🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. The Cost of Filing for a Greensboro City Council Seat is Going Up
2. The Weekender

(Photo: Gale Melcher for The Thread.)

Greensboro City Council Increasing Cost of Filing for Council Seats

On Tuesday, the Greensboro City Council voted 8-1 to substantially increase filing fees for council candidates. The move, which comes before one of the most consequential council elections in living memory, raises the cost for candidates for mayor from $75 to $300 and for other council members from $25 to $200.

Mayor Nancy Vaughan suggested the change, which she said should help cut down the number of people who file but don’t make a legitimate run for office, crowding the field.

“We’ve had a lot of unserious people file for office in the past,” Vaughan told The Thread. “There are people who perpetually sign up to run and do nothing—they don’t show up to forums, they don’t fill our surveys, they don’t go to community meetings. It’s easy to spend $20 and get your name in the paper. So that’s really my thought — if you’re really going to run, you need to display some seriousness about it.”

State statute allows counties and municipalities to set their own filing fees, with a minimum of $5. Some cities, like Winston-Salem, have kept the fee at that minimum for years. Others, like High Point, charge the maximum the state allows — 1 percent of the base salary for the office. Durham also charges the maximum — $480.58 for those filing for mayor and $407.25 for all other seats.

The new Greensboro fees don’t go all the way to 1 percent. The mayor currently makes an annual salary of $33,722, with other council members ranging from around $25,000 to nearly $29,000, depending on their position and whether they serve as mayor pro tempore.

Vaughan said some council members urged the full 1 percent.

Hugh Holston, the lone “no” vote on the change, said he doesn’t oppose a change in principle, but believes the council should wait.

“I’d rather it take effect for the 2029 municipal election, not for the one that is upcoming,” said Holston. “Folks are already counting on the guidelines being what they are. Let them be what they are. If we’re going to change them, let’s change them not for the current one but for the one in 2029.”

April Parker, who announced her candidacy in District 3 earlier this year, told The Thread she has misgivings about the move.

“Good candidates may be pushed out simply because they can’t afford the cost of entry,” Parker said. “This isn’t just unfair—it’s dangerous. It tells working-class people, young leaders, and grassroots organizers that unless they have deep pockets or wealthy backers, their voices don’t belong in the halls of power. That’s not democracy—it’s gatekeeping.”

“We don’t need more money in local politics,” Parker said. “We need more access and more real people in the process. Running for office should be a right, not a luxury.”

Vaughan said she anticipated some objections on those grounds, but believes being able to raise at least the filing fee is a signal of serious intent.

“I think that this is something that really says, ‘I’m serious about this,’” Vaughan said. “I think we’ll see more people who are really running and taking it seriously—which they should.”

— Joe Killian and Gale Melcher

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

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The Weekender

It’s graduation weekend for UNC-Greensboro and NC A&T State University. So if you’re going out, be sure to plan ahead for an influx of traffic. Over the next couple days, there are art shows, Mother’s Day events, and festivals, plus a classic movie-turned-musical hits the stage.

FRIDAY, MAY 9

Back to the Future: The Musical @ Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts

8 p.m. (more shows over the weekend)

“Great Scott!” Take a seat and get ready to be transported to a nostalgic era, because “where we’re going, we don’t need roads!” Additional showings on Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $33.

Ryan Davis @ The Comedy Zone, 1126 S. Holden Road

7 & 9 p.m. (more shows over the weekend)

Stand-up comic Ryan Davis has worked on TV shows such as HBO’s All Def Comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Insecure. He’ll perform again on Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29.99.

Pilates & Pampering @ JusFit Personal Training Studio, 4000 Ossi Court, High Point

6:30 p.m.

Get out of town with this early Mother’s Day Wellness event, sure to help mom unwind and relax. Enjoy a beginner-friendly mat Pilates class before a mini-facial, a massage chair experience, and light refreshments. Tickets start at $23.

Colby T. Helms and the Virginia Creepers @ Flat Iron, 221 Summit Avenue

8 p.m.

Listen to live music on the guitar, banjo, and mandolin from Helms, who hails from southwest Virginia, and grab a drink from the bar. Tickets start at $17.

Outdoor Latin Dance Social @ Hidden Gate Brewing, 102 Barnhardt Street

8 p.m.-12 a.m.

Dance the night away with incredible music and a basic lesson at 8 p.m., then try your hand (or feet, rather) at open dancing, including salsa, kizomba, bachata, merengue, cha-cha-cha, and more! General admission is $10, $5 for students. This dance party will be held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays from May through September.

SATURDAY, MAY 10

NC Muslim Festival @ Center City Park

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Head downtown for a celebration of diversity and unity featuring comedian Wafeeq Zarif as the event’s emcee and tons of vendors and halal foods. Plus, make sure to check out a live performance from spoken word artist Saleema Abdullah. Check out the event’s website for more information.

Greensboro African American History @ United Institutional Baptist Church, 802 E. Market St.

3-4 p.m.

Join a walking tour in the afternoon and visit the Historic Magnolia House, Bennett College, Kilimanjaro Coffee, and more. Another tour is offered on Sunday at the same time. Tickets are $15.

UNCG BA Exhibition @ Greensboro Project Space, 111 E. February One Place

6-8 p.m.

Celebrate the work of UNCG Bachelor of Arts students with wall-to-wall artwork and an evening reception. The exhibition featuring 13 student artists was curated by two UNCG students, Sarah Dawkins and Beyonce Kee.

Joslyn and The Sweet Compression w/ Katie Blvd @ Flat Iron, 221 Summit Avenue

9 p.m.

Take in the stirring soul-funk of this visiting band along with tunes from local musician Katie Blvd. Tickets are currently $12, but will bump up on the day of the show.

SUNDAY, MAY 11

Mother’s Day Brunch @ SouthEnd Brewing Company, 117 W. Lewis St.

10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Treat your mama to some awesome food and drinks and great vibes this Mother’s Day! 

Spa Experience @ Empress Crownz, 1314 Lees Chapel Road

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

With spa services such as brow shaping or a hairstyle refresh, complimentary mimosas, plus a self-care gift bag, make your ma feel like the queen she is with a day at Empress Crownz. Tickets start at $229.

— Gale Melcher

Read this newsletter online or contact The Thread team with tips and feedback at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

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Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.

Gale is a Report for America corps member and Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She previously covered local government and community issues for Triad City Beat. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from N.C. State University.