Formal Complaint Alleges Systemic Conflicts of Interest at The Assembly, DGI, and CFGG

GREENSBORO, N.C. June 28, 2025 — A detailed formal complaint filed by government watchdog George Hartzman accuses The Assembly, a North Carolina-based news outlet, of systemic conflicts of interest involving its Greensboro coverage, funders, and local institutions including Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (CFGG).

The complaint names The Assembly’s Greensboro editor Joe Killian, his wife Amanda Lehmert Killian, and multiple institutions whose financial and professional entanglements allegedly compromise the outlet’s ability to report independently on local government and economic power players.

Allegations of Conflict: Marriage, Money, and Media

At the heart of the complaint is Joe Killian, a veteran journalist who previously worked for the News & Record. Killian is married to Amanda Lehmert Killian, who served as a Senior Communications Specialist for the City of Greensboro for eight years under Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who served on DGI's board of directors. Amandda also held a leadership position with the Guilford Green Foundation while Vaughan was Executive Director, a nonprofit that received a $2,500 sponsorship from DGI earlier this year, paid via CEO Zack Matheny’s taxpayer funded credit card.

DGI used taxpayer funds to provide gifts and favors to public officials and contractors, potentially violating N.C. Gen. Stat. § 133-32 (gifts and favors regulated) and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 138A-32 (State Ethics Act). These gifts were not reported, suggesting willful concealment and potential violations of 18 U.S.C. § 201 (federal bribery) and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-217 (state bribery).

Hartzman argues that these connections, combined with Killian’s relationships with city officials and prior affiliations with open government groups, create an environment ripe for bias—one in which scrutiny of DGI and city government is systematically avoided.

A Closed Loop of Influence?

More broadly, the complaint paints a troubling picture of a media ecosystem influenced by those it’s supposed to cover. The Assembly receives funding through the Greensboro Community Journalism Fund, hosted by CFGG. CFGG itself is a financial partner of DGI and is led by Walker Sanders, who appears on DGI’s internal expense records as the recipient of multiple meals purchased with public funds.

According to the 23-24 DGI ledger obtained by Hartzman on May 21, 2025, Matheny’s DGI credit cards were used three times between August 2023 and February 2024 to purchase meals labeled as meetings with Sanders—totaling $279.24. Meanwhile, CFGG funds both DGI and The Assembly's Greensboro coverage, raising serious concerns about journalistic independence and potential “excess benefit transactions” under IRS rules for nonprofits.

“This isn’t journalism, it’s a closed loop of mutual backscratching,” said Hartzman.

“Taxpayer money flows to DGI. DGI spends it on influencers like Sanders. Sanders' network funds The Assembly, and then The Assembly runs interference for DGI. The public is left misinformed.”

DGI’s expenditures, funded by city contracts, include questionable uses of taxpayer money, potentially constituting N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-90 (embezzlement of public funds) and IRS Private Benefit Doctrine violations for 501(c)(6) organizations.

Questionable Reporting and Correction Requests

Hartzman also accuses The Assembly of misrepresentation and failure to meet basic journalistic standards in its coverage of his efforts to uncover irregularities at DGI. He specifically takes issue with statements in Joe Killian’s June 2025 article, “A Conflict Over Conflicts,” including a claim that “none of that was true” in reference to emerging allegations against DGI.

“That conclusion is not supported by facts and presumes the outcome of an unresolved situation,” Hartzman wrote in a June 27 letter to The Assembly. “The financial records are real. The program existed in secret. The lack of accountability is evident.”

Further, he alleges that The Assembly’s reporter Gale Melcher failed to contact him for comment despite referencing him directly in a recent article about DGI’s controversial homeless relocation program involving Greyhound bus tickets. Records show that 32 ticket purchases were made using DGI’s credit card—before the program had any public oversight.

Institutional Silence, Public Trust Eroded

Hartzman argues that The Assembly’s refusal to acknowledge or correct these issues is part of a broader pattern of journalism serving power rather than holding it accountable.

“This is how power protects itself—by attacking those who ask questions, dismissing evidence without examination, and manufacturing narratives to discredit critics,” he wrote.

The complaint also highlights The Assembly’s founder, Kyle Villemain, and his background in strategic communications. Hartzman argues that Villemain’s dependence on maintaining relationships with North Carolina’s nonprofit and political elites further undermines the outlet’s claim to editorial independence.

Demands for Accountability

Hartzman is requesting formal corrections to past reporting, transparency about funding sources, and a commitment from The Assembly to avoid conflicts of interest in its coverage of DGI, CFGG, and Greensboro’s city government.

The Assembly has not yet publicly responded to the complaint.

Hartzman says he has filed formal complaints with the City of Greensboro, The State Ethics Commission, Auditor, Local Government Commission, North Carolina Secretary of State’s Lobbying Compliance Division, IRS and FBI regarding the DGI ledger and related issues. He maintains that watchdog efforts like his are essential when traditional journalism fails.

“The public deserves better than sanitized press releases masquerading as news,” he said. “We need a press that investigates, not one that protects the powerful.”

STATE ETHICS COMMISSION AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S LOBBYING COMPLIANCE DIVISION COMPLAINTS ON LOBBYING LAW AND OTHER VIOLATIONS BY AT LEAST ZACK MATHENY, NANCY VAUGHAN, NANCY HOFFMANN, CITY ATTORNEY CHUCK WATTS AND ROY CARROLL

 "The State Ethics Commission has the authority to investigate complaints against those persons covered by Chapter 120C of the North Carolina General Statutes, “The Lobbying Law,” for alleged violations."

"Complaints involving allegations related only to potential reporting and registration violations should be reported to the Secretary of State’s Lobbying Compliance Division."  

Signed complaint form attached.

Key Allegations:

1. Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest & Improper Influence

DGI's 1/30/2025 Bi Annual report (attached) states;

"The Bellemeade Parking Deck is another area where DGI has been instrumental in working with all business owners impacted by its imminent removal. This includes relocating existing tenants and working to identify new development opportunities."

And;

"DGI engaged with City staff, Boards, Commissions, and City Council on issues that impact the BID area stakeholders, including Depot activation and renovation, public safety, road construction, Bellemeade Parking Deck demolition, persons experiencing homelessness, parking and transportation, GPD, BHART, city ordinances and codes, and items related to our 2030 Strategic Vision Plan."

On February 18, 2025, Zack Matheny moved, voted and signed for GENERAL BUSINESS AGENDA item I.1; "2025-130 Resolution Approving Bid in the Amount of $2,354,000 and Authorizing Execution of Contract 2024-0610 with D. H. Griffin Companies, LLC. for the Demolition of the Bellemeade St Parking Deck".

https://www.youtube.com/live/5KWl3t1ia1U?si=xc-NQJfwe6XK-cum&t=12041

Zack Matheny voted on June 3, 2025, to approve the transfer of city-owned Bellemeade property to Roy Carroll’s company, despite clear conflicts:

https://www.youtube.com/live/oc73M2bFEpg?si=iZzjqexaj2f_o3GA&t=11978

In the Bellemeade Street Deck deal, Roy Carroll's company essentially received a $570,000 windfall by purchasing property appraised at $2,420,000 for only $1,850,000, while simultaneously leaving taxpayers to absorb a $504,000 loss when the city paid $2,354,000 for demolition but only recovered $1,850,000 from the sale. This arrangement effectively transferred over half a million dollars in public value to a private developer while also forcing the city to eat additional costs, creating a double benefit for Carroll at the expense of Greensboro residents who saw their tax dollars used to subsidize a profitable real estate transaction.

Roy Carroll and his wife each donated $5,000 to Matheny’s 2022 campaign.

Craig Carlock, a Carroll Companies executive, sits on DGI’s Board, while Matheny serves as DGI’s President—creating a direct financial and political relationship.

https://www.downtowngreensboro.org/about-us/board-of-directors/

I was forwarded Downtown Greensboro Inc.’s FY 2023–2024 financial records released by the City on Greensboro May 21, 2025 (attached). I don't have FY 22-23 or 24-25. The City and DGI have not released the other information to date, in non-responses to information requests. It appears the ledger was released by mistake.

https://www.youtube.com/live/oc73M2bFEpg?t=3156s

Greensboro Public Records Request #29695 Ledger Attached.

