News-Record.com

This letter echoes the mindset of City Council candidates Robbie Perkins and Kevin Greene's "time to move-on" mindset.

If you want a change in Greensboro's City Council leadership that will clean up the Police Dept./City manager mess once and for all the voting choices are simple: Joe Wilson-District 3, Bill Knight-At Large, Mary Rakestraw-At Large, Marikay Abuzuaiter-At Large.

Yvonne Johnson has been on the City Council for 15 years and her silence in this matter has enabled it to prosper. I'm not sold on her opponent, Milton Kerr as being considered a "fresh change" as much as I do consider him to be part of the "good old boy" network in Greensboro that is lackluster in it's activism for change.

Send a message to these people and write in David Wray or Billy Jones for Mayor. Even Mickey Mouse could do a better job. The mayor position is figurehead, basically a neutered dog with it's only power being a voting entity on the City Council. Otherwise it's a ribbon cutting and ceremonial ground breaking dirt digger position. The City Manager runs the show at the Council's whim. Change the Council and we can change the City Manager.

Other districts have candidates but I've not kept up with those and won't comment.

It should also be noted that Ed Kitchen created many of Greensboro's problems prior to allowing Mitch Johnson to fill his muddied shoes and that Ed Kitchen is in bed with the same people who have spent the last 50 years raping Greensboro's poor and working class for their own personal gain.

And the fact that the former Greensboro city manager is now the vice president of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation was payment for services rendered.

If you want to see Greensboro freed from the crushing grip of the Bryan Foundation and Action Greensboro intent on destroying our working class neighborhoods then write-in, Billy Jones, for mayor. Greensboro's mayor is only a puppet because he chooses to be a puppet. Unlike my opponents who are bought and paid for by the status quo I refuse to be a puppet.

http://www.musecrafters.com/bloggingpoet/2882/There%26%23039%3Bs+No+Use+Greensboro%2C+Nothing+Is+Going+To+Change.html

http://www.musecrafters.com/bloggingpoet/2601/Write-in+Billy+Jones+For+Mayor+Of+Greensboro.html

PS.
As much as I would like to see David Wray become a leader in Greensboro he no longer lives or owns property in Greensboro and cannot serve.

`

I too, know Mitchell Johnson well, and I concur with Ed's comments. If people would just go online and READ the information provided about Chief Wray/Mitch Johnson, they would shut up and move on. Wray lied to his superior and was canned. It really was that simple.

`

Eligibility to run for city office is not determined by where you own property. It is determined by where you reside. David Wray does not reside in Greensboro and thus is ineligible to serve as mayor.

Also, Hugh, you might want to keep in mind that, upon the conclusion of the SBI investigation, council person Mike Barber made a motion to release all information surrounding the investigation of Wray. His motion failed, but it did receive two votes in support, from Sandra Anderson-Groat and Yvonne Johnson.

Liberal Conservative, the information made available by the city has been selected to support a particular narrative. If the city would agree to release all information, then we can have an honest opportunity to evaluate the situation. You may be willing to reach conclusions while knowing that information is being withheld from you. Others have higher expectations.

MemberName -

The story is available on-line on The Rhino Times web site. The Jerry Bledsoe series on the whole matter is well worth the time it takes to read it. Don't expect TLC to be bothered by facts, tho. They just get in the way of his preconceived notions. He "knows" many important people - at least, he has claimed to - and that makes him privy to information mere mortals are denied. It's all part of what makes the blogbully the smartest person here! LOL!!!

"council person Mike Barber made a motion to release all information surrounding the investigation of Wray. His motion failed, but it did receive two votes in support, from Sandra Anderson-Groat and Yvonne Johnson".

Maybe I'm just cynical but my honest belief is that at least one of those voting did so with full knowledge that she would be on the losing side.

My guess is she didn't want that info released any more than the rest of them but casting a vote in the affirmative looks good during election time.

I know. It is very cynical and I have no way to know people's true intentions.

Mr. Kitchen,

You speak highly of Chief Bellamy and Manager Johnson. You mention that you know City Manager Mitch Johnson well, and know him to be a bright, competent and highly principled professional. You also mention that the relationship between the chief and manager is critical. You spoke of Chief Bellamy's steady leadership of the department.

