Greensboro City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba, who started work on Feb.1, began holding “Talk with Tai: City Manager Listening Sessions” on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Jaiyeoba plans to hold two “Talk with Tai” sessions in each of the five City Council districts, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. People can attend the listening sessions in person, with limited capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions, or view the sessions on the City’s YouTube Channel. Face coverings are required in all city-owned facilities.
The three listening sessions that Jaiyeoba has held on Feb. 8, Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 are currently available on the City’s YouTube Channel.
The remaining “Talk with Tai” sessions are:
- Tuesday, Feb. 15, noon, Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Library, 1420 Price Park Dr.
- Wednesday, Feb. 16, noon, Griffin Recreation Center, 5301 Hilltop Road
- Tuesday, Feb. 22, 6 pm, Brown Recreation Center, 302 E. Vandalia Road
- Thursday, Feb. 24, 6 pm, Smith Active Adult Center, 2401 Fairview St.
- Monday, Feb. 28, 6 pm, Katie Dorsett Council Chamber, City Hall, 300 W. Washington St.
- Wednesday, March 9, 6 pm, Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road
- Thursday, March 10, 6 pm, Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Library, 1420 Price Park Dr.
Jaiyeoba came to Greensboro from Charlotte, where he was an assistant city manager and director of the Planning and Development Department.
At the first listening session at Smith Active Adult Center on Feb. 8, Jaiyeoba said that he planned to hold a follow-up series of listening sessions in nine or 10 months. He said, “We want to close the loop, so this is not a one and done thing.”
Jaiyeoba also said that the purpose of the listening sessions was for him to hear from the people of Greensboro, not for the people of Greensboro to hear him, but he did answer a number of questions and discussed topics brought up by speakers.
I just don’t see it. The council ought to get off their duffs and represent their constituents instead of feathering their own nest. Some real involvement is way past due.