DGI (under Matheny’s leadership) has Carroll affiliated expenditures of $4,313.53 in taxpayer-funded grants and expenses (FY 2023-24), attached, including:

$2,500 façade grant to Park View Development LLC (Carroll-owned).

$1,762.96 for a "Carroll meeting" at Postino.

$50.57 for "Lunch Roy Carroll" at Green Valley Grill.

2. Potential Bribery or Quid Pro Quo

The sequence of Carroll's campaign donations in 2022, followed by taxpayer funded DGI spending in return and favorable city council votes reveals a clear pattern of reciprocal influence that raises serious questions about money's role in municipal decision-making.

Matheny’s failure to recuse himself from Carroll related votes appears to violate NCGS § 14-234 (Conflict of Interest) and possibly NCGS § 14-217 (Bribery of Public Officials).

3. Unregistered Lobbying & Misuse of Public Funds

DGI (led by Matheny) used taxpayer money to wine and dine city officials who later voted on Carroll’s projects:

$43.08 for City Manager at Liberty Oak (9/27/23).

$62.49 for Mayor Nancy Vaughan at Car Bar (9/29/23).

$55.53 for Councilmember Nancy Hoffmann at Print Works Bistro (3/7/24).

Matheny, Rob Overman or Downtown Greensboro aren't registered as lobbyists, yet DGI actively shapes policy benefiting Carroll and other donors, violating NC lobbying disclosure laws.

There are no entries under lobbying within DGI's available IRS form 990s (attached).

4. No-Bid Contracts & Lack of Transparency

The Bellemeade property transfer handed Carroll a $570,000 windfall through a no-bid deal that bypassed competitive processes, violating public trust and procurement laws while forcing taxpayers to absorb an additional $504,000 loss on the demolition costs.

Requested Actions:

Criminal Investigation into potential violations of:

NCGS § 138A-32(e): Prohibited gifts to public officials.

NCGS § 163-278.12: Undisclosed lobbying. Secretary of State’s Database Confirms Noncompliance. Searches for "Matheny," "Downtown Greensboro," and "Overman" (DGI VP) return zero registrations

North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. § 14-234) prohibits public officials from voting on matters that financially benefit their associates.

NCGS § 14-234 (Public officials benefiting from contracts).

NCGS § 14-217 (Bribery of public officials).

NC lobbying disclosure laws (DGI/Matheny failed to register and report).

DGI's IRS form 990, attached, states; "FUNDS ARE USED TO POSITION THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AS AN ATTRACTIVE, VIBRANT DESTINATION FOR THOSE WHO WORK, PLAY AND LIVE HERE THROUGH PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, MARKETING SERVICES, SPECIAL EVENTS AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES."

Misuse of public funds (DGI’s questionable expenses without explanation of who and why).

Attached;

DGI's 1/30/2025 Bi Annual report proving lobbying activities which states;

"DGI has been instrumental in assisting with the navigation of various City departments as this project has unfolded."

"Ongoing assistance with the Carroll Companies and the anticipated Marriott AC Hotel"

"Our Economic Development Staff-comprised of the President/CEO, Vice President and our Economic Development Analyst-held 242 economic development and planning meetings in Q1 and Q2."

"DGI is currently working in conjunction with the City Manager’s Office, Parks and Recreation, GDOT and various other city departments on a major placemaking project at the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot..."

"DGI is always working to recruit new businesses to downtown through various avenues, including ...advocacy, serving as a liaison with city departments... Currently, DGI is working with several developers to facilitate ongoing development in the center city."

"DGI continues to serve in an advocacy capacity for our downtown business owners. Most recently, we provided valuable feedback to GDOT on the proposed fee increase for downtown parking and cited potential concerns related to the impact of those increases."

"In our role as a connector, DGI serves as a liaison between builders, developers, and investors and the appropriate stakeholders and governmental departments, including Economic Development, Permitting, Water & Sewer, Planning, GPD, GDOT, and GFD. Our economic development staff continue to meet regularly with developers and investors, helping them navigate the development process and connecting them with critical resources to advance their projects."

It was made clear at the meeting that illegal gifts have been flowing to City staff and elected officials from DGI and Matheny;

Greensboro City Council Meeting 6/3/2025

I said; "Their ledger shows over $40,000 in spending on perks: Haunted House tickets, Oyster Roast tickets, Swarm, Tanger, Grasshoppers, and Wyndham events. Then there’s meals with city officials, nonprofit leaders and Matheny political donors at Green Valley Grill, B Christopher’s, Pura Vida, Natty Greene’s, Undercurrent, Lucky 32, Print Works, Sushi Republic, Postino, Inka Grill and more. All on the public’s dime, paid for with our tax dollars."

https://www.youtube.com/live/oc73M2bFEpg?t=13206s

https://www.youtube.com/live/oc73M2bFEpg?t=14655s

If Zack Matheny and DGI spent a total of $60,000 on event tickets over the last three years, with tickets averaging $65 each, they could have distributed approximately 923 tickets ($60,000 ÷ $65 = 923.08). This represents a significant volume of event access that could influence relationships and create networking opportunities between public officials and private interests.

Matheny has been CEO of DGI since July, 2015.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-matheny-27473613/

Zack Matheny has been a City Councilman since for the second time after resigning in 2015 to take his DGI position in 2015 to avoid a conflict of interest;

"A few months ago, I expressed interest in leading Downtown Greensboro Incorporated and have interviewed to become the organization's next President and CEO. Due to the nature of the discussions and my desire to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest, as of today, I plan to resign from City Council at the June 16 meeting."

https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/greensboro-councilman-zack-matheny-resigning-wants-to-be-head-of-dgi/83-223918723

And then;

"At the time, Matheny was advised by the city attorney that he could not serve on the City Council and as president of a nonprofit organization that received funding from the city."

"Chip Roth has announced he is running for the District 3 seat, and when it was rumored that Matheny was going to run for his old seat, Roth sent out a press release attacking Matheny for having a conflict of interest as the head of DGI."  

https://www.rhinotimes.com/news/zack-wants-his-old-city-council-seat-back/

Meaning;

Violation of North Carolina Gift & Ethics Laws

A. NCGS § 138A-32 (Gift Ban for Public Officials & Employees)

Prohibition: Public officials and employees (including city council members and staff) cannot knowingly accept gifts from a "person" (including organizations like DGI) that:

Do business with the city (e.g., DGI receives taxpayer funding).

Lobby the city (if DGI advocates for policies benefiting specific developers).

Have financial interests affected by the official’s duties (e.g., Carroll’s property deals).

B. NCGS § 14-234 (Conflict of Interest for Public Officials)

Prohibition: Officials cannot participate in votes or decisions that financially benefit themselves, family, or business associates (e.g., Matheny voting as a Councilman on Carroll projects while a Carroll employee sat on DGI's board, while DGI funds Carroll’s ventures with taxpayer money after accepting campaign contributions).

Penalties: Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 120 days jail) or felony charges if corruption is proven.

C. NC Lobbying Laws (Unregistered Lobbying)

If DGI (under Matheny) is influencing city policy without registering as a lobbyist, it could violate NCGS § 120C-101.

Gifts to officials from unregistered lobbyists are explicitly banned.

If DGI is a city contractor (receiving taxpayer funded grants or managing downtown projects with public money), its meals for officials could be expressly forbidden.

3. Potential Criminal Implications

A. Bribery (NCGS § 14-218)

If gifts were given to influence official actions (e.g., DGI wining/dining officials coincident with Carroll-related votes), this could constitute bribery (a Class F felony).

On December 5, 2023, Zack Matheny charged a $300 lunch at Undercurrent Restaurant to his DGI American Express card for a meeting with powerful real estate developers and city contractors including Samet, Dick, Carroll, Hoyle, Baxter, Waldeck, and Smith, suggesting DGI was facilitating access between these private interests and the city councilman who votes on their projects.  

B. Misuse of Public Funds (NCGS § 14-254)

If DGI used taxpayer money (e.g., city grants) to pay for officials’ meals, this could be embezzlement or fraud.

