The following is a letter to the editor by Rhino Times reader Patrick Henry
From an article on the proposed County school budget of $947 million dollars ($947,000,000.00)…
“…$3 million for enhanced safety measures, and $11 million for facility improvements.”
They are sitting on $2 billion dollars ($2,000,000,000.00) and yet demand (and make no mistake they will eventually frame it as a demand) another $1 billion dollars ($1,000,000,000.00 rounded up) to continue to ‘operate for the children’. This is one of the major reasons Board of Commissioners are DEMANDING, not requesting, a huge tax increase on property owners.
Skip is scheduling several “town hall” meetings on the budget which are nothing more than Kabuki Theater so he and the rest of the Commissioners (and I mean ALL of them) can come out and say they are “listening” to the tax payers. I personally believe the decisions on the budget are already made and this is just part of the show. I also believe nothing short of mobs in the streets with torches and pitchforks will change things. Based on what I have heard from some people, things in the future will only get worse because the number of property owners is going down which means less people to blood let for taxes so those that are involuntary donors will have to give more.
Possible fixes include term limits on Board members, a set stipend for members with ANY increase being a decision of the tax payers/public with a 2/3 majority required to pass, more members be At Large with districts being made larger keeping the Board the same size, handouts of tax payer money to NPO’s restricted to no more than 5% of the TOTAL budget (not 5% each, but total of all requests).
When working on the budget, first priority goes to public health and safety, followed by social/education requests. The ‘gimme gimme’ comes last. Finally, before the budget is voted on, a public REVIEW, not a feel good meeting, at least 60 days prior to a final vote be required. There’s this thing call a County web page…just saying.
This is OUR money, OUR hard earned blood, sweat, and tears these vampires play with in the dark. Sunshine is a great thing in that it allows ALL to see what’s happening, and vampires hate sunlight.
Patrick Henry
Skip showed his contempt for the average Guilford County constituent when he imposed the highest property increase on residence during the peak of inflationary impacts in 2022. He is indeed a ‘tax and spend’ democrat to the fullest extent and has been in control of GC for far too long.
America’s Government Schools are obscenely over-funded and pitifully incompetent.
In Guilford County it’s a black hole into which massive quantities of cash disappear, with no apparent result.
I second Austin. Between 1960 and 2020 inflation-adjust per pupil spending on education in the US increased by 280%! To wit, nearly quadrupled in real $s as educational results worsened. Back in 1960, schools weren’t indoctrination camps and taught students to read.
Like all Government agencies, Public Schools exist to provide endless lucrative “pretend jobs” for millions of people, who then dutifully vote Democratic.
It’s obvious that the education of our children has nothing to do with this boondoggle.
Just look at the results.
Well, we did truly underspend on minority schools until integration was required in the 70s that required a significant increase in spending in many southern states I assume.
– But…. but…. Racism !!
Economics (well in this case, simple math). But yes, economics of racism that highly favored white people over people of color.
But you go ahead to fight for your support of white supremist propaganda that people from Africa are less intelligent that white people of Europe.
I am waiting for them to start using the ongoing shutdown of the DOE as their excuse for needing to bleed taxpayers white “for the children”. I would encourage people to attend these “town hall” meetings High and Mighty Skip is going to be having even though the outcome has already been determined. Come on Skip, deny it IN WRITING where there is a public record like right here in the Rhino. Tell us no decision has not been made and will be made until after “input from the public”. None of us just fell off the turnip truck and in treating us like that adds, IMO, to your contempt of and callousness toward the citizens of Guilford County.
I have taken to calling ALL of them as the County Board of Commissars. Prove me wrong. Publicly stand up and tell us where you stand on this and the other oppressive actions by the egotistical, ‘I’m smarter then you peasants’ Skip Alston and his merry band of bandits. Stop insulting our intelligence.
God I love the First Amendment!!!
If the Federal subsidies for things like Title 1 schools are cut as DOE is dismantled, where do you think the funding shortfall will come from?
