Zack Matheny on Crony Capitalism and the 1%

“I think that we do need to expand the water-sewer pump station out near Rock Creek
where [the American Express data center] is going.

When AmEx comes on line, that pump system’s going to be at maximum capacity.

Why?

We’ve got to increase that,
because what happens if we get the next American Express that needs water and sewer?

Shouldn't Roy Carroll, who profited from the Amex deal

right after they fired 1,500 across town

pay for water and sewer to his outlying properties?

Does the 99% have to pay?

We need to spend that money and we need to upgrade that.

Meaning increased taxes and/or debt

to enrich a campaign contributor?

We need to look at partnering with somebody.

I don’t care who that somebody is,
whoever has the land so that we can have a ready-made site.

Why don't you care who the somebody is,

if you are actually talking about Roy Carroll?

If all these consultants from businesses are saying,
‘The way you get jobs is to have a flat surface ready to go,’
then the city of Greensboro should do it.

All the "consultants" paid for by those who wish to receive

taxpayer dollars?

If it’s [local developer] Roy Carroll — I don’t care who it is.

Roy, fortunately or unfortunately for him, has a bunch of land.

And has bought the most likely City Council winners

with campaign cash?

And he can’t do what he wanted to do,
so maybe we can partner with him.

Why?

“The other thing I look at on infrastructure is downtown
and making our downtown look prettier,” Matheny continued.

How much?

Downtown is not pretty enough yet?

“We’ve got to push some folks down there,
and we’ve got to step it up a notch.

Meaning impose unwanted regulations

upon entrepreneurs?

I want to help [local developer John] Lomax.

Of the 1%?

My opponent said he’s not for any tax incentives
and would never incentivize real estate.

And then after I was asked I said,
‘You know, we’ve got a deal potentially for Lomax Properties
that would take the North State Chevrolet property,
go vertical with some heads in beds that could be great for our tax base,
great for the aesthetics of our downtown.

Is Zack suggesting Greensboro taxpayers give John Lomax money

that has not been asked for?

Is Mr. Lomax's project next to the privately funded stadium

dependent on a taxpayer subsidy?

...I would incentivize how to make those deals happen,
and if you can work conjunction with the Downtown Greenway,
because that’s one of the main reasons they’re coming.

And if it’s an incentive,
we’ll help with some street lights and clean up the joint.

Let’s think out of the box, man!

“Let’s clean up the sidewalks," Matheny concluded.

"Let’s get the gum off the sidewalks.

Let’s pressure-wash these things where the hot-dog vendors
have put grease everywhere.

Are downtown hot-dog vendors on notice?

Let’s clean ’em up and make it more aesthetically pleasing
and do that in conjunction with getting more heads in beds.

More heads on the beds of the 1%?

That’s great!

The deal going down on Elm Street going across to the other side of Lee Street,
that is major right there.

That could be the slingshot that throws the rock.

The greenway’s coming in on the backside.”

Zack Matheny