It's been 55 days since the News and Record didn't report Marty Kotis getting $600,000 from Greensboro's taxpayers to design a bike path inside a consent agenda

Sharon Hightower abuse of power

"There is no official report on this but plenty of unofficial, off-the-record reports from reliable sources that City Councilmember Sharon Hightower stepped over the line on Sunday.

According to various sources, Hightower arrived at the Parks & Rec Fest at Gillespie Park on Sunday after the parking lot was full and they were using a shuttle to transport people from off-site parking to the event.

Hightower insisted that she be allowed to park in the area reserved for handicapped parking.  She was told by a female police officer that she could not park in a handicapped space.  Hightower insisted that she was a city councilmember and had to be allowed to park in the handicapped space.  The police officer reportedly stood her ground and didn't allow Hightower, who is not handicapped and has no handicapped sticker, to park in the handicapped space.

The sources also say that Hightower filed an official complaint against the officer..."

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/rhino-times/august-4-2016/2016080302/#4
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And elsewhere btw;

"At the very beginning of the meeting Hightower and Barber got in a back and forth, talking over each other, after a speaker from the floor, Sandra White, complained about the way city prime contractors treat subcontrators.

A legitamate topic which City Council has failed to address

by not providing transparency concerning subcontractors

which a tech fellow expert on the subject told me a few years ago was totally doable

right before City Council didn't do it, as the action would mess with campaign cash

from prime contractors

Barber said that he had been chairman of the state contracting licensing board and what she was complaining about was covered by state statute.  He suggested that she contact him and he would direct her on how to file a complaint.

Hightower interrupted saying to White, "Are you one of my MWBEs?"  Hightower said that they should not be pushing her off to the state but should handle the issue "right here."

Barber said that the laws concerning MWBEs were state statutes and the city was prohibited from interfering with state laws.

Mike Barber makes money off of poor black kids with City taxpayer monies

at Gillespie golf course, owned by the City, which is sponsored by Jim Melvin

who Mike was nice enough to vote for his and Roy Carroll's Megasite soon to be fiasco

Hightower responded, "Mr. Barber has never helped an MWBE person.  You have never helped anybody."

Always and never...

tbs, Mike is not one of the good guys

with a documented history of lying and using City resources for his personal benefit

without consequence, as the rest of Council is just as compromised by our oligarchy

Vaughan stepped in and said that the council needed to behave the way they expected the audience to act."

After Nancy and Don made about $10,000 per month for years

from the City giving free White Street Landfill money to Wilbur Ross' Cone Mills [ITG],

while Nancy paid one of Don's law firm employees under the table

in violation of applicable laws

D shill Joe Killian; "For Republicans in search of a party, try the Democrats"

"...I was shocked to be standing in the Wells Fargo Center, surrounded by delegates waving American flags..."

Warren Buffett owns 10% of Wells Fargo along with Joe and the N & R 

The thunderous applause within the arena — tears in the eyes of many delegates as they waved flags, veterans in the crowd saluting — was overwhelming.

What about the Sanders' delegate walk outs?

What about all the empty seats?

“Why this convention is better: It’s about loving America,” wrote Jonah Goldberg, the editor of conservative staple National Review on Twitter. “GOP convention was about loving Trump. If you didn’t love Trump, it offered nada.”

Establishment R = Establishment D

What the Democratic convention ended up doing masterfully, whatever you make of the party’s politics or goals, was to reach out to the middle — to unaffiliated voters, conservative Democrats, even disaffected Republicans embarrassed to have Trump as their standard bearer.

In their speeches, President Barack Obama and Clinton assimilated what was best, most bipartisan and appealing about former President Ronald Reagan: the hope, the optimism, the belief in America’s (already established and continued) greatness and exceptionalism.

To a convention center with masses of empty seats,

with local 'actors' hired to sit in some apparently,

which Joe Killian failed to report, as a reporter, 

which kind of makes him more of a 'Susan Ladd' non-reporter, 

but propagandist for News and Record owner Berkshire Hathaway

which is actively working to elect someone who violated our national security,

cheated to win the nomination and took foreign contributions to her foundation

in exchange for appropriated goodies from the State Department while Hillary was secretary

That spirit was nowhere to be found in Cleveland a week earlier.

Always and never are two words 

which should always be thought of as never to be said, 

which also includes "nowhere"

The Republican convention in Cleveland seemed largely a celebration of ...a coming-out party for the darkest, most paranoid, least nuanced sort of politics one can brew at home in a bathtub.

Not one mention of Bernie Sanders in Joe Killian's opinion piece

"The Democratic convention — with all of its tensions, missteps and imperfections — offered something else.

And it offered it to everyone."

Joe Killian

http://www.greensboro.com/news/government/elections/conventions/for-republicans-in-search-of-a-party-try-the-democrats/article_e480185b-a81e-5ceb-bc2e-f01c1eb1be82.html
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From the comments;

The D's offered an unindicted criminal let off the hook by Obama's Justice Department and FBI.

The D's offered more of the same, including my healthcare deductible and skimming from Wall Street which you won't report, as you are a part of the establishment working for Warren Buffett.

No one went to jail in the aftermath of the financial crises Joe Killian, and you are openly rooting for the folks who let them off the hook.

Catch Eric Holder's speech?

How about Mike Bloomberg's? His news organization uncovered multiple crimes committed by most of the top bank executives and didn't report it, which benefited Warren Buffett which benefits you, who didn't report crimes currently committed while families in our community are being lied to on their monthly financial statements.

#writeinbernie

Vanguard's John Bogle on the utter stupidity of Tony Wilkins, Nancy's Vaughan and Hoffmann, Jamal Fox, Mike Barber, Sharon Hightower, Marikay Abuzuaiter, Connie Hammond, Yvonne Johnson, Larry Davis, Rick Lusk and Jim Westmoreland, considering how they betrayed City of Greensboro employees

"Let's assume the stock market gives a 7% return over 50 years. If you get to 7%, each $1 goes up to $30.

