I will NOT be running for City Council...there; I said it

This is an on-the-record statement...I will not be running for Greensboro City Council this year.

After much thought and consultation with my family, and for many other reasons that I will keep close to the vest, I feel as though another lengthy run for local political office is just not possible right now.

I appreciate many of you who wanted to see me enter the District 5 race. I have a good deal of respect for Trudy Wade and I wish her the best as she has stated previously that she will run again for reelection. But I would like to see a bit more from the elected representative of D-5. I would like that representative to be more visible in the ward, to communicate better among its constituents, to take more of a proactive focus among public safety and crime, attacking our local economy and jobs, creating sustainable-not runaway/reckless-development, and doing what needs to be done to put Greensboro back on the map. I would like to see water rates frozen, not increased. I would like to start hearing of a tax cut, not tax increases, I would like to see and hear more about how we're going to diversify Greensboro's economy further, and lessen the focus on manufacturing.

I would not mind seeing new leadership in this post. Trudy Wade is a political powerhouse. But in my opinion, this city NEEDS fresh leadership with new ideas and new visions to move this city forward. We're here, and we're ready to step up to the plate on our local Boards and Commissions to make that happen...we just need a chance to do just that.

There are many who want me to consider running again for School Board next year (at-large). As I just did, I will make the appropriate evaluation at the appropriate time, and if I feel the citizens will benefit from new leadership in that position, then an announcement will be made. But not anytime soon.

Instead, I tend to continue nurturing my flagship blog, Guilford School Watch, continue growing Triad Media Watch, and make this blog, GreensboroMetro a part-time blog-with a full-time focus on the come-what-may around town.

I thank all of you for your readership and support, both past, present and future.

E.C. :)

Local names line up to challenge GSO City Councilmen; mine is NOT one of them...yet

(photo credit N&R)

Courtesy of YES! Weekly: a rundown as to who will be entering this year's City Council races thus far:

At-large:
Julie Lapham, Mayor Yvonne Johnson's former campaign manager
Marikay Abuzuaiter, who was beaten two years ago by a nose

Dist. 2:
Councilman Goldie Wells (who was a big cheerleader of the protest petition vote) will retire; Triad Apartment Association interim executive director Ray Trapp announced plans to run for her seat. TAA is part of the TREBIC lobby.

Dist. 3:
Councilman Zack (I hate bloggers) Matheny will run again; he will be challenged by Cyndy Hayworth in a rematch of two years ago.

Dist. 4:
Councilman Mike Barber intends to run again, but continuing speculation abounds as to whether he will challenge Mayor Johnson for the top spot.

Teresa Jobe and Joel Landau are ramping up plans to run.

And Dist. 5:
I can confirm that speculation is mounting as to whether or not I will challenge Trudy Wade in Dist. 5. To cease any ongoing speculation, I will not have any pending announcements before March, as to my political plans for this year.

I appreciate your ongoing support of me and my blogs, and your anticipated confidence in me to serve the citizens of Greensboro's Dist. 5.

Teresa Jobe makes a good point to YES! Weekly...she said: "I don’t think that because of where they [city council] are and how long they’ve been on council, they’re able to come up with fresh ideas, and we need more youth and more ordinary people on the council."

She's right.

E.C. :)

Chief Bellamy addresses gun violence

GSO Police chief Tim Bellamy goes on the defense as he will address the current wave of gun violence around the city in a news conference this afternoon.

Not only does he need to address gun violence, he needs to say something about the rising rate of robberies and burglaries around town, which has increased at alarming rates.

E.C. :)

Meet Zack...in the parking lot

No, there's no subtle joke here...City Councilman Zack Matheny will be in the parking lot at 5:30 this evening at S. Elm and McGee Streets to discuss the proposed S. Elm development and to answer questions; this from The Inside Scoop.

E.C. :)

City crime wave continues with murder of aspiring A&T student

This is tragic. The third homicide of the year in Greensboro claims the life of an aspiring NC A&T University student.

Twenty-two-year-old Dennis Hayle, just months from graduation, was gunned down in front of his A&T area apartment. The shooter remains at large.

Continuing coverage:
News & Record
Doug Clark

Clark asks "What's it going to take the prevent the next shooting?"

It will take an urgent effort on behalf of our so-called elected establishment to mount pressure on the City Manager and Police Department to halt the crime wave by putting every available officer on the street, an effort on crime enforcement instead of petty traffic enforcement and a no-tolerance attitude on behalf of our city. An effort must be mounted that says from larceny to burglaries, from robberies to homicide...this behavior will not be tolerated in our city. Sadly, because City Hall (from the mayor to the City Council to the City Manager) is remarkably tone deaf, this behavior will undoubtedly continue.

My condolences to the victim's family.

E.C. :)

More questions than answers in this protest petition compromise

I suspect the real answer to solving the protest petition issue will be in Raleigh. For now comes word that a bill may be in the works to restore protest petitions in Greensboro.

The so-called compromise that was passed last week may only a be tool developers (and the TREBIC lobby) will use to stall negotiations.

Continuing coverage:
News & Record
Protest Petition for GSO
GSO Politics
A Little Urbanity

E.C. :)

Special Council meeting to deal with downtown project

Continuing coverage of the proposed mixed-use development downtown on S. Elm Street...a special City Council meeting will be held tomorrow to deal with just how to smooth over relations between the developer and the adjacent property owners. Parking seems to be a big stumbling block.

