I was actually encouraged reading John Hammer’s account the Greensboro City Council’s search for the 7 percent solution. Like Hammer, I was glad to see that not only was the supposedly-conservative council asserting itself, it seemed to be getting support from city staff. I thought perhaps the wheels of G’boro city government would turn smoothly amidst all the other chaos 2011 is sure to bring.
Then the conversation turned to “economic development” and suddenly the wheels fell off.
Robbie Perkins said G’boro “could build a business around youth sports and amateur sports.”
Mary Rakestraw noted that only one event at been booked for the taxpayer-funded Aquatic Center.
City Manager Rashad Young “spoke about creating an office of economic development and small business resources.”
Danny Thompson noted that the city pays three different organizations for economic development.
Trudy Wade “suggested that the city pay Duke and Roy Carroll to bring more energy centers here, since they seemed to know how to do it.”
Mayor Bill Knight said that the Piedmont Triad Partnership “actually continues to refocus its direction.”
Wade also suggested “that the city put Mayor Knight on a big screen out at the airport explaining to people why Greensboro was great,” while Dianne Bellamy -Small “wants to put something in hotel and motel rooms.”
Rakestraw added “it sounds like nobody knows what anyone else is doing.”
Suddenly I’m not so encouraged any more.