If you get to 5% (that would be 7% less the industry's typical 2% all-in costs), you get $10," Bogle recently said in an interview.

"So $10 versus $30

So if some may be thinking our local government knows what it's doing, 

I beg to differ

You put up 100% of the capital, you took 100% of the risk, and you got 33% of the return! As I say to people, if that strikes you as a good deal, by all means do it!"

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/john-bogle-tells-you-how-to-lose-66-of-your-retirement-return-2016-05-19
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Please help save $35,122,520 for City of Greensboro employees

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/01/please-help-save-35122520-for-city-of.html

How to purchase Mayor Nancy Vaughan for pennies and get a $5,482,424.00 City of Greensboro taxpayer funded project, by Samet Corporation

http://candidatereports.myguilford.com/files/1788_VAUGHAN_NANCY.PDF

19. ID 16-0188 Resolution Approving Construction Contract with Samet Corporation/SRS, Inc. as the CMAR to Build the Coliseum Field House

ID 16-0188 Resolution Authorizing Samet.docx

RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT WITH
SAMET CORPORATION/SRS, INC. FOR THE NEW COLISEUM FIELDHOUSE

WHEREAS, the new Coliseum Fieldhouse will be the home venue for the Greensboro Swarm,
the Charlotte Hornets’ new NBA Development League franchise;

WHEREAS, Samet Corporation/SRS Inc. has submitted a cost estimate as CMAR for the
Coliseum Fieldhouse Renovations Project in the total amount of $5,482,424.00 and between the
Architect/Engineers, Samet Corporation/SRS, Inc. and Coliseum staff, this is the best cost
estimate from the standpoint of the City;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GREENSBORO:

That the Contract between the City of Greensboro and Samet Corporation/SRS, Inc. is hereby
formally approved and the City Manager and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute on
behalf of the City of Greensboro a proper contract to carry the proposal into effect, payment to be made in the amount of $5,482,424.00 from Account No. 528-7502-01.6013.

Mayor Vaughan is available for purchase from the highest bidders

JW CMAR Field House D League - 3-31-16.docx

DATE: March 31, 2016
TO: Mike Perdue, Coliseum
FROM: Tiffany Jones, M/WBE Office
DEPARTMENT: Greensboro Coliseum Complex
SUBJECT: Hornet D-League Field House - CMAR

The M/WBE Office reviewed the documentation submitted by Samet/SRS, Inc. Joint Venture Company (“CMAR”) to determine compliance with the M/WBE Program Plan. The M/WBE participation goal established by the CMAR for the project was 35%. While the recommended total CMAR Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the project is valued at $5,482,424.00 (includes all CMAR fees, bond & insurance expenses, seat allowances, and project contingency), the actual field house construction work and associated activities is valued at $4,015,426.

Look who's trying to buy some NC Treasurer candidate Dale Folwell? Robinson Bradshaw pay to play

The Candidate's website

http://www.dalefolwell.com/

JON HARDISTER FOR NC HOUSE
PO BOX 4113
GREENSBORO, NC 27404

Jon Hardister = Goldman Sachs and the financial industry
if he is supporting Dale Folwell

Surprised there isn't a Tony Wilkins contribution

RICHARD A VINROOT
ATTORNEY
ROBINSON BRADSHAW & HINSON PA
325 CHEROKEE PLACE
CHARLOTTE, NC 28207

Charlotte Observer; "Our choices for N.C. treasurer"; Where is Greensboro News and Record's endorsement for treasurer?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/03/charlotte-observer-our-choices-for-nc.html

ELIZABETH M SEYMOUR
MANAGER
WELLS FARGO CORP
3520 BIRKDALE LAKE COURT
CLEMMONS, NC 27012

Wells Fargo manages North Carolina's Stable Value funds

which charge at least twice what they should,

and Dale Folwell appears to be on board

with campaign contributors skimming profits 

from North Carolina employees

A Few Observations on Share Classes and Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-couple-of-observations-on-share.html

ALICE ADAMS
ATTORNEY
ROBINSON BRADSHAW & HINSON PA
6717 WYNFAIRE LANE
CHARLOTTE, NC 28210

ALLAIN C ANDRY IV
ATTORNEY
ROBINSON BRADSHAW & HINSON PA
114 PETERS PLACE
DAVIDSON, NC 28036

Robinson Bradshaw is a big player at the Treasurer's office, 

reaping millions in fees defending the state

in exchange for campaign cash

CARL BEATTIE
ATTORNEY
ROBINSON BRADSHAW & HINSON
101 N TRYON ST STE 1900
CHARLOTTE, NC 28246

GAIL NORRIS BLANTON
CONSUMER FINANCE
TIME INVESTMENT CORPORATION
3069 DARTMOUTH DR
GREENVILLE, NC 27858

DONALD J BRADY
CHAIRMAN
BRADY SERVICES
PO BOX 13587
GREENSBORO, NC 27415-3587

JAMES EDGAR BROYHILL
PRESIDENT
ANVIL VENTURE
525 N HAWTHORNE RD
WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27104

Looks like the Broyhill's are looking to buy some North Carolina investment business from Dale

JAMES T BROYHILL
US SENATOR
RETIRED
1930 VIRGINIA RD
WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27104

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351786/000114420416077785/v429955_def14a.htm

ROBERT BRASWELL
PRESIDENT
CAROLINA BANK
1101 COUNTRY CLUB DR
GREENSBORO, NC 27408

Associated Press misleads for Wall Street against Ron Elmer; "Correction: Primary-Council Of State story"; Don't expect the News and Record to tell anyone in print

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/03/associated-press-misleads-for-wall.html

CYNTHIA L COLLINS
ATTORNEY
ROBINSON BRADSHAW & HINSON PA
1906 BEARKLING PLACE
CHAPEL HILL, NC 27517

Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. has hired attorney Cynthia Collins, formerly the deputy attorney general for the State of Delaware and general counsel to the Delaware Public Employees Retirement System (DPERS). Collins will co-chair the firm’s institutional investors practice and work with the firm’s fund formation and investment management group.

