Ask About The Money
Dear Editor,
Before anyone votes to approve the $1.7 billion (that is with a B for billion not an M) please ask for a complete accounting of the $10 million the county commissioners gave the schools to upgrade security at all the schools in 2018 and the $300 million bond passed in 2020 for school upgrades, maintenance and construction.
Sue Smoot
A Note To Jim Donaldson Concerning Police
Dear Editor.
A note to Jim Donaldson.
You certainly have taken it upon yourself to be the police of the police in Greensboro. You complain a great deal about how the Greensboro police are not doing their jobs in enforcing traffic laws. Do you know that our police department is rated one of the best in North Carolina and the country? Do you know that our police department is very understaffed? (Not because of poor leadership from Chief James, but because the City Council would rather play favorites with the money than give more to our police.)
The very hard working, dedicated and city-loving police officers need our support not our constant petty complaining. The citizens of our city need to understand that following the laws of the city – traffic and otherwise – are part of the privilege of citizenship. Why don’t you write letters complaining about the citizens that don’t follow the laws because they know they can get away with their bad behavior, instead of bashing our chief and officers.
I would like to suggest that you sign up to take the Greensboro Police Department Citizen’s Academy next time it is offered. You will learn a lot about the amazing officers we have in this city and the mountains they are up against to serve us the citizens. There is a whole session on traffic – you’ll be enlightened. They deserve our thanks and support!
Dori Goebel
Dear Ms. Dori Goebel,
These are your words that confirm exactly what I am saying about the out of control Crime and Traffic Law Violators in Greensboro! In fact, I couldn’t have said it any better! Don’t shoot the messenger Ma’am!
Your words Dori! “Why don’t you write letters complaining about the citizens that don’t follow the laws because they know they can get away with their bad behavior, instead of bashing our chief and officers.” So as you are saying, many disrespectful citizen’s of our community conduct themselves in this manner because they know they can get away with it? One plus one equals two! Your statement confirms our Laws are not being adequately enforced by our City and County Law Enforcement Agencies, therefore our City has become a very dangerous place to live! What statistics is GPD using this week to indicate you are any safer in our City? I beg to differ in that Greensboro leads the State in overall crime?
Furthermore, I have absolutely no empathy for a City whose Police force is Short Staffed! This phenomena began over 12 years ago when then Police Chief Wayne Scott announced he would no longer enforce all traffic laws in Greensboro. I didn’t realize he meant GPD was not going enforce traffic law hardly at all!
Since I know the next defense from those that don’t understand how important this issue is. Don’t even try to blame it on the Budgets. The City Council once again funded Yvonne Johnson’s the “Cure the Violence” Program at $400,000 a year even though there have been no proven results from their activities! Such conduct and smell of nepotism has become a much too common scene with our Elected Officials and their cohorts!
Yvonne Johnson-Cure the Violence Project
Michelle Kennedy-Neighborhood Development Coordinator
Zack Matheny-President Downtown Greensboro
Skip Alston-Civil Rights Museum
Regards,
Jim Donaldson
Dori Goebel,
It is my opinion Greensboro Police Chief Brian James is no more running the Greensboro Police Dept. than President Joe Biden is running our Country! This is why it is time to have our Police Chief become an Elected Official! It worked well for years with BJ Barnes as our Sheriff! I also think our current Sheriff will be gone after one term.
Jim Donaldson
The constant daily shootings, robberies, and violent crimes are the major problems of Greensboro, High Point and Winston – Salem. The loud mufflers don’t kill people. The violence stems from the Gangs controlling the drug market. Yes, folks we have Gangs (violent Drug Gangs) in the Piedmont. Greensboro Mayor and City Council needs to let GPD start enforcing traffic laws, because Gang members drive and ride in cars, carry drugs and guns. As Jim said this has been going on for 12 years. Why don’t they try a new tactic (stop cars for any type violation)since not stopping cars hasnt worked. Voters get out and vote in a new Mayor and vote in a new Sheriff. I read Billy Queen’s book and he took down a violent Motorcycle Gang in California. He now is a candidate for Sheriff. Lets give him a try. The current Sheriff just wears a Cowboy hat, bow tie and creates vacancies (100 short just like GPD) Leadership is lacking.
Yes, Sue, doesn’t it make you nauseous to watch the TV Commercials depicting the state of disrepair in the government schools? They’ve received half the entire Guilford County annual budget for years, they just got a huge bond approved in 2020, and they never stop whining how underpaid they are.
WHERE HAS ALL THE MONEY GONE?
Their answer? “Give us more. A lot more”.
Greed and incompetence…. greed and incompetence.