He hasn’t been gone a day and already, I miss Mitch Johnson. Somehow, things don’t seem as safe and secure knowing he’s not there at the helm of Greensboro.
The torch and pitchfork club are well drunk by now, having made it a holiday.
But I’ve got news for you. City Council blew it. A personnel decision was made based on a misunderstanding of fact. They thought City Staff was stonewalling on the Jordan Lake Rules by Johnson’s instruction. The idiot Hammer says so.
But there is no stonewall. Council doesn’t get that 12 new NC environmental regs are about to be enacted by the legislature and no is not an option. Anderson Groat and Methany changed their minds about the City Manager because they are dumb fucking cows.
Mitch is gone. Denise Turner can’t keep handing it off to Bob Morgan. The clock is ticking. Someone must get through to certain members of Council that the issue is more complex than Mike “Buffet” Barber’s bovine mewling.
Greensboro is rightfully the laughing stock of North Carolina.
IMHO, Mitch Johnson and City Staff are heroes, attempting to serve the needs of the community in spite of elected officials.
From Jordan Green at Yes! Weekly in December:
The NC Rules Review Commission approved the extensive Jordan Lake Rules from June through November 2008. That doesn’t mean the rules, which are designed to reduced the nutrient load dumped from the Haw River watershed into Jordan Lake in eastern Chatham County, are anywhere near the point of implementation. Because of the number of objection letters received by the Rules Review Commission, Jason Robinson of the NC Division of Water Quality said that the rules will be reviewed by the NC General Assembly when it reconvenes in January. Expect municipalities, along with developers and manufacturers to make a full-press lobbying effort to defeat the rules. Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson promised as much during a city council meeting on Dec. 2. “We’ve got to influence our legislators to get this put aside so our taxpayers aren’t saddled with millions and billions of dollars,” she said. “And there’s no proof that this will help [clean up the lake].”
Perhaps our representatives could mimic those of Alamance by proposing inane bills to block passage. Mike Barber made a comment last night that he got a phone call from one of our legislators indicating City Staff was negotiating in defiance of Council orders, beginning the Jordan Lake Rules conversation. So, it seems our elected officials in Raleigh have their heads in the sand as well.
It was hilarious how City Staff stayed with their script after mean old Boss Johnson was dispatched. Dedicated professionals simply continued doing their best in the face of idiocy.
“GSO is rightfully the laughing stock of North Carolina”.
Yes, indeed. Colleagues and I were enjoying a laugh at GSO’s expense just this morning – here in the relative sticks of Eastern North Carolina.
There’s not much to laugh about here. So that’s saying something.
I’m not saying there weren’t many valid reasons to fire Mitch. There were. Stonewalling Council on the Jordan Lake Rules simply wasn’t one of them and it looks to me like it impacted the decision. In the end, they got it right, but for the wrong reasons.
Admittedly, you probably had to see last night’s council session to get the full import.
Sparky council meetings can be great fun. Of course, here too, I speak from experience.
Excuse me, did you say “dumb fucking cows”? I don’t know who you are. I know that you are truly a coward. You can make these statements and never speak to the “dumb fucking cow” to know what you are even talking about. I am so sorry for you. If you don’t like how it works, why are you not out there trying to make a difference in our community and getting kicked around for no reason. Maybe it is because some people are ignorant and mean. Shame, shame on you. If you want to talk about this – about your accusations under a disguise, I would be happy to speak with you. My home number is 282-9047, work 273-9066, cell 402-7192. Talk to me to my face, instead of hiding behind a blog. I hardly read them. It was just a fluke that I happened to look at the blogs. I almost never do. On second thought, this is probably not worth a response. Just keep on with your bad self. It will come back to you. Sandra Anderson Groat
Good damn riddence………….
Maybe so, but Council’s gonna find out right damn quick getting rid of Mitch solves very few problems.
Oops, Councilwoman Anderson Groat or whomever is claiming to be her got caught in moderation. Sorry about that.
Good for you. Generally, it’s SOP to ignore me. Rather than defend yourself here, why not get a blog? Why not explain to your constituents how you’ve read the 117 page Jordan Nutrient Rules and understand the 12 regulations about to be imposed? Use your blog to make your case about how you came to the conclusion to fire the City Manager. Perhaps then I’ll change my opinion.
As to my being a coward, I’ve been putting it all on display right here for a number of years. My few regular readers know more about me than members of their own families. It’s called due diligence.
Your feigned ignorance of the blogs is just another indication that you’re a washed up, out of date pol, ready to be put out to pasture.
And I have no desire to have a private conversation with you or any other pol. You’ll take your medicine in public.
sandra you need to see what he has to say about robbie, you got off litely
KB, I even said I’d give the cow a pass. And I’m gonna keep my word. With the shit that’s getting ready to come down around her head, there’s little need for me to pile on.
Welcome to Hell, Councilwoman.
Feeling fiesty (or is it “wacky”?) today. I just told off the NCDHHS Secretary over on Housecalls, so why not jump back in?
Sandra (if you are Sandra), first, I don’t even live in Greensboro and I have to say thanks for the vote ditching Mitch. The severance package really bites, but the firing was long overdue.
That being said, I concur with Fec. Get a blog (it should not be a fluke – you should be reading them). And exercise a little due diligence (here’s a head’s up: reading the local newspaper will not help).
Keith is right.
Moreover, don’t you DARE spout off to me or Fec or anyone else on these blogs speaking truth to power (in large part because our newspapers won’t) about trying to “make a difference in the community” . . . or getting “kicked around for no reason”. Been there, done that. Got a couple of closets full of scrubs.
And OBTW, I’ve always signed my real name.
Like you or any of the “right people” have cared. Why should any of us call you at home?
My dear Councilwoman, you are a lightweight. And I am sorry for you.
Give my regards to Zack.
Someday even cows will have blogs.
Fec, that little picture of you just cracks me up every time I see it.
It’s working pretty well. Quite evocative.
I’m afraid to do a pic. I feel too much like one of those fat cows right now. Knee is still out. Cannot row.
I gave up exercising when I became a Personal Mexican. My subjects deserve some approximation of my visage. You can’t see, but I’m wearing a giant be-jewelled crown, wearing a robe and holding a scepter. I could put up a pic of me on my throne, but you wouldn’t like it.
Some things are best left to the imagination;)
@ Fec
Boy oh Boy, so y’all are having a ball ! I’m envious, NOT !
RE: groat’s remark
Some things never change – cockroaches STILL don’t like light !
This reminds me of some of Dave Winers infernos when he blogs truth to power
You gotta expect these kind of things from time to time. My methods aren’t preferred, but it remains to be seen whether they are effective.
@ Fec
Yup, whatever works !
I thought just as they rushed into the arms of the torch and pitchfork crowd might be an opportune time to call them dumb fucking cows. It achieved symmetry. Now, all is right with the universe.
Fec,
You are going off on the straw that broke the camel’s back. There have been attempts to remove the guy for at least a year. The only difference now is two more council members were willing to vote to oust Mitch. Maybe it was the disregard for his orders on this issue, but the Jordan rules is only the most recent occurence of his arrogance. When you take the lawsuits, arrogance, employee turnover, Don Quixote like investigations, and lord knows what else we are still to find; you have a case that in the private sector would have called for a firing years ago. If this guy did not have friends in the “right” places he would still be some IT guy installing computer monitors on people’s desk.
No argument. I was merely going off on a tangent no one else had mentioned. Lord knows I ain’t the only guy on this thing. As I’ve said, Mitch had it coming. I’m simply trying to provide a little balance by pointing a finger in the other direction.