The developer/TREBIC (Zack, Robbie) wing of the City Council want this to be a done deal already.

Continuing coverage:

GSO Politics
Old Greensborough
The Inside Scoop

E.C. :)

What to make of this local jobs report

A cock-and-bull story. adj: a fanciful and unbelievable tale.

The News & Record's Dick Barron writes today about a newly-released report touting Greensboro workers are getting the best jobs and incomes they have had in a decade.

It's nothing more than pure cock and bull.

These workers are probably getting the best jobs...if they like service work in a local service-oriented economy.

But Barron also writes:

The problem is, the report uses 2007 statistics — the most recent available — and doesn’t reflect the impact of an ongoing national recession.

That's more believable than the rest of what is said in this article.

N&R:

“The only concern I have, of course, is while we turned the corner in ’07, what has the fiscal crisis and the recession done to our community in the meantime? That is the $64,000 question,” said Keith Debbage, a professor of urban development at UNCG. He wrote “2009: The State of the City Report” for the Greensboro Partnership economic development group.

Without hard government figures for the local economy, Debbage and other officials can only hope that hiring growth at such companies as Honda Aircraft Co. and Tyco Electronics can keep the city’s economy from waning dramatically.

In addition, prospects of an 800-job aviation company now considering this area are keeping spirits high, he said.

Debbage’s report showed that the city has made progress in creating a more diverse economy that does not rely as heavily on manufacturing. But it also showed that the trade-off is a higher poverty rate.

The lowest-paying manufacturing jobs are gone, he said. And it’s likely that growth in retail jobs, which typically pay less, is putting more families below the $21,000-a-year poverty line.

Debbage said that his report offered continuing proof, however, that the city is developing industries that will grow when the economy improves.

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Cock and Bull.

With all due respect to Prof. Debbage, I don't think neither he, nor anyone downtown have a good sense of what's going on around town, from an economic standpoint.

And interestingly enough, I can't find this report anywhere online. If anyone finds a copy, sound off.

E.C. :)

Hatin'...on the Farm

Jordan Green over at YES! Weekly passes this on in this week's issue:

Some haters

Flyers wrapped around recycled pages of the News & Record and sealed in blue plastic bags proclaiming the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to be “a national disgrace” turned up in the driveways of residents in the Adams Farm section of Greensboro on Monday morning. The flyers advertise the Knights Party of the Ku Klux Klan, an Arkansas oufit run by Thomas Robb that advocates for “white Christians.” The flyers accuse King of slandering the military, attempt to link him to communist groups and assail his purported “anti-women behavior, his ‘secret’ homosexual lifestyle, and his subversive actions towards American and its traditions of Christian decency.” The Knights Party has been sued by The Rhinoceros Times in the past for using its pages to package racist propaganda. The flyer distributed Monday contains the proviso, “The attached newspaper/magazine is for weight purposes and should not be considered an endorsement of either this flyer [or] the Knights Party.” — JG

And you know...I was wondering why my driveway didn't have a blue bag on Monday morning whereas my neighbors had one; I didn't know what to make of it.

Kind of scary...

E.C. :)

Work on public safety delayed, Zack mouths off on downtown development

While your City Council was doing yeoman's work on attempting to bring protest petitions back to Greensboro, some necessary items involving public safety and downtown development were pushed aside.

Council apparently tabled a scheduled debate about a legislative charter change that would put the council in charge of the police chief.

News & Record:

City Councilwoman Trudy Wade, who recommended the change as part of the council's 2009 legislative agenda, said it would bring more trust and accountability to the police department.

"The police chief will be accountable to the people much more than he is now," Councilwoman Trudy Wade said. "What we are doing now is not working."

Councilman Mike Barber said the lawsuits against the city and recent discipline issues involving police employees show that the police department could use additional oversight.

But other council members disagreed.

"Some of those were created by internal problems that we have tried to deal with. You can't blame that on the current chief or the operation of the police department. We need to not muddy the waters here and act like it is caused by the management of the police department," Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small said.

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IMHO, this needs to play out...and soon. The city is experiencing a public safety emergency, and anything to do with making our police department better, I'm all for. I also think a review board is a good idea provided it is not stacked with Simkins/TREBIC disciples. It needs to be balanced, fair, and seated with citizens who are committed to making this city better.

Zack's at it again...on the same evening he voted in favor of restoring protest petitions, Councilman Zack (I hate Greensboro bloggers) Matheny wants more downtown development...at any cost. Never mind that a current project in the works to take up part of a downtown parking lot will make people angry. Never mind that many downtown art galleries are going out of business...never mind that more and more business are shutting their doors downtown, we MUST have downtown development at any cost.

N&R:

Councilman Zack Matheny asked that the council approve the incentive request, and work to resolve the parking issues for area businesses quickly.

City Council members turned down his motion, instead deciding to take the issue up again at their next regular meeting.

Matheny said after the meeting that he will work to make sure the city does not lose the opportunity for new development downtown.

It's humorous.

E.C. :)

Protest Petitions return

I learn this morning that pending the details to be worked out, protest petitions will return to the City of Greensboro.

With a unanimous vote at last night's City Council meeting, city officials will apparently work out the terms of how protest petitions will affect local rezoning cases.

