Deep background on the Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy program (RUCO), which the NC Realtor's Association liked Robbie and TREBIC getting rid of

"...Hints at relaxing rental inspection procedure

The Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy program, or RUCO, was a signature accomplishment of the late Claudette Burroughs-White, who died after retiring as council representative for District 2 in 2005. The program makes inspection of all rental properties mandatory...

Billy Jones; "Robbie Perkins, Securities & Exchange Fraud"

"On October 17, 2012, Robbie Perkins and Newbridge Bank released the following statement to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Newbridge Bank Stockholders:

"ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

(b) On October 16, 2012, Robert V. Perkins gave notice of his resignation from the Boards of Directors of NewBridge Bancorp...

Mr. Perkins indicated that his decision to resign is due to increased family and business responsibilities, including his position as Mayor of the City of Greensboro, all of which have caused him to reduce his activities in other areas. Mr. Perkins’ decision to resign was not the result of any disagreement with the Company or its management...

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

NEWBRIDGE BANCORP
Dated: October 17, 2012
By: /s/ Pressley A. Ridgill
Pressley A. Ridgill,
Chief Executive Officer"
.
.
On Friday, August 23, 2013 the Greensboro News & Record reported: "For a year and a half, Carole has lived there rent-free,” Morgenstern said in a telephone interview after the hearing..."

http://www.news-record.com/news/local_news/article_c9c8509a-0c14-11e3-8058-001a4bcf6878.html
.
.
Billy Jones; "A year and a half is February 2012. That means Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins, who was at that time a board member of NewBridge Bancorp was already in default to the tune of $1.3 Million Dollars in loans to NewBridge Bancorp...

Mayor Robbie Perkins, as a board member of ...NewBridge Bank, lied to stockholders with the full knowledge of one or more members of the Board of Directors...

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/robbie-perkins-securities-exchange.html
.
.
Billy Jones; "The judge’s order said Perkins “deliberately” lowered his income by resigning from the NewBridge Bank directors board. [and possibly sheltering his country club dues via Stanhope Johnson]

...Robbie Perkins responded, saying he had to resign because he could not pay the home equity line owed to the bank for the couple’s house."

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2013/04/so-is-robbie-perkins-lying-about-filing.html
.
.
Billy Jones; "Like the statement said, "Mr. Perkins’ decision to resign was not the result of any disagreement with the Company or its management" but it was the result of $1.3 Million Dollars in loans in which Mayor Perkins had defaulted and neither Perkins nor the Board of Directors at NewBridge Bank was reporting the $1.3 Million Dollar loss to stockholders, not then, not later and not ever.

Lies by omission are still lies.

Especially when it comes to the banking and securities business.

As a matter of fact: those who continue reading will note the State of North Carolina agrees."
.
.
"Robbie Perkins Newbridge Bank Fraud"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2012/11/robbie-perkins-newbridge-bank-fraud.html
.
.
Roch Smith Jr.; Billy's good question on Mayor's inconsistencies

http://roch101.blogspot.com/2013/04/billys-good-question-on-mayors.html
.
.
Question for the Bankrupt Mayor of Greensboro N.C. Robbie Perkins?

http://triadwatch.blogspot.com/2013/04/question-for-bankrupt-mayor-of.html

Jamal Fox vs. Jim Kee for District 2

Jamal Fox;

http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/docs/2013/org/FOX_JAMAL_org13.pdf

"Adjunct professor and former city employee Jamal Fox announced Tuesday that he will run for city council’s District 2 seat, currently held by Jim Kee. Fox, who worked as a management analyst in the Greensboro City Manager’s Office before serving as an administrative assistant working on grants for the planning department, is an adjunct professor at NC A&T State University. The 25-year-old was the 2012-13 president of the Guilford County Young Democrats and is currently the minority-affairs caucus chair for the state Young Democrats.

Fox is actively involved in other aspects of the city, from the NAACP to serving as a member of the county’s transportation advisory board. He noted his work as the city liaison to the community sustainability council during his time with the city."

