A hush filled Greensboro’s City Council chamber Monday evening as Nancy Vaughan called for a moment of silence — her last as Greensboro’s mayor.
When the silence ended, she had plenty to say.
“We didn’t always agree,” Vaughan said as she recalled her service on council. “That might be putting it politely. But disagreement is not dysfunction. What matters is that we stayed together at the table, did our work in public, [and] kept our focus where it belongs: On the people of Greensboro.”
“That is democracy,” she said.
Vaughan is one of six leavingthe nine-member council this week. The city’s longest-serving mayor, she announced last year that this, her 12th year, would be her last. Fellow members Goldie Wells and Nancy Hoffman also decided not to run again, while members Sharon Hightower, Zack Matheny, and Jamilla Pinder were defeated in last month’s elections.
Along with recognition from the city’s fire department and transportation advisory committee, Vaughan received one of the highest honors in the state, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
In an expression of gratitude for her fellow councilmembers, Vaughan declared each of their birthdays would be officially recognized by the city.
The council honored outgoing District 1 Council Member Sharon Hightower for her work in pushing forward measures supporting minority and women-owned businesses. Hightower spent years concentrating on such programs before the state and federal government began targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“As I step aside, I do so with tremendous faith in Greensboro’s future by continuing the city’s vision for this important work,” Hightower said. “Though my chapter on the council is ending, my commitment to our city remains steadfast.”
At-large Councilmember Jamilla Pinder, director of community engagement and impact for the Cone Health Foundation, said goodbye on Monday after less than one full term. The council selected Pinder to finish the unexpired term of Mayor Pro Tempore Yvonne Johnson, who died last December.
Pinder placed fifth out of six in the crowded at-large field for one of the three available seats.
Pinder scanned the faces of her fellow councilmembers, thanking them for entrusting her with the responsibility of replacing “someone who is not replaceable.”
“I ran my course, I walked in faith, and I’ll continue to serve the community in a different aspect,” Pinder said.
Wells, who served District 2 from 2005-09 and reclaimed the seat in 2017, recalled her campaign slogan: “Where there’s a will, there’s Wells.”
But, Wells said, she quickly learned some lessons once in office.
“My experience taught me that the will of a single councilmember cannot reshape a district overnight,” she said. “Real progress takes time. It takes persistence, it takes unity.”
Notably, Wells helped draft the resolution apologizing for the Greensboro Massacre, the murder of leftist labor organizers by members of the Ku Klux Klan. The measure passed 7-2, with Hoffmann and the new mayor, Marikay Abuzuaiter, dissenting.
“In saying farewell, I will continue to be engaged in the city, the work of our city, the work of our state,” said Hoffman, who represented District 4. “I look forward to another beginning. In my life, I’ve always tried to follow the Zen philosophy of remaining open to all possibilities.”
Matheny, the council’s only registered Republican, lost his District 3 seat to April Parker, who watched from the audience Monday.
Being elected in a district doesn’t mean you just represent that district, said Matheny, who is also the president of Downtown Greensboro, Inc. While he recognized his fellow councilmembers, he also thanked city workers.
“I just really appreciate working with y’all, all the folks, including the ones that protect and serve us, including the ones that clean up after us,” he said.
“Greensboro is a wonderful city,” Matheny said, speaking through tears. “It’s a city that has been very good to me and my family.”
Being on council isn’t what defines him, he said, and he’ll still serve the community in other ways.
“You are my world,” Matheny said, pointing to his children out in the audience.
“You are what defines me.”
The newly elected council members were sworn in during Tuesday night’s meeting.
