Greensboro is a city filled with potential and is known for its vibrant neighborhoods, rich history, and welcoming community. Yet, as we take pride in these attributes, it’s impossible to ignore a glaring issue: our infrastructure is falling apart. From streets riddled with potholes to unmaintained community parks and dark intersections where streetlights remain burnt, the city’s basic services are failing its citizens.
The financial burden already placed on Greensboro residents makes this situation even more frustrating. Citizens pay some of the highest taxes among cities of comparable size in the three-state region, yet the return on this investment seems to fall short. Instead of prioritizing essential maintenance and services that benefit the entire community, city leaders have allocated funds to projects that many feel are unnecessary and disconnected from the needs of Greensboro’s people.
Driving through Greensboro has become a test of patience—and suspension systems. Potholes are everywhere, damaging vehicles and creating safety hazards. Despite residents reporting these issues regularly, repairs often take weeks or months, leaving citizens frustrated and wondering where their tax dollars are going.
Dark streets and intersections are not just an inconvenience—they’re a safety risk. Poorly lit areas can contribute to accidents, deter pedestrians, and increase the likelihood of crime. Many neighborhoods report long wait times for streetlight repairs, raising concerns about how seriously the city prioritizes public safety.
Parks are the heart of Greensboro’s neighborhoods, providing spaces for families to gather, children to play, and residents to enjoy the outdoors. Yet, many community parks have fallen into disrepair. Playgrounds are aging, walking trails are unmaintained, and facilities like restrooms are often in poor condition or unavailable. This neglect undermines Greensboro’s reputation as a family-friendly city and diminishes the quality of life for its residents.
While the city struggles to maintain its basic infrastructure, significant taxpayer money is allocated to projects that many citizens view as unnecessary. Instead of addressing foundational needs, funds are being spent on initiatives that may be well-intentioned but fail to deliver tangible benefits to the broader community.
Transportation, for instance, is a vital service for many Greensboro residents, but recent proposals have focused on large-scale projects that lack widespread support. These initiatives often come with hefty price tags and long timelines, leaving residents to wonder if their tax dollars could be spent more wisely on immediate needs like fixing roads, improving lighting, and revitalizing parks.
Greensboro deserves better. It’s time for city leaders to refocus their priorities and adopt a smarter approach to infrastructure spending. This doesn’t mean neglecting forward-thinking projects but ensuring that essential services and maintenance are fully addressed before moving on to additional investments.
Maintaining roads, streetlights, and public spaces must be a top priority. The city must allocate a significant portion of its budget to address these immediate concerns, ensuring that Greensboro remains safe and functional for its residents.
An independent audit of Greensboro’s infrastructure is essential to identify the most pressing needs and develop a clear roadmap for repairs and improvements. Transparency in this process will help rebuild trust between city leaders and residents.
Greensboro’s citizens deserve a say in how their tax dollars are spent. By holding public forums and seeking community input, the city can ensure that budget decisions reflect the priorities of its residents, not just the preferences of a select few.
Transportation is important, but large-scale projects must be carefully evaluated for cost, impact, and necessity. Instead of committing to expensive ventures, the city should explore more practical and immediate solutions, such as improving existing public transit systems or creating partnerships with private transportation providers.
Addressing Greensboro’s infrastructure challenges requires strong leadership—leaders committed to accountability, transparency, and making decisions that benefit the entire community. Nicky Smith, a longtime business owner and community advocate, believes that Greensboro’s future depends on smarter, more responsible governance.
“Taxpayers deserve to see their money working for them,” Nicky says. “It’s unacceptable that basic services like road repairs and park maintenance are being overlooked while funds are being directed to projects that don’t address our city’s most urgent needs. We need leadership who listens to the community and prioritizes infrastructure.”
Greensboro’s infrastructure problems didn’t appear overnight and won’t be solved overnight. But the city can get back on track with the right focus and leadership. Greensboro can create an environment where residents feel proud of their city and confident in its future by prioritizing essential services, engaging the community, and making wise financial decisions.
The time for change is now. Greensboro deserves leadership that values its citizens’ voices and puts their needs first. This November, vote for leaders committed to fixing what’s broken and building a stronger, more sustainable Greensboro.
It’s time to make infrastructure a priority. It’s time for smarter spending. It’s time for Greensboro to thrive.
Donate today, and let’s choose Greensboro’s future. Together, we can ensure that our city thrives for generations to come. Your voice matters—your vote matters—your support matters. Let’s make it count.
– Nicky Smith
Candidate for Greensboro City Council, District 4
