02/14/06 — City Council to mull issues at annual retreat

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City Council to mull issues at annual retreat

By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on February 14, 2006 1:58 PM

Goldsboro City Council is hitting the road Wednesday for its annual retreat in New Bern. The event, which will be held at the Sheraton hotel through Friday, is an opportunity for councilmen and the mayor to pool ideas pertaining to the city's present and future.

On the agenda is an extension of the learning organization program introduced by City Manager Joe Huffman last year. The program will teach councilmen the importance of group think, systems thinking and teamwork.

On Thursday, Council will meet with all city department heads to discuss the future of Goldsboro. Councilmen will be asked to visualize pressing issues, come up with solutions and make decisions on a 10-year plan for the city.

The final day will involve a series of unresolved issues.

Mayor Al King is scheduled to discuss a complete golf course study, Councilman Bob Waller will address school issues, crime prevention, condemnation procedures and water/sewer related issues, and Huffman is expected to address the need to establish a Mayor's Neighborhood Council.

Huffman said last month that establishing a neighborhood council would give city officials a voice within each neighborhood and visa versa. So, should a disaster occur or pressing issue arise, open lines of communication between the two groups would already be in place.

Coverage of the councilmen's retreat will continue this week.