N&R's Allen Johnson:

Marlene Sanford, president of the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, called the law "the tyranny of the minority" while other opponents, all of whom represented the building and real estate industry, called it "un-American" and a threat to the economy.

...wow...I'm sorry, but I just lost what respect I had left for Marlene. That statement alone shows that runaway development is welcomed in Greensboro, despite the local unemployment rate nearing double-digits. Marlene says 'to hell with property owners who care deeply about the direction of the neighborhoods.'

Speechless...

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N&R's Amanda Lehmert:

Representatives of local real estate organizations spoke against restoring the protest petition, arguing it would deter development and job growth and increase the cost of building in the city. They also argued it takes away the rights of a property owner who wants to rezone.

City Council members struggled with the decision to restore the protest petition. Some council members indicated they were concerned that 5 percent of property owners is a very small number of people to block a rezoning.

Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat, a former builder, said she was concerned that protest petition would hurt affordable home building and in turn, first-time home buyers.

Councilman Robbie Perkins said development could move to the county, which has no protest petition.

"My hope would be we would further discuss this," Perkins said. "We can offer something that would be more comprehensive and fit Greensboro's needs."

********************************

Despite the ongoing unholy alliance between developers, builders and Greensboro City Councilmen, the elected body made the right move last night.

And while we'll hear the particulars in the coming days, I think a word of congratulations are in order to our own Keith Brown, who was an early champion on this issue. He deserves kudos for a job well done.

E.C. :)

$25 gets you dinner with Zack

From Action Greensboro:

Making Connections Around the Table with City Council Member Zack Matheny

Tuesday January 27, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM at the Proximity Hotel

Tickets are $25 for young professionals and $40 for general admission. Tickets include a three course meal and one drink coupon.

Tickets will be on sale from 12/11/08 to 01/22/09.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Zack Matheny, Greensboro City Council Member, will speak on attracting young professionals to fuel a more creative, knowledge-based economy, nurture entrepreneurial activity, and ensure that Greensboro has the kind of workforce to attract major investment in our targeted clusters.

Making Connections Around the Table, a bi-monthly dinner program, offers young professionals the unique opportunity to enjoy an evening of good conversation, company, and food while getting to know the inner workings of the Greensboro community. Each dinner program features a local "guests of interest" who speaks about pertinent issues and topics of life in Greensboro.

The 2009 events will use Tim Rice's remarks at the 2008 State of the Community luncheon as the center point for conversation - using Rice's recommendations for nurturing a better quality of life in Greensboro. The 2009 speakers are:

Tickets were made affordable through the assistance of the synerG Fall Ball.

For more information on Making Connections Around the Table and to purchase tickets click here.

*****************************************
E.C. :)

The little airport that could...

A story in this past Sunday's News & Record touts the continual turnaround over at the little airport that could...PTI.

I'll give this to you...Piedmont Triad Intl. is a very nice airport, it is convenient and security lines are almost non-existent.

But what will save PTI is not FedEx alone, not HondaJet, not TIMCO, not GTCC, not Cessna...it will be more passenger flights and more passenger service. A little less courting of airlines that are one-step-shy of going bankrupt (a la SkyBus), and more courting of airlines that easily recognize the ease and convenience of getting in and out quickly.

But airport authority chairman Henry Isaacson slightly misses the point in the article (and Dan Lynch for that matter):

Isaacson continues to push for better passenger service after the failure of Skybus. It has always been tough to make the case for airline expansion to PTI because of the region's position between the bigger and busier urban airports in Charlotte and the Triangle.

That tough sell has become even tougher with the bad economy.

It's a continual tough sell because our area is becoming more and more depressed, with so many people out of work. Before we start recruiting airlines, we need to be recruiting companies.

It's a domino effect. I get it. They don't. We all suffer because of it.

E.C. :)

Another day...another police assault allegation

This is becoming irritating.

The Greensboro Police Dept. has another black mark with an off-duty police officer charged with assault.

The News & Record reports that a summons was issued yesterday charging A.J. Blake, 32, with misdemeanor assault on a female.

According to the article, GPD said the alleged assault occurred early Saturday at the Greensboro Police Club at 524 Air Harbor Road.

And who broke the story? Greensboro's own Ben "The Troublemaker" Holder. Holder has wall-to-wall coverage both here and here and here. Yep...a blogger.

Those pesky bloggers that Zack Matheny has such disdain for.

Is it me, or is it time for a new police chief?

E.C. :)

N&R, Allen Johnson support Protest Petition vote, TREBIC speaks out in opposition

(TREBIC.org)

While yesterday's News & Record spoke poetically in favor of tonight's Protest Petition vote (along with a positive comment by Allen Johnson today), TREBIC's Marlene Sanford (pictured) spoke out against it.

A disclaimer...Marlene and I had a lot of interaction while I was on staff with the High Point Enterprise. But on this I respectfully disagree. I think property owners, who have invested a great deal in their property despite the Triad's recession, have the right to have a say as to what comes into their neighborhoods that will affect their property values.

Marlene says:

Protest petitions are a bad idea that gets worse the more you think about it.

Their purpose is to make it harder to rezone property. In this recession, the last thing Greensboro needs is to signal that we don't want development and job growth.

But even more troubling is that protest petitions are just plain undemocratic.

