The American Dream is Under Attack in Greensboro – And I Have a Plan to Save It
When I bought my first home here in Greensboro thirty-five years ago, I never imagined I’d be writing about how property taxes are crushing families’ dreams of homeownership. Last month, I sat across from a young couple who’d been saving for three years to buy their first home. When their lender ran the numbers including projected property taxes, they realized they couldn’t afford it. ‘We might have to move to High Point or Winston,’ she told me, tears in her eyes. That conversation haunts me because I know they’re not alone. Runaway property taxes don’t just hurt current homeowners – they’re destroying the pathway to homeownership for an entire generation.
Remembering Jim Melvin: A Wonderful Man and Visionary Leader
Reflecting on the passing of former Greensboro Mayor Jim Melvin, who devoted over five decades to transforming our city through visionary leadership and unwavering service. Just weeks ago, I had the privilege of sharing lunch with this remarkable 90-year-old at Bryan Park, where his passion for Greensboro’s future remained as strong as ever. From his humble beginnings in Warnersville to championing the Toyota megasite project, Jim’s legacy reminds us what true servant leadership looks like—and why his optimistic vision for our community’s next decade will continue inspiring long after his passing.
Breaking the Housing Crisis: Smart Solutions for Working Families
The Reality on the Ground. Grace Clifford, a local real estate broker, captures the urgency perfectly: homes under $300,000 are disappearing within hours of hitting the market. Families are making offers sight unseen, with inspectors walking through homes because buyers have less than 24 hours to decide. This isn’t a healthy market—it’s a crisis that demands immediate action. As someone who has spent 45 years building businesses and solving complex problems, I understand that effective solutions require leadership that can work with all stakeholders—developers, builders, city planners, and residents—to create real pathways to homeownership.
Greensboro’s Past Meets Its Future: Civil Rights Pioneer Clarence Henderson Shares Vision for City Leadership
Civil rights legend Clarence Henderson, who made history at the 1960 Woolworth lunch counter sit-in, shared powerful insights about leadership and Greensboro’s future during our remarkable meeting. ‘Politicians are a dime a dozen but real leaders are priceless,’ Henderson told me, emphasizing the importance of courageous leadership in transforming our city. From economic development to youth empowerment through property ownership, our two-hour conversation revealed a shared vision for Greensboro’s growth and prosperity.