Conservatives want the continuation of the dumbing down of America as it makes it so much easier for them to sell their propaganda to their sheep.
Chris,
Have you seen the stats on the education level of students here in America? And those numbers include liberal and conservative administrations.
Your “dumbing down” ship sailed October 17th, 1979, and who was the President that created that administrative black hole? Who was that again…oh yeah a liberal democrat named Jimmy Carter.
And there is no “funding shortfall”. The States go back to being responsible funding education, minus the Federal piglets suckling at the teat.
I was talking more about the current administration who is attacking our great Universities with defunding of research grants and the defunding/elemination of DOE.
Because of those two actions, I stand by my statement. MAGA wants everyone dumbed down to their level of ignorance.
Chris,
First, where is it written that Universities, great or otherwise, are entitled to research grants (grants financed by American taxpayers) from the Federal government. And what were the grants for? How long of a list should I give you of DOCUMENTED “studies” for things like the sex life of cocaine using rats. And don’t try to say those are just one offs. If they are, those one offs are costing taxpayers MILLIONS (documented). If they are that important, get private sources.
Second, October 17th, 1979 a (liberal) Democrat President backed the Federal government injecting itself into an area of American life they had no right to without the States consent, that being public education. Please show me where in the Constitution there is the justification for Federal intervention in what is a State’s responsibility, right, and duty to it’s citizens. (10th Amendment)
Third, I’ve noted your recorded history of only getting bent out of shape over Republican/Conservative issues while overlooking (and in some cases rabidly defending) those of the Democrat/Liberal party. I can’t remember the term that applies, but eventually I will
Grants are free money with little control over their use. In this case it’s OUR, the taxpayers, money.
Your last sentence shows how clouded your reasoning is. Just my personal opinion.
Firstly, these are approved grants that have made financial commitments within the agreement, structure, and duration of the grant. Imagine you had a contract to pay a certain way for septic activities and mid-way through the contract, the grantor changes terms ‘just because they feel like it”. I believe we should have good faith in our federal commitments.
Also note that the vast majority of these grants are for research that benefit the people of the United States and the idea that these are all like your ‘sex and cocaine’ study is absurd. Many of the studies are cancer related, AI related etc…
Why the government? Most of the concepts in study at Duke for example are cutting edge science in AI tech, Cancer treatment etc… that don’t yet have the findings to justify for profit investment in the ideas by drug or tech companies. Private businesses only invest in research that has a high probability of generating a profit.
This model has long proven effective so if you have a rationale that the US funding Cancer research and tech such as AI, quantum computing, etc… I am happy to understand your point of view.
If Trump and Elon were evaluating the quality of the research or the validity of the research, it would be a different conversation but that isn’t what is happening so is a false argument on your part to point to the handful of studies that seem silly to you based on your limited understanding of their purpose.
FYI, i have regularly shared my criticism of democrats such as Biden’s continuing overuse of stimulus spending after Trumps wasteful two rounds during his first term that added to Trump’s policies that drove inflation. I was also very critical of Biden’s slow response to inflation with the false belief that it was mostly driven by supply chain issues from covid and would ‘fix itself’. But let’s be honest, there are plenty of critics here about leftist positions or actions. I am just offering a balance by including criticism of right wing positions and actions.
And Harvard has over $50 billion in their investments and sees anyone earning less than 100,000 a year as minions.
The higher education establishment has enriched themselves with favored grants, selection of students, faculty, etc. Of course, Harvard, Yale, etc., will not do anything to rock their financial boat, yet castigate anyone who says they are not complicit in the college funding schemes. Have you ever asked yourself how it is possible for a college professor to earn 400,000 – 500,000 a year, or more, and they write books (requiring students to read them), etc. It’s a never-ending scam on the students and families who are just interested in having their kids get an education, versus adding to the wealth of professors. Pompous people who wear their “colors” each year at graduations. Pathetic.
Sounds like somebody is jealous he didn’t get to go to Harvard.
