news-record.com

Several stories on news-record.com received attention last week among commenters, and among them was a piece on prayer before public meetings.

The Forsyth County commissioners have had sectarian prayer before meetings, according to a District Court magistrate who says the prayers should stop after two residents challenged the practice.

Guilford County commissioners also allow prayer before meetings, and those tend to lean toward Christian perspectives.

Well, that turned into a heated debate that eventually turned ugly among commenters online. Staff at the N&R eventually closed commenting because of the increasingly bitter nature.

Anyway, those interested in the issue of prayer at Guilford County commissioners meetings might also note that a copy of the Ten Commandments is carved in stone above the dais in the Old County Courthouse.

Which Chairman Melvin “Skip” Alston noted in an interview when he said he supports prayer in meetings.

“I don’t think that you could not have prayer and then have the Ten Commandments right above (commissioners) heads,” he said.

Land changes on the way

The city’s proposed overhaul of its development ordinances will be the subject of a zoning commission and planning board meeting at 5:30 p.m. today. The land development ordinance regulates how property is redeveloped across the city. The recommended changes encourage mixed-use and high-density development and include new landscaping guidelines and rules for megachurches.

For more information about the proposed changes, visit the city’s Web site, www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Planning/ordinance/rewrite.htm. The meeting will be in the City Council chambers, 300 W. Washington St., Greensboro.

Knight looks ahead

Here’s a message Mayor-elect Bill Knight sent along on Facebook:

“Many thanks to each of your for your words of encouragement and support.

“The November 3 election result was an emphatic yes to the need to restore forward thinking leadership in Greensboro’s city government.

“There is a renewed sense of pride and a 'can do’ spirit at work that we can capture and use as a springboard.

“The new City Council is made up of an energetic group of individuals who have expressed a desire to quickly move forward and address the pressing issue of lagging economic growth. The business community is eager for a city government that will enthusiastically help it find solutions to complex regulations.

“We have the good fortune of a new city manager who brings experience and innovation to city government. We are entering a win-win situation that can be exploited to build momentum for us all. Let’s go forward together and not miss the opportunity.

“Bill Knight

“Mayor-elect”

Election results approved

Speaking of the recent election, the Guilford County Board of Elections last week certified that election-night tallies were on target.

Staff writers Gerald Witt and Amanda Lehmert contributed.