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City Council must watch coliseum more closely

Sunday, November 8, 2009

(Updated 3:00 am)

When a petty dictator in a far-off country starts pushing his weight around, we send our Marines in. What do we do when a local czar, who rules our coliseum complex, embarks on a building project that’s been kept virtually secret from the taxpayers and city government?

We have been told over and over the coliseum operates at a loss. Where did $95,000 appear from, with more funds to follow?

The War Memorial Auditorium, which was built to honor our World War II heroes, is in such sad disarray they would be mortified if they could see it. The acoustics do no justice to the artists who do come. Many would feel demeaned if they showed up on stage. The restrooms are inadequate; there is no elevator for the handicapped; the air and heating system is antiquated; and the whole facility is a disgrace. Yet, we have a manager who can’t find funding for repairs and updating but has discovered $95,000 lying around.

The City Council has not been alert to protect what should be a great asset to Greensboro. It has not been good a steward in overseeing Matt Brown’s activities.

Do we need to send in the Marines?

Lillian Rauch
Greensboro

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Interested

November 9, 2009 - 7:54 am EST

The problem here is not in your "local czar" but rather in the people who gave him the authority to do what he has done, requiring no oversight on what most consider a sizable expenditure/investment that will undoubtedly require future funding.

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truth

November 9, 2009 - 10:01 am EST

Good post. Matt Brown had the authority to do what he did without asking the city council's permission. That much information I gleaned from reading the N&R.

I think the limit he could spend was $100,000. Of course, he brushed right up against that limit and something tells me that final expenses will push this project well over that amount. So, there's a little bit of a nutshell game going on here, IMO.

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Interested

November 9, 2009 - 12:37 pm EST

One would think any expenditures that would entail future expenditures not already in the budget (as any real estate investment would - maintenance, at the very least) would require approval.