Weird excuse to cancel out some of the most innovative research in the world because you don’t like smart people.
But you be you
Hey Chrissy, where do you think those federal subsidies come from? Last time I checked the fed don’t anything to make money, they just take it from us poor taxpayers
Are you suggesting we stop all taxation and wild west survivalist mode? Yes, governments tax for the benefit of our communities, states and country. What is your point?
“Yes, governments tax for the benefit of our communities, states and country. What is your point?”
I believe you just gave a very simplified definition of socialism. But what do I know, I’m only elementary school educated.
There is nothing more ignorant that believing that Federal taxes should be eliminated. I wouldn’t even know where to start with that level of thinking. Not shocked coming from Alan who thinks all centralized government funding is a evil socialism bogeyman. Realizing of course that Alan has little real understanding of Social/Communism/Marxism etc… (to be fair, most people who use those term pay little attention to the real meaning behind those terms)
But go play wild west with your little guns within your fantasy world.
“There is nothing more ignorant that believing that Federal taxes should be eliminated.”
There you go again…trying to put words in peoples mouths and twist it to fit your argument. Show me where, if you have even a modicum of integrity, where I said eliminate Federal taxes. I know I only have an elementary school education but even I know the Fed needs SOME form of income (a tax) to augment the income from tariffs and other such things. It’s when you expect me fund your lifestyle and the lifestyle of your thralls. Why do you need a six figure salary with a list of bennies big enough to choke a horse if you VOLUNTEERED to serve your fellow citizens. Makes my $600 a month pay in the military look sick.
“…the idea that these are all like your ‘sex and cocaine’ study is absurd.” Again show me where I said that. More bloviating from the Chief Bloviator.
Awwww…Alan struggles with context of his words. Don’t worry, I will hold your hand and walk you through this one….
You claimed to give a definition of socialism in the ‘context’ of an exchange about taxes. This ‘implies’ you believe you are overtaxed for things to help other people than yourself and you don’t like that…
I then used a gaslighting approach to state that your disliking of taxes was to the extreme of not wanting any federal taxes…..as i have never heard you make support of any tax or any spending other than your love of military and policing.
Now keep up, this is where it gets fun…. you will likely say ‘hey not fair you are gaslighting’….yes Alan, i am as I am retorting your gaslighting about socialism by gaslighting about your hate for taxes.
But good for you for trying. That elementary education wasn’t nearly as bad conservative’s claim it was….
So when I challenged you to back up your BS you have to fall back on personal attacks and whining instead because you CAN’T.
I gave a very detailed explanation of how my read on your comment was accurate. I was really just joking but I guess you really do struggle with reading comprehension. Oh well.
You be you.
“Yes, governments tax for the benefit of our communities”. But remember, they also do it to enrich themselves, their friends, family members, political buddies, etc. It’s the old scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.
I always assumed congress members enriched themselves with insider trading and ‘soft brides’ from big dollar donors who want full access to congress. If you really hate corruption, I suggest pushing for the removal of money from elections.
I have not heard of members of congress enriching themselves with tax dollars. But wouldn’t put it past em.
Actually just the opposite, Chris. Those in the know strongly oppose most everything Skippy demands.
Folks: REMEMBER TO VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION!
Thank you for a practical, well written letter. You may have changed my mind about attending the meetings to let them know my displeasure. I agree with everything you proposed. Excellent job. You were always my favorite, along with Jefferson.
Deborah,
Thank YOU for those kind words and I’m glad I managed to possibly encourage one person to attend.
As my friend Ben Franklin said “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
Damn, hell has frozen over. Chris disagreeing with skippy. We need a flat tax rate based on square footage.
William,
I just checked my FOX weather app and it says it’s currently snowing down there
I have never liked Skip. That and the Clintons being in the Whitehouse is what got me to be a loyal reader of the Rhino Times. Remember Clinton Watch? Was my favorite section of the paper back in the day.
Three observations.
