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Council OKs Plan Raising Cost of Greensboro Arts Center

GREENSBORO — In December the City Council agreed to take on more bond debt to close the $10 million budget gap on the projected cost of building the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The original cost estimate for the Tanger Center was $65 million, with the city contributing $30 million in bond debt and the remaining $35 million coming from private donations raised by the nonprofit organization Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.

Sam A. Hieb
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Developer Sues Greensboro, Saying Stiffed Him on Grant

GREENSBORO — In the lawsuit, developer Eric Robert claims Greensboro “has breached the contracts it entered into to fund the South Elm Street Redevelopment by failing and refusing to provide any funds for the remediation or renovation of the Mill, proximately causing Mr. Robert and QUB to suffer actual, special incidental and consequential damage. …” The suit also cites a March 11, 2012 meeting with Mayor Robbie Perkins and interim City Manager Denise Turner Roth in which they “represented to Mr. Robert that funds [would be paid] in late 2013.”

Sam A. Hieb
News

Several Bills Would Alter Local Governing Boards

GREENSBORO — Several bills altering the makeup of local governments are working their way through the current General Assembly session, raising charges by liberal advocates and pundits that the GOP-led legislature is maneuvering to give Republicans a foothold in local governments that now are under Democratic control. The most controversial affect the Wake County commission and the Greensboro City Council.

Sam A. Hieb
News

FCC Ruling Could Overturn State Broadband Law

RALEIGH — North Carolina is bracing for a decision by Federal Communications Commission officials that could overturn the state law placing limits on municipal broadband, potentially saddling local taxpayers with new debt they would not be required to approve.The decision is expected to be handed down at the FCC’s Feb. 26 public meeting.

Sam A. Hieb
News

Incumbent Rep. Queen Again Meets Challenger Clampitt in HD119

RALEIGH — District 119 is deep in the North Carolina mountains. Although incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Sam Queen has raised more than $110,000 during the election cycle, three times Mike Clampitt’s fundraising total, the challenger has $2,871 cash on hand — double the $1,463 reported by Queen — and the race is considered competitive due to the district’s demographics.

Sam A. Hieb
News

Education, Medicaid, Fracking Divide Presnell and Hicks in HD 118

RALEIGH — Education is the campaign focus as the North Carolina House District 118 race heads toward the finish line. At least that’s the issue Democratic opponent Dean Hicks will concentrate on as he hopes to defeat incumbent Rep. Michele Presnell, a Republican. Both are former Yancey County commissioners.

Sam A. Hieb

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Counties Using Schools To Justify Sales Tax Hikes

GREENSBORO — Guilford, and possibly Wake and Rockingham, will join Bladen, Mecklenburg, Richmond, and Brunswick counties with “local option sales tax referendums” on the Nov. 4 ballot. Each measure would hike the current tax rate by 0.25 percent. But a bill in the General Assembly could quash Mecklenburg’s referendum and put a dent in Wake’s ability to join a regional transit plan.

Sam A. Hieb
News

High Point Mayoral Race Promises Fireworks

HIGH POINT — Adding to High Point’s problems was the controversy surrounding incumbent Mayor Bernita Sims. In October the City Council approved a resolution requesting her resignation following a State Bureau of Investigation probe into the handling of her late sister’s estate. The 6-3 vote was along racial lines, prompting accusations of racial bias against the city’s first black mayor.

Sam A. Hieb
News

Four Democrats Hope To Succeed Retiring Rep. Tolson in District 23

RALEIGH — The district, covering Edgecombe and Martin counties, is strongly Democratic. Because no Republicans filed to run, the winner of the May 6 primary or a July 15 runoff among Taro Knight, Rusty Holderness, Branson Williams, and Shelley Willingham would be the presumptive representative in the 2015 General Assembly.

Sam A. Hieb
News

State Rep. Wray Faces Challenge from Baptist Minister Williams in District 27

RALEIGH — The House of Representatives District 27 primary is a winner-take-all race between two Democrats, incumbent Rep. Michael Wray of Gaston and the Rev. Dr. Franklin Williams Jr. of Weldon. Wray has served five terms in the House. Williams said he entered the race because he thinks Wray is not addressing issues that are important to the district.

Sam A. Hieb
News

Crowded Field Seeks To Succeed Rep. Alma Adams in HD 58

GREENSBORO — There are no Republicans running for the District 58 seat, making the May 6 Democratic primary most likely a winner-take-all event. The candidates largely hold similar views on the issues confronting the state. For the most part, they disagree with many of the policies enacted by the Republican-controlled legislature and Gov. Pat McCrory.

Sam A. Hieb
News

Harrison Faces Challenge From Former Councilman Kee in House District 57

GREENSBORO — Rep. Pricey Harrison has established herself as one of the more liberal members of the House, with a particular focus on the environment. The district is listed as strong Democratic by the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation. Former Greensboro City Council member Jim Kee said Harrison’s focus on the environment has come at a cost to District 57 residents.

Sam A. Hieb
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