Direction to the questions? The anwser’s in my eyes,
an image of peace and endless time.
Direction to the questions? The anwser’s in my heart,
a ring of endless light surrounds the dark.
Direction to the questions? The anwser’s in my soul,
an undying fire conquers the cold.
Direction to the questions? The anwser’s in my life,
I will protect the children with all my might.
We can Remember, We will Recall..
the internet provides memory for all. Now that the tools are at our disposal we can no longer allow ourselves to elect away accountability.
I think that (former) Greensboro Mayor Carolyn Allen needs to search her memory for anwsers to a question or two where the failure of Project Homestead is concerned. According to an article in the N & R dated 2-08-04 she joins several people present (some with now fuzzy memories) at a Council briefing where her commisioned
One of the questions I have for the former Mayor is : How many times on the public record DID YOU ACTUALLY SAY NO to Dr. Michael King?
The article goes on to state:
Minutes were not taken because it was a briefing session. A tape of the session has been lost.
I wonder how clear the former Mayor’s and other people’s minds present at that meeting would become if they were to be informed that a copy of the "lost" tape had been found?
I think that the taxpayers and voters of Greensboro should consider starting a Greensboro Truth and Recollections Committee that refuses to accept, "I don’t remember, I dont recall, I have no memory at all"………as anwsers.
Tag, you’re it!
"Watch for the warning signs of abusive spending."
The election is right around the corner.
We are teaching people to ask the questions and to expect the answers.
Recent indictments in Atlanta and reports like this:
Now, the FBI warned if left unchecked, this fraud could mushroom to the size of the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s, which was very big indeed.
make me wonder how much of the Project Homestead failure involved Mortgage Fraud. Not only against the banks but against the taxpayers of Greensboro. I also wonder if the following mortgages where offered under an adjustable rate mortgage and, if so, how rising interest rates may affect these homeowners’ ability to maintain ownership.
Regular Meeting: 15 December 1998
249-98 Resolution amending the Resolution of March 3, 1998 authorizing modification of the notes and deeds of trust on certain second mortgage loans on 67 homes under the affordable housing program
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Greensboro authorized the modification of the notes and deeds of trust on 67 homes under the affordable housing program on March 3, 1997 to provide for a maximum credit of $320,000 for the purpose of assisting families who had participated in the Greensboro Episcopal housing ministry in purchasing their homes;
WHEREAS, Project Homestead through Project Adopt has been able to assist many more of these families than had been expected to purchase their homes;
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the City of Greensboro to further modify the notes and deeds of trust on the second mortgages by reducing the principal an additional $65,000 bringing the total forgiveness to $385,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO:
That the original resolution of March 3, 1998 (46-98) be amend to increase the maximum credit on the principal amount of the second mortgages from $320,000 to $385,000 for the purpose of assisting the families in purchasing their homes.
____________________________
( Consider the above Taxpayers Bill of Rights a working draft open to all for input and amendment)
Attempts by any taxpayer who doesn’t demand accountability for alleged mismanagement of the community tax base from all leadership responsible……could be deemed prejudice.
Lets open all the books….
REGULAR MEETING: 17 Feburary 2004
43-04 RESOLUTION REQUIRING ALL PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCIES WHICH ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF CITY FUNDS TO SUBMIT TO FINANCIAL AUDITS
WHEREAS, The City, in an effort to provide quality services and opportunities to its citizens, invests City funds through public service agencies;
WHEREAS, the City is obligated to be fiscally responsible and accountable for all public monies, including those given to public service agencies and to insure that City funds are used to further a public purpose;
WHEREAS, the City is also a conduit for State and Federal funds which are to be use to promote public purposes;
WHEREAS, the City is desirous of continuing to make funds available to sound financial agencies; and
WHEREAS, the City is desirous of tracking all City funds given to public service agencies in order to promote the public trust and to fulfill its fiduciary duty to insure that public funds are properly expended.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO that:
2. The City shall require all public service agencies to be audited in order to ensure that City funds are being expended properly and for a public purpose.
The City shall suspend funds to any agency resisting or refusing to allow a City’s requested audit or refusing to follow reasonable recommendations or contract guidelines established by the City.
_______________________
As taxpayers in this community, let us collectively request that any organization that has received tax dollar support over the last 5 years make available all financial records to an "external audit" and identify where we are wounded so we can stop the bleeding….before the best intentions of a community dies.
I was at the City Council Meeting, shortly before Dr. Michael King took his life, where he pointed his finger at the leadership of this community and cried "you were there" "you were there" "you were there".
Why dosen’t Aycock Neighborhood Association Vice-President and open comment advocate David Hoggard not enable comments on his neighborhood’s website?
I would like to comment on the Stategic Plan for the Aycock Neighborhood.
The taxpayers are going to be asked to foot a good part of that investment-in what Im sure is going to be the "star" of his upcoming Council bid.I have questions I wish to ask and thoughts I would like to share.
I would like to be able to comment directly on this plan without having to go thru his campaign blog or one of those of his neighborhood buddies.
C’mon Hog open it up!
May I suggest a ShoutBox?
Tag, you’re it!
It looks like our neighbors to the south may need to consider a resolution similar to the one passed here in Greensboro on December 1, 1998.
Regular Meeting: 01 December 1998
245-98 RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE NOT CONDUCT TRAINING EXERCISES WITH THE USE OF HELICOPTERS IN GREENSBORO WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ADVANCE NOTIFICATION AND FULL COLLABORATION WITH CITY GOVERNMENT
WHEREAS, the military training exercises performed by the Marine Expeditionary Force in Greensboro on 7 October 1998 was of such a magnitude that it far exceeded the level of activity that was anticipated;
WHEREAS, there was not adequate notice to the citizens, either of the exercise mission or the nature of such mission, such that many citizens were caught unexpected and were alarmed;
WHEREAS, any further military exercises should not be conducted in Greensboro, except under extreme compelling military need and in complete collaboration with City Government Officials;
WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of the City to seek the cooperation of the Marine Expeditionary Force and to agree on a mutual basis as to the nature and type of exercise that might be conducted within permissible limits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO:
That the Marine Expeditionary Force is strongly requested to discontinue military training exercises of the magnitude that occurred on 7 October 1998 and that any further military exercises not be conducted in Greensboro unless there is sufficient advance notification and full collaboration with the Greensboro City Council, City Manager and the Greensboro Police Department.
Update- Tara Sue: " If this had occured in a real time situation, the soldiers could be dead."