Jordan
.
.
Jim Kee as of mid 2012;

http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/docs/2012/midyr/KEE_JIM-AMENDED_midyr12.pdf

On Robbie's Lobbyist vote

Self-dealing is a form of conflict of interest.

...“a situation where one takes an action in an official capacity

which involves dealing with oneself in a private capacity

and which confers a benefit on oneself."

...“You work for government and use your official position

to secure a contract for a private consulting company you own”

or “using your government position to get a summer job for your daughter”.

Where a fiduciary has engaged in self-dealing,

this constitutes a breach of the fiduciary relationship.

Wiki

If political self-dealing involves an elected official

taking advantage of an undisclosed position in a transaction

and acts in self interest

instead of the interests of those represented,

did Robbie Perkins vote for a Federal lobbyist

involve unethical conduct unbecoming a Mayor 

which violated the trust between Robbie and his constituents

through their tax dollars?

.

"A member of the board or any other body

exercising quasi‑judicial functions

...shall not participate in or vote

on any quasi‑judicial matter in a manner

that would violate affected persons' constitutional rights

to an impartial decision maker.

Impermissible conflicts include, but are not limited to,

a member having a fixed opinion prior to hearing the matter

that is not susceptible to change,

undisclosed ex parte communications, a close familial, business,

or other associational relationship with an affected person,

or a financial interest in the outcome of the matter."

§ 160A‑388.

Did the other City Council Members know

about Robbie's relationship with the family of the lobbyist?

Koury, TREBIC and RUCO: What could Regulatory Capture look like?

Is this the same Pillsbury that now represents the City of Greensboro?

"Pillsbury is a full-service law firm with a keen industry focus on the energy and natural resources,
financial services, real estate and construction, and technology sectors.

If Pillsbury represents

the energy and natural resources industries,

does that mean they support Fracking and strip mining

and foriegn energy companies like from Qatar Petroleum?

If Pillsbury represents

the energy and natural resources industries,

does that mean they support less regulation for thier clients,

which may not be in the best interests of many human beings

living in the City of Greensboro?

...We are particularly noted for representing energy, financial services, government contractor, technology and university clients in complex litigation matters, restructurings, labor suits, and intellectual property disputes.

If Pillsbury represents corporate clients in intellectual property disputes,

does that mean they support higher consumer prices

for some of thier clients,

which may not be in the best interests of many human beings

living in the City of Greensboro?

If Pillsbury represents

the financial services, government contractor industries,

does that mean they support more government debt for thier clients,

which may not be in the best interests of many human beings

living in the City of Greensboro?

Pillsbury makes a significant and sustained investment in monitoring—and helping shape—the industries in which our clients compete, from energy and financial services to real estate and technology. We not only attend the same industry events as our clients, but are often the presenters and keynote speakers.

Regulatory capture occurs when a...regulatory agency

created to act in the public interest

instead acts in favor of the commercial or special interests

that dominate in the industry or sector it is charged with regulating.

...the complexity of the global energy industry led us to build an Energy team that covers all aspects of project development, financing and regulation, providing both industry leaders and new entrants the 360-degree perspective they need to compete effectively.

Regulatory capture is a form of government failure,

as it can act as an encouragement for large firms

to produce negative externalities.

...our practice teams include lawyers who sit on the standards bodies and working groups that define industry rules. Our Public Policy team is another resource for clients seeking to advocate policy options before federal and state lawmakers.

...regulatory capture occurs because groups or individuals

with a high-stakes interest

in the outcome of policy or regulatory decisions

can be expected to focus their resources and energies

in attempting to gain the policy outcomes they prefer,

while members of the public,

each with only a tiny individual stake in the outcome,

will ignore it altogether.

...In tightly regulated industries like aviation, health care and communications, our clients benefit from working with lawyers that formerly served in government oversight positions. Across the firm, more than 75 Pillsbury lawyers have held top positions at government and regulatory agencies.