1. We already have term limits, but voters aren’t willing to use them.
2. No matter how few property owners there may be in the future, we will still have as many or more people paying property taxes. Part of the price of rent is the property tax on the rented property.
3. If we were to give the school board ALL our money, they would say it wasn’t enough and would demand more, saying that it is “for the children.” No, it’s NOT for the children– it’s for the school administration! It’s a racket!
Wayne,
On your first point, I’ve always believed politics was and is not meant to be a profession. While you have a very valid point the main thing I have a problem with is they get to vote for their pay, their raises, their benefits (which in way too many cases are for life) all at our expense. And how many of them engage in nepotism when it comes to their staffs?
On your second point, I will admit I find it hard to argue. But what happens when that rent keeps going up every time the politicians raise taxes to the point that people cannot afford to pay it and either squat (a different argument) causing property values to dip or simply leave the County taking their money (not just rent, but general buying power) with them.
On your third point I think we can agree. Rush Limbaugh had an excellent idea, that being walk into the school admin office, go office to office, room to room and ask them “how does your job DIRECTLY impact the students ability to learn?” Being the Assistant to the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools might, MIGHT be a couple of salaried positions that could be seriously considered for cuts.
The county commissioners need to go! What happened to the work for us? I am so tiered of hearing about Guilford County Schools need money.
Lets trim the fat from the waste they allow Maurice Green to do
1) The state and government gives the school system money each year for their budget.
2) The lotto gives a percentage of earnings to the school system of which then deducts from the states donation which then gives the state that much more money to waste. ex schools get 11 million from state. Lotto gives 3 million to schools. The state takes away 3 million from the 11 million and the schools still only get 11 million.
3) All traffic camera monies collected 1/2 go to the school system 1/2 goes to the company
4) All DWI asset seizures from money to cars go to the school system
5) All police, sheriff non federal drug, crime arrests involving seizures of assets go to the school system. This equates to almost a million a year.
6) All GPD false alarm call bills go to the school system. This equates to over 200K a year
Now they not only have principals at school and assistant principals at school to assist the principal but they now have an advisor at each school to the principal making over 110K a year. Why do we even need this? So lets add up ALL the schools and count that money
AND LASTLY, PEOPLE SEEM TO FORGET HOW MAURICE GREEN WAS CAUGHT FIXING HIS RETIREMENT INCOME A FEW YEARS BACK WITH THE MONEY
eric,
Be careful answering your door in the very early morning hours. You may never be heard from again.
Who are these advisers at each school making over 110k per year? Most principals and assistant principals make under 100k at least in the elementary schools. I am not sure about MS or HS.
In 2017-18 a GCS Principal named Ralph Kitley was paid $122,300 p.a. Other Principals were similarly paid.
That was EIGHT YEARS ago.
How much do you think they’re being paid now?
Source : Rhino Times
Thanks for the info.
If for a high school, that feels about right to pay around 150k as that is typical senior operations manager level comp in a mid to large sized corporation. For elementary school, I would think more junior manager level comp of 80 to 90k more the right level.
The so called progressives are the first to maneuver their fellow citizens into tax captivity once they have secured power. These leftist democrats relish their newly acquired power and ability to raise the rent on the poor vassals at will.
Conservatives do the same. They just swap deficit spending for taxes sometimes.
Real fiscal conservatives should view the ideal being that we have a tax surplus during strong financial times and only use deficit spending to spur the economy out of a slump or recover from a massive disaster etc…
Wake up Voters! These Town Hall meeting by our Politicians including Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson, and now Skip Alston are nothing, but “Dog and Pony” shows. Do you really think these leaders are listening to you and even considering changing their game plans? Not a single one of these individuals has issued a comprehensive report from what they have accomplished and what they will do differently as a result of a Town Hall Meeting! Don’t waste your time attending Town hall meeting, spend your time for wisely by voting responsibly!