Zack Matheny misused taxpayer-funded DGI resources to wine and dine key city employees - spending $42.30 on December 21, 2023, to take Parks and Recreation's Josh Sherrick to Mellow Mushroom, and $44.30 on February 22, 2024, for a meal with Parks and Recreation Director Phil Flieshman at Cille & Scoe, essentially using public money to cultivate relationships with the very city staff who implement policies he votes on as a councilman.  

Key Takeaway:

The repeated pattern of DGI (led by Matheny) funding meals for officials who later vote on Carroll’s projects creates a strong appearance of quid pro quo corruption. At minimum, this violates ethics laws; at worst, it could justify criminal charges.

If DGI staff, friends, or family members used event tickets purchased with taxpayer or organizational funds;

A. Misuse of Public Funds (NCGS § 14-254)

If DGI receives city funding (taxpayer money) and uses it to buy tickets for personal use (e.g., staff, friends, family), this could be considered embezzlement or misappropriation of public funds.

Example: If DGI used a city grant to buy concert/sports tickets and gave them to employees’ relatives instead of for official business, this could be illegal.

B. Violation of IRS Rules (Taxable Income)

Gifts of tickets to employees/friends may count as taxable income (IRS "fringe benefit" rules).

If DGI didn’t report these as income on W-2s/1099s, it could face IRS penalties.

Nonprofit Compliance Issues (If DGI is a 501(c)(3) or (c)(6))

Private Benefit Doctrine: Nonprofits cannot use funds for private gain (e.g., giving tickets to board members’ friends without a valid business reason).

IRS Form 990 Reporting: DGI must disclose related-party transactions (e.g., tickets given to insiders), which appears to not have happened if so.

If City Attorney Chuck Watts (who accepted at least $64.17 DGI-funded meal on 11/9/2023) advised Zack Matheny that he could vote on a Carroll-related matter—despite clear conflicts—this raises serious concerns about:

If Watts knew Matheny had a conflict (due to DGI’s financial ties to Carroll) but still approved his vote, this could be obstruction.

Obstruction of Justice (NCGS § 14-221)

Violation of NC State Bar Rules (Legal Ethics)

Rule 1.7 (Conflict of Interest): Watts had a personal conflict (he took DGI gifts) but still advised Matheny—a clear ethical breach.

Rule 8.4 (Misconduct): Knowingly giving bad legal advice to enable corruption violates attorney ethics.

Conspiracy to Violate Ethics Laws (NCGS § 14-223)

If Watts and Matheny colluded to bypass ethics rules, they could face felony conspiracy charges.

DGI’s Financial Ties to Carroll = Clear Conflict

DGI (led by Matheny) gave Carroll $4,313.53 in grants/meals.

Carroll donated $5,000 to Matheny’s campaign.

Carroll’s employee sits on DGI’s board.

Matheny voted to give Carroll city property (Bellemeade) at a loss to taxpayers.

NCGS § 138A-32 prohibits officials from voting on matters benefiting donors/business associates.

.

.

Watts' inaccurate comments at the end of the meeting;

https://www.youtube.com/live/oc73M2bFEpg?t=18028s

Watts’ Own Conflict (DGI Meal) Disqualifies Him

He cannot impartially advise on DGI/Matheny ethics issues because he took taxpayer funded gifts from the same organization.

He should have recused himself and let an independent attorney review the matter.

The Greensboro City Council should have hired an outside attorney (not Watts) to investigate.

When a city attorney has a conflict of interest due to receiving gifts from an organization under ethical scrutiny, yet fails to recuse himself and instead provides legal advice that clears that organization, it raises serious questions about;

Article 30 - Obstructing Justice (N.C.G.S. Chapter 14)

Various obstruction statutes could apply if Watts knowingly provided biased legal advice to impede proper investigation of ethics violations.

https://www.youtube.com/live/oc73M2bFEpg?t=8994s

https://www.youtube.com/live/oc73M2bFEpg?si=L-yfOdA-yZsShc1v&t=9926

The second link covers items G.11 and G.12.

N.C. General Statute 14-234 (Self-Dealing/Conflicts of Interest)

If Watts received gifts from DGI while providing legal advice that benefited them, this could apply.

N.C. General Statute Chapter 138A (State Ethics Act)

The Ethics Act establishes conflict of interest standards, a ban against the acceptance of certain gifts by covered officials, and restricts the use of official positions for private gain. This would cover the gift acceptance and potential misuse of official position.

Article 31 - Misconduct in Public Office (N.C.G.S. Chapter 14)

This covers misconduct in public office Chapter 14 - Article 31 and could apply to a city attorney failing to perform duties impartially due to personal interests.

Professional Conduct Rules

North Carolina has special conflicts of interest rules for current government officers and employees Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government Officers and Employees that could create attorney disciplinary issues for Watts.

The most directly applicable would likely be N.C.G.S. 14-234 for deriving benefit while administering government matters, and the State Ethics Act for gift acceptance and misuse of position.

The Pattern of Misconduct;

Watts received gifts from DGI, then provided legal advice clearing DGI and Matheny of ethical violations, while failing to disclose his conflict or recusing himself. This creates an appearance that he used his official position to protect an organization that provided him personal benefits, potentially obstructing proper oversight of public officials.

The city council's failure to recognize this obvious conflict and hire independent counsel suggests either negligence or complicity in allowing a compromised attorney to clear his own benefactors.

If the less detailed DGI meeting minutes show Zack knew he was lobbying, it suggests he deliberately began concealing his activities to avoid documentation that could expose illegal lobbying conduct. The sudden reduction in detail after his reelection indicates consciousness of guilt - he recognized that his dual role as both councilman and DGI leader created lobbying violations, so he started hiding the specifics of DGI's interactions with city government to avoid creating a paper trail of evidence. This pattern of concealment actually strengthens the case that he was aware his conduct violated lobbying laws and was attempting to cover his tracks.  

Thanks,

g

A bird flying by tells me Nancy Vaughan, DGI's Zack Matheny and City staff threw Roy Carroll under the bus to enrich Randall Kaplan and Kathy Manning, Congressional Candidate,George House and Justin Outling and Greensboro's elite oligarchs

Sounds like Nancy Vaughan made the ultimate call, and Zack was in on it, with the help of past and current City staff.

Kathy Manning is going to have a boatload of leftover campaign cash to hand out, in exchange for her hubby Randall Kaplan's $32 million parking deck for his hotel which stands to profit from Kathy, George and CFGG's Walker Sander's play for the Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center residual leisure stay profits.

A full D City Council and Zack going for a clear win in the next election with Manning's money seems entirely plausible, now that Kathy's in with the national establishment.

Roy Carroll's Rhino endorsed those running for County Commissioner this year, after they voted for about $18 million in tax breaks to enable his $3 million water and sewer payday for the Publix distribution center.

The City is slow to produce the 1,700 plus emails related to former Greensboro mayor Robbie Perkins' involvement in the deck and Publix deals.

Who would have thought?

Can most let most of City Council and executive staff off the hook after Roy Carroll went after the competing deck with John Hammer and the Rhino Times, considering Roy's paper endorses candidates for local office while extorting votes for Carroll's real bottom line?

Maybe if our local sold out or negligent press would have taken the Rhino to task for influencing who wins and loses private profits from local taxpayer paid for deals originally conceived to enrich most of the big campaign supporters on both sides.

But they didn't.  Both the News and Record and the Rhino endorsed Skip Alston, which is a good indication of what underlies the decision making.

Skip, Nancy Vaughan and Sharon Hightower went to see the Publix distribution center Publix probably wants to downsize with more $400 million high tech, robotic enterprises as planned for Eastern Guilford County. 

Either way Roy Carroll walks with $3 million of water sewer good idea or bad with no skin in the game.

