News-Record.com

Guilford County commissioners hold their annual retreat tomorrow. Like you, I'm stoked.

First, the agenda, which arrived in my e-mail box late yesterday afternoon. Excitement started building as I read the retreat theme, which was wrapped in the kind of attention-grabbing, I've-got-to-read-this-right-now language every headline writer would be proud of:

"Pursuing and Maximizing Our Potential in 2007"

Yes!

And now, to the agenda.

Discussion topics include rejiggering the speakers-from-the-floor section at meetings (a measure aimed at the high-volume harangues of longtime county nemesis E.H. Hennis) and moving closed sessions to the end of the agenda so other folks don't have to wait around for commissioners to emerge from the back room.

Then commissioners will discuss future meetings with other local officials including the school board, which will want another bond referendum and money for the Eastern Guilford High School project, along with its regular 'ol operating budget.

Needless to say, another property-tax increase is on the way.

Commissioners will also hear from a group of community leaders about their vision for the county. These are some of the same folks who told commissioners in July that their behavior at meetings was hurting business recruitment.

Oh, and commissioners chairman Paul Gibson wants the county to do more long-range planning.

Look for a wrapup in Saturday's paper.