Pay to Play

Collins has extensive experience representing institutional investors in structuring, negotiating and managing portfolio investment transactions. She negotiated more than $1 billion in private equity, real estate, hedge fund and other alternative investments for DPERS, as well as co-investments and secondary transactions. Collins has also negotiated investment management agreements and created special funds for a variety of purposes.

http://www.robinsonbradshaw.com/newsroom-news-Robinson-Bradshaw-Expands-Fund-Formation-and-Institutional-Investors-Practices-02-02-2015.html

Sound Familiar?; Who do you think Greensboro's News and Record is going to endorse?

"Over the past 15 years, the North Carolina state pension’s funding ratio has deteriorated – falling from 112.8% to 94.8%.  The major reasons for the decline—excessive undisclosed fees and wildly speculative hedge and private equity investing..."

Greensboro's News and Record is directly responsible 

for North Carolina and the City of Greensboro's employees 

paying more for pension and retirement investments than necessary,

as they have known for years and did nothing

Thankfully, for whatever reasons, current North Carolina Treasurer Janet Cowell—having exponentially increased the fees paid to her pals on Wall Street—has decided not to seek reelection.

Can’t imagine where she’ll surface next.

...Mr. Elmer, a CPA, has committed not only to publishing financial statements for the North Carolina state pension fund for the first time in 15 years, but also an independent audit of the pension for the first time – ever.

Jeff Gauger has direct personal knowledge

of Elmer's strategy, as I told him on multiples of occasions

and he didn't let Warren Buffett's newspaper report the story

Elmer has pledged not to take campaign contributions from Wall Street but his goals are bigger than winning the Treasurer’s race without Wall Street’s money.  He plans to end pay-to-play permanently in the Treasurer’s office by firing as many of the external managers as possible, bringing North Carolina’s money home, and managing assets in-house using an indexing strategy.  Finally, Elmer plans to replace the widely-criticized “sole-trustee” power of the State Treasurer with a Board of Trustee structure filled with relevant stakeholders – not Wall Streeters.

Joe Killian and Susan Ladd know exactly what could have been reported

and wasn't,

and then Joe's wife became a financial industry lobbyist

Thus, the next Treasurer won’t be able to dole out million dollar investment contracts to campaign contributors without the full consent of the Board of Trustees who would have to vote to move investments from in-house management back to the outhouse.

Jon Hardister barely lifted a finger,

and then failed to act in the best interests of North Carolina employees

by not following through

Elmer has managed state pension investments for Georgia and California, but more importantly, Elmer has previously managed a $2 billion stock index fund for the North Carolina pension fund.  He has quite literally “done this before” and just wants to “do it across town in the Treasurer’s office and save North Carolina hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsiedle/2016/03/01/finally-north-carolina-has-a-good-choice-for-state-treasurer/#70d0935a79cb
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From; NC District 59 Representative Jon Hardister To; NC Treasurer's Office "pertaining to 401(k) and 457 plans"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/from-nc-district-59-representative-jon.html

Tony Wilkins, Nancy Vaughan, Nancy Hoffmann, Sharon Hightower, 

Yvonne Johnson, Mike Barber, MariKay Abuzuaiter and Jamal Fox

with Jim Westmoreland, Donnie Turlington and Mary Vigue's help 

betrayed those they are supposed to represent

On North Carolina State's 401(k) and 457 "GoalMaker" Target Date Funds

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/on-north-carolina-states-401k-and-457.html

North Carolina State 401(k) replaced index funds with higher cost actively managed accounts in 2013

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/north-carolina-state-401k-replaced.html

A Few Observations on Share Classes and Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-couple-of-observations-on-share.html

A Few Observations on Share Classes and Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-couple-of-observations-on-share.html

"Secrecy in Pensions Triggers Legislative Brawl in North Carolina"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/secrecy-in-pensions-triggers.html

NC State Treasurer Janet Cowell's answer to the following question in 2012

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/nc-state-treasurer-janet-cowells-answer.html

"North Carolina Treasurer [Richard Moore] calls Wells’ Wachovia deal ‘highway robbery’

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/north-carolina-treasurer-richard-moore.html

NC Treasurer Janet Cowell Contributions; "Law Firms Seek Cut of State Pension Litigation" and Pay to Play

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/nc-treasurer-janet-cowell-contributions.html

Crow Holdings Capital Partners LLC and Pay to Play with NC Treasurer Janet Cowell

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/10/crow-holdings-capital-partners-llc-and.html

"NC Pension Accused of Pay-to-Play Violations"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/nc-pension-accused-of-pay-to-play.html

And so it goes with the Federal Reserve and Roy Cooper and Janet Cowell again

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/01/and-so-it-goes-with-federal-reserve-and.html

The Goodmons, WRAL, Janet Cowell and Roy Cooper, overcharging North Carolina State employees in retirement plans and the Wachovia, Wells Fargo merger

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-goodmons-wral-janet-cowell-and-roy.html

Galliard, owned by Wells Fargo, North Carolina Stable Value Fund Transition Update; May 16, 2013

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/10/galliard-owned-by-wells-fargo-north.html

Why North Carolina Treasurer Janet Cowell isn't running for reelection, and how the City of Greensboro's retirement plan committee betrayed their co-workers

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-north-carolina-treasurer-janet.html

Public Information Request for the State of North Carolina's Treasurer

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/10/public-information-request-for-state-of.html

When in doubt, buy a newspaper and buy as many local politicians as possible, by Roy Carroll and John Hammer

Think the News and Record or the Rhino Times will report that Tony Wilkins, Mike Barber, Nancy Hoffmann, Yvonne Johnson, Bellamy Small, Thessa Picket, Jamal Fox, Sharon Hightower, Nancy Vaughan and Justin Outling sold out to Roy Carroll?

http://cf.ncsbe.gov/cf_rpt_search_org/cf_report_image.aspx?DID=193305
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"The Good, Bad and Ugly City Council Endorsements"

Mike Barber, Yvonne Johnson, Sharon Hightower, Jamal Fox, Justin Outling and Nancy Vaughan received Rhino endorsements

