If you’ve visited my Community Involvement page you probably know that I serve on the Greensboro Board of Adjustments. Serving on the Board has allowed me to learn about various aspects of the city, but it’s also taught me that the policy / process for appointing people to the various Boards & Commissions needs to be changed.
Here is some starter info. The guys (notice I only said guys) that serve on the Board of Adjustments are extremely talented individuals in their own respects and I genuinely like each of them. Two of these individuals are connected to a specific company which, at times, requires that they opt-out of hearing a case due to potential conflicts. If one of the Board Members happens to be absent during a hearing, and these two individuals can’t hear a case we run the risk of not having enough people present to move forward. That’s bad, and yes it happens.
I also need to make it very clear that in no way am I targeting a specific field of employment.
I’ll continue using the Board of Adjustments to explain how I’d like to see this problem fixed. Once I’m elected I’ll need to step down from my position and someone else will need to be appointed. I was appointed by Dianne Bellamy-Small, which leads me to believe she will be filling my spot again. When she is notified of the position that needs to be filled I would want her to have the following information about each person currently on the Board:
Name, address, age, gender, race, place of employment… and spouse’s place of employment.
Why include the spouse’s place of employment? One of the two guys that I previously mentioned has to opt-out of cases because of where his spouse is employed, not because of where he is employed.
Bellamy-Small should then be given the same information about any potential candidate (and their resume) that she is looking to appoint. If Candidate A works (or their spouse) at the same place as someone currently on the Board they will not be able to serve at this time.
At the very least this will be a start to leveling the field on our Boards & Commissions. I’m all ears if you have additional suggestions. Collaboration is key.
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you are right on point on this issue, but am also wanting to get the TREBIC CARTEL off of these boards and commissions as well.Way too much influence from this organization on these boards and commissions.
I am surprised that Bellamy-Small appointed someone from District 2, when she is District 1. Maybe it’s different in the Board of Adjustments, but in the Commission on the Status of Women, councilmembers get to appoint people from their own district depending on the vacancies.
Ryan,
I am pleased to see you involved in the political system. My hope is that you succeed in the small issues that often are of more consequence than they initially appear, as well as the larger issues that need someone who has been here for awhile and will take the time to do some research on his/her own, while also being willing to listen A GREAT DEAL. The issue that you bring up in this memo is relevant and, from all that you have shared, makes sense. It seems wise and best to provide information on the name of the company one’s spouse works.
I appreciate your interest in connecting with folks you know to gain feedback. Congrats and best success in making a positive difference any way you are provided the opportunity to do so.
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