Regulatory capture

refers to when this imbalance of focused resources

devoted to a particular policy outcome

is successful at "capturing" influence

with the staff or commission members of the regulatory agency,

so that the preferred policy outcomes

of the special interest are implemented.

...We have a passion for our work, a strong bond with our colleagues and an unshakable dedication to our clients' interests."

Pillsbury

...A captured regulatory agency

that serves the interests of its invested patrons

with the power of the government behind it

is often worse than no regulation whatsoever.

Regulatory Capture

Wikipedia

Kieth Brown "Greensboro Mayor Perkins Has a Pay To Play and a Crony Capitalism Moment in Hirring Lobbyist Craig Saperstein

"Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins voted on Tuesday
to hire Craig Sapperstein as a lobbyist for the City of Greensboro.

Perkins received a campaign contribution of $250 from Saperstein's father
and $250 from Sapperstein's mother in June of this year.

To see a back history on this subject this is what was written a few days ago, CLICKHERE .

Watch this video below to get a background of what Mayor Perkins had to say
after they voted on the new $79,000 federal lobbyist Craig Saperstein from Pilsbury law.




"In the first official business meeting for the Greensboro City Council 12-13-2011
we have Mayor Perkins reversing the past council
and playing the PAY TO PLAY politics on top of the Crony Capitalism card
on this one agenda item which was:

44. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw and Pittman LLP to represent the City of Greensboro Priorities to Federal elected officials and agencies. (Council District: all) (roll call vote) (Attachment #44 to Councilmembers

...Mayor Perkins acknowledges that he has known the Saperstein's
since Craig was 6 years old
so this will be a relationship of close to probably 25 to 30 years.

George Hartzman before the vote brought up the fact that on or before June 8, 2011
we have a contribution of $250.00 from Paul Saperstein
and also another contribution on or before June 8, 2011 of $250.00 from Sara Saperstein.

These 2 people are the new federal lobbyist's parents.

Mayor Perkins sayed that he did get a contribution from the federal lobbyists parents.

...longtime friends of the mayor gets the first contributions from the parents
who then hire the son to work as a federal lobbyist for the City of Greensboro.

Welcome to the pay to play crony capitalist Greensboro City Council."

Keith Brown

AMEX, Robbie Perkins and Roy Carroll Stealing from Greensboro's Taxpayers?

What is Crony Capitalism in Greensboro and Guilford County?

Keith Brown: Roy Carroll's Company + City of Greensboro are Defendents in a Court Case As We Speak, Any Ethical Questions Now

Index of /tif



On June 11, 2009 Kotis Properties, INC. (Plaintiff) VS. City of Greensboro and Horsepen Village Commercial, LLC (Defendants) with a case # 09-CVS-8185

Is this who Greensboro's City Council hired as a lobbyist?

"Pillsbury lawyers have influenced and shaped not just the law,
but the geopolitical landscape,
helping to set policy on everything from the environment
to securities reform and international banking regulations.

Among the firm's illustrious alumni are two Secretaries of State,
two Secretaries of War, an Assistant Secretary of Defense,
a Supreme Court Justice, and a Nobel Laureate.

Today, nearly 100 Pillsbury lawyers have held top positions
at various government and regulatory agencies,
including the DOJ, EPA, FAA, FERC, IRS, NOAA, SEC and USPTO,
as well as serving in Congress
and as senior White House staff and advisors."

Does Greensboro's new lobbyist specialize in eliminating American Jobs for thier corporate clients?

IAOP World's Best Outsourcing Advisors
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP)
named Pillsbury to the 2011 list of World's Best Outsourcing Advisors.

2010 European Outsourcing Assn MultiSourcing Award
Pillsbury’s Sourcing practice was honored with an EOA award
for the Best Multi-sourcing Project of the Year
on behalf of client GlaxoSmithKline.

