The Greensboro City Council got an update on the new aquatic center last night. Guess what —- preliminary estimates state that costs are running higher than the $12 million that was carved out of a $20 million voter-approved bond.
City engineer Butch Simmons told the council that the cost right now was right around $17 million, but with the favorable bid climate, he believes they can get the price down to $14 million.
Council member Robbie Perkins —- aka the Honest and Heroic One— said the “challenge now is to close that gap.” No kidding.
As for the council’s expression of regret over the Klan-Nazi shootout, no gasket-blowing here. I’ve never said we should just forget about the that ugly incident in our city’s history, because I think it perfectly illustrates the tipping point our country was at after almost four years of the weak, liberal Carter administration. I dare say we’re in danger of again reaching that tipping point after four years of the weak, liberal Obama administration, but hopefully —hopefully —- we’ve learned a few lessons since that time. But never assume.
That said, I still can’t help but get the feeling that Nelson Johnson et.al wants more from the city than an expression of regret. I also have to admit I felt a little nitpicky yesterday by seizing on the Human Relations Commission’s recommendation that the council pledge to “ensure that nothing like the events of Nov. 3, 1979, ever occur again in our community.” Turns out the word ‘ensure’ was a focal point as the council crafted the language for its statement of regret.