Preach on loud and strong brother
Jim,
Are you really of the belief that Skip, Nancy, John, and all the other folks that see themselves as Rulers, not elected representatives, would say and do anything that is not in the best interest of their subjects? Are you really of the belief that Skip, Nancy, John, and all the other folks WE elected to REPRESENT US (R & D) are not interested us, the common man?
If that is the point of your missive, you are so dead on target. Wasn’t there a bit of a dust up about 250 years ago that had part of it’s roots in this sort of thing?
Your last sentence is very right, but the problem I see is a lack of the last WORD in that sentence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RujOFCHsxo
The battle cry for every County Commissar meeting where public speech is available (which should be 99% of them)
There are a number of possible responses to the lack of leadership in Guilford County and Greensboro. Some people choose to remain silent and pay the taxes that are levied, even though they may disagree with how it is spent. That is certainly their right and I respect their decision. Others choose to move to another jurisdiction where taxes are reasonable and local governments still provide services to their citizens. My wife and I chose the latter and are very happy in our new town. Ultimately, we all have to decide what we are going to do,
I wish the Rhino would post a list of the GCS salaries like they did in the past.
See where your taxes go.
Yes, so do I.
And if Scott can spare the time I’d like him to construct a chart showing the total revenues of Guilford County over the last two decades or so.
It would immediately demonstrate that Guilford County is absolutely rolling in money – and yet they still demand more. Pure greed. Pure extortion.
it’s better than rolling in debt like the Federal Government at least. Conservatives love to cut revenue but never seem to have to courage to cut spending enough to balance the budget. DOGE is just noise when the real spending problem is the US Military, Federal Debt payments, and entitlements (92% of total budget).
Fun to talk about cutting grants to universities for example when that spending isn’t even 1/10 of a percent of spending. Just another con game by Trump as he works to bankrupt America and ruin the economy for everyday people.
******
YOU are just noise.
Chris,
So what you are saying is only 8% of the budget goes to everything else. Considering I’ve seen reports stating things you claim as taking the other 92%, please show me how that works. Also, please define “entitlements”. If you consider things like social security, you’re right. The majority of us ARE entitled to social security since THEY took the money FROM US involuntarily, so I am entitled to getting my money back from them.
I’ve seen too often how people claim “well that’s ONLY 1% or ONLY 3%. Guess what…when you start adding up that 1% or 3% it quickly adds up. Think “death by a thousand cuts”. I think of the frog in a pot of water where the water gets a little hotter over a long period of time.
This is a cool site to better understand the federal budget: https://www.usaspending.gov/explorer/budget_function
I do lump social welfare programs into entitlements along with social security and healthcare. Using the above site it totals to 80.6% so not sure the difference from the higher-level source I used but this is an interesting way to see the details of the budget.
I don’t disagree that saying it’s only 1 or 3% doesn’t itself justify the spend. My point is it doesn’t even come close to solving the problem. You can’t balance the budget with eliminating waste and fraud (which isn’t what Musk and Trump are doing…they are just doing classic cost takes of things they don’t like). You would have to make major cuts to entitlements / social welfare programs and / or military to actually balance the budget.
Or wait for it….increase revenue. Not cut it.
As an old school fiscal conservative, I don’t believe smaller government is the answer, I believe a more efficient government that balances revenue and spending is critical. Neither party seems to have the courage to get it right.
As for Musk, if you want to eliminate fraud and waste, you audit departments. You don’t wipe them out.
My 2 cents.
— You’re right “PH”. The Left always has reasons why taxes must be raised but vociferously oppose any tax relief. That is because the Left represents the interests of the state. The right represents the interests of the people.
I remember when British sales tax (VAT) was 8 %. Now it’s 20 %. When I came to NC in the mid 80’s the statewide Sales Tax was 4 %. Now it’s nearly twice that.
The rapacious greed of Government and The Parasitic Sector is infinite.
If/when he does something as useful as that I hope he has good fire suppressing equipment handy. It seems like too many people/places that do that mysteriously catch fire…damn spontaneous combustion.