Greensboro City Council Set To Waste Taxpayer Money Going After Taxpayers Money to Hire Federal Lobbyist

Let's take a stroll down memory lane for the City of Greensboro with this post on March 2, 2011 with a title of post" City of Greensboro doesn't waste taxpayers money on federal lobbyist" here is what was in post:

At the City of Greensboro's 3-1-2011 meeting agenda item #38 was this

Agenda item for March 1, 2011 for City of Greensboro

38. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP to represent the City of Greensboro priorities to Federal elected officials and agencies. (Council District: all) (roll call vote) (Attachment #38 to Councilmembers) COPY OF THE PROPOSAL ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW.

If you would like to see what was written yesterday on this issue on TRIADWATCH CLICKHERE with a title "Greensboro N.C. Will Waste $78,000 of Taxpayers Money for a Federal Lobbyist if Approved Tuesday".

Now, we know that with a vote of 6-3 the Greensboro City Council voted DOWN the notion of wasting taxpayers money going after taxpayers money . Here are the council members who voted to NOT fund the federal lobbyist. Mayor Bill Knight, Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Vaughan, Dr. Trudy Wade, Danny Thompson, Mary Rakestraw, and last but not least Zack Matheny. These council members get the award from Triad Citizens Against Government Waste for not approving this item on the agenda.

Now, let's take a look at the usual suspects on who wanted to spend $78,000 of taxpayers money to waste on a federal lobbyist and they are T Dianne Bellamy Small, Jim Kee , and last but not least Robbie Perkins . They will be awarded PORKERS OF THE MONTH TRIADWATCH EDITION
_________________________________________________________________________________

Forward to the Greensboro City Council meeting set for this Tuesday  December 13, 2011 . Here is what is on the agenda.

44. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw and Pittman LLP to represent the City of Greensboro Priorities to Federal elected officials and agencies. (Council District: all) (roll call vote) (Attachment #44 to Councilmembers)

 Greensboro Mayor Perkins has already started with the paint in his new office as Mayor of Greensboro not even dried yet and he is wasting taxpayers money with this proposal, and to me it seems like this proposal should have been rebidded because this company was a part of the old request for proposal(RFP) which was voted down as shown above and should not be brought up again or it should be rebidded .

Should Government Agencies Be Allowed to Hire Lobbyist?

Then we have this in a past post on Triadwatch about the relationship with Greensboro Partnership and the City of Greensboro. As we see in this new agenda item the Greensboro Partnership is going to pay 25% of cost.

The Greensboro Partnership has agreed to pay 25% ($19,500) of this cost . But let's take a closer look at who might pay the total cost because in the Rhino Times this week there is a article titled "Even President finds Partnership Confusing" CLICKHERE . In the article John Hammer wrote this,

The Greensboro City Council uses the Greensboro Partnership to launder money, according to what the council was told at its work session on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

The council allocates $200,000 to the Partnership to be used by the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance (GEDA), but of that money $25,000 goes to Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) and $30,000 goes to the Piedmont Triad Film Commission.


Dan Lynch, president of the GEDA, told the council Tuesday that the money was simply a pass-through. He said they were told to write a check for $25,000 to DGI and $30,000 to the film commission and he did, but he did not know why.

Now we have another item to add to this money laundering game the City of Greensboro wants to play with the Greensboro Partnership at the expense of the Greensboro Taxpayers who are getting hosed in this situation. It is so amazing to see the City of Greensboro wants to think about cutting a job or even a service to the citizens at the same time hire a lobbyist on the federal level when in reality we have capable leaders in Washington D.C. working in our behalf and on top of it we have a sitting Senator in the name of Kay Hagan who resides in Greensboro and we also have the other senator of this state who resides right next door in Richard Burr from Winston Salem. We can also add on the House side in Rep. Howard Coble who also resides in Greensboro as well.

If this passes on Tuesday December 13, 2011 we will give the new Greensboro City Council the Porker of the Month Award Triadwatch Edition.