No, Marlene...what's troubling is that you want to limit a neighbor's say...that's undemocratic. And no one is talking about limiting job growth...our so-called economic developers are doing a very good job of that right now by not properly diversifying our local economy. It seems our crack-pot economic development staff downtown still think we can keep a sustainable economy on $7-$8-$9/hour service jobs while calling this area relevant.

So since real job growth isn't taking place right now in Greensboro (and hasn't taken place for months now), have an open mind this evening.

And I hope our City Council will have an open mind also.

Allen Johnson is right...anyone thinking about running for Mayor (or even City Council this year) that opposes this measure will be remembered this Fall.

E.C. :)

Another violent weekend in the 'boro

Two area hotels top off the list of robberies that occurred this weekend in Greensboro, which included a shooting at the Four Seasons Theater and a violent hold-up at a popular area restaurant.

N&R:

GREENSBORO - Police are investigating two robberies at hotels in Greensboro on Sunday night.

About 8:42 p.m., a man walked into the Comfort Suites at 7619 Thorndike Road and implied he had a weapon. He demanded cash and fled after getting an undisclosed amount from the clerk, police stated.

About 13 minutes later, a man walked into the Best Western at 7800 National Service Road and implied that he had a weapon. He motioned the clerk toward the counter area, but she screamed for help and the suspect fled without getting any money.

Nobody was injured in either incident.

The suspect in both cases was described as a black man in his 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall. In one robbery he is described as wearing a tan hat with a white bandana covering his face; in the other he is described as wearing a brown full brim hat with a white surgical mask covering his face.

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Shooting at a theater:

(N&R)

GREENSBORO - A 32-year-old man was shot twice in the abdomen during an argument and an estimated 700 people were evacuated when gunfire broke out at a Greensboro movie theater Friday night.

The sound of a gunshot echoed throughout the lobby of the Grand 18 at Four Seasons Station just after 9 p.m. as moviegoers waited to get into opening night showings of "Notorious" - the life and death story of the rapper Notorious B.I.G.

Greensboro police Lt. James Hinson said the victim, identified early Saturday morning as Clive O’Connor, was rushed to Moses Cone Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His medical condition was not immediately available.

No suspects were in custody late Friday night.

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Violent Armed Robbery at Zaxby's

(HPPD)

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Police investigated an armed robbery on Friday at a High Point fast-food restaurant.The robbery happened at Zaxby's at 3895 Brian Jordan Place just after 10 a.m. Thursday.Police said three men armed with pistols entered the restaurant and robbed it prior to opening for the business day.

The men stole an undetermined amount of money and then fled on foot from the store.
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Is it me? I mean really...is it me or is our area getting more and more violent?

Is it me? Someone help me understand...

E.C. :)

Former City Councilman supports protest petitions

Former Greensboro City Councilman Nancy Vaughan supports the restoration of the protest petition, in advance of this week's vote by Council.

In a letter to the editor in today's News & Record, Vaughan states the measure will not impede growth:

To those who say that it will impede growth, I say look to Charlotte and Raleigh. It is obvious to anyone that the protest petition has not curtailed their growth and development. It is a question of fairness, and I hope that the City Council will restore our voice.

Good for you, Councilman.

E.C. :)

Wishy-washy Wade & Mike Barber unsure about petition vote

Lots of good coverage from yesterday's press conference from the local blogosphere.

I thought this was interesting...is Trudy Wade and Mike Barber really going to wait until the last minute to make their minds up on the protest petition vote next week? Are they really going to be swayed by either TREBIC or the citizens on this issue?

Our city really is in big trouble.

E.C. :)

Matheny, Perkins thumb their noses at you

This is YOUR City Council, ladies and gentlemen.

Greensboro City Councilmen Zack Matheny and Robbie Perkins are openly and publicly asking why they would be asked to recuse themselves from next week's vote on "Protest Petitions."

Greensboro Politics:

I sent a quick email to Matheny and Perkins yesterday asking if they planned to bow out from the discussion. Their responses are below.

Perkins – “No. What grounds would I have for a recusal?”

Matheny – “What would be the reason for me to recuse?”

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Arrogant.

Just arrogant.

It's almost getting "Chicago-style-like"...and I'm from Chicago!

E.C. :)

Presser today

Media Advisory
Council Member Press Conference
January 16, 2009
1 pm


What: Press Conference featuring Council Members Mike Barber and Trudy Wade

Location: Plaza Level Conference Room, Melvin Municipal Office Building
300 W. Washington St.

Date/Time: Friday, January 16 at 1 pm

Topic: Members of council will discuss pressing issues impacting the City of Greensboro. Council Members will also be available for questions.

Contact: Denise Turner – 373-3880
***************************************
E.C. :)

Action GSO on the defense

There's been a good deal of conversation here in the local blogosphere about Action Greensboro, even among myself included. I shared some personal thoughts earlier this week over at my flagship blog, Guilford School Watch. And I shared a letter I sent to Judy Morton here last week.

And while I won't repeat myself chapter-and-verse as to my thoughts on the future of Action Greensboro, the latest revelation that the organization made a $5,000 political contribution to the Simkins PAC in this past campaign season (via Keith Brown's Triad Watch) does, in my opinion, raise an eyebrow or two.

My friend Ryan Shell from Greensboro Politics asked me to be a little more positive:

I understand and equally appreciate how much you care about the school system, but sometimes you have to look at things from a positive standpoint. AG is attempting to jump start some action. While things might not appear to be perfect, conversations have started and the ball is rolling.