Having said that, you were very careful not to make mention of the very individual around whom the whole issue is surrounds...David Wray. You worked with David Wray when he was Chief for several years before your retirement, so you would have some idea of his leadership, intellect, competence, and professional principles. Why no mention of them? Do you agree with Johnson's gutting of Wray and his department? Did Wray not possess any of the qualities listed above? If not, why was he allowed to stay as Chief all of the time you were City Manager? If he did, then why was he fired?

Come to think about it, Mr. Kitchen's letter was really a message to say "let's just move on". Isn't that always the way? It was RMA's Longmire that said "what is about Greensboro that it just can't let go?" Mr. Kitchen's letter is essentially the same. I guess the current members of the city Council really would like for people to let go before next week. The spin campaign is working overtime.

It's rely so simple. There are smart people who know Mr. Johnson and they say it is true that Wray LIED and got fired. Whats the big deal? Just read about it, but not in the Rhino Times cuz that is a right-wing rag. Just shut up and move on if you don't know anybody or anything! All that stuff in the Rhino times is probly just made up anyway!

"All that stuff in the Rhino times is probly just made up anyway!"

Yep. And Jerry Bledsoe never wrote books of investigative journalism that were New York Times best sellers either.

It's rely very simple. Some smart people who know Mr. Johnson say to just forget aobut it, shut up and move on! If you want to read the whole story and get some information, that would be great, but dont read the right-wing Rhino times! That stuff is just make beleive anyway!! Read the real story that the city released. Then just shut up and move on!!!

`

NicDanger,
How's that house doing over there in the noisecone of the airport? Are you still trying to get the government to "buy you out"? You are just a "victim", that's all. No one told you that was the Piedmont Triad International AIRPORT over there when you bought, now did they. : )

Proud Donkey,
You are obviously the creation of a very clever rightie. Hats off to you for setting up another ID for the N&R so that you can do your "hit and run" posts. Your 15 minutes are up.

Oak Ridge Runner,
I'm also a friend of John Hammer and I'll clue you in on something---that is NOT the bastion of truth you make it out to be. It is an alternative to the sometimes lame coverage given by the N&R to many local things--and I'll admit, John works harder than ANY other journalist (?) around these parts. His is commentary, and not news. You defend Bledsoe as some great pontificator of truth, and you bash Bill Clinton. Both are NYTimes Bestselling authors--get my drift? While I've enjoyed reading Bledsoe's true crime books, he is but a "washed up" wordsmith who twists the truth to fit his greater goal--readership. Consider yourself caught on his hook! LOL!

`

1. Wray told the City Manager that there was no substance to the allegation of Police Training Academy would be put on probation.
After the State investigated, it put the Academy on probation. One of MANY things told to the City Manager by long time police officers, that Wray denied, but that eventually proved true.

2. Wray, both written and verbally, told City manager that he did not do anything that violated personnel rules, standard practices, or criminal. After RMA investigation, this too proved to be a lie.

3. Wray told Manager that he never discussed or released personnel information, but again, an investigation proved that to be false! Wray consistently discussed protected personnel information with officers and union officials in his efforts to justify to them his actions regarding Lt. Hinson. He has, since his resignation, continuted to disregard the personnel statute 160A-168, a class 3 misdemeanor.

I'm too tired to argue with morons, but the facts just don't support David Wray. The Rhino supports David Wray, but the facts don't.

`

TLC,

What's the flavor of that Kool-aid you are drinking today? I never mentioned the Rhino in my posts. I just asked some logical questions of Mr. Kitchen. He seems to think quite a bit about Mr. Johnson and Mr. Bellamy, which is fine. But, if Wray was such a lousy manager and a racist, why didn't Mr. Kitchen discover that while Wray worked for him? Did David Wray manage to fool Mr. Kitchen the entire time that he worked for him? If so, shame on Mr. Kitchen. He must not have been a very good manager. And, if he was a bad manager of people himself, maybe, just maybe, he is wrong about Mr. Johnson and Mr Bellamy?

