Some bond news
The city council spent Tuesday morning hashing out what order 11 projects should be listed on the November bond referendum.
Here's the order they tentatively agreed to:
1. $24.5 million for fire stations
2. $5.2 million for public building renovation
3. $10 million for economic development
4. $$8.6 million for libraries
5. $5.3 million for the Greensboro Historical Museum
6. $36 million for War Memorial Auditorium
7. $5 million for parks and recreation
8. $850,000 for neighborhood redevelopment
9. $5.5 million for War Memorial (baseball) Stadium
10. $9 million for a swimming center
11. $5 million for the International Civil Rights Center and Museum (needs $5 million in matching funds)
The final order won't be settled until July 18. Keep this in mind: The way I worded this isn't necessarily the way they'll appear on the ballot. Council members will discuss that later.
Why all this talk about what order bond items appear on the ballot? There's a science to it, says Councilwoman Florence Gatten, a long-time political consultant. Lead with something strong, something with plenty of support, she advised. Then place other popular projects between the not-so-popular ones to garner maximum attention.
End with something you don't want overlooked, she added.
Comments (5)
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Where is the rest of this interview? Like the question of how ethical this is.
Posted on June 28, 2006 12:48 PM
S-Kid: Can you elaborate a little more about what you mean? Ethical in what way?
Posted on June 28, 2006 1:32 PM
Manipulating the order of the bonds to influence the vote.
Posted on June 28, 2006 5:20 PM
Well, maybe this will answer your question: Most board members agreed Tuesday that they want all 11 bond items to pass. Their goal was to create the list so the weaker bond items (the sit-in museum, for example) would occupy a noticable space.
Something like the parks and rec bond, they reasoned, will pass no matter what position you put it in.
Whether you think that is good or bad - I can't help you there. One person's "manipulation" is another's "strategizing," I guess.
Posted on June 29, 2006 10:03 AM
It's not just what I think in this case, even though manipulation and strategy aren't one in the same. The fact is they are in violation of North Carolina Election Law. They are conspiring to manipulate the vote. If they carry out the plan, they will be in violation of at least two additional NCELs. And, a few other laws.
Besides the law, doesn't the basic idea of elected officials putting up referendum to get the public's vote and then directing the public how to vote sound a little strange? Maybe not in this county, but in general?
Posted on June 29, 2006 11:13 PM