It seems fitting that the Greensboro City Council will hold its final work session on Thursday, July 28 on the topic it has discussed far more than any other topic during the past four-and-a-half years – the Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (MWBE) program.
Greensboro is facing some serious issues.
The number of vacancies in the Greensboro Police Department continues to grow and city councilmembers repeatedly say that violent crime is at an unacceptable level.
There is a significant housing shortage that goes far beyond a shortage of affordable housing.
Two huge economic development projects have been announced near but not in Greensboro and the City Council needs to consider how to take advantage of thousands of new jobs coming to the area, but not to Greensboro.
However, the topic that the City Council discusses at every meeting and frequently holds work sessions to discuss is the MWBE program.
The MWBE program was the topic of discussion at the work session on June 30 and is the only item on the agenda for the Thursday, July 28 work session.
The work session on June 30 was MWBE Update (Part 2). The “M/WBE Update (Part 1)” was held April 28, but the City Council had to take a break from holding work sessions on the MWBE program to review the proposed budget, which included the largest property tax increase in the history of Greensboro.
The item on the agenda for July 28 work session could be MWBE Update (Part 3), but instead it is “M/WBE Update Follow Up.”
The discussion on June 30 might be termed a preemptive strike to keep the City Council out of legal trouble.
City Councilmember Sharon Hightower frequently states her opposition to allowing companies to make a “good faith effort” and be awarded a city contract when the M/WBE goals are not met.
The MWBE Update Part 2 went over in detail the law that establishes a “good faith effort” as a legally acceptable response.
City Councilmember Sharon Hightower has repeatedly voted against awarded contracts to companies that did not meet the MWBE goals but did meet the good faith efforts requirements. City Councilmembers Yvonne Johnson and Goldie Wells have also joined Hightower in voting against these contracts even though the companies complied with the legal requirements of the MWBE program.
The City Council would be on shaky legal grounds if it denied a contract to a company that made a certified good faith effort.
I hope the city does get sued for these Discriminatory policies. Off all the issues Greensboro is facing and this is what they focus on
Another reason why all three should be voted out . They have absolutely no training or education or COMMON SENSE when it comes to running a city or business. I just don’ t understand why people keep voting for them. Can’t someone find the answer to that question?
Good luck with this one!
You have three pit bulls with their teeth in this issue and they’re not going to let go (City Councilmembers Yvonne Johnson and Goldie Wells have also joined Hightower in voting against these contracts even though the companies complied with the legal requirements of the MWBE program.)
Perhaps Council would be better served, as would the City, by offering some workshops to individuals and MWBE qualified companies about the the opportunities afforded with this issue. At least make “ a good faith effort” instead of simply slinging mud and criticizing those companies that try with good faith to comply.
Please don’t besmirch pitbulls comparing them with these govcrim, bottom feeding politicians!
These 3 councilmembers are just too stupid to be in positions of power; but they are and Greensboro suffers.
A continued waste and spoon feeding.
These women do not care about the law. They have an agenda. Hopefully, (but doubtful), they will be voted off the council. I also hope that they do deny a contract to a company that has met the letter of the law and then that company sues the City of Greensboro. We cannot have individuals who disregard the law because of their personal views serving as governmental officials. If the City is sued, these women should be held responsible and removed from office.
Paragraphs 2 through 5 are taken right from Justin Outling’s campaign. Kind of strange after you had a major role in giving Mayor Vaughan 4 more years. I’ll be taking these type articles with a grain of salt for the next 4 years.
Good faith effort means that MWBE firms were contacted and they DID NOT RESPOND. MWBE Office provides the list that must be contacted. No response means they don’t want the work. You cannot make them work on a project that they don’t have any interest in doing.
We know what this means
Male
Whites
Be
Excluded
“Under a true democracy, the people get the government they deserve.” Edmund Burke
The elected are a direct reflection of the electorate.
I want my Constitutional Republic back!!!!
The title should be WOKE session!
Why bother with the meeting if the co’s not black they won’t get the contract