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We need more young professionals (30-somethings like me) to sit on local boards, that would be a start. Put away the politics and division and start thinking progressive. Charlotte and Raleigh will continue to pass us by unless we start thinking forward instead of backward. Not only that, Allen, people need to register and vote and get involved.

A consideration of the level of transparency in local government is highly relevant. When what should be public documents are withheld from the public and public officials arrogantly announce, "I'm done releasing documents," there can be no other result but suspicion.

I agree with Roch and EC but think it's time City leaders stopped playing the "public relations" game and started putting our money where their mouths are. Honest government doesn't have to manipulate the messages to appeal to voters but in Greensboro the message is always being manipulated-- why?

To cover up.

Our City leaders have taken the most cowardly route they could possibly take every time something goes wrong but then when something goes right they're always quick to claim credit.

I'd rather deal with the most vulgar, impolite man in the world as long as I think him honest-- I'll even allow him to screw-up and do the wrong thing or make a bad decision but let me suspect him a liar and he's never have my support or respect.

No amount of being civil and polite can make up for being a liar and our current City leaders are the most civil and polite liars I have ever met. And I've met them all.

Not only that, our elected officials really need to stop pulling out and playing the race card every 5 minutes. I've said this before that it is really holding this county back.

Case in point, our school board, where Deena Hayes made some more eyebrow-raising comments the other evening. Read my blog.

If you're trying to get a multi-million dollar school bond passed and you constantly exhibit bad behavior, you can forget it. And I personally know a lot of people that are prepared to vote this bond down because of Deena Hayes alone.

And like Roch says, the general ignorance of the sunshine laws. Doing the public's business HAS TO BE DONE out in the open.

I agree with many of the above comments. But I also think we need the codification of a strong ethics code for elected officials at the city and county levels of government; and valid mechanisms to enforce it.

One big reason we have so much distrust is that we have powerful interest groups that hold too much sway over our local elected officials. And we have had a recurring pattern of elected officials who have not earned the public's trust. Those conditions, of course, breed distrust, and they need to be reversed.

Joe makes a good point. Officials elected to state office are required to file statements of financial interest--business interests, stock holdings, etc. The same for local officials would help dampen suspicion about the motives of elected officials.

Joe, what did you mean by this: "But I also think we need the codification of a strong ethics code for elected officials at the city and county levels of government; and valid mechanisms to enforce it."

Are you talking about financial and business disclosures, or something else?

On-topic: the IMPACT program is a good start if the 90 change agents can honestly mentor young professionals, rising leaders in alternative communities and people who are budding activists, perhaps in small locales (that could be grown). The trick is always identifying those people and those groups with whom many of "us" have little interaction.

Rather than focusing mostly on global governmental transparency (yes, I agree with it), I'd suggest growing leaders by helping empower new folks to run for office (how to raise money, for one), make neighborhood improvements (what grants? how to apply?), get help (publicize policing successes and challenges), and generally get citizens online and showcasing their efforts and needs in this highly-online town.

I find this really amusing Mr. Johnson that you who have so many hateful racist views and are employed by a newspaper that has contributed so much to the mistrust by your outrageous and bias and outright lying reporting is working on an editorial you hope will bring Greensboro together. But, since I have been all my life one of the first to see and point out a dead fish in the barrel, but down deep in my heart the last to really and truly accept the fact, I will be waiting to read what you have to say. And sincerely hoping you are sincere and it isn't just another how great we are and how wonderful are those who have led us here piece. I might warn you that if you plan to praise Carmany, Y. Johnson or M. Johnson please save the print space for a cartoon.

In the mean time OLD MAN, listen to E.C. and get your butt off to the side lines and let the younger Black people have some say because your group has obviously had much to do with putting the city where it is today. And that goes for the White Guilt crowd too. Brenda Bowers

Greensboro has been plagued by “cover ups,” lies, public deception and counterproductive actions by the City and local politicians. In return many residents feel as though they have been lied to by the City as well as local politicians. This has infuriated residents and we now have a cycle that goes something like this:

1. Something happens with the City
2. Residents ask questions
3. The City only answers part of the question
4. Residents feel as though something is being kept from them
5. The City comes up with a reason info is being withheld
6. Residents start to come up with conspiracy theories
7. The City denies the theories
8. Residents end up bitter about the issue

This cycle could go on and on… and if it does Greensboro will continue to be plagued by high levels of distrust.

Rather than pointing fingers and placing blame more time should be spent finding solutions and improving the City of Greensboro.

E.C., Ryan, Roch and Joe..AMEN !!

E.C., Ryan, Roch and Joe..AMEN !!

E.C., Ryan, Roch and Joe..AMEN !!

E.C., Ryan, Roch and Joe..AMEN !!

E.C., Ryan, Roch and Joe..AMEN !!

Joe,
Excellent idea.

Sue, I was not merely speaking of disclosures. I want something with real teeth. I don't think local elected officials should be drawing other income from local government. I don't think they should be directing governmental funds to their allies or supporters. I don't think they should involve themselves in the affairs of departments where they have first degree relatives employed. They should be required to recuse themselves from any matter in which there is a conflict of interest. And they should be required to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

That is just off the top of my head. Some folks have been thinking about these issues and dealing with them in a systematic way for a long time, and perhaps we should consult them about how best to do this. But I think it is critical these measures have real teeth, with enforcement mechanisms and penalties to which elected officials would be subject-- preferably managed by some type of independent body.