What a difference seven months can make.
In January, the Greensboro City Council, by a 5-3 vote, turned down a $250,000 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the US Department of Justice.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the same City Council voted 9-0 to accept a $242,000 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG).
Five members of the City Council – Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Councilmembers Michelle Kennedy, Sharon Hightower, Yvonne Johnson and Tammi Thurm – completely changed their opinion about accepting federal money for the Police Department.
The amount of the grant was slightly different, but the language in the grant application that five members of the City Council found so offensive in January was no longer offensive.
It’s also true that there wasn’t a member of the Working class & Homeless Organizing Alliance (WHOA) telling the City Council they should turn down the grant, and the city staff provided more information about the grant process.
It is understandable that the city staff was caught off guard in January, because the City Council had voted unanimously to accept the grant in December and then decided, after hearing from one representative of WHOA who opposed the grant, not to accept it in January.
One factor that seemed to make a lot of difference to the City Council was that they found out what happened to the money that was turned down and it didn’t simply disappear.
Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter, who had voted to accept the JAG funding in January, pointed out that the money her fellow councilmembers had rejected had been divided between the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department and the High Point Police Department, which also received funding through the same JAG.
The other deciding factor was a smart move by Police Chief Brian James, who reportedly plans to spend some of the money on “racial equity training.”
The reason the grant was turned down in January was that it was pointed out to the City Council by a member of WHOA that the JAG application included the provisions that Greensboro had to provide information on the immigration status of people in custody if requested.
As in January, Assistant City Manager Trey Davis explained to the City Council that the Greensboro Police Department doesn’t collect information about the immigration status of people who are arrested, and since Greensboro does not have a jail, there is never any reason for the GPD to collect that kind of information. Davis said that the GPD wasn’t asked for that information because it didn’t have it.
This time the City Council listened to Davis and accepted the grant, but a cynic might think that it also had something to do with the fact that economic conditions caused by the stay-at-home order and other attempts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are going to cost Greensboro millions in lost tax revenue.
Out of the JAG funding, Greensboro will receive $133,000, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department $59,000 and the High Point Police Department $49,000.
It is sad to have leaders that don’t know what they believe in. Either it is acceptable or not. Money talks with these folks.
Whoa! We lost $8,000 in grant money, never to return. Now the spineless Council feels no resistance so they take the money and run.
What a great lesson in leadership.
It was $138,000 that Greensboro rejected and went to High Point and Guilford County.
Why would any local government turn down such a federal grant? You have one person who voices discontent in January and the entire council caves in. Finally they have done something positive.
Uh, where does the money come from?
Coop-out or cop-out.
Amazing! Kinda like supporting ‘protests’ until it’s in their front yard…
Anyone who thinks for 1 second these council members give 1 damn about their so-called ‘principles’ can see quite clearly what they are all about. They are driven to posturing and groveling by whatever political movement is in vogue at any given time instead of focusing on the City and it’s whole citizenry and not just a tiny portion of it.
Greensboro is not supported by purple-haired, rainbow-wearing screaming banshees or militant hooded/masked BLM activists or taxpayer-funded spoiled college students.
It rides on the shoulders of the blue-collar workers of ALL shapes,sizes,colors and ethnicities who work for the small and large business owners of ALL shapes,sizes and ethnicities… And ALL THEIR LIVES MATTER!
They want SAFE streets and homes to raise their families, a solid infrastructure,and a strong and vibrant community of excellent restaurants and entertainment. NOT a Portland, Chicago or San Francisco.
The police forces of our County/City are a CRUCIAL part of that, and a cornerstone of a solid foundation to build this ideal.
First who is the WHOA that can tell the city what to accept and reject when it comes to finances!!!!!I guess I have been out of the loop in not Krupp with individuals that have this much influence over a government body.Does this mean that just any person on or off the street can wield that much influence over a governing body.I thought the city council stood on its own feet and not dictated to certain groups (besides BLM) and they all cave in when this group is mentioned.Would the mayor stand down if for instance The Skinheads come to town to loot,steal ,burn ,and pillage.O know only BLM is allowed this Privalige.Then you have Mayor chastise a group of a society for not bowing and licking boots!!! This is typical of a liberal society that does not care about the Rule of Law.Its almost time to Throw the Bums out.!!!!Lets get rid of the whole bunch and elect people who care about you and me Joe Society.
Just funneling money to another local liberal organization. The Racial Equity Institute. Their roster reads like a who’s who of local screechers and semi-professional protesters. Your city council did nothing but pacify another batch of squeaky wheel racists who spew their hate disguised as equality and management training. Anti-white and pro-reparations speeches in an effort to warp more minds and re-write history. As a wise friend once said: If you have to choose a side, your a racist. If you’re not sure where you’re money is going, you really should check out this little jewel and be sure to thank the council for considering the value to the citizens rather than padding the wallets of opportunists. Show them you care by tossing their liberal tails to the curb with your vote during the next couple of elections.