On the subject of trash….

They were pondering gasification down in Charlotte last week.

Skepticism seems well-rounded.

Holliday: Asleep at the wheel

I read with interest N&R ed page editor Allen Johnson’s interview with former Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday regarding his opposition to re-opening the White Street landfill. (Print edition only; background here.)

Interesting quote from Holliday closing the interview:

For now, Holliday says he has spoken his piece and plans to back to making a living.

“I don’t regret doing it,” he says. Nothing has changed in my feelings about it. I just can’t be the leader of this.”

The he offers these parting words for those who do lead: “Years from now there’s going to be a bunch of elected leaders who will say, ‘Who was it who decided to open up the landfill in the one area we had to grow our city? Who was asleep at the wheel?’”

The irony of Holliday’s statement is rich, considering the fact that’s exactly the question elected leaders are asking now about the decision to close a landfill with at least 50 years’ capacity. I’m sure that’s why reaction was so strong from current council members to Holliday’s opposition; they know exactly who was asleep at the wheel.

Re: Hinson promoted to police captain

Surprise and scratching of the head is the reaction in the local blogosphere to the news that Greensboro Police officer James Hinson and his baggage have been promoted to captain.

What kind of police department promotes an officer like Hinson? The same kind that submits a list of ‘guiding principals,’ as spelled out on Page 6 of the city manager’s memo posted by Triadwatch last week.

New Police Chief Ken Miller seems like a pretty-straight-up guy, but apparently even he is subject to the politically correct bureaucratization of municipal police forces. Hopefully he’s aware that part of his job —unfortunately —is humoring the bureaucrats. Hopefully he just does it with a smile and just moves on to his real mission — fighting crime.