Recent Rains Help, but Drought Persists

Governor cites Greensboro as a state leader in water management and conservation efforts.

Conserve water now.Recent precipitation in the area has helped raise lake levels in Greensboro, but the drought continues and the City's water restrictions are still in effect. Lake Brandt is less than three inches below normal, but Lake Townsend is more than 74 inches below normal.

On Monday, January 14, Gov. Mike Easley met with municipal representatives from across the state to discuss ways to deal with the current drought. The governor’s suggestions – connect to nearby water systems and charge rates that increase with water use – are already being accomplished in Greensboro, which the Governor noted is one of the state's leaders in water conservation efforts.

> More: Review the City's current water restrictions.


Redrawing Council District Lines

Change in district lines does not affect May primaries. 

City Council district lines are being reconsidered as the City prepares to annex some 10,000 new residents on July 1. Eleven proposed maps have been developed to include the new residents in one of Greensboro's five Council districts. Council members were scheduled to review the maps at their January 15 meeting, but the issue was postponed and will be reviewed at an upcoming meeting. The change in Council district lines will have no effect on the May primary election since the next Council election occurs in 2009.

> More: View the 11 proposed maps.


Saving the Earth, Every Other Week

Recycling makes a difference!Change in collection schedule doesn't mean a change in how recycling helps the environment.

The upcoming shift to every other week recycling collection doesn't change the fact that your recycling efforts make a difference for the environment! For the past five years, Greensboro has collected an average of 30,000 tons of recyclables each year, and 82 percent of those recyclables were sold to make new recycled products. That's 24,600 tons of trash that never made it to a landfill every year. The remaining 18 percent were either non-recyclable items or recyclables that were contaminated by paint or grease.

Not only does recycling help the environment, it helps the City's bottom line: in 2007, the City received $1.2 million in revenue from the sale of recycled items. The change to every other week recycling will also help the City's recycling program operate more efficiently.

> More: Online map showing recycling collection areas. 

Questions or comments about this newsletter should be addressed to: Elaine Tricoli, Interim Communications Manager, 373-2421 or email.

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Did You Know
Where and how will you travel around Greensboro 25 years from now? You can have a say in Greensboro's long-range transportation plan. Attend an open house on Tuesday, February 12, at the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St. Drop by any time between 4 and 7 pm to share your thoughts and ideas. For more information, call 373-4368 or visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/lrtp.

The Greensboro Planning Board gave its recommendation to the Glenwood Neighborhood Plan during a meeting on January 16, and the plan is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on February 19. The plan was developed by the Greater Glenwood Neighborhood Association and the City's Department of Housing and Community Development. Its goal is to improve the quality of life for residents, property owners, business operators, and others using a series of more than 240 action steps and a future land use map.

Guilford County middle and high school students are invited to a "Souper" Bowl party at Folk Teen Center, 3910 Clifton Road, on February 3 from 6-10 pm. The cost of admission is $2 plus one can of vegetables. The vegetables will be donated to the Eastside Park Community Center’s Kids Café program, a local nonprofit organization that provides three well-balanced meals each week for its afterschool program participants. Register by calling 373-7710.