No drones for Greensboro Police Department

Clark talking about problems with the noise ordinance

"Where we can measure, until we learn how to hover, will always be a problem." -Police Attorney Jim Clark

A few weeks ago at a meeting about Greensboro's noise ordinance, Clark remarked about the difficulty of measuring decibel levels in a "sound shadow," which is created by amplified noise emanating from a rooftop (think Greene Street club and Center Pointe, at least until the club puts a grill in).

Clark didn't say anything about drones, but his comment about hovering rattled around in my head for a while after the meeting. Is Greensboro considering drones to monitor big public events, handle noise complaints, look for stolen vehicles or anything similar?

Other cities have toyed with the idea of drones, with some like Seattle abandoning plans after concerns about surveillance. Campus police at the University of Alabama in Huntsville are even getting drones to monitor the college. I figured it was unlikely here, but not far-fetched, so I asked if the department had looked into, discussed or done anything about drones.  Turns out the department has talked about it, but there are no plans in the works.

"We don't currently have drones and are not forecasted to get any," police spokesperson Susan Danielsen said via e-mail. "We do think they would be helpful in searching for missing persons."

Screenshot from the News & Record

UPDATE: While the total number of votes in this poll, conducted by the News & Record on their website last month, is unknown, the results show that an overwhelming number of people who participated are concerned about police using drones. Out of nearly 1,000 votes, about 85 percent said they are concerned.

A link to the poll results is no longer live on the newspaper's website. The poll was a sidebar on the homepage of the paper's site.

Want to write for us? YES! Weekly is hiring an intern

YES! Weekly newspaper is hiring a new editorial intern (or two!) in the coming weeks. There are a host of reasons to apply — having clips to show to future employers, bolstering your experience, bragging rights and spending time with some pretty rad writers and editors.

We cover Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point through our alternative weekly newspaper and blog. We're looking for motivated writers who already are or want to become journalists.


The gig:
-The internship usually lasts for four to six months (one beginning at the end of summer and the other at the start of the year). We can usually work around your schedule.
-Interns will gain experience writing for various sections of the newspaper, including things like visions, chow, ten best, the staff column, blotter, local talent, dirt and at least one cover story. Don't know what those terms mean? Spend some time reading the paper or on our website.
-It's open-ended. Have multimedia or video skills? Great. Want to write about a water polo championship? Sounds good to us. Hell, one of our current interns is about to write a column about Bonnaroo. One interviewed Snooki a few years ago.

-Hours are flexible, but interns would ideally be available for part of the week during normal office hours and be able to attend staff meetings each Monday. Our office is located in Adams Farm.

-Interns will write at least one article for publication every week, and we take pitches from interns. 

-The internship is, unfortunately, unpaid. Sorry, y'all. There is a possibility that we could receive a stipend to increase diversity from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia.
-An interest in writing —and an ability to write — news articles is a serious plus.
-We prefer interns who aren't still in school (but recently hired a part-time student). A related degree isn't necessary, but it can only help.

Why you should apply:
-Our former interns are doing some pretty rad things. To paraphrase Drake, I started from the bottom, and now I'm here. After a stint as an intern I was hired at YES! Weekly part-time, and now I'm the Greensboro/Guilford County reporter. Not convinced? Check out our former (and sorely missed) intern Christian Bryant.

See, we're a lovable bunch!
(Former intern Christian planking Brian's desk)

-Our interns come from all over the place. One of our interns works at Target and one from last fall is a gymnastics coach. If you live in Winston-Salem or High Point, your application may get +1.
-You need to be able to write well, but previous experience is not required.
-Journalism jobs are increasingly difficult to find, especially as esteemed papers like the Boston Phoenix  close and others reshuffle. Honolulu Weekly announced it was closing this week, and the Rhinoceros Times in Greensboro just shut its doors, too. An internship is an excellent way to help break into the industry, improve your standing and hone your craft.
-We strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ folks — really, all kinds of people — to apply. Our paper benefits from a variety of voices and perspectives. We've already got the white-dude thing down pretty well, but potential white dude interns should absolutely apply.
-We're part of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and the North Carolina Press Association. That means we're legit, right? It also means we have connections with other papers in the industry, which might be helpful if you're headed somewhere else after you finish here.
-Occasional perks. Like free tickets to a comedy club, court side seats at the Greensboro Coliseum, free booze or hanging out with President Obama. Okay, I made that last part up, but we did go to the Democratic National Convention.