Tony Wilkins and Nancy Hoffmann got Roy Carroll's money anyway

Bellamy Small and Thessa Picket got some just in case money


http://www.rhinotimes.com/Content/Default/Homepage-Article-Rotator/Article/The-Good-Bad-and-Ugly-City-Council-Endorsements/-3/5/737
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And now we have at least two Rhino articles directly advocating for Roy Carroll's business interests;

Read it and weep for our community; "Weekly Hammer: Feb. 4, Business-Unfriendly Staff Needs Attitude Adjustment" by John "Roy's Boy" Hammer

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/read-it-and-weep-for-our-community.html

An act of Cowardice by John Hammer for Roy Carroll: "Breaking The Government Monopoly On Inspections"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/12/an-act-of-cowardice-by-john-hammer-for.html
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And Greensboro's taxpayers are being forced to subsidize the Rhino's circulation and bogus advertisement numbers;

The City of Greensboro blowing off a legitimate taxpayer inquiry concerning the Rhino Times circulation numbers and links

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-city-of-greensboro-blowing-off.html

Democracy and a free press no longer exists in Greensboro, North Carolina

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/democracy-and-free-press-no-longer.html

Roy Carroll's Lobbyist funding buried in the Consent agenda of Greensboro's City Council Meeting; 12/16/2014

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/12/roy-carrolls-lobbyist-funding-buried-in.html

Has anyone seen the Rhino Times' circulation audit? About 16% of the Rhino's ads are taxpayer funded.

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/has-anyone-seen-rhino-times-circulation.html

Roy Carroll's Rhino Times questionable circulation subsidized by Greensboro's taxpayers

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/roy-carrolls-rhino-times-questionable.html

How can the Rhino claim to have 70,000 weekly readers if Roy is only distributing about 17,500 issues per week, many of which don't get read?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-can-rhino-claim-to-have-70000.html

City of Greensboro Rhino Times Circulation Audit Information Request

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/city-of-greensboro-rhino-times.html

Rhino Times Greensboro Coliseum Advertising

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/rhino-times-greensboro-coliseum.html

Rhino Times; N.C. Gen. Stat § 75-1.1: Unfair & Deceptive Trade Practices Under North Carolina Law

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/rhino-times-nc-gen-stat-75-11-unfair.html

Hartzman's prepared statement on John Hammer, Roy Carroll and the Rhino Times, from last night's City Council meeting

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/12/hartzmans-prepared-statement-on-john.html

Heard Spice Cantina went under...along with a couple hundred thousand Greensboro taxpayer dollars

"A property south of the train tracks behind South Elm Street and the Cascade Saloon was sold in 2008 to what would become Greensboro Parking Group LLC for $1,050,000, with a $52,500 real estate commission, half of which was paid to “NAI”.

NAI, as in Robbie Perkins' real estate company

The most crooked mayor in Greensboro's history

until Nancy Vaughan

In February 2012, Greensboro’s City Council passed a resolution approving a $200,000 loan, $100,000 of which was to construct a parking lot that has been completed, and a second $100,000 for a companion restaurant to Worx. Current City Council members who voted for the loan include Nancy Hoffmann, Yvonne Johnson, Zack Matheny, Nancy Vaughan and Marikay Abuzuaiter.

This is on Nancy, Yvonne, Zack, Nancy and Marikay's heads.

These current City Council Members 

and one crooked Greensboro taxpayer funded lobbyist

are directly responsible for what took place

The developer agreed to, and was required to comply with, specified contractual conditions including; “The second $100,000 of City loan funds will be invested in the last $100,000 of project improvements after confirmation that the developer equity and bank funds have been fully deployed into the project. Architect’s or engineer’s certification of work completed on the project and work remaining to be done will be provided to the City prior to the release of any City loan funds. Committed funds totaling $2,272,860... Capital investment must be complete and in-place by July 31, 2013. The parking lot and restaurant tenant, [Spice] Cantina, are required to create at least 4 new full-time positions [by] July 31, 2013. Developer must confirm that all funds inclusive of the tenant up-fit funds of $179,000 necessary to open the restaurant are available and ready to be invested in the business and present a signed lease ... that will own and operate [Spice] Cantina before the second $100,000 of City loan funds are disbursed. The second $100,000 will be used in the renovation and opening of the restaurant and will be reimbursed ... only after all work is substantially completed on the project. The second $100,000 of City loan funds will be invested in the last $100,000 of project improvements after ... bank funds have been fully deployed into the project. No advance payments shall be made.”

Instead of letting organic  forces of free market capitalism

determined who won or lost, 

Nancy, Yvonne, Zack, Nancy and Marikay

chose to allocate money to Council cronies,

which in my view, is a subtle form of fascism

which hurt unconnected businesses down the street

A member of the Momentum Group, whose principals including Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) board member Nick Piornack, informed three City staff members last week that “75 or 80 percent” of the Cantina was complete.

Natty Greene’s poised to move to Revolution Mill

Natty Greene’s co-owner Kayne Fisher 

has previously said that the company will soon outgrow its production facility...

...Revolution Mill Business Development Manager Nick Piornack 

couldn’t be immediately reached for comment Thursday. 

But it appears that if city council approves both grants this upcoming Tuesday, 

Natty Greene’s is here to stay.

Councilman Jamal Fox, 

who represents the district where Revolution Mill is located, 

said he is confident that the resolutions will pass."

http://triad-city-beat.com

Yet the developers have submitted invoices, and received payments from the City, for all but $1,642.86 of the second $100,000. A guesstimate of the project’s progress appears to be far less than the 75 percent cited.

Greensboro's City Council 

just approved millions for a Nick Piornack connected venture

just like they did for his newly failed restaurant

which stole business from competitors down the street

with City Council's blessing 

and their own tax money

The Momentum Group has been in discussions with City Council member Nancy Hoffmann to develop a couple of properties Hoffmann recently purchased on Lewis Street, which would utilize the lot she voted to fund for patron parking.

Nick Piornack as in Nancy Hoffman's business partner, 

Nick Piornack?

