What’s the current state of Guilford County?
Well, let’s see. The county has taken on $2 billion in school bond debt in recent years that will stay with it for the next two decades; the commissioners have been throwing out raises and benefits to employees like people on floats in a Christmas parade throwing out candy to kids; and, of course, property owners in Guilford County are in many cases paying 25 to 30 percent more in taxes than they were before the 2022 revaluation of all property in the county.
That’s kind of depressing stuff, so don’t be surprised if the Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston focuses more on the positive things that are going on in the county when he delivers his “2024 State of the County Address” on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. at Union Square Campus in Greensboro.
In the past, the annual State of the Community address has been given from the commissioners’ meeting room on the second floor in the old Guilford County Court House in downtown Greensboro.
Alston’s remarks, according to advance notes provided by the county, will focus on the theme of “Ready, Set, Go!,” and will highlight “the county’s commitment and proactive efforts in enhancing service delivery, addressing community needs, and moving forward with renewed energy and purpose. Chairman Alston will also reflect on the county’s recent successes and outline key initiatives launched over the past year.”
Alston said recently that he hopes a lot of people come out or tune in to watch the speech and hear his positive vision of Guilford County and the successes of the current team of county leaders.
“Guilford County has made remarkable strides over the past year, and this year’s State of the County Address will highlight our unwavering commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant community,” Alston said of the upcoming address. “As One Guilford, we are preparing for the future, advancing strategic initiatives, and taking meaningful action to serve our residents. Guilford County is on the move—united, focused, and committed to creating a brighter future together.”
The State of the County address, which is usually well attended by community leaders, will bring together members of the Board of County Commissioners, county leadership, elected officials and other community leaders.
The program will take place in the auditorium on the first floor of Union Square Campus, with the speech starting promptly at 5 p.m.
The public can watch this year’s State of the County Address online through Guilford County’s Facebook page or using Zoom. Residents can register online to stream the program.
The tradition of an annual State of the County address began in 2017 when former Republican Commissioner Jeff Phillips, then chairman of the Board of Commissioners, delivered the county’s first-ever such address.
Phillips also held a press conference immediately after his State of the County speech, but that apparently is a practice that’s gone by the wayside over the years.
Mecklenburg County has had a State of the County address for years, as has Wake County. The decision several years ago to start having a similar address in Guilford County seems to have been a part of an effort by county staff and commissioners to create a more professional and polished image of Guilford County government.
Alston said last year that he was worried about using a teleprompter that the county’s Public Relations department convinced him to try, since he’d never used one before; however, later he decided he really liked using the device, so it’s likely he’ll use one again this year.