-There's a lot to learn. We can help you become a better writer and also a more skilled researcher, interviewer, etc. Ever interviewed the mayor? Know how to look up a business, property record or criminal file? Any idea how to write a real food review? If you answered yes, we really want you. If not, you may really want us. 

-It's a lot of fun. We're pretty easygoing, unless you can't file before deadline. Then heads may roll. 

-Have you ever seen your name in print? It's pretty thrilling. That alone should motivate you.

Still have questions or ready to apply? 

Call our editor, Brian Clarey, at 336-316-1231 or e-mail him at editor@yesweekly.com. 

Letter to the editor: A way to help Syrian refugees

Elvira Jasarevic (Courtesy photo)

YES! Weekly received the following letter to the editor from Elvira Jasarevic, but given that it refers to a goal that needs to be met by Friday, we're posting it on the blog. We published a letter from Jasarevic in 2006 when she was only 17, and I wrote a column about her work in Bosnia about a year ago. 

"Dear readers,

I know many of you are tired of hearing about the status of Syria and the fighting. You feel like there is nothing you can do to help and the passive listening to the news is draining you, so you change the channel and watch the Game of Thrones, where the killing is fictitious. I know that our society has raised you to believe that one person alone can’t convince the government to end the murdering! I know that we, as individuals, cannot make the war end, but there is something we can do and that is provide the monetary means that will bring medical care to the refugees. 

Fortunately, many of you have not had the opportunity to grow up in a refugee camp, but in the early 90s I was that unfortunate person during the war in Bosnia. I tell you that because it was the time spent in the refugee camp when I, as a little girl, decided that I was going to be a doctor. I saw the health problems that war causes and as citizens of the world we must continue the tradition of fixing the problems a select few in power create. Here is our chance to help ease pains and the good news is that you don’t have to be a doctor to help solve medical problems.

With that being said, I urge you to help me raise $4,500, an estimate from Suzanne Barakat, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill medicine, who is currently the clinic director at a refugee camp in Kilis, 3 to 4km from the Syrian border. The $4,500 will provide one-month worth of most needed supplies to the refugees which includes; Insulin, Diamicron MR, Metformin, Clopidogrel, Aspirin, Ramipril, Neoral, Cellcept, Norethisterone, Allopurinol, Progyluton, Antifungal Antibiotics, Oral Contraceptive, Eyedrops, and Eltroxin. I received these disheartening words from my friend Suzanne today and I hope they move you to donate whatever you can  — $500, $50 or $5. As Suzanne explained to me in an e-mail:

'The clinic was opened by Syrian physicians a little over a year ago, who themselves are refugees, in order to serve the 80,000+ Syrian refugees in Kilis alone. Medical treatment and medications are provided free of charge, as the clinic is supported by two-nonprofits, SEMA and IMC. On a typical day, the clinic sees 400-500 patients. I’ve seen 83 patients in one day. There are no resources available to physicians except their stethoscope, a penlight, a blood pressure cuff, and a glucometer if lancets have not run out. No lab tests. No imaging. All diagnoses based on clinical judgment alone. There is a high threshold to deem a case emergent, and only then will the local state hospital accept them. The most frustrating thing of all is that after you’ve made your diagnosis, and determine the medication required (ie. insulin for glucose greater than 500, antimicrobials for infections), you realize the pharmacy is out of these meds.'

The funds will be used by the clinic director to purchase the medicine in bulk from the local Turkish pharmacies next week. The money will need to be sent in by this Friday, June 14 via Google Wallet or Pay Pal. For more information on how to donate please contact Elvira Jasarevic at Eljasarevic@gmail.com, Suzanne Barakat at sbarakat87@gmail.com or Abdul Rahman at azjandali@gmail.com.