The whole gang gets away with Greensboro's taxpayers on the hook for the STPAC plus interest;

As of November 14, 2017, only $20 million of the private donations had been "raised"; If the City of Greensboro's bond council (Robinson Bradshaw) doesn't know how much Walker Sanders of the Community Foundation has actually brought in for the Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, then who does?


http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2018/04/as-of-november-14-2017-only-20-million.html

Greensboro's News and Record has not reported "END CITIZENS UNITED ENDORSES KATHY MANNING IN NC-13" since March 1, 2018, after which she continued to take money from PACs

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2018/04/greensboros-news-and-record-has-not.html

Greensboro's latest slush fund balance the City's employees want a chunk of;


http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2018/05/greensboros-latest-slush-fund-balance.html

STPAC VIP Parking Control Fraud Math

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/12/stpac-vip-parking-control-fraud-math.html

Downtown Greensboro Parking Deck Math = City Council lied to our community and may have broken a few laws


http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/12/downtown-greensboro-parking-deck-math.html

For as many times as this information has been posted, 

has there been a single refutation?

Greensboro's danger is the connected politicians, elites, and media pundits who enable, run and pilfer our city

Greensboro's moral edifice is crumbling.  North Carolina and Greensboro's leadership and sold-out press have made a joke of our community and state.  They perverted and rotted our economy from within.  Our elected leaders have lined their donors' pockets in exchange for campaign donations and signs on commercial properties and billboards.

These 'leaders' and their financial backers have ignored the travails of the average income citizen.  We want good paying jobs back, as Roy Carroll, Marty Kotis and the Koury's among others at the top of our local food chain effectively opposed living wages and basic worker rights via purchased state legislators and crooked, crony backed legislation.  Think about how much more money Marty and friends can make by more easily firing newly pregnant restaurant servers and hotel house keepers.  Just on insurance premiums, these fine folks living off the rest of us who hire and pay low wages to those, who if they say anything about it are immediately fired without any governmental intervention.  Many used to call it slavery.  Now it's the same thing, without the stigma as it has become something of a national pastime for the 1%.

The punditocracy of the News and Record, the Triad Business Journal and the Rhino Times on multiple sides of the spectrum are in on the theft of taxpayer monies for paying clients through ever larger local handouts financed by unsustainable municiple debt.  Nancy Vaughan, Robbie Perkins, Zack Matheny, Sam Simpson, Jim Melvin, Nancy Hoffmann, Mike Barber, Tony Wilkins, John Lomax, etc..., representing both sides of the same political parties, poisoned the discourse and halted transparency they so hailed with platitudes when running for office.

Both sides, if there really are any, insisted on not addressing the root causes of local economic dissatisfaction and lack of good paying jobs for our relatively poorly educated workforce.  Andrew Brod, one of the worst offenders of all, was there to placate the masses with his bullshit healthcare economic orthodoxies swallowed whole by those in the academic, publishing, and media ecospheres, making his friends in the medical and legal professions even more than they otherwise would have.

Greensboro's major property owners have an authoritarian mentality when considering those who fall below the median income level and are distressed and insecure, while most of the country club crowd are prosperous but vexed as most don't even know what is actually happening behind the curtains while they feed on a rotting corpse of an economy.

Our oligarchs have incrementally yet comprehensively seized most local economic and political power for themselves via Greensboro's City Council and Guilford County's Commissioners. They have perverted our media and even such basics of the democratic process as voting and accountability in elections, which are rigged for the in crowd by drawing lines determining voting outcomes.  These are the same folks who collaborated to engineer a revolution of economic decline for the average working person in Greensboro by outsourcing our manufacturing jobs, which has now reached unbearable proportions as layoffs spike and the media doesn't let their readers understand what is actually happening.

The stock market may look like it's doing well, and unemployment may theoretically or statistically be low with the help of bullshit artist mathematicians like those touting bogus estimates of economic impact, but people can’t afford housing and food, they can’t pay back student loans and other debts.

Many lives in East Greensboro are full of such misery that they don't even pay attention to who the villains actually are.  See a picture of Skip Alston or Jim Kee for context.

There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between Nancy Vaughan, Robbie Perkins, William Barber, John Blust, Tony Wilkins, Justin Outling, Phil Berger etc...

The game for the elites needs to end.  Our puppets and their masters are in a cataclysmic state of panic, they don’t know whether to look right or left, they have no idea what to do as they have no idea how to put Humpty Dumpty together again after they lined their pockets with the proceeds of the fall.

We, the citizens, don’t need to get our hands dirty with implementing checks and balances,  Jim Westmoreland and staff at the City do it on our behalf and expense.  With the help of City Finance Director Rick Lusk and Budget Director Larry Davis, Greensboro just borrowed about $55 million and now our esteemed City Council is talking about a bond referendum when there was none for all just borrowed.

Now we are told by the press that 'fees' and 'utilities' are going to rise but there won't be a property tax increase.  But the money just borrowed will be paid for by the poorest among us as the biggest property owners like Koury make money from more heads on beds without having to pay for it.  The fees for basic services are being swapped out for capital improvements for our overlords profits.

Our leaders do not speak the truth but mumbo-jumbo.  They are in the pockets of those who actually rule and plunder the unknowing in our community.  Both need to be cut off at the knees if we are going to get some job growth.  They have crippled us with their greed.

Time to fight back.

How To Save Downtown Greensboro

And Downtown Greensboro Inc. President, Zack Methany didn't think of it.

From the Richmond Times Dispatch:

“The buzz word is experiential retail,” Slusher said, responding to a question from Planning Commission member Gregory Baka about the special exception needed for raising the roof higher than the 45 feet permitted in B-3 zoning.

“We are trying to create a new experience and bring people in, to attract them to the Regency experience,” Slusher said. “What that means is we need theaters and craft breweries and restaurants and trampoline parks and laser tag — things that people can experience in real life to compete with the internet. That’s becoming our big competitor now — the web. We want to give people real life experiences.”

Of course, should any mall or shopping center around do the same thing, with their ease of access and perceived parking excesses, Downtown Greensboro will still be screwed.

Have you ever thought perhaps our status quo is leading us on a race to the bottom? First one there looses.

But wait a minute... Isn't experiential retail what is going on downtown already? Sure, we don't have laser tag or trampoline parks but the craft breweries and restaurants are there. And the performing arts theatre is on the way. And what about those cool downtown parks people come to experience before going back to the suburbs to catch dinner and a movie? Pizzas are only $5.99 at the drive thru at Little Cesar's on East Market St. (You know, in the same building with Great Stops.) Did you know that building is owned by Phil and Charisse Kleinman who own the largest home in the Triad located in Irving Park.

But wait. developers like Marty Kotis are doing the same things at Midtown where Irving Park residents like the Kleinmans can park in front of the door. And what if the Koury Corporation decides trampolines and laser tag might be a good fit for Four Seasons Mall? Wow! There goes the rest of the working class dollars.

Maybe Kotis Properties will put such things in the shopping center he's building on East Wendover at the bypass-- you know, to give him a better chance of drawing that mega anchor tenant.

Yep, Downtown Greensboro is screwed just as it has been since 1960.

Maybe Zack did think of it. Sounds like something he would do.

Greensboro Brings Back Slavery

The illustration is from Greensboro101.com and Roch Smith jr, a well known local liberal. Be sure to open it up and read his commentary.

Roch is referring to an article entitled Cronyism, Taxpayer Dollars Give Us a Cool Baseball View by well known local conservative Joe Guarino who writes:

"These projects all fit together, hand in glove. The city's taxpayers pay for construction of the parking garages and other items-- here and in other parts of downtown-- to facilitate private development projects.

It is all very expensive. But it is critically necessary to serve the ideology of downtown idolatry that prevails among the local media/left complex. The corrupt machine politics we have in Greensboro is, in fact, a form of crony socialism.

And of course, Zack Matheny is smack in the middle of it. It seems that every time he belches, it costs the taxpayers millions. The alcohol has merely spurred him to belch more often."

And Joe provides evidence.

I disagree with Joe in that what he calls Socialism, I call Fascism. You see, both are a redistribution of wealth but Socialism is a downward redistribution of wealth whereas Fascism is an upwards redistribution of wealth. But Joe is 100% correct in writing:

"I will enjoy the view at the ballpark. But that does not make the whole thing right."

It's time we learned that nice things at the expense of others does not make them right. And such projects being done at the expense of the taxpayers with no chance for public input amounts to little more than slavery by taxation.

