It is a sad day indeed. Wilmington should be a thriving city that leads in the area of economic opportunity and job creation. World class cuisine, an amazingly diverse culture, a great history and a beautiful location. But the city has become one of backroom deals and secrets with officials who simply refuse to answer tough questions.
Case and point has been the desire to have a taxpayer funded stadium. The city has held secret meeting after secret meeting. The taxpayers are being asked to say “yes” to $37m in bond money without, at this point, an agreement for them to even review. Several council members won’t even answer tough questions.
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of Connie Majure-Rhett, has also refused to answer tough questions. She also refuses to comment on two separate polls taken in this market. She also will not do interviews on talk radio either. So much for an open door policy. And pursuant to changes in state law, she hasn’t been able to provide a financial statement from 2011 because the audit has not been completed. You’d think their board would be concerned, but they’re deaf mutes on the issues as well.
On the taxpayer funded convention center. After giving an overview of events to the city leaders (none of whom asked a single tough question), Susan Eaton commented to one inquiry from a taxpayer that she didn’t have to provide any answers as they were “private.” Furthermore, she was unavailable for questions the following day. More than a cursory glance at the events at the center show that it continues to take business away from local businesses.
Connie “Don’t Ask Me Tough Questions” Majure-Rhett
The good news is that more people are asking questions and dragging this out in the daylight is the only way to make it better.
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