With peace and love,

Elvira Jasarevic"

Elvira Jasarevic is originally from Bosnia but grew up in Greensboro. She is currently a medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Georgia.

A different Republican take on Moral Monday: Rep. Jon Hardister

Rep. Jon Hardister (courtesy photo)

Not all Republicans in the NC General Assembly look down their noses at Moral Monday protesters and resort to calling them names: Take a look at Greensboro's Rep. Jon Hardister.

We interviewed Hardister, a first-term Guilford County representative, for our recent article about Moral Monday demonstrations at the legislature, but didn't have space to run his responses.

While he said he probably doesn't agree with the Moral Mondays protesters, Hardister said he's "glad they're doing it" because "it's good to see people engaged."

"You take them seriously," Hardister said. "When people take the time out of their day to come to the General Assembly to protest you definitely want to take it seriously and listen to what they have to say. Anytime I see protesters I always think about. It challenges you to think about what you’re doing."

Protests force legislators to pause and explain their actions, which is important, he said. Hardister said he ultimately makes his decisions by analyzing issues, talking to people on both sides of the debate and doing research: Like with voter ID — one of the key issues propeling the Moral Monday actions. Hardister said he considered the issue carefully but added that polls showed that most North Carolinians support voter ID, as do many of his constituents.

Hardister, who's only 30 and is the vice president of First Carolina Mortgage, is a strong advocate of charter schools, which comes as no surprise to anyone who followed his election campaign last year; he touted "a platform of supporting school choice and strengthening charter schools." Hardister served on the board of Greensboro Academy, a charter school, before he was elected.

Since taking office he's been the lead sponsor on seven bills, two of which are about charter schools, though his involvement in charter-related legislation doesn't end there. Hardister also supported the creation of a new board to govern charter schools that would still be under the education department, interest-free loans as start-up funds for charters and an act to make public charter schools eligible for permanent registration license plates.

"My philosophy on charter schools is that they are an important part of our public school system," Hardister said, adding that they are meant to supplement and not replace traditional public schools. "The idea is for the funding to follow the student. It’s just a way to provide more opportunity for children and more choice for parents."

Hardister said two bills he sponsored focusing on charters, HB 250 and HB 273, would give them some more flexibility in conducting enrollment, require funds allocated for charter schools to be transferred in a more timely fashion and more clearly articulate charters' ability to borrow money for operational expenses like electricity, running water and maintenance.

Hardister's bills are partially informed  by his contacts — he has stayed in touch with charters in his district and worked closely with two charter school lobbying organizations, he said. He tries to stay in touch with what a broader base of constiuents want too, he said. 

"You have to do your research and follow your instincts," Hardister said. "Education is a sensitive topic and we all agree it's important. We all want what's best but unfortunately we don't always agree on how to get there."

The desire to make things better transcends political parties, he said, which is why it's important to treat everyone — protestors and politicians alike— with respect and assume they are sincerely tying to do what they believe is best. The only times politics is disheartening, Hardister added, is when people dismiss someone by saying they don't truly care.

This week in YES! Weekly

feature: Showing up

dirt: Noise debate altered: Greene Street closing rooftop

10 best: 10 WORST GOOD-INTENTIONED IDEAS FOR FATHER’S DAY

voices: The Five L’s pack it in

editorial: The ends vs. the means

tunes: Season’s change: Estrangers grow up on first full-length

flicks: Star-studded Now You See Me entertaining big-screen hocus pocus

visions: Melville explores matters of life and death

chow: High Point’s doughnut culture

crash: Rainy season

Council debates 'symbolic' pay raise during final budget discussions

Dan Besse (foreground) and Robert Clark debated a pay raise for themselves.

The Winston-Salem City Council finalized the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget this afternoon with only a few minor tweaks, including a tiered merit raise for employees and carving out additional grant money for the non-profit Creative Corridors for public-engagement activities as the ordinance moves to a final vote on Monday.