Zack Matheny Wrecks His Wagon With Nancy Vaughan Along For The Ride

Perhaps you remember when a group of economic development folks from Greensboro who went to Columbus Ohio under the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Greensboro Incorporated President, Zack Matheny was among them.

On one particular night of the trip, several of the Greensboro contingent were at a bar. There was a group of black men from Greensboro at the bar.

Zack was visibly intoxicated and came back the to bar, close to the group of black Greensboro businessmen who paid $1500 apiece to be allowed to go along.

He tried to make a joke with the bartender, one of those where you say something absurd about someone in order that they can hear you and then pretend you didn't know they were there. He said to the bartender "Watch out for these guys because they are all racists."

The joke was not well received.

Imagine paying $1500 to be insulted by an out of control, racist, cocaine addicted drunk.

Sources are telling me this is the reason for Ed McIver's comments at the Greensboro City Council meeting



"He was just drunk the other day in Columbus" -- Ed McIver on Zack Matheny, from the video above.

The black men at the bar didn't complain for fear of losing City of Greensboro contracts but the grapevine never sleeps and every wrong comes back to haunt you.

Seems Zack not only fell off the wagon but wrecked it as well.

This one's for you, Zack.

Help Zack Get Home Safely

We here at EzGreensboro.com have just learned that former Greensboro City Council member and current President of Downtown Greensboro Inc. will be playing in tomorrow's annual Page Grimsley Rivalry Reunion Golf Tournament at Bryan Park along with Scott Neff , Robert Enochs and Scott Wyatt.

Zach will be unable to attend tonight's pre-tourney party at Natty Greene's tonight because of the DWI restrictions he received after he was found passed out drunk in the parking lot of a methadone clinic on North Church St. one year ago tonight.

Please be careful if you are driving near Bryan Park or anywhere near New Irving Park in the hours after the tournament ends as Zack and his rowdy friends may be driving in the vicinity.

And please, help Zack get home safely.

Oh, and if you see Zack, wish him a happy anniversary.

This has been a public service announcement.

Revenge of the Downtown Mural Nazis

From Zack's Drug Dealer by Fec.

Are these charges true? I didn't make them and although I often share the same sources as does Fec, I've not been privy to this information thus far and don't know where he got it from. You decide. But remember what Ogi Overman wrote in April of 2016:

"After Kennedy had made the scale drawing of her mural, had it transferred onto a transparency to be projected onto a wall and had blocked out several weeks to do the mural, she found out the sponsors of the mural project insisted the muralists be local residents.

But Kennedy, 31, was not one to take no for an answer.

“I’d already fallen in love with Greensboro by then,” she said. “I’ve been all over the country and never have I seen such warm and caring people. It’s just unbelievable the way the people around here took me in.”

Kim Kennedy financed her own mural project in Downtown Greensboro without the help of the City funded and Kotis run Downtown Mural Project, paying for it through a Kickstarter campaign on a building that had not been selected by the Downtown Mural Project.

Nor had the buildings owned by Eric Robert, who paid for the murals on his buildings, been selected to receive murals by the Downtown Mural Project.

But are Fec's claims to be believed? Often, far more times than he is wrong, he turns out to be right. As a matter of fact: his record far excels that of the local News & Fishwrap.

So what's my relationship to Fec? We admire each other and can't stand each other at the same time. In other words, it's complicated and we've learned to like it that way.

WILLIAM BAKER JONES v. THE CITY OF GREENSBORO, NANCY VAUGHAN and JIM WESTMORELAND

1. Pursuant to Rules 3, 7 and 8 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, complaining of the defendants, Plaintiff alleges and says; This is an action pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law, Chapter 132 of the General Statutes which seeks to compel the City of Greensboro to disclose public records under North Carolina Law.

...2.  Plaintiff William Baker Jones is the proprietor of EZGreensboro News and Record, an investigative local news and opinion outlet covering North Carolina, Guilford County and The City of Greensboro at EZGreensboro.com...

3.  In the course of gathering information about the policies and actions of Greensboro's government, Plaintiff and his staff regularly make use of and rely on North Carolina Public Records Law to gain access to government documents, records and information owned by the public.  Compliance with Public Records Laws on the part of the defendants and other public officials is critical to the Plaintiffs' work advocating for the best interests of our community, county and state.

...We have been thwarted in our aim to provide readers with accurate, timely and thorough information and comment concerning Defendant’s decisions, actions and policies.

Plaintiff's alternative online news outlet received over 242,630 page views between January 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016, which equates to 34,661 per month or about 1,155 per day at EZGreensboro.com.  Plaintiff's best guesstimate of actual readers, considering 8,087 page hits per week, is probably somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 readers every seven days.  Considering 7,157 Greensboro residents voted in October 6, 2015's City Council primary, if there are only 1,500 local EZGreensboro News and Record readers per week, EZGreensboro.com appears to be in a position to reach and inform somewhere in the 20% range of the total 2015 primary voters within the City.

...10.  Since October 19, 2015, Mayor Vaughan and Manager Westmoreland, sometimes in league with former Greensboro Assistant City Manager Mary Vigue and former Greensboro Communications Director Donnie Turlington, violated Public Records Law repeatedly on multiples of instances in response to public information requests for the benefit of former City Assistant Manager Mary Vigue and former City of Greensboro Communications Director Donnie Turlingon, among others.

11.  These violations include, but are not limited to:

a.  failing or refusing to furnish requesters with copies of requested public records "as promptly as possible" on multiples of requests;

b.  failing or refusing to permit the inspection and examination of public records at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision;

c.  denying or concealing the existence of public records on multiples of items.

12.  The defendants' behaviors suggest, and therefore Plaintiff believes and alleges, that some or all of the violations described above are consequences of concerted policies and practices adopted and followed by the defendants for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the Public Records Law and discouraging or intimidating public records requesters.

13.  These policies and practices include, but are not limited to:

...14.  PIRT #5180, submitted by EZGreensboro staff as directed by Plaintiff on October 19, 2015 stated “please provide all communications and documentation between city councilman Tony Wilkins and anyone else for the last 90 days.  Please look at both Mr. Wilkins' private and public email addresses”, has not been fulfilled.

Plaintiff has also requested the following from the City;

a.  Triad City Beat’s PIRT #5309, "Civil Emergency" by Eric Ginsburg, which has not been fulfilled since 12/4/2015.

b.  Downtown property owner Eric Robert's PIRT #5418, "dgi", which  has not been fulfilled since 1/24/2016.

c.  Yes Weekly’ PIRT #5754, "Zack Matheny" by Jeff Sykes, which has not been fulfilled since 5/18/2016.

d.  Jeff Sykes’ PIRT #5619, "Cascade Saloon", which has not been fulfilled since 4/5/2016.

e.  Plaintiff's PIRT #5782, "Marty Kotis", which has not been fulfilled since 5/27/2016.

f.  PIRT #5181, submitted by EZGreensboro staff as directed by Plaintiff on October 19, 2015 stated “please provide all communications between Zack Matheny and anyone at the city including city council members private email addresses for the last 90 days”, which has not been fulfilled.

g.  PIRT #5226, submitted by EZGreensboro staff as directed by Plaintiff on November 2, 2015 stated “Please provide any documents and/or communications between anyone in the City's executive office area and anyone from Say Yes to Education for the last 120 days”, which totaled 1,108 emails according to the City of Greensboro, which has not been fulfilled.

15.  To Plaintiff's knowledge, Plaintiff's review of Say Yes to Education's publicly available IRS form 990's indicates the 'non-profit's' investments are located in "CENTRAL AMERICA  AND THE CARIBBEAN", and invested in Say Yes to Education founder George Weiss' Weiss Multi-Strategy fund, from which Say Yes Guilford has been promised $15 million.  Plaintiff's review of Weiss' publicly available asset returns for Weiss' Multi-Strategy fund found investment returns which didn’t correspond to returns found within Yes to Education's non-profit IRS filings.  Plaintiff recently filed complaint #16SEC093 with North Carolina Secretary of State's Securities Division concerning Say Yes Guilford and Say Yes to Education.