Keith Brown; Pigs, Poultry, and Politics + TREBIC + FREE MEAL = Ethical Issues for Local Elected Officials in Guilford County

Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition(TREBIC) our local special interest lobbying group headed by Marlene Sanford has a annual gathering in it's 11th year called Pigs, Poultry, and Politics- Old Fashioned Political Rally. Click on the title above or CLICKHERE


If this is a old fashioned political rally it sure is composed of the most connected sponsors who give plenty of campaign contributions to the local politicians. Let's take a closer look at who is sponsoring this political rally.

2010 Sponsorship Congress members:


President: Signature Property Group

Governor: AT&T; Fairway Outdoor Advertising

Senator: BB&T; Brown Investment Properties; Davenport Transportation Consulting; D.R. Horton Homes; Isaacson Isaacson Sheridan & Fountain, LLP; Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP


Commissioner: K. Hovnanian Homes; Pest Management Inc

This old fashioned political rally is where TREBIC can tell all the local politicians who runs Guilford County and where do you get your campaign contributions from.This is where Marlene Sanford President of TREBIC can say to the local politicians just how many more TREBIC  members can we fit on these boards and commissions in Guilford County, especially in the City of Greensboro.

Governor Sponsor: Fairway Outdoor Advertising and it's main kingpin W.S. Morris III from Augusta Georgia, between the in kind contributions from Fairway Outdoor Advertising and the campaign contributions to local politicians he is one of the most generous campaign contributors in this county and he doesn't even live here.Lately there hasn't been much campaign giving from W.S. Morris but this company is very generous with their influence and sign placements all over Guilford County.


Senator Sponsor: Isaaacson, Isaacson & Sheridan. We like to call them King Zoning Stud Henry Isaacson and his son Little King Zoning Stud Marc Isaacson because if you want to get a zoning case passed in Greensboro or Guilford County these are the one's who give plenty of money to the local politicians campaign coffers and if you haven't seen their DOG AND PONY SHOW it is a masterpiece just go to a Greensboro City Zoning meeting to witness King Zoning Stud Henry Isaacson  in action.

We also have Brown Investment and Chester Brown who is connected to Greensboro City Council member Robbie Perkins with a new shopping center out off of church street and HWY. 150 with Guilford County Commissioner Billy Yow also the well driller on this project. Then we find out that one of Chester Brown's employees Russ Parmele VP of business development has moved right from Greensboro board of adjustment to the Greensboro Zoning Commission without any opposition . It must be nice to go from one commission right to another without any objections and to see if there has been any applications in the databank waiting to get on this board but the TREBIC connected Brown Investment goes right to the front of the line. Amazing

These are just a few of the usual suspects who will be at this Old fashioned political rally. The influence of TREBIC on the local politicians needs to come to an end. When you hear certain politicians come out and say TREBIC has been contacted and TREBIC has some interest, it only goes to show that the FOX is guarding the Hen House and each year they want everyone to know who the FOX actually is.

_________________________________________________________________________________


We also have a new ethical dilemma for any local politician who has received a e mail from TREBIC on this annual gathering . If you would like to go to this event check out the application CLICKHERE . If you see the link it states that this event will cost you $30.00. This poses a real problem and all you need to do is CLICKHERE. This is where TREBIC states this

"Welcome Elected Officials and Candidates!


We invite you to attend our Annual "Pig, Poultry & Politics" event on Thursday, October 14 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. TREBIC and its member Trade Associations represent nearly 4000 real estate professionals in and around Guilford County, plus all their employees.
Provide your name and mailing address and we'll send you the tickets. See you there!

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CANDIDATES FREE REGISTRATION"

TREBIC also sent out a email to all the local elected officials and here is what was in the e mail,

"Please plan to attend the 11th Annual Pig, Poultry & Politics Thursday, October 14th! You can reply to this email to RSVP. Your ticket is complimentary, but if you need tickets for guests, they can be purchased for $30 each, $35 day of the event. You can order tickets on our website, www.trebic.org, or you can use the order form attached. "

It states that the local elected official and candidates can get their ticket for free and complimentary.


We have seen plenty of problems on the state level with some DMV workers were given free meals just like the Greensboro ABC Manager Katie Alley who is in a little hot water for her lunch dates with vendors comping the meals for her. How is this different from the most influential lobbyist group in Guilford County TREBIC giving FREE MEALS to local elected officials and candidates right before the elections.

