As expected, questions about Greensboro’s new city manager, Tai Jaiyeoba, are already being raised.
Tuesday, Dec. 21, the Greensboro City Council voted unanimously to hire Jaiyeoba as the new city manager beginning on Feb. 1, 2022, at a salary of $280,000 a year.
Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones, where Jaiyeoba is currently an assistant city manager and director of the Planning, Design and Development Department, described Jaiyeoba’s leaving as “bitter sweet,” but not everyone in Charlotte is sad to see Jaiyeoba go.
In June of this year Charlotte City Councilmember Tariq Bokhari, in a Tweet, called for Jaiyeoba to be fired. Jaiyeoba, of course, wasn’t fired, but the 2040 Comprehensive Plan he proposed passed on a 6-5 vote, a clear indication that Bokhari wasn’t the only councilmember who didn’t support it.
According to an article in Axios Charlotte, the most controversial part of that plan was the elimination of residential single-family-only zoning, and there was also opposition to placing affordable housing developments in suburban neighborhoods.
And that brings up another question being raised about Jaiyeoba as city manager. His background appears to be exclusively in planning and transit. As assistant city manager in Charlotte and planning director, those are his two areas of responsibility. He is over the planning, transportation and Charlotte Area Transit Services departments, which fits in well with his work experience.
Before coming to Charlotte, Jaiyeoba was the director of the Sacramento Regional Transit District and before that the director of planning and development in Grand Rapids, MI.
Jaiyeoba’s experience in planning and transportation appears to be extensive, but it does not appear he has been involved in many of the other aspects of city government, such as public safety, water resources, parks and recreation, entertainment, garbage and recycling collection, budget and finance or libraries.
Greensboro, like many cities, is experiencing an upsurge in violent crime and it appears the City Council has hired a new city manager who has no discernible experience in handling police issues.
I’m not surprised nor disappointed. My expectations are low.
The Greensboro City Council is NOT Interested in experience nor qualifications choosing a manger, only RACE.
Speaking As a former Greensboro resident and property owner and a current Charlotte resident the new City manager will push hard to get his liberal ideas in housing and high density rezoning passed. His urban background does not in any way match with Greensboros needs. In other city governing areas he is untested and likely not a good match
He’s a minority so it’s fine, he’s obviously massively qualified, no need to look at a resume. City Council’s primary check-off was that he couldn’t be white, secondary that he had at least some prior experience. If you are looking into his background and think that perhaps he’s not qualified in some aspects of gov’t administration, you are obviously a racist.
Oh great, another person that has no idea what they are doing.
NO surprise here. I’m sure there are several fully qualified blacks already working for the City that could have been moved up into that position. What is wrong with this City Council?!?!?!
There’s nothing wrong with City Council Mr. Ed. They are what they are and know the apathetic voters will never hold them accountable for any decision.
This man is brilliant. He was my supervisor and I learned a great deal from him. He will be a great fit for Greensboro.
par for the course … did you really expect the City to hire someone who might know what they’re doing?
Did you really expect any better from these council members? Betting “diversity” was the major hiring point.
Remember to use your vote when the time arrives.
Looks like another one of those fine decisions by the Greensboro city council. Well, at least I guess the buses should run on time!
With the current city council he will only need experience dealing with race, gender & MWBE drama. Anything else is just a bonus.
I know of this young man. The last thing we need is all multi family housing. Greensboro is not Charlotte in any way, shape or form. We must have a mix of housing, predominantly single family. And affordable housing can be single family. Council seems to have already jumped on the multi family housing requirements though as is evident in the last year of rezoning cases. Let him take over Planning but get us a real City Manager. We are in a crisis! Crime is way up and a manager must know how to handle this. Of course more multi family housing also Spurs more crime…….when, if ever, will this Council put its citizens first and when, if ever can we please vote them out.
I don’t really know anything about Mr. Jaiyeoba yet, but based on your description of of his prior focus and expertise I am hoping that he will focus on skillful delegation for those sectors where he has less experience (one of the hallmarks of great leadership IS who you surround yourself with and listen to!)
Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Vaughan. Coincidence?
Lawrece Keck…..Lawrence Well. Coinky-dinky? And a 1 and a 2…
What else would you expect from this council-?
It is all about race.
You have to learn not to over-expect…..
Is he a citizen of this country? Does he speak English? Be ready for a mass exit of City employees.
Wow
Wow, the elimination of single family housing – this terrific city council just hired a full blown communist, without spending one iota of energy to do a thorough background check, all in the name of diversity.
“You will own nothing, and you will be happy!”