16.  On October 26, 2015, Triad Business Journal's Katie Arcieri wrote "After a career with the city of Greensboro that began in 2006, Mary Vigue was recently tapped as the executive director of the local chapter of Say Yes to Education..."

17.  To Plaintiff's knowledge, Say Yes to Education and Greensboro City Manager Jim Westmoreland, who along with Nancy Vaughan and City Council, coordinated low cost publicly funded office space for Say Yes Guilford, whose staff includes former City Assistant Manager Mary Vigue and former City of Greensboro Communications Director Donnie Turlingon, who have declined to provide EZGreensboro News and Record with 2014's Say Yes to Education's 990 tax return after being asked for the document in writing on October, 20, 2015 and again on July 19, 2016.  Say Yes Guilford was also asked for the 2014 990 and its conflict of interest policy and ethics code on October 20, 2015, which has not been provided with Westmoreland and Vaughan's knowledge.

18.  On Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 11:12 AM, Plaintiff received an email from City of Greensboro Public Records Administrator Katherine Carter, stating "Dear Mr. Jones, Thank you for your public records request.  Per your request, I have made a note in our system to send you a copy of the response to PIRT 5180, 5181, 5226... upon their completion. I will be in touch with you once these requests have been finished", which have not been concluded in a reasonable amount of time, on top of unreasonable terms beforehand on multiples of requests.

19.  To Plaintiff's knowledge, part time City of Greensboro Public Records Administrator Katherine Carter was Say Yes Guilford's Director of Communications Donnie Turlington's former employee directly before and/or after Turlington was City of Greensboro's Communications and Marketing Director in a similar time frame as former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue was identified as a member of the Say Yes to Education Planning Group for Greensboro before resigning her City post to become Say Yes Guilford's Executive Director for Say Yes to Education.

...these instances disclose patterns and practices of delay, obfuscation, non-responsiveness, foot-dragging and stonewalling on the part of Vaughan, Westmoreland, Vigue and Turlington concerning former employees Vigue and Turlington and a select few City Council campaign contributors who are now personally profiting from their former and current positions which effectively defeats and defies the public policy of transparent and open government underlying Public Records Law.

21.  Based on the patterns and practices described above, Plaintiff believes and alleges the defendants' concerted and repeated violations of the Public Records Law constitute willful and contumacious failures by the defendants to carry out the mandatory and prescribed duties of their respective...

WHEREFORE, the plaintiffs respectfully pray that the court:

23.  Set the matter down for an immediate hearing pursuant to G.S. § 132-9(a);

24.  Enter an order in the nature of a writ of mandamus to inferior government officials ordering the government officials to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion requiring the defendants and all persons acting at their direction or in concert with them to comply with North Carolina Public Records Law, including G.S. § 132-6(a), (See, e.g. Cheney v. United States Dist. Court For D.C. (03-475) 542 U.S. 367 (2004) 334 F.3d 1096.);

25.  Enter an order pursuant to G.S. § 132-9(a) compelling the defendants to make available any and all public records requested by Plaintiff and others that are determined by the court to be within the City's custody or control, and that have not been previously made available in compliance with G.S. § 132-6;

26.  Enter an order declaring that certain policies and practices adopted and followed by the defendants are in violation of the Public Records Law;

Plaintiff further prays the court provide him with such further and additional relief as the court shall deem to be just, proper and authorized by law, and that the costs of this action be taxed against defendants Westmoreland and Vaughan.

Signed this the 16th day of August, 2016;

William Baker Jones
Pro Se

Update: Scanned images of the 3 envelopes showing the lawsuit was sent by Certified Mail.

Court documents as filed with Guilford County Superior Court.

Doom on Zack Matheny; "Bond money would strengthen Elm Street's 'spine'"

"...Zack Matheny is the leading advocate for the $25 million in downtown projects but said he is far from the leading expert on what comes next if the money is approved.

For now, the CEO of Downtown Greensboro Inc. is working with a consultant to begin a three-month campaign to present a vision for the city...

At what cost?

Was the cost of the consultant included in City Council's approved DGI budget?

In recent weeks, Matheny has said the city should focus on Davie, Church and Greene streets — all of which run parallel to Elm.

Since then, he’s changed his mind.

Perhaps a small grounp of people changed Zack's mind

I wonder whom?

“When we talked about this with some private industry folks and the city and the community, I thought originally ‘Let’s utilize these funds ... to get beyond Elm Street,’ ” Matheny explained. “And everyone came back and said ‘You’ve got to take care of your spine.’ The spine’s what holds the body up. And the spine is Elm Street.”

Fuck Zack Matheny

Zack should register as a lobbyist

Matheny is a paid for pawn of Roy Carroll and friends

...Downtown’s construction boom includes the $60 million Carroll at Bellemeade hotel and apartment development, the $78 million Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, the $10 million LeBauer Park and the $34 million Union Square Campus anchoring the south end.

Richard Barren didn't bother to report why STCPA cost so much more

Richard Barren didn't bother to investigate 

the bullshit math used to justify the debt revenue

for the borrowing by City Council without a referendum

...renovations or future projects that will need improved sidewalks and landscaping to offer a better setting.

How much have Greensboro's taxpayers already dumped downtown?

The News and Record won't report it.

If Elm Street and those extensions bear fruit, his vision of parallel prosperity will happen, Matheny believes.

...As the November vote nears, Matheny said he’ll work to make the case that “you get the biggest bang for your buck investing in downtown.”

“I have a job to do,” Matheny said, “for the betterment of our center city.”

For the betterment of Zack and the rest of City Council's owners,

to be paid for by everyone else

Taxation is theft

Contact Richard M. Barron at (336) 373-7371, and follow @BarronBizNR on Twitter.

http://www.greensboro.com/business/local_business/bond-money-would-strengthen-elm-street-s-spine/article_d3a5ebf6-4478-578f-8186-b53f471c8b79.html

Who would be stupid or smart enough 

to put Zack in charge of blowing $25 million?

Probably those behind the curtain who stand to gain

from stealing from the rest of Greensboro's taxpayers

If I Were Mayor Of Greensboro: Part 25

Did I mention that when I'm elected I plan to move the Mayor's office? I'm going to put it out there in that area of the Melvin Municipal Building where all the plants are located. Oh, don't worry, we'll keep most of the plants, I just believe a Mayor needs to be as accessible as possible. I don't need walls, guards and people separating me from the public. And there will be no closed door business meetings.

On other days I might have meetings under the 100 year old oak trees in my front yard and serve sweet iced tea. Sorry, my doctors have me on several medications that don't mix well with alcohol so I'll not be drinking with you even though I've nothing against responsible drinkers.

I'm also supposed to avoid long exposure to direct sunlight because of my medications. I miss the beach more than I miss alcohol. Growing older isn't for the weak or the scared but at least I won't be taking long vacations where no one can get in touch with me-- it's simply not in my nature.

The current Mayor's office will be converted to working spaces for city employees.

I've been thinking about the plaza outside the Melvin Municipal Building. To me it seems that plaza goes horribly underutilized. Especially on the weekends and at night.

I'm thinking there should be shows, bands, and exhibitions there. Yes, the plaza will still be available for political purposes but why not allow other uses there as well? Personally I'd like to see a custom motorcycle show in the plaza but everyone might not agree. What if our local breweries did some sort of event there? Or a temporary runway was installed and a fashion show was held there?

What's that? Screw Milton Kern and his event center, he tried to steal $1.9 Million Dollars from Greensboro taxpayers and the current City Council covered it up.

Anyway, I'm open to all kinds of downtown events being hosted in the plaza as downtown business owners often complain that closed streets actually hurt their business rather than bring in more business.

Why Zack Matheny and Downtown Greensboro Inc. never thought of that is simply beyond me. I mean, some people will have to park all the way over on Elm St, they might drop in a downtown shop or restaurant as they pass buy.

Look, here's reality, folks, marketing downtown Greensboro, just like marketing the rest of Greensboro, is the job of the people who run this city. And the fact that our current leaders must subcontract this job to Zack Matheny and DGI simply proves that our current leadership is incapable of doing their jobs. I mean seriously, is this the best we can get for Millions of dollars per year? From the front page of the DGI website as of June 28, 2016:

They might as well be posting Zack's DWI mug shot for the results you got.