Having achieved consensus on big items such as the tax rate, bond funds for street maintenance and personnel reductions, the drama moved into a piece of side-show theater between council members Dan Besse and Robert Clark — two members who are said to harbor designs on the mayor's seat when incumbent Allen Joines retires.

The jousting began when Besse announced that he objects to a 1.5-percent raise for council members, which all agree is largely symbolic. Council members currently receive a salary of $9,800, which equates to a raise of $140. 


Besse threatened to vote against the final budget if it includes the pay raise.

"I think the symbolism is terrible for us to take a salary increase in a year when we're increasing the tax rate," said Besse, a Democrat who represents the Southwest Ward.

"Even the one percent deserve a raise," quipped Clark, a Republican who represents the largely affluent West Ward.

"I'd love for Dan to vote against his Sunday bus service," Clark gleefully added, alluding to a budget provision to expand bus service to Sundays — a policy goal long sought by Besse, a staunch public transit advocate.

"In a year when we're cutting taxes — not the tax rate — you don't take percentages to the bank; you take dollars," Clark continued. "And the average person is giving us less dollars. That's what's known as a tax cut."

Clark's point alluded to the fact that while council is raising the actual tax rate, it will be below what is considered revenue neutral — the rate needed to make up for the loss of overall tax base in the recent revaluation. City Manager Lee Garrity has said that under the proposed budget about 70 percent of property owners will see their tax bills go down. 

But Besse said many of his constituents, even those with modest incomes, saw their property values rise, bucking the trends across the city. He said he wasn't going to set himself and other council members up for criticism.

"If it stays in the finance committee's recommended budget, I will make an amendment to take it out," Besse warned, "and we'll see who votes yea or nay."

Mayor Pro Tem Vivian Burke chided her two colleagues: "This is why America's in the condition it's in."

The most substantive change made by the finance committee was a tiered scheduled for performance raises, providing a 3-percent raise for "top performers," a 2-percent raise for "strong performers" and a 1.5-percent raise for "solid performers," based on the recommendation of supervisors. 

Funds for the raises will cost an estimated $460,000, to be financed through privilege license fees on internet sweepstakes parlors and a salary fund.

"I can tell you where the top performers are based on the phone calls I get," said Councilwoman Wanda Merschel, who chairs the finance committee. "That's in sanitation. Sanitation [services] can make or break a council member." 

Council members passed on several opportunities to cut spending, particularly in the areas of grant-making and travel for city employees.

Merschel noted that the city funds both Piedmont Triad Regional Council and Piedmont Triad Partnership, adding that she finds the allocations somewhat redundant and would favor granting the money solely to the partnership.

Councilwoman Molly Leight, the council liaison to the regional council, defended the agency.

"They do all sorts of workforce development, they do weatherization," she said. "They do a lot of aging services. They do extraordinary good work."

Clark interjected, "You mention training. Forsyth Tech trains, the schools train. The Urban League does workforce development training."

Merschel said she ultimately defers to Leight on the matter, and the council members moved on without making any changes.

Council also scrutinized travel funds for the water and information systems departments. The city has budgeted $66,890 for the water department and $56,130 for information systems.

Garrity said that the information systems department could make do with about 30 percent less money for travel, but that the money is needed so that water department employees can travel within the state to take classes required to maintain their certifications. He acknowledged that information systems employees travel nationally to what he termed "destination" cities for conferences.

Councilman Derwin Montgomery set up a save for the funds by alluding to Winston-Salem's recognition by the Center for Digital Government for 11 years running as being among the 10 most technology-advance cities of its size.

"Does anyone find the irony in travel for IS?" Merschel asked. "Okay, if we think that's key for keeping our digital city awards...."

By their silence, Merschel's colleagues indicated they had no stomach for cutting the funds.

The council also reviewed spending on grants to nonprofits engaged in arts, science, culture and community development activities. The city manager's proposed budget includes $2.2 million for dozens of agencies, with the exception of two organizations: Creative Corridors and the Institute for Dismantling Racism.