If you are a local elected official and do plan on going to this event it is in your best intertest to NOT take the free meal and buy a $30 ticket and run it through your campaign committee fund because to me this is accepting a free meal and should not be done. Ethics is a real issue and it is time for our local elected officials and candidates understand how this free meal is not right and if you want to attend then pony up the $30 or not go. Triadwatch looks forward to seeing your $30 contribution on your campaign returns from this special interest lobbying political rally event brought to you by the non registered lobbyist Marlene Sanford and the non registered lobbyist group TREBIC.      

2 Guilford County Commissioners Tell Randall Kaplan from Downtown Greensboro Hotel What They Think About Economic Incentive's in Future

During the September 16, 2010  Guilford County Commissioners meeting all the talk was about approving the federal recovery bonds for a new downtown luxury hotel which will be called Wyndham Greensboro. During this agenda item we had our own Triadwatch contributor George Hartzman speak his mind and asked a few questions CLICKHERE thanks FEC at Vie De Malchance.

One of the most unusual aspects of this agenda item was hearing what both Guilford County Commissioners Kirk Perkins and Linda Shaw had to say about something that will probably come back up in front of the county commissioners and probably as well the City of Greensboro which is economic incentive money offered by the local municipalities.

Here is what County Commissioner Kirk Perkins had to say,




As you can see from the video embedded above, the commissioner tells Randall Kaplan from the local group who wants to build the luxury hotel that, "hopefully they won't apply for the economic incentive policy , hopefully if they do we will turn them down but certainly if it is available then they should go for it."
That sounds like a shot below the belt from a county commissioner saying to them don't even think about coming back in front of council to apply for the county economic incentive policy .

But wait there is more because another Guilford County Commissioner in Linda Shaw had something to say as well here is the embedded video below.




The commissioner talks to Randall Kaplan and asks him if he is going to come back in front of us to ask for more money because we are going to stop you right now on incentives. In the video you can see a bewildered look on Randall Kaplan's face in regards to this issue.

It was interesting to see 2 county commissioners come out even before they ask for incentive to let the hotel group know that they can apply for the incentives but might have a hardtime getting approval.

It will also be interesting to see them try to get incentive money out of the Greensboro City Council as well.

One thing that might become a issue is hearing at the commissioner's meeting where Randall Kaplan from the hotel group talked about them being a good tenant for a parking garage in downtown Greensboro but maybe both the Guilford County Commissioners and the Greensboro City Council who will see the economic incentive application can put on a restriction that any incentive money will go towards the building of a parking deck near the hotel and that part of elm street.

Now that this project is on the fast track for completion and needs to start breaking ground soon, it will be fun to see the Wyndham Greensboro owners come back in front of the local municipalities with their incentive package and see if they have the votes for it to pass because these 2 commissioners were trying to say to Randall Kaplan you probably don't have my vote if you come back in front of us.

Randall Kaplan and Bridget Chisolm Interview on Newsmakers at News and Record, Name All The Investors

Allen Johnson from the Greensboro News and Record CLICKHERE has interviewed Randall Kaplan and Bridget Chisholm on the proposal for a new downtown Greensboro luxury hotel . The video is embedded below, this is from the newsmakers segment of the Greensboro News & Record. One question that needs to be addressed is this.

WHO ARE ALL THE INVESTORS IN THIS WHOLE DEAL?

The Elm Street Group consist of a dozen or so investors including Randall Kaplan,Milton Kern,George House, and Brad Semon.

WHO ARE THE OTHER 8 investors in this Elm Street Group?

Back on January 1,2010 this was said in a blog post at Allen Johnson's blog " could we please get the news and record to name the names of all the parties involved with this endeavor and who are the dozen or so partners in the elm street group"

Still waiting for this answer to the question. Maybe when they get in front of the Greensboro City Council next week we will see this question be asked by a Greensboro City Council member.

