Greensboro Primary '07: Sidney C. Gray

The following is City Council At-Large candidate Sidney C. Gray's complete response to our survey. Click here for the list of questions.

Sidney C. Gray
• Date of birth: April 15, 1946
• Professional background: Business and real estate investments, self-employed
• Previous political experience: Cofounder of Old Greensborough Preservation Society; board member, Downtown Greensboro Inc.
• Highest level of education: Bachelor of arts at University of South Carolina
• Website: sidneygray.blogspot.com


1. Greensboro pays lip service in attaining the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. There is no enforcement provision, we do not know where air pollution originates (i.e. Duke coal burning plant at Belews Creek) and to what degree climatic changes influence air pollution. We can determine and measure pollution where it settles. We can save energy and curb air pollution by purchasing hybrid vehicles, stop school busing and channel those saved funds into neighborhood schools. (73)
2. Light rail, increased bus service, more bicycle facilities and new roads. Mass transit saves energy, promotes less pollution and allows for more disposable income for the individual. More bicycle facilities will encourage individuals to avoid excess energy use, and will promote fitness, which cuts medical costs. Solution: Widen sidewalks for bicycles with rules of behavior. Spring Garden Street bicycle lane is a disaster waiting to happen. (67)
3. We have a very good community college in GTCC as well as the other local colleges that I would promote to new businesses. Guilford County Schools need evaluation. I encourage and applaud the technological partnership between NC A&T University and UNCG and advocate for more technological educational parks that would stimulate the economy. (54)
4. I call on the US Congress to pass a federal law ***stopping*** incentives. Until this happens we are forced to negotiate with these companies. When possible I would require these companies to pay a higher minimum wage, use alternative sources of energy and locate in a depressed area of our city, should they accept incentives. (56)
5. Small business deserves the same support from the City Council as large companies. I would support tax credits for our local businesses on an equal footing that we give to large companies. Government officials are there to assist its citizens by providing quality education, remove unnecessary fees and regulations and allow our economic system to work. (57)
6. No. I believe that the initiative for higher paying jobs should emanate from the individual and his/her desire to improve his quality of life. Government can help by providing the education facilities for that person to achieve his goal. Mandating $9.36 per hour could actually eliminate a position and takes the initiative away from the individual. (57)
7. I do not support urban sprawl. The solutions that we set in motion today will be our legacy. I support the revitalization, adaptive re-use and “infill” of existing neighborhoods. I propose that the city of Greensboro in conjunction with surrounding communities expand the Urban Greenway to be held in trust for future generations. This could be accomplished with an existing agency such as the Piedmont Land Conservancy or another sanctioned group.
8. No. This project encourages urban sprawl. We must control urban sprawl or we will leave our heirs one slab of concrete from New York to Miami. The exponential population growth is the single greatest challenge that we as a community face. These population increases challenge our basic values and natural resources. We must and can balance our right of economic gain while slowing down urban sprawl.
9. It is time that the racial allegations and the Chief Wray/ Mitch Johnson dismissal controversy be addressed in a court of law as our legal system provides. I support a jury that can listen to both sides of the case, not a solution by politicians and the media.
10. No. I do not support another level of bureaucracy in our government. The city council must step up to the plate and become the police review board along with the courts if needed. This empowers the voters as the “ultimate review board” when the next election takes place and the members of the city council have to defend their decisions.