Billy Jones

December 5, 2015 at 4:56 PM

Personal guarantees were required from the investor group that included Piornack, whom Nancy Hoffmann nominated for the DGI board.

Nancy Hoffmann Campaign Contributors 

whom Hoffmann voted taxpayer money/largess for, 

which Greensboro's press won't report;

Marty Kotis, Wayne Abraham, Andrew Brod

(Agnes) Gary Brame, George Carr, Dawn Chaney

Betty Cone, Shirley Frye, John Graham

Chip Hagan, Ross Harris, Cyndy Hayworth

Henry Isaacson, Marc Isaacson, Tobee Kaplan

Milton Kern, (Emily) Ed Kitchen, Deborah Lankford

The Lebauers, Reid Phillips, Nick Piornack

The Samet family, Michael Shiftan, Susan Schwartz

Desmond Sheridan, Barry Siegal, Doris Tanger, Cecilia Thompson

http://candidatereports.myguilford.com/files/1612_DOC080315hogf-08032015134439.pdf

Kinda makes you wonder, don't it?

Previously, Hoffmann consented to allow a tenant to apply for a retail grant for her Elm Street building for electrical work, frame and sheet rock, and plumbing. In my view, the grant, which was funded by a Hoffmann Council vote that allocated monies to DGI, benefited her personal property. At a Council meeting, Hoffmann stated “No taxpayer money was spent on my behalf for the 302/304 South Elm building.”

Think the News and Record 
will report Nancy Hoffmann's connections to Nick Piornack
after not reporting her lying to her taxpaying constituents
for self dealing?

It appears the developers have not deployed the agreed upon private monies before asking for the second $100,000 as required. The capital investment and jobs were not in place by the deadline, and the required lease was signed by Piornack, as managing partner of “Spice Cantina, LLC”, even though Piornack is a member of Greensboro Parking Group, LLC, which is listed as the landlord. The City declined further comment on whether the “up-fit funds of $179,000” for the restaurant were “available and ready to be invested”. Nancy Hoffmann did not reply for comment.

Nancy Hoffmann is a crooked, pay to play politician

among others who serve on Greensboro's City Council

who stole/steal from other's tax money 

and the News and Record won't report it

because the News and Record is in on it, deep,
and they keep letting it happen
along with John Hammer and Roy Carroll.

At an Economic Development Committee meeting on April 11, Marikay Abuzuaiter raised the issue of oversight on various loans, grants and incentives provided by the City, specifically citing the Greensboro Parking, LLC loan, and informed her colleagues that Momentum had not satisfied the requirements of the resolution passed by City Council. Abuzuaiter thinks there may be more unfulfilled, undisclosed contracts.

In December, 2013, the contract was amended by City staff without formally informing City Council, extending the “Time of Performance 7/31/2013, to 12/31/2013”. The document states “The City contact for all matters including request for payment and reporting under this agreement shall be Kathi Dubel. Dubel, like former City Manager Denise Turner Roth, served as a lobbyist for the Greensboro Partnership before working for the City.

The City appears to have extended a noncompliant contract after payments were made and obligations not produced, which now looks like it’s in default."

http://yesweekly.com/article-18090-developer-can%25E2%2580%2599t-pave-over-holes-in-city-loan-contract.html
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Greensboro's News and Record reported none of the following;

Robbie Perkins, Nancy Vaughan, Zack Matheny, Jim Kee, Yvonne Johnson and Nancy Hoffmann just cost taxpayers $586,000

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/09/robbie-perkins-nancy-vaughan-zack.html

It's hard to have a crooked government

without a crooked press corps

at the local paper of record
and Roy's Rhino Times

On Nancy Hoffmann's DGI Self Dealing and Conflict of Interest

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/on-nancy-hoffmanns-dgi-self-dealing-and.html

Allen Johnson, Doug Clark, Margaret Moffit, 

Jeff Gauger, Amanda Lehmert, Joe Killian,
Roy Carroll, John Hammer, Mark Sutter, Brian Clarey, Jordan Green, Eric Ginsburg, 

Susan Ladd and Stephen Doyle let this happen

without informing the public of the corruption

Kathy Manning, Randall Kaplan's wife, lobbying for a GPAC and their new hotel, with some Nancy Hoffmann, Dawn Chaney and Nancy Vaughan

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/08/kathy-manning-randall-kaplans-wife.html
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Will Nancy Hoffman vote to fund DGI this evening, after her "final subission" to be DGI's landlord?

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/06/will-nancy-hoffman-vote-to-fund-dgi.html

Sounds like the Lee Comer money and street are a joint Dawn Cheney / Nancy Hoffmann project; Linkfest

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/sounds-like-lee-comer-money-and-street.html

Lee Comer received taxpayer money

advocated by Zack Matheny, Dawn Chaney and Nancy Hoffmann

to unfairly compete with other businesses downtown

with other businesses downtown's tax money,

and the News and Record thought it was great 

to see crooked politicians hook up their friends

to steal business from the unconnected 

How Nancy Hoffmann, Dawn Cheney and the Isaccson's give everyone else's money to their friends, while stiffing East Greensboro

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/02/how-nancy-vaughan-and-zack-matheny-give.html
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City Councilwoman Nancy Hoffmann signs authorization for tenant to receive taxpayer money she voted for

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/10/per-dgis-jason-cannon-city-councilwoman.html
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Zack Matheny and Nancy Hoffmann "Are NOT Prostitutes … They Are Pimps"; An Adaptation

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/11/zack-matheny-and-nancy-hoffmann-are-not.html

News and Record Letter to the Editor on Nancy Hoffmann

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/todays-news-and-record-letter-to-editor.html
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"No taxpayer money was spent on my behalf for the 302/304 South Elm building." - Nancy Hoffmann

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/no-taxpayer-money-was-spent-on-my.html

Nancy Hoffman's campaign contribution connections to Tuesday's Give Away to Greensboro's 1%

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/10/nancy-hoffmans-campaign-contribution.html

How Greensboro works, Nancy Hoffman edition

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-greensboro-works-nancy-hoffman.html

From a thread at Greater Greensboro Politics on Nancy Hoffman's Crony Capitalism and Self Dealing

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/10/from-thread-at-greater-greensboro.html

Zack Matheny Linkfest Etc..., Featuring Yes Weekly's Actual Journalist Jeff Sykes

DGI, Jim Westmoreland, Nancy Vaughan, Zack Matheny, Tuggle Duggans, Roy Carroll and the Triad Good Government PAC

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/city-of-greensboro-information-request.html

Matheny bristled at criticism of DGI earlier this spring

and had his feathers badly ruffled 

when a group of downtown property owners 

appeared before the City Council 

and demanded that the city defund the booster group

because of its poor track record.