Does it really take $Millions of Dollars a year to operate the DGI website? I pay about $15.oo a year for the domain name EzGreensboro.com and this website is free. There's probably a better option somewhere in-between.

Legally the City of Greensboro cannot close DGI as DGI has non profit status under State and Federal laws. But nowhere in State or Federal laws are there any regulations that require the City of Greensboro actually fund DGI.

What I am proposing is the following:

1. Stop all funding to DGI.
2. Have the City of Greensboro take over the responsibilities the City should have been doing all along.

The following is optional and certainly open for discussion but I don't think you can best it:
3. Cut the Business Improvement District tax in half.
4. Eliminate private residences from having to pay the BID tax even if they are located in the BID.
5. Vastly increase the size of the BID. Perhaps 2 to 3 times it's current size to include areas such as Uptown Greensboro to the north and east, South Elm, MLK and others.

My opinion is that Greensboro's downtown will always be doomed to failure as long as it remains small enough that a handful of people can control every aspect of what goes on there. Even the largest empires in the history of the world have all failed once they overextended their grasp. Let's make the BID large enough so that Greensboro's wannabe emperors, czars and tyrants can't keep a handle on it. Besides, our downtown is puny.

And while we're at it let's spread that economic development stimulus throughout a much larger portion of the city.

All controlled by a City Council who discusses city business in front of the television cameras and a Mayor who has his meetings right out in the open where anyone can see.

And while we're at it let's discuss who gets the economic stimulus money provided by the BID tax and how they are picked.

Under the current system the DGI board picks who gets it. Usually they give the money to DGI board members with the rest of downtown's merchants and property owners getting left out despite having to pay in year after year.

In my system the decision is twofold. First is proof of need. Then all who prove need will enter a lottery. Previous winners will not be eligible to win again as long as there is a deserving contestant still waiting to win.

It's not perfect. Nothing is.

Or do you prefer the good ol' boy system we have in place now?

Come back for If I Were Mayor Of Greensboro: Part 26 and read the rest of my platform at Billy Jones for Mayor of Greensboro, 2017

Nicely Done

In an e-mail dated October 17, 2015, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Barakat Vaughan replies to Zack Matheny and members of the Board of Directors of Downtown Greensboro Inc. as Zack explains his recent DWI, calling it a "poor choice" a "mistake" and "poor judgement".

Nowhere did he mention he was parked at a methadone clinic several miles out of route from the home of his friends to his home, or that the area is known for drugs and prostitution.

And amazingly, just 2 days after the incident he claims to be "a better person and leader in this community."

Really, he improved that much in just 2 days? That must be why he asked the judge last week for more time to plea bargain his trial.

And then there's this:

"We are headed to Raleigh to pick up 50 Azaleas that NC Beautiful awarded DGI today."

Is DGI really paying Zack almost $200,000 a year to be a delivery boy? Seriously?

If I Were Mayor Of Greensboro: Part 19

This is part of an ongoing series of posts that begins with If I Were Mayor Of Greensboro and is linked in succession back to here. If you haven't already I recommend you read them all as they outline my platform for becoming the next Mayor of Greensboro, North Carolina.

At Mental Floss they have a map showing the minimum income necessary to live in each state. North Carolina is said to be $50,000.  A better indicator might be this 2016 Living Wage Indicator from the folks at MIT.

Those truck driving,warehousing, transportation, distribution and logistics jobs the Greensboro City Council has been investing your tax dollars in for decades? According to MIT they average $27,740. Food preparation and serving, $18,650. Sales and related (Retail) $24,660 . These are the jobs your tax dollars have been going to pay incentives, forgivable loans and free grants for.

But they made Roy Carroll a billionaire. By tying incentives to what they pay their employees we would greatly reduce the numbers of companies asking for incentives and bring us only the cream of the crop.



I kid you not.

If I were Mayor of Greensboro I would tie incentive amounts not only to the number of jobs they bring but the number of dollars they pay above the average annual salary of a Greensboro worker. After all, if you're going to pay top dollar then why not hold out for a quality product?

Now here is something I found that is rather interesting. While media reports indicate that Mayor Vaughan's salary is now roughly $24,000 a year, the website Salary Genius is reporting our mayor earns $69,828 per year:

"The average yearly salary for Mayor in Greensboro, North Carolina is $69,628. If you are just beginning to work a new job as a Mayor in Greensboro, North Carolina, you could earn a starting pay rate of $57,341 annually. As is true for most jobs and careers, you can expect your hourly pay rate or salary to increase as you gain experience and the longer you are employed with the same employer. In Greensboro you could potentially make an average income of around $81,916 after several years on the job with increased wages. When pursuing your career of choice, you should compare salaries of similar professions and factor in variables such as health benefits and potential for raises and promotions over time."

Yes, I question the accuracy of their figures as well but perhaps Salary Genius has figured out a way to include hidden perks like:

Or not, who knows?

If I were elected Mayor of Greensboro we would have a very thorough 3rd party investigation into where and how our tax dollars are spent. And I really don't care who gets burned.

I've talked about transparency before in this series but in the interest of making things even more transparent, if elected Mayor of Greensboro I will move the Mayor's office to a more public part of the Melvin Municipal Building where anyone can see who I'm meeting with. I'm thinking in that area where all the plants are as I like plants. A table, a few chairs a lamp and an electrical outlet should take care of everything I need as cell phones and laptops are wireless and portable.  No more meetings behind closed doors or late nights in the corner booths in the backs of bars.

Yes, the book was photoshopped into the picture by whom I don't know, but it seems as if Zack and Nancy could have authored it themselves. The job of our mayor is to promote our entire city, not promote our local bars, restaurants and brew pubs. Natty Greens is a great establishment but when a mayor becomes known for frequenting such establishments it allows access that not just everyone can afford.

Speaking of cellphones and laptops... As Mayor of Greensboro I will use only my City issued cell phone and only my city issued e-mail address for everything I do. Thereby making my public records more easily accessible to Greensboro's IT department. No one submitting a public information request for my records will ever wait on me as IT will always have it all.

Another thing that deeply concerns me is this snippet taken from the City of Greensboro website:

Now I understand State law but why not answer written questions?

Are they perhaps scared that some blogger or journalist might catch them outright in a lie? When former City Councilwoman Goldie Wells wanted to discuss an important issue with me via telephone I insisted we use e-mail. Ms Wells, despite having first contacted me via e-mail to give me her telephone number, never discussed her issue with me-- why?

Because putting things in writing holds people accountable. People who don't want to be held accountable don't want to put things in writing. As you can see above the City of Greensboro doesn't want to put things in writing. The City of Greensboro doesn't want to be held accountable.

And as long as no one is held accountable nothing ever changes for the better.

When I am elected Mayor of Greensboro the City will be held accountable and questions will be answered in writing. Period, end of sentence.

Come back next time for If I Were Mayor Of Greensboro: Part 20

Greensboro's ruling class, the News and Record and the Rhino Times only different; Rigged Elections "DNC Used Media to Rig Election for Hillary

"DNC Used Media to Rig Election for Hillary

...leaked emails show the DNC colluded with mainstream outlets to heavily favor Clinton.

Ever notice how favorable emails by Mike Barber appear in news print

immediately after messages are sent, 

Margaret Moffitt, Steven Doyle and John Hammer?

“Our goals in the coming months will be to frame the Republican field and the eventual nominee early and to provide a contrast between the GOP field and HRC,” reads an email dated May 26, 2015, referencing the former secretary of state by her initials, posted by “Guccifer 2.0” — after the Romanian hacker who allegedly accessed Clinton’s private email server multiple times.

If Hillary Clinton shouldn't receive a national security clearance,

how can she become president, unless the press helps make it happen?

Just like how the News and Record won't report Nancy Vaughan 

lying about when who hired a lawyer, or why and how who paid for the lawyer

One of the strategies listed for “positioning and public messaging” states, “Use specific hits to muddy the waters around ethics, transparency and campaign finance attacks on HRC.”

