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Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated how David Wray left his job as police chief. He resigned.

GREENSBORO — Fulfilling a promise she made in last fall's mayoral campaign, Yvonne Johnson held her first town hall-style meeting Monday night to answer residents' questions

Topics in the two-hour forum ranged from mistrust among city administrators, police and council members to wage and development matters.

The audience calmly filled the fellowship hall at West Market Street United Methodist Church downtown, but it became a standing-room only crowd within an hour of the 6:30 p.m. meeting start.

Moderator Marsh Prause, a Greensboro attorney and executive board member of the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, managed the session by choosing questions from the public.

Police issues related to former police Chief David Wray took the first 30 minutes of the meeting.

Most questions focused on the "black book," which contains information and photos of 19 African American police officers and city employees. The book was supposedly used in an investigation of a prostitute who accused an officer of sexual assault.

Other topics included economic development and funding for the downtown Civil Rights museum. Highlights from the meeting follow. Some of Johnson's answers have been edited for content and clarity:



What is the status of the investigations of the police department?

"We're going to have an update on Thursday," Johnson said, referring to a special meeting she scheduled for that day. "The council is very concerned about the public opinion and the split in our city over this." She didn't say much more, citing the issue as a personnel matter.



Can you state how you're going to make everyone feel that we have truth about the police?

"When we get the audit of the police department, we should have a town meeting and share what the good things are and what the weak things are and how we can make them even better," she said.



What do you plan to do as a mayor to restore faith in the police department and the City Council?

"We have to improve communication, and we have already begun to talk about how to do that. … Over time, I think all systems need to be examined and many times they need to be renovated … and I would think that we're just in the beginning with the council … We should have an outside audit on what's good in this department, what can be improved in this department, and I'm certain that will be done in other departments as well. ... Really it's being proactive about looking at how we can improve various departments in the city and how we can enclose and bring closure to areas where closure is needed."



Is it true that the city has tapes of minority leaders?

"I have been called from some of the leaders that said they have been recorded … I have never heard any recordings."



How has the city focused more on job stimulation and creation?

Johnson said that she wants to improve job opportunities and improve wages. She added that City Manager Mitchell Johnson was working on an organizational chart that may include a person to focus on economic development within the city.



Do you see the water restrictions getting stronger?

"We are in a drought," she said, adding that after the last drought six years ago, the city entered a deal with Reidsville to buy water and that Greensboro is taking water from the Haw River as well.

"We need to get Randleman Dam going," she said, referring to the reservoir that municipalities worked to create.



What was the reason for taking $750,000 and giving it to the museum?

"It's a process. And all of that lump sum doesn't come out at one time," she said. "This is a humongous piece of all our history, and I believe it will bring tourism and it will bring economic development."



When will there be a downtown grocery store?

"I think it's already being talked about and I hope it's not a superstore," she said. "I think we need a more quaint market downtown and something that very tastefully fits in with the architecture."

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com