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Skip Alston is the last of a dying breed; he fires off "racism" charges and hopes that people will run the other way in fear. The fear is dissipating; people won't run. Without facts, which he consistently will NOT provide (other than "you know it is racism"), Skip is just not believable anymore. After the Project Homestead debacle where so many elected officials allowed the group to get away with things no other group would have been allowed due to loud charges of "racism" that were never substantiated, a lesson, a good lesson, has been learned. If you truly want equality, you have to stand up to the same scrutiny and audits that everyone else has to bear. I hope Skip Alston will learn, because everyone else has and if he doesn't want to be left behind as a single negative voice in a sea of progress, he will start to study.

African American managers?

How could a property go from a $1 million renovation, to where the only thing worth salvaging is a $150,000. fence, in only 12 years, with ANY type of PROPER management. I don't care if he's black, white, green, or pink.

How come so much of our tax money has gone down the drain with Skip Alston's and Earl Jones's and the Project Homestead money-making schemes? Are our city and county officials really so scared of these guys that they'll pay them off to prevent "racial" claims a la Rev. Jesse Jackson? I'm not sure I like being represented by elected officials who are too scared to act in my interest.
I think it's extortion, plain and simple, and it makes me mad every time I think about the waste and fraud.
I want my squandered money back.

John- I congratulate you and thank you for the News and Record's coverage of this story. The King/Homestead matter and this more recent series required considerable courage, and I salute all of you that were involved. I am also heartened that the local progressive community appears to be supporting your efforts.

The uniting factor behind these two stories is the wielding of political influence to create a spoils system. But one matter which should be emphasized is the role of the Simpkins PAC. This was the lifeblood of the machine that created these phenomena. This PAC has had a disproportionate influence on local elected officials, even to the extent that some local Republicans have obsequiously sought its support. And the extent to which local elected officials played along with these shams, in part because of the power of the Simpkins PAC, is the big story here-- not the personal frailties of Mr. Alston or Rev. King. The only way to counteract the nefarious efforts of this PAC to enforce a spoils system is to hold elected officials accountable.

Skip discredits himself almost everytime he opens his mouth. He is inarticulate and ignorant. Everyone realizes that he is simply emulating Jessie Jackson's mode of operation; however, no one, except Billy Yow, has the guts to say it to Skip's face. I'm not saying that Billy is articulate by any stretch of the imagination but he does call B.S. on Skip whenever it's necessary. You sure can't say that about anyone else!

Skip's days of skimming off the top of the government coffers will soon come to an end once the City Council becomes frightened enough to order a full audit of this St. James fiasco.

The NAACP has done many great things not only for African Americans and people of color, but for all Americans-- it's a shame that men like Skip Alston use such a great American institution such as the NAACP for their own personal gain. Alston should be forced to resign from all government positions and his position as head of the NC NAACP.

As one commenter over at Hogg's pointed out, Alston has become the little boy who cried wolf. Enough.

The three most frightening words to property owners ( tax payers ) in Greensboro : " Council will vote "

You're absolutely right, Kehaar. That's another example, too, in which public officials complained more about the newspaper than the $200,000.

A little off topic, but somewhat related: while we're demanding that taxpayer money be repaid, why don't we show Skip it isn't a racist thing and demand $200,000 dollars of taxpayer money be repaid by Bill Black and Don Brown. I think it's evident that they never intended to repay the money they borrowed from taxpayers to save the Greensboro Generals and these guys are probably people that could afford to do so.

Got the name wrong. Don Brady, not Don Brown. Sorry Don Brown, whoever you are.

I have often thought how much money is Skip Alston receiving from the civil rights museum. I know a lot of taxpayers money is going there.

Skippy Boy is a racist! When ALL begin to see him for what he really is - a greedy man that only desires to line his pockets first!!!

$1 million ???? down to $150,000 ?? This sure sounds mighty familiar. It looks like a good candidate for that commissioner and whoever else is involved to be look at very closely. Follow the money trail all the way from when it was given out to where it wound up. Were there 'friendly' contractors who spread money around rather than doing the work? Follow the money. If the trail leads to someone's pockets then let a set of handcuffs be close behind. Using the 'racial' game to try and divert attention from the real issues. This is 2006, let's look a little harder. Don't let political extortion be successful in this area. Has someone thought about looking to see if in fact this isn't part of a bigger picture? Example, some of the tactics used by that commissioner to try verbal bullying are very similar to tactics currently being used in other parts of North Carolina. Stand up to anyone who pretends to be a 'political bully' and demand money out of the system. Follow the money trail and perhaps follow one or two to the slammer.

I couldn't agree with "paper trail" anymore. This whole town has fallen victim to Alston's tactics. Where is the outrage over any County or City Official's perceived misconduct. Why do the Blacks get a "free pass?" Where is the demand for an inquiry into School Board Member Deena A. Hayes' relationship with one of CoMor's employees who she just so happens to share a home with. If she spent as much time and energy on actual problems facing Guilford County Schools rather than advocating that more County funds be doled out to Minority contractors such as her live-in companions company, maybe something positive could be accomplished. Further, she has even gone so far as to request that Guilford County lift the threshold for no-bid contracts in direct contradiction to North Carolina State Law. She seems to care only about the fleecing of our taxpayer's dollars rather than the actual position for which she was elected.

Where is the outrage of our City Council Officials toward the illegal disclosure of a proprietary report intended for their eyes only? We have now blown additional taxpayer dollars to prove what everyone already knew. I'm sure nothing will come of it, however, because our City Officials are too scared to pursue the truth in lieu of political correctness.

Finally, what about the treatment of our former Police Chief? Does a black officer in this city actually wield this much power simply by playing the race card? From what I've read, Officer Hinson has committed numerous actions deserving of suspension. Where is the outrage? Do we now allow Greensboro Police Officers to illegally bind the city of Greensboro into written contracts? Do we also allow them to misappropriate funds intended for an illegal (improperly formed) non-profit organization for which the legitimacy has yet to be established.? Where did the money go? Why does no one care? This allegation concerns Federal Law? Why has the U.S. Attorney's Office bee snubbed by our City Leaders?

Draw whatever conclusions you like, but the obvious is clear. Black officials in this town get a free pass to conduct themselves in any manner in which they see fit. Call them out on their behavior in the face of stunning evidence and you get pegged a racist.

I don't know about you but, I'm sick of it. Reverse racism is alive and well in Greensboro...