And our resident blogger Dr. Sue Polinsky said similarly:

Eric, have you contacted Action GSO and offered to participate in the education portion of Phase II? If not, do just that. They are eager for volunteers who commit to long-term projects. Heck, I've been doing this for 7-8 years. That's LONG term :)

...and I have, Sue. That's why I'm feeling so puzzled about this campaign contribution.

Guarino has more on this:

Action Greensboro is a not-for-profit organization, so the legality of its contribution is open to question.

He's right. Guarino, as usual, is on point with this. AG is a noble group, but this is really bugging me a little.

Skip Moore, AG's past president, in a response to Guarino, tried to explain the contribution:

A nonprofit by federal law is allowed to advocate on policy issues. The contribution to the PAC was part of our support for the bonds that, in our opinion, were beneficial to the future economic and community development of Greensboro. The funds helped pay for poll workers.

And Guarino appropriately responded:

...while federal law allows non-profits to speak on public policy issues, it does not allow them to endorse candidates or engage in activity that could be construed as partisan. The Simkins PAC does not even remotely restrict itself to advocating on behalf of bonds. It is composed almost exclusively of Democrats. It endorses political candidates, and its endorsement has carried a lot of weight locally. And in the last election cycle, it endorsed the straight Democratic slate.

So Action Greensboro's contribution inevitably went to support partisan political activity. That appears to me to be a flagrant violation of the law.

Despite your opinions on Simkins (positive or negative), one thing is clear, I think we should look a little more closely as to what AG is doing down on S. Elm. Are they advocating for the citizens of Greensboro in an appropriate manner?

When I tip-toed into this town nine years ago, the same conversations were taking place...job-losses were mounting, our local economy wasn't diversified, we had failing schools, we have a brain-drain problem, local politicians cared more about being in power than dealing with our issues head-on, etc.

And I got involved. I was proud to become involved.

Nine years later, there are nearly NO jobs in this town, there is no diversification of our local economy because we have no local economy anymore, we have even more failing schools, our brain-drain problem has increased, and local politicians STILL care more about being in power than dealing with our issues head-on. And now we have a public-safety problem in our midst.

Has the effectiveness of Action Greensboro waned, just a little? One has to ask. One has the right to ask.

Guarino says: And in a relatively small city like Greensboro, we should be represented directly by our elected officials; and we should not have to go through a quasi-governmental organization that, for some reason, is granted unique access and power by those same elected officials.

He is absolutely correct. The conversations and action plans from AG should be emitting from our City Council and our Mayor, directly. And when we question what's going on in our city, we have the RIGHT to ask, we have the RIGHT to complain (if necessary), we have the RIGHT to question our mayor, our city council (Zack), our city manager, our police chief, our economic development officials...about the direction of this city.

And when pet projects are put on the front burner, ahead of bringing more diversified companies into this town, like Guarino, I have the RIGHT to question that.

Rumors are swirling about an aviation-related company possibly bringing as many as 800 jobs to town...if it comes to town. I will be excited if it does come to town, but we have to expand beyond manufacturing. We must diversify our economy once again...it is part of the reason why our area has been stuck in this rut in the first place.

For far too long in this town, there have been reports after reports, action plans after action plans, meetings after meetings...

Enough.

Actions speak louder than words. It's time to get busy and get this city moving again. It's time to do away with the corruption in our city hall, it's time to get rid of the criminals on our streets, time to get the local economy out of the garbage can and get it moving again. We have real problems that require real solutions, and I want to start hearing these real solutions directly from our elected officials.

...climbing off the soapbox...

E.C. :)

Step aside

With the long-awaited discussion of allowing citizens of the city of Greensboro to challenge zoning cases via protest petitions only days away, the YES! Weekly is joining the chorus in asking Greensboro City Councilmen Robbie Perkins, Zack Matheny and Mike Barber to properly recuse themselves from next week's vote. And even if the vote fails, the measure could be taken up in Raleigh (see today's editorial in the News & Record).

YES! Weekly:

...Perkins, Matheny and Barber, who rely on the Greensboro real estate industry for part or all of their livelihoods, are clearly conflicted between the wishes of that industry’s most influential professional organization and the interests of Greensboro citizens who want a say in the way their neighborhoods are zoned. As such, they should recuse themselves from the vote.

I couldn't agree more. Do the right thing and please step aside.

Obviously, since this is an election year, each councilman that votes "nay" will be noticed.

E.C. :)

Matheny's in

Greensboro City Councilman Zack Matheny (Dist. 3), who recently said publicly that he's had it with those who want to sit around and bash the mayor, city council, the city manager, the police department, et. al, has told the News & Record's Amanda Lehmert that he will seek a second term later this year.

Matheny is a prime cheerleader of Greensboro's runaway-development community, yet he's severely short on substance when it comes to jobs, our local economy and public safety.

Not a fan...

E.C. :)

Call the question on Mayor Yvonne

Dr. Guarino shares some poignant thoughts on the re-election bid of Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson. He is on point.

Guarino reminds us that Johnson was part of the majority that raised city taxes during her years on City Council.

Guarino reminds us that Johnson was part of the majority that made bad decisions on public safety and law enforcement in our city (two more armed robberies in the city last night).

Guarino also reminds us that our economy is not on par with our other Southern counterparts.

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oh, and that drivel that Johnson released...you know, the so-called "2009 Economic Address" that was just recently released? That doesn't seem to be going over well here in the blogosphere, especially among readers over at The Troublemaker.

