

This is funny:

If re-elected, she will aggressively pursue bringing businesses to Greensboro to get people to work, Johnson told family members and supporters at the Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.

I'm sorry, but did I miss something? Johnson has a record, and it is dismal. Where has she been? There has been almost no job creation in this city during her tenure...none. I'll betcha a dollar to a Krispy Kreme donut that more businesses have LEFT than have come.

Coverage from N&R and YES! Weekly.

E.C. ;)

PTI to JetAmerica: we WANT you

PTI officials, of course, are interested in this start-up...just one thing though, to PTAA chairman Henry Isaacson: don't open your wallet just yet, puhleese!!!!!!!!

E.C. ;)

It's done

It's just about to ready to open...a soft opening, I guess.

FedEx will unveil it's new hub beginning next week, the N&R reports. It appears that the aircraft service PTI already will simply shift over to the new facility first before flights are added. The new runway/taxiways aren't quite ready yet.

N&R:

FedEx , which expects weak demand through 2009, is delaying the start of overnight sorting operations at PTI for a few months and with a much smaller work force than anticipated.

By fall, depending upon the economy, the hub will begin its sorting operations with 200 additional workers, mostly part-time with benefits.

The company has not begun hiring those workers and will not announce its hiring process until it feels confident the economy can support the expansion.

The total of 350 workers is far lower than the 600 to 800 workers the company had predicted earlier that it would need when the hub opens.

Troubling...

E.C. :)

JetAmerica possibly to serve PTI?

Not your father's JetAmerica...the airline's original namesake was a victim of deregulation in the 1980s, based in Long Beach, Calif. flying MD-80s, and eventually being absorbed by Alaska Airlines.

The "new" JetAmerica kicks off in July with $9 fares, and has the Triad in its radar scope.

Another SkyBus? Another failure with its hands out? Hope not. (but its website doesn't seem to be working)

N&R:

Clearwater, Fla.-based JetAmerica said on Tuesday that 34 nonstop passenger flights a week will start July 13 at Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Ind.; Melbourne, Fla.; Newark, N.J.; Minneapolis and Lansing, Mich. Twenty-eight flights start or end at Newark Liberty International Airport. The carrier will add six more flights — from Toledo to Minneapolis — starting Aug. 14.

And in its news release announcing the new service, the airline stated it could expand to the Triad. Among its "future focus cities under consideration in 2009" are Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

John Weikle, chief executive of JetAmerica, said the subsidies from some of the cities it will serve in July will help insulate the new carrier from spikes in jet fuel prices. Higher fuel prices have contributed to the failures of at least four major airlines since 9/11. Smaller carriers have also been hurt.

Good luck...God bless...

E.C. :)

PTI E-Fares for 5/27/09

As a public service, GSOMetro will begin forwarding the weekly PTI E-fares published every Wednesday. I'm not getting any kick-back from this, it's simply a public service. I've been using PTI a lot lately and like they say, we need to use it or we will lose it.

TO ROUND TRIP FROM PTI: Albany $166 See this fare Austin $230 See this fare Boston $188 See this fare Chicago $202 See this fare Cleveland $140 See this fare Columbus $140 See this fare Dayton $140 See this fare Houston $179 See this fare Indianapolis $130 See this fare Knoxville $140 See this fare Milwaukee $186 See this fare Nashville $140 See this fare New York/Newark $119 See this fare Norfolk $140 See this fare Pittsburgh $140 See this fare Philadelphia $174 See this fare Rochester $150 See this fare San Antonio $232 See this fare St. Louis $186 See this fare Syracuse $156 See this fare Tampa $172 See this fare Washington, DC $150 See this fare Click here for more special fares

Use the links provided in this e-mail or visit the PTI website FlyFromPTI.com and use the Fare Deals links from the PTI web site to see this and other special fare offers when possible. Some airlines will have a special button called, "Special Fares, or Promotional Fares" that will link you to fares not found through the regular booking or search process.

It is important to book a fare early because fares are subject to change and availability and go very quickly. You can also check with your travel agent to assist you with special fares from PTI.

Low Fare information is provided to PTI by individual airlines and is subject to airline conditions. We make our best effort to keep the information current and accurate but we can not guarantee that all fares are available at all times. Listed fares are for one adult, round trip and do not include applicable taxes and fees.

And remember flying from PTI is the best way to keep the air service we have and to attract new service. In other words, we need to use it or we will lose it.

Thanks for flying from PTI

Speaking of DOT...

...do they know that only about 1% of the fancy new median lighting on I-40 between the I-40-Bus. 40 split in western Guilford Co. to about High Point Rd. is actually working? Why have lights down the middle of an urban expressway if they don't work?

I don't want to turn this into a DOT blog, but I'm seeing a lot of things during my late-night commute that really get under my skin, and this is one of them.

E.C. :)

Beltway/I-40 Signage Solution

There was a simple fix to the Beltway/I-40 signage mess...make the ENTIRE Urban Loop signed as 840, not just the northern part of the loop. Make it 840 Inner Loop and 840 Outer Loop. If the idiots at DOT would've done that from the start, the signage fiasco would've never have happened.

440 is signed all the way around Raleigh, 485 is signed all the way around Charlotte...again, things have to be done differently in the good ole' Triad. And if it's starting to make you wonder why the Triad continues to be the ugly stepchild of the state, stupid things like this should enlighten you as to why that's the case.

Just venting...

E.C. :)

Ryan goes for 2

City Council candidate Ryan Shell announced today that he will seek the nod for Dist. 2 instead of at-large. So far, Shell remains the only announced candidate for D-2. Smart move.

Shell tells GSOMetro:

"We are one step closer to doing what some call 'impossible.' By having a clear vision I firmly believe we can completely transition Greensboro in to the city we all know it can be...This campaign is about transparency (not the talking point - the actual thing), collaboration and uniting others."

It will also set up an interesting saga if School Board member Deena Hayes decides to change her mind and run. Rumors continue to swirl about her possible candidacy. She publicly denied the rumors recently, but some speculate that she may deliberately leave the door open for a possible D-2 run. We shall see.

E.C. :)