The Gist is the City of Greensboro’s monthly e-newsletter that bills itself as “Your short and sweet digest of the biggest City news and happenings.
Guess what isn’t considered big news or even news at all by the City of Greensboro?
If you guessed a grant for a tree canopy project or the return of the Neighborhood Toolbox program, you would be wrong.
However, if you guessed the fact that Tai Jaiyeoba suddenly resigned as Greensboro city manager in the middle of the Tuesday, March 5 City Council meeting, you win first prize.
It’s not surprising that The Gist, which is sent out by email once a month, does not dwell on news that reflects poorly on the city. No one expected to find an article about the domestic violence incident at the home of former City Manager Jaiyeoba on Dec. 28, 2023 in The Gist.
But you would think that any change at the top of heap of city employees would deserve a mention. The Gist has a lot of links to longer articles, and there is a link to a synopsis of the March 5 City Council meeting.
Far and away the two most important things for the future of Greensboro that happened at that meeting were that Jaiyeoba resigned from his $320,000-a-year job and that the City Council by a 5-4 vote passed a three-month severance package for Jaiyeoba. People resign from positions with the City of Greensboro all the time, but the overwhelming majority do not receive a severance package when they resign.
Four members of the City Council thought it was a bad idea and voted against it. In order for the severance package to pass, somebody had to contact City Councilmember Yvonne Johnson, who did not attend the meeting in person, and get her online so she could provide the fifth vote.
It also seems like it’s news that Deputy City Manager Chris Wilson is now once again interim city manager. Wilson was also interim city manager from when David Parrish resigned as city manager on June 30, 2021, until the City Council hired Jaiyeoba on Feb. 1, 2022.
It appears that if people are interested in the “the biggest City news and happenings,” The Gist is not the place to look for them.
One more effort to raise mushrooms
Can you say, “Cover-up?”
Thanks John! This city is a laughing stock for sure.
Then move somewhere else. I hear Summerfield is managing their politics well.
Lol…Bob, open your eyes.
“The Biggest City News” is always found at The Rhino Times – and before everyone else.
Because no one cares but you, John, and the five other people who comment on a daily basis.
Bob get a job or drive down JJ Drive for some stress relief
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And yet you are reading it, aren’t you?
Even commenting.
Here’s a little secret Bobby Boy : EVERYONE in city govt. reads the Rhino, because that’s how they find out what’s really going on. The News & Record is pathetic – just like “The Gist”.
And you.
i care about you john . . . from a safe distance . . . COVID?
This action is something for Greensboro to be ashamed off. This is a disgrace to have hired someone who turned out to be a mistake. All citizens should hide their face in shame. We ALL are affected by this action. Let us hope that we can do better going into the future.
I will not be hiding my face in “shame”. Nobody on this council has ever received my vote. Not shame, but anger and discust!
“If you guessed a grant for a tree canopy project or the return of the Neighborhood Toolbox program, you would be wrong.” So there is a GRANT for a “tree canopy project” but those of us providing more than our fair share of “canopy” that benefits the city (oxygen) are punished for doing so? I have a large stand of mature oak trees and even though I mulch what I can, I still need help. The end of loose leaf collection, even though our taxes went up about 25%, places a big burden on a lot of us. But, I don’t live in Hightower or Wells districts, so, too bad. The irony of it all. Why grant money to help develop a canopy if the burden of the leaves increases?
As the old daying goes. . . .”Move along, nothing to see here”
Now HERE’S what could bring poetic justice (in my opinion) to the “five” commissioners (including the one the others had to telephone to get HER ‘vote” to make a “5”), regarding the three-month payment to the former City Manager who resigned: Give THAT bill to THAT 5: Annual salary $330,000. equals $27,500 per month! X 3 months=$82,500!
Then sharing this “cost” (aimed at the taxpayers!) among the ‘5’, who voted for it, comes to $16,500. EACH!!!
It’s beyond time that dubious actions taken, without merit, are disallowed!
For those that need a civics class. Our city elect city councilpersons; the county elects commissioners.
They want this to go away because all 9 know the f-ed up. The five that voted a potentially illegal severance to someone that had resigned (and from my sources had stopped coming to work allegedly), the three that could not keep their trap shut after letting him have the ridiculous “you must only say kind things about me” contract, and all nine for now allowing a loop hole for the next person involved in some inappropriate all the way to harassing relationship (allegedly). The former employee really got one over on all of you idiots. Hopefully everyone will remember at the ballot box. Vote for new people in Districts 4 and 5 and get one more at large. Marikay has turned into the John Roberts of this group. You never know what decision will be made but it will be the wrong one.
he wasn’t ignored – he was unknown & invisible . . . like keynes ‘invisible hand’ in our pockets.
Adam Smith, dear.