Mike Barber Will Release Federal Form 990s Like It Or Not

Despite his claims of transparency and his claim that Federal form 990s would revel all the information the public needs to know about the various non profits funded by the City of Greensboro, City Councilman Mike Barber, President and director of First Tee of the Triad is refusing to release the non profit's 2013 Federal Form 990 to the public, thereby forcing myself and others to send public information requests like the following to the City of Greensboro:

"Sarah,
Another impossible task I'm sure you will succeed in doing.

As the City of Greensboro is now collecting Federal Form 990s from non profits funded by the City of Greensboro and as it has been established by a previous PIRT request sent to me just last month that First Tee of the Triad is subsidized by the City of Greensboro via in-kind, contributions, please forward me the 2013 Federal Form 990 for First Tee of the Triad.

Thank you.
-Billy Jones"

There is a reason Federal form 990s have spaces for in-kind, non cash contributions and that reason is because those contributions have real value. And hiding behind the fact that the City of Greensboro didn't actually cut a check is not reason enough to keep it a secret. Especially when you're the man claiming to be the one who will bring transparency to Greensboro government.

Funny, they're always transparent until it's their turn.

 Update: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 Got a reply from the City of Greensboro:

"Your public information request for documents related to Federal Form 990 have been referred to the proper department for response. Thank you for your request.

If you have any questions, please call 373-CITY (2489) or at the above email address and reference request number 3465."

Mike Barber can run but he cannot hide. Even if I were to die today the Autopost would still bring this issue back up when the 2013 Form 990s become available on Guidestar.org. next year just in time for the 2015 City Council elections. And the fact that Barber hid it for a full year while threatening to sue George Hartzman would only make matters look worse.

I've e-mailed this post to city staff, let's see how long they stall.

 Update 2: Tuesday evening I opened another e-mail from the City of Greensboro. Just as I figured, they plan to stall:

"Dear Billy:
Thank you for your recent public information request (PIRT # 3465) regarding a copy of the 2013 Federal Form 990 for First Tee of the Triad.
The City does not have a copy of the requested form.

 However, the forms are public information and can be found on www.guidestar.org for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. (I see you know this from your website – sorry I could not be of more help).

 Please let me know if I can assist you in any other way.

Sincerely,

Sarah Healy"

Also, George Hartzman forwarded me his own PIRT request and response:

"When are non profit 990s due to the city?
And is First Tee among those who have to file?"

Sarah's response as I'm sure she was directed to do:

"Dear George:
The City does not require a 990 from First Tee.  We do not provide funds to First Tee.
Thanks,
Sarah"

No answer on when 990s are due in to the City. George goes on to ask of Sarah, Donnie Turlington, Jim Westmoreland and others:

"The city provides services of monetary value to first tee.
Please explain the reporting requirements for non profits who receive allocations of monetary value from the city.
Wyndham Championship also receives police work from the city worth more than $100,000 per year.
Does Wyndham have to provide a 990?
Please provide a listing of non profits who receive services etc... of monetary value to the City of Greensboro."

Mike Barber has opened a can of worms so big he may never find his way out simply because he opposed transparency.