Greensboro District 4 incumbent Mike Barber made an important point in yesterday’s N&R candidates Q&A:

I constantly re-evaluate the “growth vs. no growth” debate. However, I come to the same conclusion virtually every time. With our job losses, if not for the construction industry, Greensboro would have shriveled up and died. Most, if not all, projects over the past 10 years were properly planned and built and were profitable due to demand by our community. Our growth has lagged behind other similar cities because this is a difficult place to do business. Our city government, with some exceptions, is a barrier to economic success, not a helping hand. It is my hope that the new council will reflect five votes to change the culture.

By the same token, you have to wonder if Barber thinks this is the type if helping hand business needs. I’m a supporter of Barber’s because, other outgoing councilman Tom Phillips, he’s the voice of fiscal responsibility in our city government. Yet I can think of an incentives policy he’s voted against. Someone help me if I’m wrong.