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School system gumshoes

Who knew Guilford County Schools employed gumshoes? But it required good detective work to uncover families' efforts to circumvent school attendance policies.

Court documents released last week detailed the evidence gathered by investigators looking into athletic eligibility questions regarding players on Northern Guilford's state championship basketball team. Methods included stakeouts, records searches and knocking on doors to find out where students actually lived and where they didn't.

The measures may have been extraordinary, but they were necessary to learn the truth and, ultimately, to enforce the rules. Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green deserves credit for leaving no stone unturned to defend the integrity of his school system.

Cleaning up

The city of Greensboro and Guilford County deservedly are criticized for not always working together.

But there are notable exceptions. Last week, for example, Mayor Yvonne Johnson and Councilwoman Trudy Wade teamed with Sheriff BJ Barnes in getting a jail work crew to clean up a wooded area near Hickory Trails apartments, scene of an unsolved homicide.

"It's a big help to the city," Johnson said, "and it costs us nothing." With a little effort, the two governments could find other instances where pulling together gets the job done and saves tax dollars.

At the same time, the Greensboro Housing Authority, which operates the complex, and Hickory Trails residents need to better maintain the property. Unkempt surroundings just invite crime.

No-parking zones in yards

A new city ordinance that forbids parked cars on lawns has stirred interest among supporters and detractors.

The supporters have gotten a little, well, zealous, turning in neighbors who violate the rules via a city hotline.

The detractors have just gotten plain mad.

Where does the city get off telling them what to do on the their own property?

And who's snitching on them, anyway?

The ordinance bans parking in the grass or dirt of residential front yards, except in a driveway or clearly designated parking area.

What one does in one's backyard is still his or her business.

Fortunately, the city has used restraint in enforcement, giving people time to adjust to and understand the ordinance.

This is a delicate matter.

While reasonable standards for the appearance of homes and yards make sense by improving curb appeal, preventing erosion and helping maintain property values, a little patience may go a long way in this case.

Loop reprieve?

Transportation planners may be able to save some developments that seemed destined to be razed to make way for the next phases of the Urban Loop.

One town home complex in northwest Greensboro, Liberty Square, could be mostly spared by adjustments in the path of the highway.

A pedestrian overpass may yet consume part of the community.

The hard, expensive lesson in all of this is better communication between the city and the state in planning these roads.

They have been in the works only since the Clinton administration.