By the way, Mayor J., since we here in Brook Run (south Greensboro/Adams Farm/unincorporated Jamestown area) were recently annexed into the city, I don't remember you coming down here to my part of town to get our thoughts about the economy.

And the beat goes on...

E.C. :)

Yvonne's in (Part II)

So now it is official...Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson wants a second term as second-in-command of the Gate City (under the mayor-manager form of government, the manager is really in charge, but that's another talk show).

During a mid-morning presser, Johnson outlined key goals for not only this year, but her upcoming reelection campaign.

N&R:

Build the economy, bolster public safety and don't increase taxes.

Those were the new year's goals Mayor Yvonne Johnson shared with reporters Tuesday morning at One Step Further, the non-profit she leads.

Johnson called on her fellow council members to dedicate themselves to the same goals.

"How we perform as a city government during this time of crisis will be the real measure of our character," she said.
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I think the entertaining part of the upcoming campaign is not only who will run against her, but who will also run for City Council. Because this city needs to take a drastically different direction...and fast.

Click-ables:

• Yvonne Johnson's 2009 Economic Address (video)
• Text of Yvonne Johnson's 2009 Economic Address (pdf)

E.C. :)

Red Mike's hit again

Red Mike's Grocery was hit yet again with another unfortunate robbery last night.

The downtown convenience store at the corner of Elm and Fisher, the scene of a violent robbery/homicide this past November that claimed the life of the store's owner Muhammed 'Mike' Ali, was robbed of an unspecified amount of cash Monday night by two armed men. FOX-8 reports no one was hurt in the incident.

As in the last incident, there are no suspects as of yet.

It's interesting that on the same evening, just blocks away, Action Greensboro officials, along with Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson and Guilford Co. Board of Commissioners chair Skip Alston were gathering to wax poetic about downtown. And gee...wasn't it part of a downtown strategy at one point in time to bring more convenience stores and grocery stores to downtown. After all, since we have people living downtown, they need those conveniences, right? But if these stores are getting robbed with unusual frequency, why would these businesses stay?

(A sidebar...Guarino reports on another incident that may have occurred at Friendly Center this past Sunday evening)

But remember...we can't bash the police department, we can't bash the mayor, the city manager nor city council...because Zack Matheny's 'had it' up to here with you bashers!

Well, where's Zack today? The damn mayor was FOUR BLOCKS AWAY when this happened last night! Do you think she left the meeting to go over to the scene?

Is it me, or is this getting disgusting?

E.C. :)

A downtown guide for development

(UPDATE BELOW)

Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson and Guilford County Board of Commissioners chairman Melvin "Skip" Alston will spearhead an unusual new relationship aimed at adopting a new joint development guide for downtown Greensboro. Today's News & Record reports both elected officials will make the case to their respective boards (City Council and the Board of Commissioners, respectively) to kick off the process within 30 days.

The plan was revealed during a strategy session held last night at the West Market Street United Methodist Church where Action Greensboro unveiled a so-called new-and-improved action plan. Only problem is, there's no meat in this plan (see my related post on Guilford School Watch).

N&R excerpt:

The community development group Action Greensboro has volunteered to pay $150,000 for the study.

Johnson said she’d like to see a plan that would guide downtown development adopted by the end of 2009.

So...was there any grist to this meeting or simply a gathering to say that construction on the Downtown Greenway will get underway soon and that the Civil Rights Museum will open next year...hopefully?

Did I really miss anything by not going to this meeting last night?

By the way, Action Greensboro's Judy Morton wrote me back yesterday...her response:

Erik – We are sorry you can’t attend tonight’s meeting but certainly understand. The entire reason Action Greensboro came into existence was to try to minimize the jobs crunch Greensboro was heading for with all the off-shoring of manufacturing jobs. Certainly when folks are unemployed—or underemployed—it creates negative ripples throughout every aspect of life in Greensboro and Guilford County. Please know that whatever we can do to improve your situation we are doing. We’re rooting for you!

Judy Morton
Office & Communication Manager
Action Greensboro
317 South Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
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UPDATE-1/13/09, 11:08AM: Here's the plan from Action Greensboro, just uploaded onto their site (a blurb from SpringBoard can be found here).

I fail to see a lot of grist in here. I also fail to see where the jobs component and recruitment efforts are in this puzzle. A lot of grandiose plans for downtown won't make a bit of good if there are no jobs to support downtown redevelopment.

E.C. :)

No surprise...crime is UP in Greensboro

The N&R once again reports something that really isn't news...crime is up in Greensboro.

If you were living under a rock and had not paid attention to those daily reports of robberies, burglaries, shootings and thefts, that should have tipped you off pretty early.

The FBI's Semiannual Preliminary Uniform Crime Report says while violent crime nationwide decreased 3.5 percent from January-June, 2008, Greensboro's violent crime rate increased 3 percent from the same period last year. While property crime decreased 2.5 percent, Greensboro's rate rose 4.2 percent.

But don't bash City Council or the City Manager or the Police Department...Zack Matheny's had it with you!

E.C. :)

Will it open soon?

It may open next year. That's the sentiment from state Rep. Earl Jones, a founder and a board member of the organization Sit-in Movement Inc., the nonprofit guiding the restoration of the long-awaited International Civil Rights Center & Museum downtown.

