Action Greensboro Inc, Federal Tax Returns

Previously I looked into Action Greensboro but didn't find many answers. Well I took a little break and looked around for more records to search and while I'm unable to unearth any grand conspiracies, the tax returns for Action Greensboro did bring up a few more questions to which I haven't found answers.

The American Judicature Society:

"Founded in 1913, the American Judicature Society is an independent, non-partisan, membership organization working nationally to protect the integrity of the American justice system. AJS’s diverse and broadly based membership --including judges, lawyers and members of the public-- promotes fair and impartial courts through research, publications, education and advocacy for judicial reform. The work of AJS focuses primarily on judicial ethics, judicial selection, access to justice, criminal justice reform, and the jury system."

Not that the American Judicature Society is a bad thing but why did Action Greensboro Inc. donate $75,000 to AJS in 2005. The link is to Acton Greensboro's 2006 Federal Income Tax Return. And where did Action Greensboro get that money? How much money did the City of Greensboro give Action Greensboro that same year? And why is Action Greensboro donating to a non profit located in Des Moines, Iowa? Anyone?

From IRS Form 990, Part IV. Reason for Non-Private Foundation Status:

11a. "An organization that normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public .
Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Also complete the Support Schedule in Part IV-A )"

And why a 2003 donation of $102,178 to the Inception Micro Angel Fund, LLC? I'm just askin'.

You can view all of Action Greensboro's Federal Tax returns here.

Something tells me I'm going to have to look up the tax returns of the American Judicature Society and a whole bunch more.

By the way, do you think it strange that the Bryan Foundation pays Action Greensboro to pay Grassroots Productions to hire Downtown Greensboro Inc to manage City Center Park and bill the City of Greensboro when DGI (funded by the City of Greensboro) Action Greensboro, The Greensboro Partnership, Greensboro Economic Development Alliance and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce are all one in the same?

Continue to page 36. Greensboro Economic Development Alliance, Federal Tax Returns.

Joseph M Bryan Foundation Board Of Directors

How do you run an entire city? One way is through the use of bribes campaign contributions to individual politicians and local political interests. Another way is by becoming a major benifactor to area non profits, governments and a very important customer to local businesses. So important that their owners contribute to and vote for those persons you want to see elected. And so begins my report on the Joseph M Bryan Foundation-- Greensboro and Guilford County's biggest and most influential non profit organization with assets of over $20 Million.

Here's what I believe is happening.

Is this what is known as influence peddling? Not in the traditional sense but you can bet that decisions made by those in charge will reflect what Jim Melvin, Ed Kitchen and the Bryan Foundation might think of their decisions. What? You aren't in some way influenced or constrained by the people who sign your pay checks? Let's be honest: I have long been one of the least influenced and constrained men on Earth and even I worry about what the boss might think. For some of you it's your entire life.

Shirley T. Frye is apparently the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bryan Foundation but everyone knows Jim Melvin, affectionately knows as, The Bobblehead, is the man in charge with Ed Kitchen set to fill in in Bobblehead's absence. Amazingly I was unable to find a website for the Bryan Foundation nor was I able to find a published list of board members dated since 1984.

While many like to cite Melvin's accomplishments in business and government, others point out:

"First Home Federal Savings & Loan - out of business in the S&L scandal; Jefferson Pilot - sold, to the detriment of most shareholders, but highly beneficial to the board of directors with their stock options; Newbridge Bank Park - built, yes with private money, but allowed the city to disregard the MEMORIAL to fallen soldiers called War Memorial Stadium; Yes Jim is such a stalwart to Greensboro. Can you say a little man with a big bank account who buys his access with Mr. Bryan's money, not his own. Me thinks he wants to be a big fish in a small pond with little to no personal investment of his own millions."

Hey, I'm just the messenger!

So I decided to put the search engines to work beginning with NC Secretary of State. Wow, who knew they were 2? Turns out one of the foundations only supports Greensboro's Bryan Park. Anyway, they list their registered agent as Joseph M Bryan and their board as E S Melvin (Jim) C H Darden, Carole W Fee and Michael W Haley as of 1984 when the foundation was founded.

I didn't find any political contributions by the foundation but Jim Melvin did contribute $4,000 to Rudolph W Giuliani in 2007. Was Rudi running for mayor of NYC, governor of New York or president in 2007? Sorry, I confuse things sometimes.

So it looks as if the Bryan Foundation, except for the fact that at least one member of the board is dead, has all their ducks lined up in the park. Or do they?

Continue to page 29. Michael W Haley Foundation Inc Board Of Directors Unknown.

Piedmont Triad Partnership In PART

As was pointed out by Sam at Piedmont Publius, an obviously right leaning product of the John Locke Foundation, PART is cutting routes because they lack funding. But then things are tough all over.

As for the Piedmont Triad Partnership, a local non profit with close ties to Mayor Robbie Perkins, Jim Melvin, the Greensboro Partnership and PART, why are they hiring lobbyists who are they lobbying and what are they lobbying for? And what is the involvement of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC?

What is their involvement with Brooks, Pierce et al? And why doesn't the information at the NC Secretary of State website not include the information found on OpenSecrets.org? Perhaps, Justice Frye can tell us.

Perhaps someone on their board will be able to answer my questions?

Continue reading page 24. Young Men's Christian Association of Greensboro.

Downtown Greensboro Foundation Board Of Directors

Perhaps you've never heard of the Downtown Greensboro Foundation? They were new to me until I began preparing this report and a friend sent me the links. They're the folks who manage the ice rink in Center City Park, a privately owned, tax exempt park belonging to former Mayor Jim Melvin's Bryan Foundation, managed by Action Greensboro and staffed and maintained with taxpayer dollars by the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department. The Downtown Greensboro Foundation recently got a $4000 grant from The Community Foundation and was founded solely to provide services to Downtown Greensboro Inc.

Are you confused yet? Sorry, I'm learning as I go.

The 2011 Board of Directors of the Downtown Greensboro Foundation can be found here, reports here. It's the exact same board as that of Downtown Greensboro Inc., whose board can be found here. Wonder why that is?

Filings for DGI can be found here. My apologies for not being able to locate this information before posting Downtown Greensboro Incorporated Board of Directors.

Is this how money gets laundered squandered?

Continue tp page 16. Downtown Greensboro Improvement Corporation Board Of Directors.