TLC, I don't know what the truth is about David Wray. I never met the man. But, after reading today's Rhino (since your brought it up), it looks to me that Mr. Johnson and Mr. Bellamy have some explaining to do. I would like to hear their explanation of the allegations against them today. And, if they are untrue, I would expect that they will launch a lawsuit against Jerry Bledsoe for libel tomorrow. Joe Williams would probably handle it non gratis.

TLC,

"I'm too tired to argue with morons". I guess you have been arguing with yourself once again. Give it a rest today.

Deamon Deacon,

Not really sure where you've gotten the idea that I live anywhere near an airport. Could it be symbolism? That would sure be in character for you, just as making the Olympic Gold-Medal winning leap it takes to believe that PD is clever. I think you both are in the same club.

Is there anyone you don't claim to know?

Proud Donkee, feelin' jilted? Perhaps this will help you through the tough times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YfYNdXZ3RY

ORR, I concur with the 5:31 PM posting of 11/1/2007.

Shalom

Donkey,

"There are smart people who know Mr. Johnson and they say it is true that Wray LIED and got fired."

What sort of convoluted logic is that? Who are the "smart" people? What difference does it make that they know Johnson and whether it is the truth? If you mean the smart people being the city council, well, that's not even worth commenting upon. Give us something here, Donkey, to work with. Like some documented facts.

Darryl,

Reading today's Rhino suggests to me that there are people with taped conversations which will make it difficult for Johnson and Bellamy to deny Bledsoe's allegations.

TLC,

So, you are a friend of Hammer, huh? That is, indeed, amazing. With Hammer's wit and intelligence, I always thought that he wouldn't choose to hang-out with blithering idiots.

Posted at Allen Johnson's blog:

Tony Wilkins said:

Allen,
Pull up your pants. Your big bare bias is showing.
You reprint the "competent Mitch Johnson" letter from Ed Kitchen on Friday stating it was because of typing errors on Thursday. Replacing "some" with "such" and "a" with "an" is hardly an excuse to reprint a letter. In no way did that change the intent of the original letter.
You also print a letter from Matthew Felling on Friday calling Trudy Wade a liar when you specifically stated in your election letter rules that personal attacks would not be tolerated.
Please, at least wear underwear so as to attempt to cover that bare bias.

Posted on November 2, 2007 11:17 AM

some negative and personalized campaign tactics in the current City Council election that concern me. Greensboro has a history of good government that has been free for the most part from such tactics

Yes Greensboro doesn't get personal and negative until AFTER you've won :)

OakRR,
Since you are such a know it all, why don't you call Mark Binker up and ask him about the Bledsoe "story"???
Oh, that's right, you are a "knowitall, seeitall, sage, soothsayer, and prophet". LOL!
Why don't you go back to telling us how Garth Hebert will change the board of education!! He's too busy bragging about himself to make a difference in the life of Guilford County's children.

Liberal Conservative....

Thank Goodness....finally someone else on here that makes sense. As I have stated over and over at other blogs....the Rhino information just doesn't ring true. Wray is presented as the perfect choir boy and the big bad Johnson, Council, "the Machine" were all out to get him. He lied not only to his boss but to all of us. People get fired for much less.

In my profession, I talk to people of all races and walks of life. People are sick of the negativity and gotcha journalism in the Rhino that attempts to split and paralize the City. I get the sense that the endless Bledsoe articles and Rhino attacks are having just the opposite effect of what they want. It is galvanizing people to vote to maintain order and civility in Government. No one wants the City Council to become like the Guilford County Commissioners where we are treated to name calling, insults, and "who is the most stupid." So to me this election is not about Chief Wray, Mitchell Johnson or the current Council. It is about standing up and voting to protect our community and not allow us to fall into a festering hole of negativity, racial insults, and fear of speaking out because the Rhino may then drag you and your family through the mud. Enough is Enough....And yes, Ed Kitchen is spot on when he says, " its' time to move forward in constructive ways."

This letter from Kitchen is nothing more that propaganda that the N&R editorial staff has bought into thus the reason the Editors ran the same letter twice.

billy,
You're getting as bad as Bubba "please, dear God, Somebody READ my BLOG" Near!

Nick got it right--Wray is no choir boy, but some of you have really swallowed that line.