I also had the opportunity to tune into last night’s Greensboro City Council meeting. Interestingly enough, the two hot-button issues —- the resolution opposing the constitutional amendment opposing gay marriage and the proposed downtown noise ordinance — were debated back-to-back.

Two very different issues, yet a common theme ran through both debates –whether or not the council was adequately prepared to take effective action, although I realize that any resolution regarding the gay marriage amendment would be purely symbolic. Council member Dianne Bellamy-Small complained that council was not adequately notified about the resolution, receiving information about it late last week. Fellow council member Trudy Wade said she read about the resolution in the N&R. This is hardly adequate time to research the issue, which those pushing it say revolves around the city’s ability to offer benefits to same-sex partners. I’ll venture to say that citing the opinion of one law professor hardly represents due diligence.

No surprise the motion opposing the amendment passed 8-1, with Wade casting the lone ‘no’ vote. However, Bellamy-Small –with whom I hardly agree on anything —gave an eloquent speech indicating she would oppose the resolution. However, she ended up punting on the issue and did not cast a vote, which under council rules was registered as a ‘yes’ vote.

Fortunately the council was skeptical of the noise ordinance. Any doubt that Mayor Robbie Perkins is driving this issue was eliminated when he publicly called out the Greene Street club, saying “the noise coming from that building is intolerable.”

During the discussion, council members raised issues I raised earlier. After council member Nancy Vaughan expressed concern about New Bridge Bank ballpark as well as M’Coul’s downtown St. Patrick’s Day celebration, she inquired about possible waivers, which would be pointless and would certainly spark cries of favoritism. I was also pleased to see Bellamy-Small —we’re on a roll here —- state that the city was “talking out of both sides of its face” by promoting a vibrant downtown yet complaining about the resultant noise. She also issued a warning about placing the proposed performing arts center downtown, warning that if anything, it would contribute to the noise problem.

The council wisely voted to table the noise ordinance until March. I just find it interesting that they proceeded with caution on that issue when they evidently proceeded with haste on the previous issue.