Friends,
Every two years the citizens in Greensboro make decisions about our city's leadership. We are doing it again next month (November 5th). In my opinion, the election decision is an easy one. Our City will vote for the status quo and continue down the same path. Or we will say 'enough' and vote for
different.
As you head to the polls, let's consider some economic numbers that say a lot about our City and the leadership we have voted into office.
18.4% the Poverty Rate for Greensboro. When compared to the seven largest cities in the state, our poverty rate is the Highest. The North Carolina average is 16.4%.
$41,291 the average Household Income in Greensboro. The North Carolina average is $46,291. Greensboro is well below. In fact, Greensboro's average income is the Lowest compared to like-sized cities such as Durham ($47,394), Raleigh ($52,819), and Charlotte ($53,146). Twenty years ago Greensboro was a prosperous city. We had the highest average income. We have fallen behind.
8.6% Greensboro's Unemployment Rate. Our unemployment rate is Higher than the State average (8.5) and the Highest rate of major North Carolina cities like Charlotte (8.5), Winston-Salem (8.0), Raleigh (6.6), and Durham (6.6).
It's hard to be the worst at so many things without some effort. These are not the kind of superlatives we like to think of when pondering our home town.
.6325 Greensboro's property tax rate. Of the seven largest cities in NC, we have the Highest property tax rate. The tax rate for the other seven are listed.
Durham .5675
Winston-Salem .4910
Fayetteville .4560
Wilmington .4500
Charlotte .4370
Raleigh .3826
Cary .3300
Seems to me, the citizens of Greensboro are paying dearly in taxes for poor returns from our leaders. Is it time for
different? Over the past two decades the names on our Council have remained familiar ones. We have become comfortable with the names of our leaders. However, given the data above, shouldn't we be uncomfortable with the condition of our hometown and, therefore, uncomfortable with the City in their hands? I am.
This year I am voting for
different. We can have the same, or something
different.
In the next month, Greensboro will decide If we are satisfied with the Superlatives our elected leaders have given us or do we want to compete with the other cities in North Carolina for prosperity. I hope we do something different.
All my best,
Jeff
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