For nearly 30 years the City of Greensboro has provided a table for the media in what is now the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber.
The size and location of that table has moved with renovations of the Council Chamber, but a workspace for the media has always been available. When the press table was first provided, there was no need for electrical outlets or internet connections because journalists took notes with pen and paper.
However, according to a press release from the City of Greensboro on Friday, March 18, the media will no longer have a work space in the Council Chamber. In fact, according to the press release, the media will now be banned from the Council Chamber and will be expected to cover the meetings from the balcony.
The press release states, “All media representatives covering Greensboro City Council meetings will now be located in the balcony, overlooking the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber. A table has been installed in the balcony area for print media with the appropriate power connections. The previous media seating will now be used for City staff who have items on the Council agenda.”
The decision was made by City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba, who said that in his four meetings as city manager, “I noticed staff presenters had to walk a far distance to get to the podium.”
Jaiyeoba said that he would like to have his staff closer to him and the podium during meetings.
What used to be the press table is in the row behind the city manager, city attorney and deputy city manager and right next to the podium, which will be more convenient for staff.
However, the reason that city staff members have to walk so far to get to the podium is because the reserved seating for city staff is as far from the podium as it is possible to be and still be in the Council Chamber.
Jaiyeoba also said that if placing the media in the balcony area did not work out that he would take another look at it.
The meetings being covered are City Council meetings and not city staff meetings, so one might assume that the City Council would have some say in who can and cannot attend their meetings, but not in this case.
After the press release was sent out, Mayor Nancy Vaughan said, “I had no idea about the memo banishing the print press to the mezzanine. I’m not sure why that was necessary. It hasn’t been an issue.”
She added, “I don’t know why it’s necessary to put a further barrier between the City Council and the media. I didn’t know there was even a discussion about it.”
Since the City Council has returned again to meeting in the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber, the only print media that has had a representative at the meetings has been the Rhino Times.
The petty punitive passive-aggressive punishment of The Rhino is palpable.
The Nigerian city manager is already showing his true colors.
As in “consider the source”. Perhaps another view could be gleaned- Press is now in the “High & Rarified Air”.
Is it private? Can you hear what is going on? Whatever the press needs are they must be met. Let us know and a rally for a petition certainly can be put together. The third largest city and the ‘other’ newspapers can’t see a benefit of being in attendance. Well, that leaves our preferred expert! Rhino Times extraordinaire!
We can always count on steve and chris to bring on the libtard perspective. For anyone not familiar, these are the folks who get offended by things like ma’am, sir, & good morning. The sheep who appreciate being led to the slaughter by their government. Worshipers of BS & believers of Biden & card carrying members of Rev. Fauci’s Church of Endless Jab. The same type that will be begging us to save them from others like themselves when the SHTF. Thank You Steve for the reminder, I added another 300 rounds to my home defense supply.
When we get invaded they will be the first to cut and run
I love how much I am on your mind!!! LOL
Only when you post your nonsense and when I’m sitting on the porcelain throne
Oh the pain and sacrifice staff presenters must endure in order to be held accountable!
Our new City Manager is stretching his wings, much to the surprise of Queen Nancy.
How petty.
Stepped on toes did ya now!! Gonna be lonely up there by yourself… hahhaha,, at least you are still in the same room .. SMH
For the govt to get complete control of the population, one of the things the govt has to do is CONTROL OF THE PRESS. How are we doing on that one? Step by step, that’s exactly what governments are doing, BAMN.
It is difficult to believe what anyone in the govt says, whether on the city council, or in Washington. At this rate, we won’t have any news at all, fake or not.
President Putin had an outdoor rally in Moscow; that propaganda telecast all over the county. Still, many of the people in Russia know the truth.
You can read the Fishwrap, perhaps 2-3 sheets of folder paper. You get the ball scores, NCAA rankings, Obits, bridge column, and the like. Those are facts. The rest is what they want you to read.
And another thing that our govt lies about: since our new administration has taken office, the “stimulus” spending programs (money printing) have increased the supply of money in our country by 36%. This is the REAL inflation rate. That’s right, another year or so at 36% of deficit spending means that, on average, it will cost you TWICE AS MUCH TO LIVE. Your purchasing power will be cut in half. So our govt tells us the CPI has risen perhaps as much as 8% – what a whopper! The lower and middle classes are being wiped out – we will be dependent on BIG BROTHER to helps us.
I have a friend that has a big stash of cash in CDs – in normal times, enough to retire on. Think Weimar Germany, she will be wiped out.
What to do? Spend your money now on things that are sure to go up later (food, supplies), or invest it in something that will keep pace with the real inflation rate. Good luck with that. Even if you make a gain of 30-40%, in a year, how can you keep that up every year? And, you will be taxed on that paper gain.
Is it time to leave the Country? Yes, it is.
Just buy more guns and ammo. It will be better than gold.
Food, clothing, & shelter; and all that goes with it. And a means to protect it.
What an affront to the ability to report properly on public city meetings. Mandate Mayor picked a great new ally in silencing the public and placing barriers to open government proceedings. City staff also look like a few extra steps might be good for their health as well. Moving all press 100 feet away from council and presenters smacks of autocratic chilling behavior. Next step press will only be allow to view redacted streams of unannounced meetings.
Hmm let’s think about this for a moment. White press black city manager White press have to sit in the balcony. Reminds me of years ago when blacks had to sit in the balcony of movie theaters. Kinda seems like discrimination to me. Time to start a sit-in or a “peaceful “ march, then the words
WHITE PRESS MATTER can be painted on the street in front of the building. Of course the city can furnish the paint just as they did for the blm group.
I was happy at the back of the bus.
Only an idiot would make this about race.
You are really calling the kettle “black” aren’t you
What gives the city manager the power to dictate how the council chambers are arranged? A good dressing down by the council is in order to illustrate who is in control.
What happens if you sit in one of the pews with the rest of the plebs? They going to throw you out?
As our Ugandan friend Pastor Doctor Martin Ssempa, who now calls himself Gabriel Baaba Gwanga’mujje Eri Yesu once said:
Confusion of da highest orda!
Greensboro has media? Judging by the N&R website, I thought they got their content from stringers and out of town aggregation agencies.
Mr. Hammer, imagine a day when your 32 already geriatric readers shuffle off this mortal coil. Who will carp about trivialities then? Try living in Kosovo, Syria or Ukraine for a day if you need something to complain about.
You go first and send us a postcard. One less piece of crap in Greensboro
Woosh. Went right over your head there didn’t it. LOL
Wow chris who helped you spell woosh