Yes Weekly's Jeff Sykes

June 10, 2015

From; Zack Matheny To; Jason Cannon On Wed, Nov 12, 2014 at 8:43 AM

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/06/from-zack-matheny-to-jason-cannon-on.html

Yes Weekly's Jeff Sykes on Matheny and Jason Cannon DGI email correspondence

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/06/yes-weeklys-jeff-sykes-on-matheny-and.html

Matheny sent a series of malevolent text messages 

to one of the speakers, implying that he saw no reason 

to ever support the citizen's projects again, 

and that the two would henceforth be at odds 

due to the property owner deciding to speak out against DGI. 

Yes Weekly's Jeff Sykes

June 10, 2015

Swim at your own risk; Percentage of Unprofitable IPOs and some other pretty scary economic indicators of what's coming

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/06/swim-at-your-own-risk-percentage-of.html

Greensboro's hidden $282,210,485, which was $272,083,730 the year before, that was $273,932,356 the year before that

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/06/greensboros-hidden-282210485-which-was.html

Tuggle Duggins & Meschan, P.A. Flash Back on Developer Dollars: How Campaign Contributions Overpower Growth Management Efforts in North Carolina

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/keith-brown-tuggle-duggins-meschan-pa.html

In the text messages 

Matheny directly stated that the criticism 

jeopardized his potential employment with DGI.

Matheny says in his resignation announcement 

that he wants to avoid a conflict of interest, 

but that time is too far-gone. 

Very few in Greensboro believe 

that DGI has a rationale for existence.

...the cauldron of conflicts of interest 

remains bubbling just below the surface.

Yes Weekly's Jeff Sykes

June 10, 2015

On Marsh Prause, Nancy Vaughan, Jim Westmoreland, Jeff Phillips, Marty Lawing and DGI's meeting to hire City Councilman Zack Matheny

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/on-marsh-prause-nancy-vaughan-jim.html

Zack Matheny should resign

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/zack-matheny-should-resign.html

DGI Update; In blow to Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Zack Matheny, John Lomax found to be ineligable to join board

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/dgi-update-in-blow-to-mayor-nancy.html

The trend among Greensboro's elite 

is to lead cheers for "all the good things going on in Greensboro." 

Absent critical analysis of relationships, 

motivations and outcomes by the city's press, 

boosterism is about all the city's public discourse amounts to.

Matheny is ...also known as the ultimate insider. 

Does Downtown Greensboro need another puppet on a string

controlled by one or two uber-powerful real estate interests?...

Yes Weekly's Jeff Sykes

June 10, 2015

Possibly the dumbest political maneuvering ever seen at a Greensboro City Council Meeting

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/possibly-dumbest-political-maneuvering.html

Dear Mike Barber and Zack Matheny; North Carolina Law § 14-118.4. Extortion; Favoritism and Crony Capitalism

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/04/dear-mike-barber-and-zack-matheny-north.html

Goodbye Mike Barber and Zack Matheny; "Greensboro group pressured to hire new CEO"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/04/goodbye-mike-barber-and-zack-matheny.html

DGI, Mike Barber and Zack Matheny; "Extortion"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/04/dgi-mike-barber-and-zack-matheny.html
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CITY COUNCIL OATH OF OFFICE;

PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE; 
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME:

I, ZACK MATHENY, DO SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM)

THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NOT INCONSISTENT THEREWITH AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF MY OFFICE AS A MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO ACCORDING TO LAW AND ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY SKILL AND ABILITY, SO HELP ME, GOD.

Messrs. Matheny and Barber 

have failed to "FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES" 

of their offices as members 

of "THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO" 

"ACCORDING TO [their] BEST OF [their] SKILL AND ABILITY"

"Political corruption is the use of powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties, is done under color of law or involves trading in influence.

Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, influence peddling, graft, and embezzlement. 

...Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents is also considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by private persons or corporations not directly involved with the government.

...A similar problem of corruption arises in any institution that depends on financial support from people who have interests that may conflict with the primary purpose of the institution.

...corruption in public administration results in the inefficient provision of services. It violates a basic principle of republicanism regarding the centrality of civic virtue. More generally, corruption erodes the institutional capacity of government if procedures are disregarded, resources are siphoned off, and public offices are bought and sold.

Corruption undermines the legitimacy of government and such democratic values as trust and tolerance.

Corruption also generates economic distortion in the public sector by diverting public investment into capital projects where bribes and kickbacks are more plentiful. 

...Trading in influence, or influence peddling, refers a person selling his/her influence over the decision making process to benefit a third party (person or institution). 

...Patronage refers to favoring supporters, for example with government employment.

...Favoring relatives (nepotism) or personal friends (cronyism) of an official is a form of illegitimate private gain. This may be combined with bribery, for example demanding that a business should employ a relative of an official controlling regulations affecting the business.

