GREENSBORO, NC -- At the November 16, 2010 City Council meeting, local realtor Paul Gilmer was appointed to the Zoning Commission (video; 05:27:08 mark). According to The Buiness Journal, Gilmer is a partner in CICO, a company trying to win the business of disposing of Greensboro's garbage with a scheme that includes reopening the White Street Landfill to municipal garbage and developing 600 surrounding acres as "light industrial and other commercial uses." Much of this land is currently zoned for residential use.
Serving on any City board while one's company is trying to win favor from the City is contrary to the tenets of clean governance. Serving on a board whose decisions are integral to the company's plans is even more odious. From the City's web site:
The Greensboro Zoning Commission hears and decides requests for amendments to the City's official Zoning Map. The duties of the Commission include rezoning properties, approving Conditional Zoning Districts, issuing Special Use Permits, and recommending overlay districts.CICO's plans will require favorable decisions from the board to which Mr. Gilmer has been appointed. Even if he recuses himself from votes directly affecting his interests, it remains a seamy situation where Gilmer's position will give him an inside track to information and influence.
Councilman Jim Kee should have never made this nomination to begin with. Gilmer should decline this appointment.
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