City Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter put the kibosh on what was supposed to be the last discussion of the City Council retreat on Thursday, Feb. 2.
Rachel Yost, the out-of-state consultant hired to facilitate the two-day retreat, had set aside time for the City Council to develop a “vision statement.”
After going into some detail about what a vision statement was and how it should be “the North Star” guiding City Council actions, it was time for the City Council to discuss developing a vision statement for the city.
Abuzuaiter said, “We did this three years ago.” Then Abuzuaiter read the vision statement, “Building on our history as a diverse and forward thinking city, Greensboro is a community with endless economic opportunity and exceptional quality of life.”
It’s on the city web page under “About Us.”
Yost had to backtrack. She said, “Is there a framework that goes with that vision?”
Yost also noted that Charlotte incorporated its vision statement “into all of its documents.” It’s hard to imagine how a Charlotte resident getting a notice that their water is going to be cut off is going to be inspired by reading the Charlotte vision statement on the notice or how that benefits the city.
Yost also asked, “Now that you have your vision statement, is that being held up as your guiding north star?”
In sports, Yost’s coach would have called a timeout. Instead she said, “Do you have a framework on how you are going to get there?”
Abuzuaiter said, “A lot of that is in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.”
City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba noted that in GSO 2040 the vision is “to be the best mid-size city in America.”
Yost asked, “Is that the guiding north star?”
Yost added, “What I’m hearing is we don’t have that framework.”
Abuzuaiter said, “The GSO2040 Plan lays out that framework. It won major awards.”
Friday, Feb. 3 is the final day of the City Council retreat.
Ahh yes, these are the people the majority of voting citizens elected.
SNAFU
Don’t you love it when a bunch of people – mostly losers- declare that they have “a vision” for you and me..?
Get back in your lane, fix the potholes, and produce some tax relief.
And spare us your “visionary leadership”.
After hearing this exchange, the Council needs to retreat to never-never land.
I guess these clowns are justifying their phoney-bahloney jobs.
Consultants are here to challenge the council and to sell them on some glorified way to make more money for the consultant.
Reference – 931 Third St, Greensboro, NC 27405
“Rachel Yost, the out-of-state consultant hired to facilitate the two-day retreat” Wait, what? Just how many different ways can the city council throw away tax dollars? Seems endless, as they hire someone from out of state to lead the discussions during the retreat. Now, you are all elected leaders, although poor examples of it for the most part but with all these leaders together to discuss in depth items and they can’t set their own agenda? Ridiculous, and I’m curious how much the taxpayers paid to hire Ms. Yost.
“Rachel Yost, the out-of-state consultant hired to facilitate the two-day retreat”.
We have a city manager now with three (3) freshly minted and well-paid assistants. Yet, the city has to hire an OUT OF STATE CONSULTANT to “facilitate” a two-day retreat/meeting.
If Greensboro’s vision is “to be the best mid-size city in America,” Greensboro is in a world of hurt. The “vision” does not define the best mid-size city, nor does it state what Greensboro will need to do to achieve that vision. As stated, a world of hurt.
Damn straight they have a vision. They want your money.
Dear Council, your vision statement should state, “We pledge to ensure that the city’s infrastructure and ESSENTIAL services are fully funded and efficiently implemented so that citizens can live their lives in peace.”
That is all we want from you.
No crazy arts programs on our dime (I’m not talking about an art class), no charity donations on our dime, no forced Tanger Center funding on our dime, etc. If I want to donate to charity, to a privately owned service provider, or the arts, let me do it of my own free will. That is not your business as my local government. Fix my pot holes, give me a police department that can come when I call, keep the street lights on and the water running. THAT is your business, your goal, and your vision.
Hear, hear! Well said, Timmy.
AMEN!