Will Mr. Kaplan answer the question please tell us who are all the investors in the Elm Street Group not just 4 of them but all of them?

This is called TRANSPARENCY in local government.

Who Are The Usual Suspects on The Greensboro Downtown Consolidated Plan Core Group?

Donald Patterson from the Greensboro News & Record has a article on September 7, 2009 with a title."Plan Will Set Priorities for Downtown" CLICKHERE . In the article this was said"The group is working through a 15-member team that includes Mayor Yvonne Johnson and Melvin “Skip” Alston, chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners"

Below the fold you will see the list of who is actually on this 15 member Downtown Greensboro Colsolidated Plan Core Group ,with a slew of the "USUAL SUSPECTS" on this core 15 member group. Could we just rename the City of Greensboro, BRYANBORO or MELVINBORO or SIMKINSBORO and be done with it. It is also nice to see that the most politically connected developer in town gets a prime seat on this core group in Roy"Can I Offer You A Plane Ride" Carroll.

________________________________________________________

Downtown Consolidated Plan Core Group:

The Core Group will be responsible for managing and directing the planning process. Members represent major economic stakeholders will thoroughly examine and develop specific draft proposals and recommendations. The group will also serve to lead advocacy efforts to implement projects from the plan into the future. The Core Group will generally meet on a monthly basis.

DGI Staff - Ed Wolverton
City Planning - Dick Hails
Elected Official (City) – Mayor Yvonne Johnson
Elected Official (County) – Skip Alston
Professional – John McClendon
Bryan Foundation - Ed Kitchen
DGI Chairman - Michael Schiftan
Property Owner – Roy Carroll
Community – Ralph Johnson , on the Greensboro Zoning Commission Board
Moses Cone Hospital – Mike Roskelly
VF Corporation – Frank Terkelson
Downtown Resident – Afrique Kilimanjaro, Carolina Peacemaker
Action Greensboro - April Harris
County Planning – Les Eger
City Manager/Econ. Development – Andy Scott
Neighborhood – Mac Sims , East Market Street Development

Support Staff:
Action Greensboro - Cecelia Thompson
City Planning - Mary Sertell
City Planning – Mike Kirkman
GDOT – Adam Fischer

In addition to the Core Committee, the Downtown Consolidated Plan will involve a larger (30+) Advisory Committee representing an expanded list of downtown related interests.

There will also be multiple community meetings (with direct mailings to all downtown property owners and other advertising means) and potentially some smaller focus groups addressing specific downtown interests or geographic areas.

The development of the Downtown Consolidated Plan was authorized earlier this year through resolutions adopted by both the City of Greensboro and Guilford County. Additional suggestions on public involvement for this process are welcomed. Additional questions may be addressed to Dick Hails (373-2922), Mike Kirkman (373-4649) or Mary Sertell (373-4769).

This information below the fold was sent to me from Cindy Briggs in Public Affairs Department for City of Greensboro with a Freedom of Information Act request for this information.

Who Would Have Thunk It, Greensboro Votes 7-1 for Ethics on Local Level

At the Greensboro City Council Meeting on March 17, 2009 during the end of the meeting item #31 is called Addendum.There was a resolution brought to the attention of the council that has to deal with having state ethics laws brought to the local and county level.(HAT TIP YES WEEKLY) on their blog CLICKHERE

Here is the link to the video at around the 1:55 mark on CLICKHERE then proceed to March 17, 2009 video.

Greensboro City Attorney Terry Wood had this to say" This is put on as a request from a council member. This is a state ethics act that covers state commissions and boards it is very extensive and includes filling out forms acknowledging the different various types of ownership, and any interest you have in the property you own. In other words a full disclosure and the purpose of it is to keep, to prevent conflicts of interest. At least what our legislature perceives as conflicts of interest.And this is an act that is pending in the legislature now. House Bill #287 CLICKHERE or click on the title above and if you adopt a resolution it would be to acknowledge support for that resolution. You of course can't enact it , that's a state wide law.That's the purpose of it. "

Then the Mayor Johnson's talks about going to speak to a group of people and accepting a potted plant or some flowers and how the mayor does accept these gifts.She then asked the City Attorney is that proper or improper and He said under this bill it would be improper. There are over five pages of what you can and cannot do and the city attorney then said the best thing to do is not accept gifts at all.

