Just too beautiful this weekend to geek out on the blogs, so I’m scrambling. Here’s what I’ve got:
*Charles Davenport Jr. says a major factor in N.C. A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle’s sudden resignation was his refusal “to wink at academic underachievement,” which was the the theme of last Sunday’s N&R editorial on “lessons to be learned” from Battle’s departure.
I’m not doubting that differences in academic philosophy played a role in Battle’s resignation, but I find it interesting that local media is downplaying A&T’s recent legal troubles when discussing Battle’s bailout. I would think a respected chancellor such as Battle would try to work through differences in academic philosophy, which admittedly would take some time. No matter what the reason, though, Battle evidently walked a situation he couldn’t fix —period —— and just decided to bail with his reputation intact. That doesn’t speak well for A&T…….
*The N&R gives the Greensboro City Council a little advice on hiring the next city manager. Interesting that they say the city’s been “relatively stable at the top,” noting that ousted City Manager Mitchell Johnson and his predecessor Ed Kitchen served a total of 16 years. But then the accompanying front-pager notes that “seven top management positions are being filled by acting and interim administrators after their original occupants retired or left for other jobs.” That’s another complaint the Rhino’s John Hammer has with city government Mitch Johnson —- all the talent’s been running for the door over the last year or so. That means they don’t like where they work, which more than likely means they don’t care for the boss…….
*The N&R’s Brian Ewing follows up the Rhino’s look at CMS’ regionalized system, which is making its way up Interstate 85 as we speak. Ewing’s article is reasonably skeptical, quoting a CMS board member as saying Green’s plan “has created more bureaucracy”;
*Not funny, but couldn’t help but chuckle at the address given for the Torture Chamber Tattoo, recently busted for running a fight club with high school kids duking it out. Torture Chamber is located at 260 W. Davis St., Suite C, Burlington. Any place with a ‘suite’ in its address has got to be class establishment, right?
Bonus observation: I noticed that Greensboro City Council member Robbie Perkins said once again that firing Mitch Johnson “in the middle of the budget is just devastating,” ignoring the fact that the manager evidently didn’t do much to insulate the city from the financial meltdown. That’s exactly why they’re cutting everyone loose over at Guilford County.
