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GREENSBORO - People can keep asking City Manager Mitchell Johnson about the city police department and his handling of former police Chief David Wray.

But Johnson's not sure it's productive to rehash issues he feels he has already addressed.

"I still stand by all the actions that I took," Johnson said Thursday night at a Greensboro Neighborhood Congress forum.

Issues concerning the police department led the discussion at the forum, where Johnson fielded questions sent in by the community or written by about 30 audience members.

Topics ranged from economic to quality-of-life issues. Some of the toughest questions involved the police department.

Johnson said he stands by his treatment of the former chief, who resigned in 2006, a short time after allegations surfaced about the treatment of black police officers in the department.

At first, Johnson resisted responding to questions about Wray, saying there was nothing new that he could add.

"I stood behind him until I got information that made it abundantly clear that for whatever reason, Mr. Wray chose not to be truthful with my office," Johnson said.

Johnson brushed off a question that suggested he should consider resigning because of the divisions in the community.

Some other answers from Johnson, edited for content and clarity:

How much is the city spending on police officers on administrative leave?

He was uncertain of the exact figures, but Johnson noted that administrative leave is not considered a punishment.

Can you respond to what some people consider a lack of transparency in city government?

Johnson said he tries to be as forthcoming with information as possible. But in the case of personnel issues - such as a police officer suspension - there is little he could do, he said, to release information unless the City Council directs him to do so in the interest of maintaining public trust.

"I have requested that more times than any other manager in the city of Greensboro's history," Johnson said.

Johnson said he has even considered getting a computer system that allows all city documents except personnel records to be reviewed online.

"It really is pretty boring stuff," he said.

Do you micromanage the city staff?

No. "I did for a while, and I realized it was not how I wanted to live my life," he said.

Is anyone working to monitor street light outages?

The city has asked Duke Energy to inventory the major streets for burned-out lights and will upgrade equipment to make sure fewer lights go out.

What's the progress on hiring a new city attorney?

"We hope to make a decision on that in the next 60 days," Johnson said.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com