The organization is about to receive roughly $10 million needed to finish the project, according to the News & Record.

An excerpt:

It is not certain the renovations will be complete by Feb. 1, 2010 — the 50th anniversary of the sit-ins — but “that’s the goal,” Jones said.

“I’m pretty confident,” he said of the group’s ability to meet that goal.

Jones said the key piece of the puzzle is $7 million to $8 million soon flowing to the project through federal tax credits.

That money is controlled by the National Trust Community Investment Corp., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Trust spokeswoman Corinne Ingrassia could not confirm an amount for her agency’s participation.

But she said $7 million to $8 million would not be out of the question for a project of the museum’s scope.

“I know we definitely have made the commitment to invest in the Civil Rights Museum,” said Ingrassia, the trust’s marketing director.

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It is my hope that this project can conclude and that the museum can open. It has truly been a long-time coming.

E.C. :)

Legal battles ARE getting costly

As it was reported here last week, the legal battles being mounted against the city of Greensboro are getting rather costly.

So how much have YOU shelled out in legal fees thus far?

Yesterday's News & Record:

• In the last 21/2 fiscal years, the city has paid more than $507,000 in private attorney fees to deal with legal issues and personnel complaints surrounding Wray's department.
• In 2008, the city paid $113,000 to resolve two lawsuits involving the police department, and the City Council considered paying $750,000 to settle police officer discrimination complaints; the offer was later withdrawn.
• Since 2005, the city has racked up nearly $415,000 in bills for three different consultants to study, investigate and explain how to fix what has ailed the police department.

Ouch. That's my empty wallet pinching me.

More:

Three years after Wray left, Greensboro is knee-deep in discrimination complaints, criminal trials and civil lawsuits.

"It's really a shame," City Manager Mitchell Johnson said Friday. "It's been an incredibly unfortunate situation and could have been dealt with more effectively a long time ago if people had made the right decisions."

The three most recent lawsuits were filed within the past 10 days - Jan. 2 claims filed separately by Wray and Brady, followed by a discrimination lawsuit filed Friday by 39 black police officers.

None of the lawsuits came as a surprise to the city. Greensboro has already spent more than $135,000 for private attorneys to handle issues with Wray and Brady and $45,600 for private attorneys to deal with the black officers' discrimination complaints.

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It really is a shame, Mitch. It's a shame that part of this was your-doing.

E.C. :)

Wade has choice words for Keith Brown

It's interesting that in a column written by Allen Johnson in yesterday's News & Record regarding the upcoming protest petition vote by Greensboro City Council, City Councilman Trudy Wade had some things to say about the vote itself, and one of its prime cheerleaders and my friend Keith Brown.

See this excerpt:

Mayor Yvonne Johnson said late last week that she has not made up her mind on the issue. So did council members Trudy Wade and Mary Rakestraw. “I want to hear what everybody has to say,” Johnson said.

Yet she added: “I don’t want to be detrimental as far bringing in businesses.”

Wade said she’ll approach the discussion with an open mind but questioned why one of the biggest advocates for protest petitions in Greensboro is a High Pointer, Keith Brown. “I want to know why it originated in High Point,” she said. Noting High Point’s luring away of the La-Z-Boy headquarters from Greensboro in 2006, Wade said she wanted to make sure Greensboro doesn’t lose a competitive edge.

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It shouldn't matter, Councilman, who is leading the charge. It should matter what the charge means.

I support the right of our citizens to speak out, be heard, and launch a protest against runaway development. And for Wade to suggest this has anything to do with a competitive edge is ludicrous...Greensboro has no edge AT ALL RIGHT NOW. We have zero job creation right now, Councilman; what are you all doing about it at City Hall?

E.C. :)

Yvonne's in...and who else?

Time to open up the political watch for this year, as we'll analyze who decides to run for City Council this year.

The Troublemaker's Ben Holder is reporting that Mayor Yvonne Johnson will likely announce a run for a second term this year. Personally, I haven't been too terribly impressed with the mayor's leadership, particularly with what's happening down at City Hall. I would have liked to see her exert more leadership.

Of course, some would say that she has been part of the problem.

Who would you like to see run against her?



And what about the rest of City Council....who would you like to see enter the races this year?

I'm hearing rumblings that there may be some possible opposition lining up for Zack Matheny and Goldie Wells.

And to the commenter who challenged me here recently to run for City Council...

While I'm flattered, I'll say this much...running for City Council is actually starting to sound very tempting, given the current environment that exists downtown. Trudy Wade is my councilman, and she really hasn't impressed me at all in two years. In my honest opinion, she's another ex-Guilford County Commissioner who loves being in power and that's about it. I feel it is time for the ex-commissioner to retire from politics and open up the seat to a citizen who can shake things up downtown.

I feel a change is warranted not only for District 5, but for Greensboro as a whole. Therefore, I will be exploring the issues both in-depth, and in greater detail, from jobs and crime to economic development and taxes. I'm already starting to do that here, via GreensboroMetro. And judging by the number of visitors in the first few days of this blog, I appreciate your support.

I will have to sit down with my family to see if another run for public office is in the best interest of our household right now. And after that conversation, if I feel as though I can be of service of some capacity for the citizens of District 5, then an announcement will be made at the appropriate time. But right now, I'm enjoying writing GreensboroMetro and analyzing the come-what-may around town. And there's no shortage of stuff to cover and comment and write about.

