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David (LTE), I'll try to break this to you gently . . . you owe me royalties because you're singing my song -- the one entitled "White Elephants on Lee Street" sung to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."

Greensboro had a piece of land
E-i, e-i, O
And on that land it built a building
E-i, e-i, O
When that building was not maintained
E-i, e-i, O
The City did what it does best
E-i, e-i, O
It asked property owners for a bond
E-i, e-i, O
The City was surprised once again
E-i, e-i, O
When taxpayers weren't so fond
E-i, e-i, O
Of bailing out the City's wasteful, lazy, incompetent ways
E-i, e-i, O
But have no fear, the bond will pass
E-i, e-i, O
Maybe on a THIRD attempt
E-i, e-i, O
Even if the City has to promise
E-i, e-i, O
A segment of the population
E-i, e-i, O
A project "near and dear" to them
E-i, e-i, O
So they will "Get out the vote"
E-i, e-i, O
For the second in a losing string
E-i, e-i, O
Of white elephants on Lee Street
E-i, e-i, OWE

That "white elephant" on Lee Street has directly or indirectly generated billions- with a "b"- in retail and municipal capital and has done more than any other resource in our city to put Greensboro on the map nationally and internationally.

Since 30 second spots on network TV average $40,000 each, do the math on what 8 hours of seeing "Greensboro" on the Coliseum's center court scrolling across millions of TV screens during March Madness is worth.

The Coliseum is a first-tier concert and events venue that attracts world-class acts that otherwise wouldn't come to Greensboro, and provides that entertainment at substantially less cost in ancillary charges (yes, even with ten dollar parking) than most other venues its size in other cities around the country.

As for "involving businesses like FedEx", the Coliseum had a deal for corporate sponsorship several years ago that the community rejected because the Coliseum is a war memorial, as well as an entertainment complex.

Ed Kitchen did a great job and continues to do a great job for Greensboro and the entire area. He also volunteers to do a lot of heavy lifting in the community, including chairing the United Way campaign.

I have a question for Pragmatist.
When was the last time you saw the War Memorial Auditorium on national TV? The LTE was talking about the auditorium, not the coliseum. The auditorium does not bring in the money that Pragmatist would lead everyone to believe.
And the amount of money they city is asking for, in way of the bond, is WAY OUT OF LINE. Westover Church built a new building that seats close to 3000. It is a state of the art building with the latest and best souud and lighting equipment. A very comfortable and usable facility. As good as anything Greensboro has or has plans for. The Westover building total cost was about $25 million, to build from scratch. Why does Greensboro need over twice that much to renovate a building? Something has the stench of being crooked. Makes me wonder who's pocket is being line with tax payer money. The City of Greensboro needs to get real about the amount of money it is asking for.
Your opinion of Ed Kitchen is just that, an opinion. My opinion is worth just as much as yours. And in my opinion Greensboro would be better off without Kitchen. He pushes projects through, and voters do not get a chance to vote on, them but are stuck with paying for, with higher taxes. If Kitchen wants to run this city, he should run for politics again and let everyone have a chance to vote on his ideas. But why would he do that, he is already running this hell hole of a city and he doesn't have to answer to the tax payers.

IMO, the WMA falling into disrepair is a reflection of Matt Brown's agenda, not Mitch's.