It is imperative that we have trust in our state government. I know the way that we have been treated in Catawba County and the surrounding area has left many of us cynical, especially when we see the way that the area around Raleigh has had money lavishly spent on it, whether it be all of the belt loops around Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill or the money spent at the Research Triangle Park.
What I have often wondered is where have our local area's leaders been? Most of them are Republicans and most of the cronyism that we have seen has been from the Democrat ranks. It just seems that the leadership of the Republican Party in this state is incompetent. It is especially disheartening when our local area State Representatives and Senators say nothing about the corruption that has gone on for years. I truly feel like we have been abandoned by our representatives in the Hickory Metro Area.
Here are more links to the continuing saga and fallout from the wake of the revelations set forth by the News and Observer on Saturday and Sunday:
NCSU provost resigns amid Easley issues - Dr. Larry Nielsen is the man who hired Mary Easley at NC State. A job where she has done little if anything and is earning $170,000 a year. - (From the N&O article) - A report in Sunday's News & Observer showed that Nielsen hired Mary Easley in May 2005 while he was interim provost -- and was about to be replaced. A public search process involving four other candidates began on the same day that Mary Easley faxed her resume to Nielsen. Nielsen waived a job search, created a new position and hired Mary Easley for it two weeks later.
NC State Chancellor James Oblinger's statement about Larry Nielson's resignation - What I would like someone to explain is how Mary Easley is qualified for the position that Chancellor Oblinger described as "leading the creation of a new academic center for law enforcement and first responders." What is her expertise in this field? And is it worth $170,000 of the State of North Carolina's money?
Ex-N.C. Gov. Easley says son's car was campaign vehicle. What about this SUV that Easley's son drove for years? Records show that neither Easley nor his campaign made any payments on the Yukon – until this month. Asked last month about the car, Easley had said in an e-mail message that the vehicle was leased. Easley said on March 27 that the car driven by Mike Easley Jr. "was a lease car and I paid the residual instead of turning it back in since he's on his [own] in a year."
But title, registration and tax records show it was never part of a lease. Instead, the car was owned and insured by Bleecker Olds Buick GMC, a dealership in Red Springs owned by Robert F. Bleecker. The dealership also made all the personal property tax payments on the vehicle in Robeson County. (Full article from N&O - 4/21/2009).
Finally, we have the Senate GOP Leader Phil Berger (Represents Guilford and Rockingham Counties) asking on Thursday for an independent prosecutor to ensure any probe is free from political pressure. Attorney General Roy Cooper is a Democrat.
Bowles wants NCSU chairman out - (Added) - The president of the UNC system has asked McQueen Campbell, the chairman of the N.C. State University board, to resign immediately after learning this week that Campbell played a role in hiring former N.C. first lady Mary Easley. And apparently the chancellor has been less than forthright. Adios Mr. Oblinger? "The head of the UNC system says McQueen Campbell (right) has admitted talking to N.C. State's chancellor about Mary Easley. Campbell previously denied any role in her hiring." - The Hits from the N&O just keep on coming.
Campbell resigns as NCSU board chairman (Added from N&O) - In a letter addressed to Gov. Beverly Perdue, Campbell said: "I am not resigning because I have acted inappropriately. Both the chancellor and the provost have communicated publicly and independently that the hiring process of Mary Easley was free from any improper influence." Seems to me that this thing has sprouted wings.
FBI subpoenas Easley travel records (Added from the N&O) - The FBI issued two subpoenas today to the state Highway Patrol and a key member of former Gov. Mike Easley's protection unit, ordering the agency and a captain to produce all records related to private air travel of the Easley family. The subpoena requests documents relating to 1) Payments made in exchange for the air travel. 2) Communications with the Easley family regarding the private travel. 3) Communications regarding public inquiries surrounding the air travel. 4) The state Highway Patrol's records retention policy. 5) The retention or destruction of records related to travel by the Easley family.
FBI Looks Into Ex-NC Gov. Easley's Air Travel - From CBS News - (Added) FBI Wants More Information About Ex-NC Gov's Travel, Subpoenas Highway Patrol For Information - The subpoena is part of a grand jury investigation, but does not reveal the specific nature of the probe.
The Hounds Opinion - Once again it comes back to the fact that we are supposed to be a land of laws and not of men. The former governor needs to answer for his actions. We cannot convict him here, but we sure do deserve some answers.
This man was the lead representative of this state for 8 years. It sure looks like he put his personal interests over that of the people he was supposed to represent. Personally, this is not about party affiliation. This is about right and wrong. This is about fairness. In my opinion this state will have a dark cloud hanging over its head until the issues of corruption are resolved.
For years we have seen our taxes in this state become more and more burdensome. During that time, we have seen elected officials reep and enjoy perks and privileges daily that many of us rarely, if ever, enjoy. That is fine and understandable to a certain degree, but it is more than obvious that whether legal or not, circumstances show Mike Easley has (and others have) lost touch with reality along the way. It is time to bring him (and his cohorts) back to reality, by making him explain his actions and by holding him accountable where those actions have broken the law and harmed the citizens of our great state.
