News-Record.com

First, and foremost; in responding to your
question. Yes, and no.

YES: Mitch Johnson, needs to be evaluated on his job performance, and...

NO: He doesn't deserve a raise.

The City Council cannot treat this man as if he is
indispensible. He has made some very bad decisions, that has cost the taxpayers many dollars. And now you expect us to give him a raise in pay? For what? We can't find funding for major projects, and we can find money to give this man a raise? The City Council must be smoking some really, really, crazy stuff; if they think we're going to give him a raise. I know the voters will
raise holy hell, should they decide to give that man a raise.

As for job performance. Gee, a not so good sign
from what this past municipal election showed all of us about his work.

Right now, I can't even think straight. Knowing that this city council will eventually give this man a raise in pay. Is he (Mitch Johnson), trying to keep
up with Matt Brown? Now, that's another story in
itself!!!

Well...what an interesting discussion. Mitch isn't a bad guy. Plus...he's had a LOT on his plate with the Police issues, other race-related topics, water-woes, etc. Most citizens never stop to realize what Mitch REALLY does. He's in the line of fire at all times. Most people never get past his salary when they talk about Mitch. But if you compare his salary with that of CEOs of companies with 3,000+ employees, you'll see that Mitch's salary actually pales in comparsion to other leaders. All this while getting "hammered" by the Rhino Times(pun intended). People never stop to think that the Rhino's sole purpose is to sell advertising spaces...and they can't do that if nobody will pick up their "free" paper...and to get folks to pick up the paper, they have to have something controversial to gather interest. So...they pick on City & County governement. Lesson here: DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ/HEAR IN THE MEDIA...IT MAY NOT BE THE WHOLE STORY!

To answer the question, though...Mitch probably deserves a thorough review of his performance and a COLA (cost of living adjustment) for sure. Afterall...most folks want at least some increase in pay to offset rising prices of goods. The "merit" increase should probably be equal to or less than the average 1-2% that most City empolyees receive. Council should perhaps discuss Mitch's performance in light of recent events...set goals for him to reach for...and reevaluate him at a later date to see if he's holding up his end of the bargain. Mitch probably needs to get a little more experience and gain the trust of Council and employees before we see big raises for him.

NO!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!
T 3 5 cut would be more accurate

You know, you're right, RealityCheck:

I shouldn't have made a quick and harsh decision
on this pay raise issue, as well as the work Mitch
Johnson does for this city.

I must admit, that when I scanned through the
N&R report of this. I fumed! I know Mitch has been the center of harsh criticism from the GPD
fiasco, to overpaying? purveyors contracts.

But here's the reason for my irrational response.
If we, (the public), had more information pertaining
to some of the major issues that this city faces,
from the city administration (instead of the media,
et. al), then we wouldn't act the villagers hunting
the monster with garden implements and torches.

Yeah, when I saw that question on yesterday's
N&R, Debatables section. I went fiscal conserva-
tive.

I watched part of the city council meeting last
night, and listened with intensity about other issues that was on the agenda. I guess, whether
you're elected and/or appointed to any public
service office. Well, you gotta take the heat.

Thanks, RealityCheck, to bringing this issue to
a better understanding that WHAT the MEDIA
enraged me with.

No doubt Mitch's raise is a large waste of taxpayer money, but the money which will be misappropriated to Woolworths is a bigger sin.

Please do not give anything to the sinking hole on Elm Street. 10 years to build a freaking building . . . how cavemanish . . . give us more stones and sticks, uhga.

Payraise. Everyone wants one, not everyone gets one.

No. Mitch is supposed to be the leader for the city. he has done a poor job of leading. If you compare his qualifications with that of other community managers (city and county) he just doesn't make the cut. This is typical of the City of Greensboro; place people in positions of authority based on who they know and not how well they manage. That is why so many problems exist. Mitch is a smart guy and did a good job as director of a department, but he was the wrong guy for the position of city manager. Greensboro is a unique city with unique problems. The city needs a manager with STRONG skills in administrative management. There are many people in the city in upper echelons of management that need to go as they are unqualified to direct the day-to-day affairs of a large community like Greensboro. Unfortunately for the citizens of Greensboro, it will be more of the same even with the change in council. Greensboro is in dire shape and needs an overhaul!

No. Absolutely not. What are memebers of the City Council thinking? This should have come up after the new Council was sworn in. The existing Council seems to be a naieve group of people who have been easily led astray by this man and his supporters.

Well all i can say is the raise is wrong and bad timing on the city council's part and with the money going to the hole in the ground better to call it a money pit on Elm St that was to go to low cost housing what in the world has come over you people have you lost your mind's?

NO, NO, NO. He has cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. HE DESERVES TO BE FIRED!

Also, the city counsel members that voted for the raise need to be recalled.

Mitch seems to be a great guy but a raise at his income level just seems greedy. Couldn't we find better things to do with our tax money?

I do agree with the council on that the Civil Rights Museum needs to be finished. That's obvious. Just because the fund raising committee has bailed on their responsibilities doesn't mean that we should forfeit the museum. There are plenty of capable, responsible, civil-rights appreciating citizens willing to make the museum happen.

Greensboro needs to start thinking broader - about who they talk to, they're motivation and how they're going to move us forward. *hint* Try talking to the thousands of students in the city with great ideas that are not getting explored and are planning on leaving when they graduate...just a thought.

based upon the pic on the news and record website...i would assume that the raise will enable him to afford a much better haircut as well as hairstyle simply because his hair seems a lil' like a plastic doll from 1982... ALSO not only would botox be suitable for those thin lips but a new and much more appealing hairstyle would improve his ability to attain another questionable raise in the future...best of luck..