Share Your Thoughts on Bonds
City Council invites you to share your input into possible bond projects for this fall:

  • Attend the public hearing scheduled for the March 21 City Council meeting, beginning at 5:30 pm in the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 West Washington Street. 
  • Visit the City’s website to email your thoughts. 
  • Call the City’s Contact Center at 373-CITY (2489) to give your feedback.

A bond is long-term borrowing approved by voters to finance major capital projects, those projects that have a useful life of 10 years or more, cost more than $100,000, and are above and beyond the scope of the annual operating budget. A bond vote authorizes a city to increase property taxes to repay the debt. Since the City has a Standard & Poor’s “AAA” credit rating (the highest possible), Greensboro pays lower interest rates on bond issues. The procedure for a bond issue is:

  • City Council selects bond issues and amounts.
  • The City files an application for the authority to issue bonds.
  • City Council holds a public hearing to receive citizen input. Based on citizen comments, Council may change items or dollar amounts.
  • Council submits its action to the US Justice Department for clearance.
  • A bond referendum is held for citizens to vote on each of the specific bond issues. If the voters reject a bond issue, the project cannot be funded as planned. If the voters approve a bond issue, the City can move forward with the project using general obligation debt for financing.

Celebrate Joey Cheek Day on March 23

Joey Cheek billboard

Be a part of Greensboro’s Joey Cheek Day on Thursday, March 23. A variety of events will take place throughout the day to honor the Greensboro native and 2006 Olympic speedskating champion, as well as to support his designated charity, the Right to Play initiative.

Public events include the Joey Cheek Charitable Fund Luncheon sponsored by the News & Record at the Greensboro Coliseum Plaza Lobby from 12 noon to 2 pm. Meet Joey Cheek, bid on autographed Wheaties boxes and have your photo taken with the Olympic champ. The Joey Cheek Community Celebration at First Horizon Park, will be held from 7 to 8 pm. Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by WFMY News 2 with music, fireworks and Greensboro’s own Joey Cheek.

Questions or comments about this newsletter should be addressed to: Nancy Lindemeyer, Communications Manager, 373-2105 or email.
Did You Know

The March 10 News & Record contained a front-page article with information taken directly from the RMA report of the Greensboro Police Department. City officials do not know how the report was obtained. The City maintains its position that all reports related to this investigation so far contain confidential information protected by the Personnel Privacy Act and are critical to the ongoing investigation by the Greensboro Police Department.

The Greensboro Public Library and the Friends of the Library are once again sponsoring Poetry GSO, a month-long celebration of poetry in April. This year's featured poet is Luis Rodriguez, a former Los Angeles gang member and now award-winning poet and activist. The Library has planned a number of events and programs and invites you to share your favorite poem.

The Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department will host Summer CampFest 2006 on Sunday, March 19 from 1 - 5 pm at the Greensboro Sportsplex, 2400 16th Street. Learn about summer programs and register for camps, clinics, workshops, playground programs and more. For more information, call 373-2574.

The Greensboro Fire Department will perform fire hydrant testing until May 15. The hydrants are tested to ensure that they are operable and can produce the required water pressure if needed. Opening hydrants can cause a temporary discoloration of water in nearby homes. The discoloration is not harmful and can be cleared up by letting water run for a few minutes.