City of Greensboro
January 27, 2010
In This Issue
City Council Action Wrap-Up
Assistant City Manager Selected
Greensboro Public Library News
Celebrating Black History Month
 

Did You Know?

 
International Civil Rights Center & Museum Opens
The International Civil Rights Center & Museum opens February 1. The center celebrates the non-violent protests of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins and is devoted to protecting civil and human rights worldwide. It's located at 132 S. Elm St. People interested in attending the ceremony, as well as those who live and work in the downtown Greensboro area, should be aware that there will be street closures and parking changes. Get information on the event and parking. 
 
Annual Mosaic Concert
The 3rd annual Music Center Mosaic Concert will be held Sunday, January 31, at 4 pm at the War Memorial Auditorium, 1921 W. Lee St. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. Proceeds benefit the Music Center. For more information, call 336-373-2549.
 
AHOY Exercise Program
By popular demand, the City's Channel 13 cable television station will air the AHOY Exercise Program two times daily beginning February 1. Residents age 55 and 'better' will be able to work out at home along with the show at 8 am and 1 pm, Mondays through Fridays. AHOY (Add Health to Our Years) classes are held year-round at various Parks and Recreation Department facilities. For more information about the classes, call 336-375-2237.
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Greensboro City Council Action Wrap-Up
Mayor upholds decision to keep public comments at end of Council meetings. 
 At its meeting on Tuesday, January 19, City Council members heard residents' comments on Mayor Bill Knight's decision to eliminate the open public comment period at the beginning of Council meetings. The speakers from the floor segment will continue to be held at the end of Council meetings.
 
After considerable discussion, Mayor Knight upheld his decision noting that the City gives the public more time to speak than what is required by state law. He also noted that eliminating the public comment portion from the beginning of meetings helps Council have more efficient meetings.
Council also:
  • Denied a petition to increase the local minimum wage because it didn't have enough signatures from citizens.
  • Unanimously decided that City staff should get the ball rolling on giving the Red Cross counterfeit shoes seized by the Greensboro police to help its efforts in Haiti. Before this can be done, staff will have to get permission from the trademark holders and have the local district court lift an order to destroy the shoes.
 
To view the entire meeting or past meetings, visit City Council's video archive page.
Assistant City Manager of Economic Development Selected
Andy ScottLong-term City employee selected to oversee economic development activities.
Andy Scott was recently appointed assistant city manager for economic development for the City of Greensboro. The selection of Scott concludes an extensive recruiting and interviewing process.
 
Scott, who served as interim assistant city manager for economic development since March of 2009, will oversee the City's economic development activities, provide support services to Greensboro businesses and serve as a liaison between City government and the business community.
 
Before being named assistant city manager, Scott served as the City's director of housing and community development for more than a decade. Read more.
Greensboro Public Library News
Benjamin Branch opens, while construction continues on McGirt-Horton Branch.
Greensboro Public LibraryA lot of exciting things are happening at the Greensboro Public Library. The newly renovated Benjamin Branch Library, 1530 Benjamin Parkway, is now open. It features an expanded collection of books, periodicals and videos, as well as additional computer stations. It also has areas dedicated to teens and children. Stop by the library today to check out the enhancements.
 
Also, construction of the new McGirt-Horton Library is well underway. The 10,000 square foot facility will be located at the corner of Phillips and Woodbriar avenues. The building is expected to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold status due to the energy-saving features being incorporated into its design.
  
The new library branch will feature an expanded collection of books, periodicals and videos, as well as additional computer stations, an area dedicated to teens that includes a video lounge and multimedia lab, the Home Improvement Center and much more. Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2010.
Celebrating Black History Month
City holds several events throughout February.
The City will hold several events to honor the achievements and contributions of African-Americans during Black History Month. A few of the events are as follows:
  • Learn how African-American inventors continue to impact our daily lives and create your own scrapbook of favorite inventions by attending "African-American Inventors and You." The free event will be held Wednesday, February 24, from 4-5 pm at the McGirt-Horton Library, 2509 Phillips Ave. Call 373-5810 for more details.
  • Join the Greensboro Historical Museum, 130 Summit Ave., for "La Revue Negra: The Josephine Baker Story," Thursday, February 25, through Sunday, February 28. Admission is $5. For more information, call 336-373-2043.

View more events online.