Good morning! It has been a few days since my last post, and for that I apologize. We have been busy over the past 2 weeks with a number of exciting projects that necessitated evening meetings. That has reduced my time allowance for posting information to the blog site.
As the Jamestown News reported, the Town hired Hilary Greenberg of Greenberg Development Services to give us a rundown on the health of our business community. Originally, this was to be a collaborative effort between the Town and the Jamestown Bussiness Assocation (JBA). While we had a good turnout for the individual interviews (many thanks to Martha Wolfe for her help in getting that set up for us!!!!), I was a little disappointed that more folks did not show up for Hilary's presentation on Wednesday evening. Often, the Town is accused of being "difficult" when it comes to businesses. I suppose I hear that more often than most becuase of my job as the "Enforcement Officer", though. However, when the Town does attempt to open the channels of communication, it is discouraging to see such a meager turnout! I hope we can correct these issues in the future! Hilary's report on the "health" of our business community will be coming soon. I will make sure a digital copy is posted on our website. Stay tuned!
On Tuesday, our Town Council adopted the 2008-2009 budget, which begins on July 1. The Planning Dpeartment has outlined several goals that I would like to see completed in the upcoming fiscal year:
-- Complete a Deep River Paddle Trail/Greenway Plan
-- Complete the Development Ordinance Rewrite
-- Complete the Tree Preservation Ordinance
-- Complete a Pedestrian Master Plan
-- Complee a study of our Downtown areas with Greenberg Development Services
-- Acquire neighborhood park lands and re-apply for a PARTF grant (to develop)
-- Complete the expansion of our ETJ
-- Investigating the possibility of annexations
If you have specific questions about any of these tasks, I would encourage you to contact me at 336.454.1138 or mjohnson@jamestown-nc.gov.
Have a great weekend!
6.20.2008
6.05.2008
Birthday "Surprise"
This is what your co-workers do to you when: 1)You are responsible for enforcing the Town's sign ordinance; 2)Election "season" just passed; 3)It's your birtday; 4)All of the above.
Yes...my office was plastered with old election signs as a "birthday surpise". So, as you can see, I had to pick these signs up TWICE! It was a thoughtful gesture, though, and I had a great laugh. Contrary to popular belief, I am NOT 42...but rather, 32 this year.
I suppose it just goes to show you that government employees CAN have a sense of humor, too!
Enjoy your day...
~Matthew
6.03.2008
Greg Niles Remembered
The planning community, as well as the citizens of Guilford County, lost a great guy this past Saturday. Greg Niles was one of the most sincere and genuine folks I have ever met. I had the pleasure of working with him on a number of projects, the most recent being the expansion of our ETJ, which required County approval. I had a lot of respect for Greg and enjoyed his keen sense of humor. He will certainly be missed by his family, his staff, and those who had the pleasure of working with him.
This is from the Greensboro News & Record:
Kenneth Greg Niles
GREENSBORO — Kenneth Greg Niles passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, May 31, 2008, in Greensboro, N.C.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
Greg was the planning and development director for Guilford County.
Greg was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 23, 1963, and grew up in Oneonta in Upstate New York. He attended school in Oneonta and graduated from Oneonta High School in 1981. During high school, Greg was a Rotary Exchange student and spent a year living and studying in Australia. Greg earned a bachelors degree from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., in 1985. Shortly after graduating from Washington & Lee, Greg joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the Island of Cebu in the Republic of the Philippines. Greg specialized in community water projects.
While serving in the Philippines, Greg met fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Claire Conlan. They married on their return to the United States and Greg began his Masters studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Greg's career in municipal planning included positions with Otsego County in Cooperstown, New York, the city of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the city of Marco Island, Florida before assuming the position in Guilford County in 2005.
Greg will be remembered by all who knew him as a loving husband, father, son, brother friend and neighbor. He was completely dedicated to his family and to public service. His warmth and sense of humor will never be forgotten.
Greg is survived by his wife, Claire; their three sons, Connor, Aidan and Liam; his mother, Isabelle Niles of Oneonta, New York and his brother, George Lee Niles of Edmond, Oklahoma. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
The family will receive visitors from 3 until 5 and from 7 until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, at the Forbis & Dick Funeral Home, 5926 West Friendly Ave. in Greensboro, N.C.
The family requests no flowers. Contributions may be made to the Greg Niles Educational Fund at any Bank of America.
On-line condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com
This is from the Greensboro News & Record:
Kenneth Greg Niles
GREENSBORO — Kenneth Greg Niles passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, May 31, 2008, in Greensboro, N.C.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
Greg was the planning and development director for Guilford County.
Greg was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 23, 1963, and grew up in Oneonta in Upstate New York. He attended school in Oneonta and graduated from Oneonta High School in 1981. During high school, Greg was a Rotary Exchange student and spent a year living and studying in Australia. Greg earned a bachelors degree from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., in 1985. Shortly after graduating from Washington & Lee, Greg joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the Island of Cebu in the Republic of the Philippines. Greg specialized in community water projects.
While serving in the Philippines, Greg met fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Claire Conlan. They married on their return to the United States and Greg began his Masters studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Greg's career in municipal planning included positions with Otsego County in Cooperstown, New York, the city of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the city of Marco Island, Florida before assuming the position in Guilford County in 2005.
Greg will be remembered by all who knew him as a loving husband, father, son, brother friend and neighbor. He was completely dedicated to his family and to public service. His warmth and sense of humor will never be forgotten.
Greg is survived by his wife, Claire; their three sons, Connor, Aidan and Liam; his mother, Isabelle Niles of Oneonta, New York and his brother, George Lee Niles of Edmond, Oklahoma. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
The family will receive visitors from 3 until 5 and from 7 until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, at the Forbis & Dick Funeral Home, 5926 West Friendly Ave. in Greensboro, N.C.
The family requests no flowers. Contributions may be made to the Greg Niles Educational Fund at any Bank of America.
On-line condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com
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