E.C. :)

In-Action Greensboro

This is a noble meeting from Action Greensboro:

We've heard from many folks that they plan to attend the Action Greensboro Groundbreakers meeting on Monday, January 12 from 5:30 - 7:00pm to discuss our Phase II plan of work: Building on Our Strengths. The meeting will be held at the West Market Street United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall, which you enter from 312 West Friendly. A light supper will be served.

In case you've been waiting to make up your mind, there is still time to RSVP yes, that you want to take part in this discussion. In view of the current economic downturn, Action Greensboro's original mission to bring more and better paying jobs to Greensboro is more timely than ever! But this kind of conversation works best with many viewpoints, so please do join us.

Click here to RSVP: jmorton@actiongreensboro.org. Thanks!
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But since I work nights, I'm unable to attend.

Hence, my letter moments ago to Judy Morton at Action Greensboro:

RE: the invitation on the Action GSO Phase II meeting this coming Monday evening

Judy:

Thank you for your invitation regarding this meeting. And while I think this meeting is important, I unfortunately will be unable to attend.

I work a service job at night. I also substitute teach and tutor during the day. I don't make a lot of money, but I work these jobs because our region has failed our young professionals by not bringing in companies that will provide enough professional job opportunities to help sustain this economy and halt the brain-drain.

So despite having a college degree and years of journeymans experience both writing and communicating, it means nothing in this area. I work the jobs I'm asked to do and where I'm asked to do them because my family has to eat...and there are a lack of companies in this area having the kind of work I'm used to doing.

The city's political machine needs to understand that this area cannot and will not sustain its economy on $9/hour service jobs. And this recession we've experienced here in the Triad has gone on for far too long without substantive discussion. Unfortunately, they don't understand that. And since this is a municipal election year, those that hold power locally who continue to have blinders on will find themselves threatened at the ballot box in the fall. And that's not a thinly-veiled threat...that's a promise.

We cannot talk about fixing public education or our crumbling roads or building sidewalks or creating a green economy...until we fix the stagnant local economy we have now.

And while I look forward to helping out in any way I can (especially with regards to public education, as a former Guilford Co. School Board candidate from last year), a LOT remains to be done...and is not getting done.

And now...I'm done. I have to get ready for my 5pm-2am shift.

Erik "E.C." Huey
editor:
http://guilfordschoolwatch.blogspot.com/
http://greensborometro.blogspot.com/
http://triadmediawatch.blogspot.com/

A tale of two Lenovos

Then...

April 17, 2008 (via CBS-2):

Whitsett, NC -- A computer manufacturing and processing company opened a new Guilford County facility Thursday.

Lenovo held a grand opening of its United States fulfillment center in Whitsett, just outside Greensboro.

The 200,000 square foot facility will initially employ about 160 people. Workers will program computers, do light product assembly, custom imaging and other product figurations. They will also distribute computers throughout North America.

"I am delighted to welcome Lenovo to the Greensboro area," said Dan Lynch, president of the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance. "A leading global PC maker, Lenovo is already playing a key part in our strategy to grow jobs locally in the fast-growing technology sector."

Lenovo leaders hired 125 workers already. They hope to expand that to 160 employees but are not hiring for those jobs yet. Leaders say when jobs open, they will be posted on the company's website, www.lenovo.com.

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And Now...

News & Record, January 8, 2009:

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK - Lenovo Group said it will lay off 2,500 workers, or about 11 percent of its work force, as part of a plan aimed at helping the computer maker remain competitive amid the global economic downturn.

About 20 people at an assembly and distribution facility in eastern Guilford County will be laid off, leaving about 100 workers there.

The Beijing-based company, the world's fourth-largest PC maker, also warned late Wednesday it expects to report a loss for its fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 31. The company's global headquarters are in North Carolina.

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What a shame...

Better start thinking higher, Dan.

BTW, how many of the white-collar jobs will be lost at Lenovo in the Triangle? You know, the white-collar jobs we need here in the Triad?

E.C. :)

City's Wish List Readied

The city of Greensboro has unveiled its wish-list of projects that are ready to go should some federal dollars start making its way down I-95/I-85 from Washington to Greensboro. The lengthy list can be found here in today's News & Record.

Lots of public works projects. Don't see a heck of a whole lot in the way of job recruitment, although the projects will certainly return our idled construction workers back to work.

E.C. :)

You know times are rough when the robbers give up

Greensboro's increased crime wave continues...although you have to wonder if times are really getting that bad when the robbers just give up and walk away.

N&R:

GREENSBORO - A robbery suspect left a shoe store empty-handed Wednesday after a clerk ignored him.

Greensboro police said they were called to Payless ShoeSource at 920 E. Bessemer Ave. shortly before 4 p.m.

According to police, a man had entered the business while a store employee was helping a customer. The suspect showed off a pistol, then put it in his jacket pocket. The employee continued waiting on the customer, who was unaware of what was going on.

The robbery suspect, meanwhile, appeared to get nervous and left the store without taking anything. He was gone by the time police officers arrived.

Police described the suspect as a black man in his 20s with a medium build who stands about 5-foot-8. He has short scruffy hair, a medium brown complexion and a goatee, and he wore a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, khaki pants and black shoes with red mud on the back.

Anyone with information about this incident can call Crime Stoppers at 373-1000.

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E.C. :)