Seeking to harm enemies becomes corruption when official powers are illegitimately used as means to this end."
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Dear David Brantley Craft; "[C. Brantley] Aycock’s vile legacy", by the Editorial Board of the News & Record

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/dear-david-brantley-craft-c-brantley.html

Ben Holder on Zack Matheny and the Roy Carroll set up DGI CEO job, with Charles Womack's permission

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/ben-holder-on-zack-matheny-and-roy.html

Randolph County Megasite Con Update

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/randolph-county-megasite-con-update.html

Updated, Updated; On Marsh Prause, Nancy Vaughan, Jim Westmoreland, Jeff Phillips, Marty Lawing and DGI's meeting to hire City Councilman Zack Matheny

After Cyndy Hayworth publicly accused City Council member Mike Barber

of extortion over a job for City Council member Zack Matheny,

and after Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan

unsuccessfully attempted to appoint John Lomax

a Matheny business partner and campaign contributor/crony

to DGI's board before a vote to hire Matheny,

it is my understanding that at the meeting to hire Matheny, 

attorney Marsh Prouse suggested DGI wait for a commitment

from Greensboro's City Council and Guilford County
that DGI would be funded before announcing Zack's employment, 
making the job dependent upon taxpayer money
for a sitting, elect official who has voted for the funding
of the organization, and serves as City Council's DGI Liaison.

Zack Matheny, Nancy Vaughan and Mike Barber

put their own interests of power, income and reelection 

in front of the best interests of City of Greensboro taxpayers,
and the News and Record and the Rhino Times won't report it.

Matheny should have ended all public comment

and any Council deliberations and votes

on his announcement of going after a position Zack helped create

by getting rid of Jason Cannon

and killing Cyndy Hayworth's chance at the job

by leaking information about her education credentials to the press
and the News and Record and the Rhino Times won't report it.

Apparently DGI's Board decided Zack Matheny, 

an acting Greensboro Councilman and DGI's Liaison

doesn't have a conflict of interest in applying for the job,

which includes Vaughan, Phillips, Lawing and Westmoreland.

Nancy Vaughan was supposedly in the room as a DGI board member, 

along with Nick Piornack, who is Nancy Hoffmann's business partner,

Mark Prince of Guilford's Merchants Association,

Brian Wise, General Counsel and VP of Finance

for Roy" Carroll Companies

Guilford County Manager Marty Lawing,

Guilford County Commissioner Jeff Phillips

and City of Greensboro Manager Jim Westmoreland.
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§ 14-234. Public officers or employees benefiting from public contracts; 

(a)       (1)        No public officer or employee who is involved in making or administering a contract on behalf of a public agency may derive a direct benefit from the contract

3)        No public officer or employee may solicit or receive any gift, favor, reward, service, or promise of reward, including a promise of future employment, in exchange for recommending, influencing, or attempting to influence the award of a contract by the public agency he or she serves.

(4)        A public officer or employee derives a direct benefit from a contract if the person ...(ii) derives any income or commission directly from the contract...

(f)        A contract entered into in violation of this section is void.
http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/14-234-public-officers-or-employees.html

Neither Barber or Matheny withdrew 

"from any consideration of the matter"

while currently serving on City Council
and the News and Record and the Rhino Times won't report it.

Greensboro Council member Mike Barber has an indirect financial interest

in Zack's DGI employment,as they are located in the same district 

in Trudy Wade's redistricting plan, 

and that Matheny voted for funding a golf course, 

in which Mike Barber recused himself

which Barber profits from local taxpayers with

with the help of Jim Melvin and the Bryan Foundation
and the News and Record and the Rhino Times won't report it.
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§ 14-118.4. Extortion

Any person who threatens or communicates a threat or threats to another with the intention thereby wrongfully to obtain anything of value or any acquittance, advantage, or immunity is guilty of extortion and such person shall be punished as a Class F felon.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_14/Article_20.pdf

Zack Matheny has a direct financial interest

in applying for a job he voted to fund,

and now DGI's Board wants to wait for guaranteed funding

from Phillips, Vaughan, Westmoreland and Lawing

before hiring Matheny with everyone else's money

a few months before an election?

If political corruption is the use of powers by government officials

for illegitimate private gain,

how is this not political corruption?

If Guilford County is funding DGI, 

and Phillips and Lawing are allowing DGI's board

 to dictate the hiring of a sitting City Councilman

based on a guarantee of funding provided by Guilford County, 

Phillips and Lawing may have a problem,
as they will be directly responsible 
for the hiring of an elected official 
with Guilford County's tax monies
which they will have promised as long as Zack gets the job.

Zack and Mike Barber lobbying for Matheny's DGI job

while involved in deliberations concerning the organization's funding, 

is an abuse of their positions
and the News and Record and the Rhino Times won't report it.

As public officials,

Westmoreland, Vaughan, Phillips and Lawing

are responsible, if not accessories at this point
in one of our community's biggest episodes of political corruption
ignored by the News and Record and the Rhino Times,
who's Brian Wise should have been in the room
if John Hammer had anything to do with it.

Mike Barber just abused his position as a council member

to advocate via extortion for taxpayer monies to be allocated 

to a fellow council member

positioned to compete for the same council spot

under Trudy Wade's redistricting plan.

The selection process has been compromised

by the selection committee and DGI's board
which includes Lawing, Phillips, Westmoreland and Vaughan.

Mike Barber is a known liar and should be investigated

for trying to extort the DGI job for Zack Matheny

out of Cyndi Hayworth,

after Zack leaked Hayworth's lack of education credentials,

leaving her ineligible for the job

after Zack helped get Jason Cannon fired to get the same job
and the News and Record and the Rhino Times won't report it.

Marsh Prause is connected to Greensboro's elite
who run Downtown Greensboro
and is in the business of extracting taxpayer dollars for clients
like DGI;

"Marsh is active in the civic affairs in the City of Greensboro, including appointments by elected representatives and foundations to boards, commissions, and task forces involved with major projects and initiatives such as the Downtown Greenway, the Greensboro Performing Arts Center (Tanger Center), the proposed merger of the City and County planning boards, the City’s bicentennial celebration, and the revision of land development, zoning, and other ordinances.  He is a board member for several local non-profits.

If Guilford County funds DGI at this point, 

commissioners will be approving the actions of Greensboro's City Council, 

which includes extortion, cronyism, nepotism and abuse of office.