Creative Corridors, which has marshaled community involvement in an effort to raise the aesthetic quality of major roadways around downtown, requested $15,000 for community engagement and fundraising work. 

At the urging of members Montgomery and James Taylor, the council amended the budget to accommodate Creative Corridor's request. The request will be funded by reducing grants to the remaining agencies. Merschel elicited an acknowledgement from Creative Corridors Executive Director Russell DuBois that the funds will be a one-time grant.

Burke was the first to speak up for the Institute for Dismantling Racism, which is requesting $60,000.

"There's still racism in this city," she observed, while professing to "not even know who this group is."

Deputy City Manager Derwick Paige explained that staff decided not to include funding for the Institute for Dismantling Racism in the budget because of concerns by the Winston-Salem Human Relations Commission. He said the funding request was initially submitted to the human relations commission, adding that the commission voted against it because of concerns about a conflict of interest considering that a member of the commission is one of the founders of the Institute for Dismantling Racism. 

Council members agreed by consensus to not fund the Institute for Dismantling Racism through the annual budget up for adoption on Monday, but rather to direct Garrity as city manager to review the human relations department budget and see if there are adequate funds to execute a contract with the nonprofit. Besse, Leight and Taylor all vocalized support for the idea.

Developing: Charlotte Observer reporter arrested while covering Moral Monday

Courtesy of the Advancement Project

Tim Funk, the faith reporter for the Charlotte Observer, was arrested today at the Moral Monday protest at the NC General Assembly, according to a statement released by the Advancement Project. Funk was covering the demonstrations and was one of almost 100 people who were arrested at the weekly action protesting regressive legislation put forward by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Protestors who intend to be arrested at the demonstrations are separated from the rest of the attendees, both in where they stand and (at least last week) by green ribbons around their risk indicating their intention to be arrested. The Advancement Project, one of the organizations behind the demonstrations, also released this fuzzy photo of Funk being arrested today.

We will post more information as it becomes available. Read more about Moral Monday here.

UPDATE: Jennifer Farmer, a spokesperson for the Advancement Project who witnessed the incident, said Funk was there to cover the protest, not participate, adding that he had been with protesters all day interviewing people.

"When he was arrested he was just covering the event," Farmer said. "It looked like he tried to explain to them that he was a reporter. This was definitely during the course of work for him."

A spokesperson for the NC Capitol Police was not immediately available for comment.

Chatham Journal uses our photo without permission, takes down without explanation

We're scratching our heads this morning about how one of our photos, taken by Eric Ginsburg at the Moral Monday protests last week and published on our blog, ended up in the Chatham Journal alongside an article by NC Sen. Thom Goolsby bashing the demonstrators (see above).

After e-mailing Goolsby and the paper's editor, sending Goolsby a tweet and leaving a voicemail at the paper's office, the photo was replaced with an illustration.

Still, despite requests for an explanation for why the photo was taken without permission of the photographer or YES! Weekly, we're pretty confused. The Chatham Journal knows about buying copies of photos — they have a page on their website dedicated to selling images that appear in their publication.

So what gives? Our photograph was removed, but we still want an explanation. It's unclear to us whether Goolsby had anything to do with the photo's use, but he hasn't responded to our e-mail either. Also, we don't know yet whether the photo was run in print or just online. We're also a little confused that an e-mail to the editor of the publication bounced (which is why we left a voicemail).

Stay posted, we'll add an update when we get a response.

UPDATE (Tuesday, 2:30 pm): The editor of the Chatham Journal e-mailed our editor to apologize.

"We removed the yes image from the opinion piece on the web as soon as we became aware that we did not have permission to use it," the editor wrote. "Our apologies."

The response didn't explain who was responsible for the mistake or if it ran in print. We're still curious about exactly what happened.The e-mail also wasn't signed with the editor's name.

Goolsby's piece generated a pretty significant amount of public attention, including this dig on Buzzfeed.

UPDATE (Wednesday, 10:15 am): Goolsby's piece is really making the rounds, including a mention in the New York Times. Still no response from the paper's editor about how our photo ended up on their page with his article. Not a peep from Goolsby either.