Goldsboro’s Current Status
THE WAY IT IS
As I stated in my last campaign:
"My first order of business as your Mayor, was to replace the City Attorney, Harrell Everett, and the City Manager, Richard Slozak."
This has been accomplished, albeit with a slightly different twist than I had envisioned. We have also had 2 pawns removed that gave them most of their power. (Thank God and Greyhound!)
The city has started to do some good things, there are several great projects underway. We are in the process of replacing the burned down Community Building and Paramount Theater. Creating a Stoney Creek Park, [see more about this under "Other Issues"] upgrading the City Hall Complex and building a nice Animal Shelter, sidewalks along Ash Street and Berkeley Blvd complement the city, as well as organized community meetings. See, I do have some nice things to say about the council. .......But remember....election time for ALL city council members is just around the corner.
When was the last time that you went up North Berkeley to buy something? If you haven't lately, try this simple little exercise: See how long it takes you to go from Arby's to Lowe's parking lot (just across the street) and then just for the fun of it, exit back on to Berkeley Blvd between Merita and (the former) Schooner or Later and go to Staples. The traffic pattern is deplorable!
In order to get back downtown, you have to take a right, then maybe drive through the new strip mall (Bed, Bath & Beyond). This is if you can even get out of the parking lot (within 3 red lights). The same thing applies to coming out of Books-A-Million and wanting to go left. You have to first turn right and find a place (parking lot, etc.) to turn around in. A lot of people have tried to zip straight across into the old vacant Happy Store parking lot...(very dangerous). You wind up having to go to Berkeley Mall to turn around, and you know how frustrating that Central Heights/Royall Ave/Berkeley intersection is. Now, if you're a real sport, start this exercise in the afternoon, say around 4:00 pm on any given day. Don't believe them, when they blame it on D.O.T.
Goldsboro had some say in this fiasco. Why haven't I heard something out of the city about this? Another (although, not so flagrant) situation, is the Krispy Kreme entrance. Coming up Ash you have to turn into the Subway store beside Krispy Kreme. Leaving, you have to turn right. This is not too accommodating to the Airman that wants a quick cup of coffee before he has to report for duty at a given time. It is an inconvenience to base personnel, city residence and hurts all of the businesses mentioned herein as well as those surrounding businesses.
We have made some progress, and it is imminent that we will continue to progress, regardless of who is elected to office. The question is how will that progress be directed, what will be the direction, quantity and quality of the focus?
This is a copy of a Letter To The Editor, that I recently sent to the NEWS ARGUS:
Is it possible the existing law firm MUST continue to be the official legal representative for the City of Goldsboro all the way down the list to Brown and Lawrence because an outside law firm may find substantial irregularities in the performance of past associates? In other words, as long as this firm continues to 'reign', improprieties can remain covered up?I call your attention to articles found on your website: www.newsargus.com("..but the agreement wasn't recorded with the deeds office. Former City Attorney Harrell Everett acknowledged last spring...")$630,000.00 is a costly mistake! (?)"The City Council also agreed to add $70,000.00 to the amount budgeted this year for legal services. City Attorney Tim Finan told the board his firm has had numerous, out-of-the-ordinary expenses this year." "None of the council members raised questions about Finan's expenses."
This has got to STOP! and the public needs to know about it before the next election.D.A. Stuart
“Even a broken clock is right twice a day” – Anonymous
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