Submitted by Harry Hipps II
In the past few days we have seen yet again corruption surrounding the North Carolina Department of Transportation. This time it is the allegation that Lewis Sewell Jr. of Jacksonville steered $375,000 of state money to transportation projects near land that he owns. Obviously, one should not use public funds for private enrichment. Also, he is a fundraiser for Beverly Purdue, who is the Democratic candidate for governor, so it points to the rotten core of backscratchers in Raleigh who have gotten away with corruption and cronyism for way too long.
What is wrong with this situation is clear and simple! What is not so clear and simple is why no government official from the Hickory area has voiced concern or any outrage over this. Why is there no outcry from Mayor Wright about why Sewell could get his $375,000 for Jacksonville and we have unfunded projects. If Senator Austin Allran is not screaming about this, then what will it take to get a rise out of him?
Have any protests been lodged? Any motions to condemn this been offered? Or are we simply going to moan “oh well” and continue to murmur amongst ourselves that, “we just don’t get no respect?”
It would seem that every Lewis Sewell story that surfaces from our state government presents an opportunity to point out that State corruption is costing US (the City of Hickory and Catawba County). Sure, the options are limited. Protests and indignation in the media will not immediately send dollars here. A resolution from the city to condemn actions like this won’t either. But, it would seem that drawing attention to the fact that when money is improperly steered to one of Raleigh’s “good ole boys” someone else is losing out.
All too often it is Hickory. Local officials have to use every situation like this to point out our unmet needs and the unfair and unequal treatment that has gone on for too long.
Hey Rudy, hey Austin, the silence is deafening.
-- Harry Hipps II
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1226696.html
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/story/212351.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1232857.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/1565/story/1231970.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1231475.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1230097.html
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Saturday, September 27, 2008
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1 comment:
How does Austin Alran always win his seat year after year? The citizns of Hickory need to wake up!
He may be a congenial fellow or so he seems but he has done nothing for our citizens and he refuses to call out crooked politicians. It is not enough for a politician to just show up for work, answer a few phone calls, hand out Halloween candy, and kiss your babies. We need an honest politician who can actually draw up a bill and sponsor it. Not just ride the coat tails of those that do. Alran is just like Cass Ballenger was. A warm body who shows up and does nothing for us. Look at where Hickory is at and look at all the jobs they have sent away to foreign countries.
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