Then the ethically challenged Greensboro City Council member Robbie " Pave It " Perkins had this to say,"These days it is hard to vote against a ethics law. I think that being said the debate at the legislature is going to be very interesting to watch. Because the legislature has imposed these ethics rules on themselves.Largely as a result of the problems that they had with ex-DEMOCRAT speaker Jim Black. They have imposed these laws and found them unwieldly and have been modify it ever since.So the debate as I understand it from talking today to some of the house members is do they want to take a step further and impose it on all of the municipal officials in the state.Because they are already under it.Good arguments on both sides. We should support it and move on."

Who would have thunk that Robbie 'Pave It " Perkins would be all over passing a resolution in support of this ethics bill but as you heard above they have found the ethics laws unwielding and are modifying the law to this day. So if you can read into that statement then the League of Municipalities are going to water down this ethics law to practically nothing. If you want to see what a ethically challenged city council member is then CLICKHERE or CLICKHERE

It would be nice to know which Greensboro City Council member actually brought this up as an addendum because the city attorney only said a city council member brought this up without naming a name. Who wants to guess who it was? We can take one very ethically challenged Greensboro City Council member out of the guessing game because when it was time to vote on this resolution in support of bringing ethics to the local and county level the vote was 7-1 with T Dianne Bellamy Small"TDBS" voting NO. How could you not be for ethics on the local level of city and county politics as the mayor had said but TDBS sure doesn't want any part of ethics and her past history has shown that. Can anyone say polygraph test.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE , Tony Wilkins has answered my question above here is the link CLICKHERE. Thanks Tony

Even before this was brought up in front of Greensboro City Council,

Joe Guarino had posted this on his blog CLICKHERE with a title "Ethics Laws and Local Elected Officials" .

This law is much needed on the local level and it is time to let your state legislators know that you are in support of this bill. All you would need to do is say to your state representatives " Bring Ethics to the Local Level Support House Bill #287". If you want to e-mail your state representative here is the link

CLICKHERE for House

CLICKHERE for Senate

Simkins Political Action Committee A Part of David Wray Lawsuit

The Simkins Political Action Committee is now a part of the David Wray lawsuit against the City of Greensboro.

This new development was brought to the forefront by local blogger Ben Holder and his site called The Troublemaker CLICKHERE

Then friend and local blogger Joe Guarino made a post CLICKHERE

While looking at the lawsuit brought against the City of Greensboro there was a interesting points made which were #18 and #19. If you would like to see the whole lawsuit thanks to The Troublemaker click on the title above or go to the posts provided by both bloggers.

Here is what item #18 said:

Hinson was represented by a prominent Greensboro attorney with ties to a well -known African American Political Action Committee in Greensboro ( the "Simkins PAC").

Here is what item #19 said:

The Simkins PAC has over the years demonstrated an ability to mobilize members of the African American community in Greensboro for purposes of targeted voting, and has been so successful that politicians running for office in Greensboro, whether white or African American, seek the endorsement of the Simkins PAC in order to be elected.

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The Simkins PAC has been getting a lot of scrutiny lately and TRIADWATCH has a inquiry with the North Carolina Board of Elections as to the contributions of a certain non-profit named Action Greensboro to the Simkins PAC . Here is the post on that issue back on November 9, 2008.

Here is the title of the post "Simkins PAC in Bed with Action Greensboro Illegally"

CLICKHERE

Everyone is well aware of the Simkins PAC and the total vote buying scheme that this PAC is a part of.My hope for the future is for the African American community to say to this PAC , screw your piece of paper endorsement I have a brain.

It will be interesting to see how this will play out in a court of law and to see the implications on the Simkins PAC.