Zack Matheny, Zack Matheny

...this collusion to steer the narrative in Hillary’s favor appears to have gone unnoticed

...this series of leaked emails show a meticulously plotted coordination between DNC narratives touting Clinton, rather than Sanders, as if she had been the presumptive nominee from the outset — precisely as activists and fair elections advocates had suspected.

Like the redistricting debate last year

which Mike Barber has now confessed was just bullshit

by wanting to drop the lawsuit

Under the heading “Tactics,” the document states, “Working with the DNC and allied groups, we will use several different methods to land these attacks” — including, under the subheading, “Reporter Outreach”:

Amanda Lehmert now works for the City of Greensboro

“Working through the DNC and others, we should use background briefings, prep with reporters for interviews with GOP candidates, off-the-record conversations and oppo pitches to help pitch stories with no fingerprints and utilize reporters to drive a message.” And under “Bracketing Events,” the email states: “Both the DNC and outside groups are looking to do events and press surrounding Republican events to insert our messaging into their press and to force them to answer questions around key issues.”

The non-riot downtown after Chris Wilson invited East Greensboro youth

to watch a movie starring mostly white people

followed by massive disinformation by the City, Council and the Rhino Times 

...“Our goal is to use this conversation to answer the questions who do we want to run against and how best to leverage other candidates to maneuver them into the right place.”

...the irony of the former First Lady pontificating on ‘stacked decks’ for the elite bears a startling degree of hypocrisy in this context.

Nancy Vaughan, Mike Barber and Zack Matheny

who now want to borrow $25 million for 'downtown'

...as Sanders continued to experience success despite a veritable media blackout, a few mainstream outlets resorted to outright hostility to achieve a pro-Clinton message.

...To say the corporate, mainstream media has been complicit in a coordinated effort to grant Hillary the nomination would be an egregious understatement of reality. Though irate voters and journalists with actual integrity across the country immediately called out the Associated Press’ premature announcement Clinton had won the nomination as farce, it’s clear — particularly with these leaked emails — that had been the end game from the outset.

Ask Marc Ridgill among others

US Uncut reported neither the DNC nor the Clinton campaign returned request for comment.

DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz’ even rebuffed claims Sanders had not received fair treatment in the press during an April interview with the Daily Show’s Trevor Noah:

“You know, as powerful as that makes me feel, I’m not doing a very good job of rigging the outcome, or … blocking anyone from being able to get their message out.”

http://theantimedia.org/leaked-emails-dnc-rig-media-hillary/

Rhino Times; "[Guilford County's] budget is expected to give 40,000 to Downtown Greensboro Inc."

http://www.rhinotimes.com/Content/Default/One-Click-Reading/Article/County-Commissioners-Anticipate-Tax-Cut-This-Year/-3/6/1272

After all the crookedness of what has occurred regarding DGI, by providing money to Zack Matheny and friends, Guilford County's commissioners will own whatever DGI does downtown.

The taxpayer funded handouts to DGI board members and friends who funded political campaigns.

The next time Zack gets in trouble for whatever.

etc...

http://www.myguilford.com/boc/

These folks know DGI is crooked, they know there is pay to play and cronyism, and they intend to fund the organization anyway.

Well OK, but now it's an overt act to prop up an organized pilfering club, and whatever happens with DGI and Zack Matheny etc... is on Jeff Phillips, Ray Trapp, Alan Branson, Kay Cashion, Carolyn Coleman, Justin Conrad, Carlvena Foster, Hank Henning and Alan Perdue's heads.

If you are signing up for the ride, be aware of what the risks are, as you will be responsible for funding an irresponsible organization of self dealing business and property owners who have a consistent history of skimming taxpayer money flows.

Enjoy.

Fun Fourth, Zack and Mike Barber; “It’s a perfect mix in building up to what they will have in August,” Matheny said. He declined to reveal the [Wyndham Championship] sponsorship amount.

"Downtown Greensboro Inc., the economic development organization focused on center city, has taken over managing the free July 4 celebration and secured a new sponsor: the Wyndham Championship.

Barber's First Tee income is dependent on the City of Greensboro 

via the Bryan Foundation and the City of Greensboro funded Gillespie Golf Course 

and Jim's Bryan Foundation funds the Wyndham Championship via Mark Brazil, 

who sits on both the Wyndham and First Tee of the Triad's boards,

both funded by Jim Melvin's Bryan Foundation.

...DGI will take over Fun Fourth and December’s Festival of Lights from Grassroots Productions Limited, which is winding down operations.

...The festival budget is more than $100,000, not counting close to $20,000 for fireworks, Matheny said.

To manage the festival, Matheny hired Shayla and Desmond Sharpe of Sharpe Pursuits Inc. The Greensboro-based business handles event planning, management and production.

Longtime Grassroots employees Peggy Hickle and Brenda Studt work as consultants, bringing years of festival experience.

What are the costs of the four employees?

Are the employee costs in the $100,000?

...Matheny is excited about Wyndham Championship’s sponsorship, and returning the concert and fireworks to downtown. The Wyndham, part of the PGA Tour, will be played in August at Sedgefield Country Club.

Mike Barber didn't disclose his financial interest

in Wyndham subsidized First Tee of the Triad's use of free City funded services

on his Council Economic Interest Disclosure signed on February 24, 2014,

while funding police and emergency services for the Wyndham Championship

while/after recieving monies from the Wyndham Championship to fund his income

via First Tee of the Triad, and tonight he's going to vote to have Zack Matheny run DGI

with taxpayer monies he also uses to fund his personal income

“It’s a perfect mix in building up to what they will have in August,” Matheny said. He declined to reveal the sponsorship amount."

Why wouldn't Zack want to disclose how much money the Wyndham is putting up?

How much is the Bryan Foundation putting up?

It's all the same group of friends

http://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/fun-fourth-fireworks-concert-to-move-back-downtown/article_27e22050-c61e-5974-8806-aed64426dee3.html
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.
$150,000 more for the Civil Rights Museum? $10,000 plus police for the Wyndham which funds Mike Barber's First Tee?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/05/150000-more-for-civil-rights-museum.html

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

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

DGI, Mike Barber and Zack Matheny; "Extortion"

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

How are Zack Matheny and Mike Barber not guilty of violating § 14-234.1; Misuse of confidential information, in his pursuit of the DGI job?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/06/how-are-zack-matheny-and-mike-barber.html

"Wyndham Worldwide donates $100,000 to [Mike Barber's] First Tee [of the Triad, whose Board Member is Mark Brazil]"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/04/wyndham-worldwide-donates-100000-to.html

As Mike Barber's First Tee of the Triad receives money and benefits from both the City of Greensboro and Jim Melvin's Bryan Foundation, Mr. Barber needs to recuse himself from the DGI mess

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/05/as-mike-barbers-first-tee-of-triad.html

I just received a phone call from City of Greensboro Councilman Mike Barber on First Tee of the Triad

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/05/i-just-received-phone-call-from-city-of.html

Charitable Compensation and Mike Barber's First Tee of the Triad

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/04/charitable-compensation-and-mike.html

Wyndham Championship 2013 Federal Form 990: Part 1

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/05/wyndham-championship-2013-federal-form.html

Wyndham Championship 2013 Federal Form 990: Part 2

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/05/wyndham-championship-2013-federal-form_16.html

Jeff Sykes on Mike Barber; "RECORDS SHOW COUNCILMAN’S NON-PROFIT SALARY"

"Expenses for camps and clinics, the rationale for the organization, amount to $23,193, or six percent of total revenue."

http://yescurrent.wordpress.com/2014/04/03/records-show-councilmans-non-profit-salary/

Councilman Mike Barber Takes City Funding, Refuses Transparency

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/04/councilman-mike-barber-takes-city.html

Mike Barber Lied On First Tee Federal Form 990s

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/04/mike-barber-lied-on-first-tee-federal.html

Mike Barber Shows City Subsidies First Tee

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/04/mike-barber-shows-city-subsidies-first.html

Wyndham Championship offers scholarships to First Tee

http://www.jamestownnews.com/sports/article_070abfb2-a94d-11e3-9589-0019bb2963f4.html

Mark Brazil: Teaching Golf Is More Important Than Treating Autism

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/04/mark-brazil-teaching-golf-is-more.html