...since 2007, he has chaired the board of an active historic preservation revolving fund that promotes preservation as a form of economic development by facilitating transactions that leverage state and federal preservation tax credits to enable the restoration and adaptive reuse of historically and architecturally significant properties. In January of 2015, Marsh was appointed to the Board of Directors of Downtown Greensboro Incorporated, the primary economic development organization for Greensboro’s center city area."


http://allmanspry.com/attorney-profiles/d-marsh-prause/
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Zack Matheny should resign

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/zack-matheny-should-resign.html

Zack Matheny violates the City Charter and his oath of office etc..., again, by discussing "Economic Development" in Greensboro's budget, while a candidate for DGI's top job

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/zack-matheny-violates-city-charter-and.html

In blow to Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Zack Matheny, John Lomax found to be ineligable to join board

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/dgi-update-in-blow-to-mayor-nancy.html
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A few supporters for Robbie Perkins for Mayor

...Nancy and Trip Brown, Chester Brown, III, Roy Carroll, Shirley Frye, Ross Harris, Kathy Manning and Randall Kaplan, Marsh Prause, Sara Lee and Paul Saperstein - The parents of Greensboro's lobbyist and Mac Sims.
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Greensboro Downtown Economic Development Strategy Project Committee, Community Stakeholders and Adisory Group;

Roy Carroll, Aprill Harris, Ed Kitchen, Mac Sims, Dawn Chaney, Willie Hammer, Robin Saul, Susan Schwartz, Frank Auman Jr., Chester Brown, Seth Coker, Betty Cone, Milton Kern, Jim Melvin, Skip Moore, Jeff Nimmer, Marsh Prause, Dabny Sanders, Walker Sanders, Rich Wittington
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"The new board includes Mark Gibb of Gibb’s Hundred Brewing, downtown resident Paula Pierce, small-property owner Marsh Prause, small-property owner James “Smitty” Smith, Lotus club owner Paul Talley and Brian Wise of the Carroll Companies."

http://triad-city-beat.com/downtown-greensboro-inc-board-disposes-of-critics/

It is difficult to get a man to understand something

when his salary depends on his not understanding it.

Upton Sinclair

It appears some closet fascists seek to organize Greensboro's economic control according to Roy Carroll's corporatist perspectives, values, and systems, including Greensboro's political system.

Zack Matheny has presented himself as a solution to the perceived benefits of his favor, to the cronies who control downtown Greensboro, by advocating and taking advantage of government controlled taxpayer capital allocations to himself, and through himself enabled by at least Nancy Vaughan and Mike Barber, to DGI's board members, who will return the favors with continued financial and political support for at least Zack, Nancy and Mike.

Fascism is a form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with collaboration with traditional elites, which abandons democratic/capitalistic liberties, with the help of corporate media, which in this case is the News and Record and the Rhino Times.

If you choose not to know something,

especially if that something is something you should know,

you are morally blameworthy.

Robert P. Lawry

Director of the Center for Professional Ethics

"...Built in 1895, the Cascade Saloon at 408 and 410 S. Elm Street is one of the oldest buildings in the city. 

The City of Greensboro used eminent domain to take over the Cascade Saloon earlier this year and has since debated what to do with the building.

...Preservation Greensboro offered to take ownership of the building in order to stabilize and restore it, but asked the city for $175,000 to help subsidize the costs associated with renovating the nearly 4,000 square foot, two-story structure.

Marsh Prause represented Preservation Greensboro for the agreement, and made the case for the transfer of ownership.

“We’re offering to take this problem on for you,” said Prause.

“It has negative value. We’re asking you to offset some of the liability and risk we are willing to take on for you.”

Even though the city would have to use taxpayer funds to hand over the building, the simple math of the cost difference made the choice clear for councilman Zack Matheny.

“We were going to spend the money no matter what,” said Matheny.

...“Once it is fixed up it has the potential to be an icon,” said Prause. “It could stand out more than any building downtown.”

...In a situation with only three options – tear down the historic building for $600,000, let someone else restore it into a operating business for $175,000, or do nothing and risk the liability of the nearly 120-year-old structure caving in on itself – the choice was clear to Vaughan.

“To me it is just a no brainer,” said Vaughan. The council will pass the ownership of Cascade Saloon, but will not pay out the $175,000 to Preservation Greensboro until the organization provides more transparency as to who the donors are, and what they plan on doing with the structure..."

http://yesweekly.com/article-18607-saloon-saved.html
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"Downtown Greensboro Inc. got two new board members this week

The Greensboro City Council’s appointment of high-profile downtown developers John Lomax and Andy Zimmerman could mean the embattled nonprofit agency may escape the cut in city funding that it has been threatened with this budget season.

“You could assume that,” said Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who appointed the two men at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Meaning Nancy Vaughan appears to have made a deal,

to garner political support for her reelection from DGI's Board, 

in exchange for funding the organization

and getting Zack Matheny, Roy Carroll's pick,

hired as the new president while Roy's attorney serves and votes on the Board,

which helps Nancy Hoffmann, Mike Barber, Nancy Vaughan

Marikay Abuzuaiter and Zack Matheny

by eliminating one contender

from Trudy Wade's fourth district. 

As mayor, Vaughan is a member of the board of DGI, which promotes downtown Greensboro using money from a special business improvement district tax on downtown property owners.

If John Lomax attended the closed session, 

even though he was not allowed to join the board,

and the meeting concerned a personnel decision,

how is it not a violation of employment confidentiality statutes? 

City Council members have been discussing taking away DGI’s funding altogether in the past few weeks, even as Councilman Zack Matheny applied to be the group’s next chief executive officer.

Nancy Vaughan openly tried to appoint John Lomax,

a Matheny business partner and financial contributor

to DGI's Board without the News and Record or the Rhino Times

reporting the information to the public.

Cyndy Hayworth, the group’s interim CEO, charged last month that she was threatened with a budget cut if Matheny wasn’t chosen as DGI’s next leader. Matheny and Councilman Mike Barber, whom Hayworth accused of making the threat, both deny giving any ultimatums."

http://www.news-record.com/news/dgi-brings-in-two-new-experienced-board-members/article_596344f8-ff39-11e4-a0b5-a7efea234b4e.html