GREENSBORO, NC -- WFMY News 2 likes to give you a chance to get your questions answered directly from city leaders! This morning, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan joined Faith Abubey to answer your questions in another Ask the Mayor segment.
Before getting to viewer questions, we asked the mayor to update us on a couple things that have happened since her last visit. In the last city council meeting, as part of the city's budget discussion, council members voted to give themselves raises. We do want to point out Mayor Vaughan voted against the raises. And they don't become official until the council votes and passes the budget next week. But looking at the numbers, the mayor's salary would increase from $17,715 to $28,862. That’s an increase of $11, 147, or $928 a month before taxes. The mayor pro tem’s salary increases from $15,170 to $22,680. That’s an increase of $7,510. And council members’ salaries increase from $13,895 to $22,140, a difference of $8,245.
We asked the mayor to talk a little about the raises, current salaries, and how we Greensboro council member's salaries compare to other cities'.
She said," I'm not saying that the Greensboro City Council shouldn't have a salary increase because there really hasn't been one in many years. When you look at how city councils are paid throughout were were really at the bottom of the list but this catapults us up to the top of the list. We are the third largest city and I think it's true that we should be paid appropriately but I think these huge increases are too much too soon."
We also asked the mayor for an update on downtown Greensboro. There’s a lot going on in downtown with construction of the new performing arts center, Lebauer Park, and UNCG NCA&T Joint Millennial Campus. We’ve also heard about several new businesses coming into downtown – from the new arcade bar to Wet Willies.
We asked the mayor to give us an update on the schedules and any progress being made?
She responded by saying Labauer Park should open on August 2nd.
"I think it's going to be the beset park i the southeast."
The Millennial Campus should also open in August, she said. It has to be prepared for the next school year.
Vaughan also says crews should break ground on the performing arts center in September.
Next week, the council is holding a special meeting to discuss several options for upcoming bond projects. They include bonds for housing development, redevelopment on several city areas, parks and recreation bonds, street improvements… and public transportation. We asked the mayor to talk about what goes into choosing which bonds will go on the ballot in November, and how people can get involved in the process.
Mayor Vaughan also answered some viewer questions.
Devin King asked about what new projects can the city expect to see due tot he fees in water resources in Greensboro.
The Mayor Vaughan said, 'When you increase the water resources fees, it has to go back into the water resources. So, it'll be for line maintenance, rehab. It can't be used by another department."
Mayor Vaughan also answered other viewer questions in our web extra.
Watch her responses here:
David Busick asked "Do you support guys using girls bathrooms?"
Devin King asked: "There is a lot of trash on public and private landscaping & open areas in Greensboro. Can you fix?"
He also asked: "As a public leader, do you believe in the common core standards & curriculum?"
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