YO! GREENSBORO

By Eric Robert for Yo! Greensboro

Greensboro’s problem isn’t a lack of talent, resources, or potential…it’s that we’re governed by a shrinking circle of unimaginative insiders who confuse wealth with wisdom, connections with competence, and gatekeeping with governance.

On June 3, 2025, Stu Nichols stood before City Council to oppose my request for removal from the downtown Municipal Service District (MSD). Out of 302,296 inhabitants, Nichols was the only private citizen to do so.

The only other “opposition” came from Keith Holliday, a former mayor and current Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) employee, who later told me he wasn’t there to oppose me, he was there to provide “background,” since he helped establish the district decades ago.

Nichols introduced himself simply as a DGI board member.

What he didn’t disclose? He’s the incoming chair of the DGI board.

Nor did he mention that he sits on the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission, a body that regulates development and short-term rentals.

Or that he’s on the board of the Greensboro Science Center.

Nope. Instead, he warned Council that granting my request would “affect him” and might set a dangerous precedent “not just for Greensboro, but for the entire country.”

There it was… a man with 21 short-term rentals, who sits on multiple influential boards (including one that regulates rentals), worried that one property owner opting out of a bloated, conflicted and opaque tax district he chairs, would tear apart the fabric of America.

In a 2023 TV interview, Nichols bragged that he and his wife were renting properties short-term “before Airbnb existed.” He didn’t appear to express any concern about how those rentals impacted his neighbors… across multiple neighborhoods.

Then, on June 16, 2025, when Roy Carroll’s “controversial” rezoning at Hobbs & Friendly came before Planning & Zoning, Nichols, a sitting commissioner, voted in favor of the proposed development, despite an packed room full of residents voicing concerns. Once again, public opposition meant nothing next to developer privilege.

SO WHY DOES THIS MATTER?…WHO GIVE A  F#@K?…IT’S ROBERT, HE JUST LIKES TO BITCH!

Well, to understand why all of this is relevant it is important to understand that Stu Nichols is part of a network that moves as a unit.

A powerful, closed loop of wealthy tastemakers with no taste but with access, a closed-circuit ecosystem of insider nonprofits that serve themselves, family ties, recycled appointees, and publicly funded ego trips.

Here’s are some “cliff notes”:

Nichols and his wife (Spitsen) were partners in “Rhythm Works,” a downtown music concept alongside Andy Zimmerman, a former DGI Chair.

The project was awarded $250,000 in public funding. According to city sources, it was never completed. Certainly not the “catalyst” it was sold to be. At this time it is unclear if the money was clawed back or even disbursed.

Zimmerman sat on the DGI board for over a decade, despite term limits clearly outlined in the bylaws. The Carroll’s companies have held what appears to be a permanent board seat.

Nichols’ wife, Linda Spitsen, co-chaired the ArtsGreensboro fundraising campaign where, surprise!!!!, Roy Carroll’s daughter, Madison, also served as board chair. That same organization is run by Zimmerman’s long-time girlfriend, Laura Way.

See the pattern?

The same inner circle, being part of the same “incestuous” non-profits network benefitting the same “public private” players and projects… all with TAX-PAYER MONEY!

Decisions made behind closed doors. No open meetings. No public records… Just “public-private partnerships” that look an awful lot like private-private public troughs.

If anyone ever wanted to hide how public monies are spent without any accountability whatsoever, then this is how it would be done…actually this is how it is done!

IT DOESN’T STOP THERE

Walker Sanders, who leads the Community Foundation (the clearinghouse for philanthropic and public money), is married to Dabney Sanders, who oversees the $43 million/4 miles Sisyphean Greenway.

Cecelia Thompson, who runs Action Greensboro (part of the Chamber), is married to former Deputy City Manager Chris Wilson.

It’s not some grand conspiracy…it doesn’t have to be.

It’s just how things are done in Greensboro. Or is it Greensbooming, or is it Jeansboro  or some other cringeworthy portmanteau cooked up by our uninspired mayor?

Thank God she didn’t try to brand us with “WhattaBoro” when “Whattaburger” came to town. That might’ve been too ambitious.

On June 3rd, only two people spoke against my petition: a DGI staffer and Stu Nichols. That’s it. No overwhelming opposition, just institutional muscle.

In my humble opinion, we don’t need more Nichols or Matheny or Vaughan or Abuzuaiter… or Zimmerman or his girlfriend.

Because when the arts, planning, boards, commissions and tax policies are controlled by career politicians, zoning overlords, and their “plus-one”, creativity dies…and everything starts tasting like chicken at a Koury-catered banquet.

The views expressed are those of the author. This article is intended as political commentary and satire based on public records, official actions, and personal opinion.