` I began recording the City Council late last year, because of my desire that the City do it on their own as any modern 21st century community began doing long ago. I had people tell me that they couldn't make it to the meetings, but they would like to see what is going on. I was also told by some council members that my summaries did not truly reflect the record, so having a video/audio recording cannot be misinterpreted.
So below is the City Council meeting. Beside each agenda item, you will see the minute:second. You can drag the marker on the video display to the point in the broadcast that you are interested in seeing.
Due to a technical difficulty the Video starts at the 5:49 mark
Agenda about the City Council meeting of August 20, 2013
Special Presentations
A. (2:30) Presentation of the Carolina Cycle Challenge by Mandy Pitts and John Link
* Carolina Cycle Challenge Website
Hound: (Brett's father responds to this in the comment section. I did not mean to say that the bike ride that Vicar Powell created at Mt. Olive was Brett's Ride or she had anything to do with it. Sorry if I caused a misunderstanding in my writing. My point was in my personal disappointment about Brett's name being taken off of the ride.
It is a shame to me that this bike ride will no longer be known as Brett's Ride. The origins of a bike ride were at my church, Mount Olive Lutheran. Vicar Vickie Powell (now Reverend) back in 1999 helped to create a bike ride as part of her mission. Each Vicar has to fulfill a mission during the year they spend with us before heading back to the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. Brett was a teenager and participated in it and like the many young people at Mt. Olive he really enjoyed it. Brett's Grandfather Walter Hitchcock was a Pastor at Mount Olive for 24 years.
We had the Bike Ride at Mount Olive for a few years. When Brett faced his battle with cancer, he was asked what he wanted to do and this Bike Ride was part of his mission. He was a brave young man and an inspiration to all who face the ultimate adversity. He had so many friends. My cousin's were his age and knew him very well. His name needs to always be synonymous with this bike ride.
(In the comments section, Brett's father explains the origins of the bike ride and why they decided to take Brett's name off of the Bicycling event. Thank You for the information Mr. Gosnell. Sorry for having some of this wrong.)
Mr. Gosnell comment,
"Brett’s family preferred that his name not be associated with the new ride. We believe that the new event would be better served developing their “brand.” Quite frankly, many members of the Brett’s Ride committee, including Brett’s family, were exhausted after nine years of planning and organizing the event. Since none of Brett’s family planned to be involved with the new ride and Brett wasn’t around to approve the use of his name, we felt it was better that they give the event another name.
Brett’s family, as well as the Brett’s Ride Committee, strongly supports the Carolina Cycle Challenge. We are honored that the Rotary clubs and the City of Hickory decided to continue an annual cycling event. I am very much looking forward to riding in the coming event – something I was never able to do at Brett’s Ride."
B. (10:15) Business Well Crafted Award: Lenoir-Rhyne University by Alan Jackson and Lenoir-Rhyne University President Wayne Powell
Hound: Lenoir - Rhyne is a vital part of this community. It is also "THE" Lutheran University here is the mid atlantic region. So many of us have a connection with family members, friends, and associates who received their formal education at LR. They do deserve recognition for their work in the community.
* Lenoir-Rhyne a "Business. Well Crafted." - Hickory Inc. Statement
* Business Well Crafted - Lenoir Rhyne Web Page
C. (19:20) Announcement of a Community Gift to the City by Andrea Surratt, Robert Lackey, and Robert Lackey Jr.
* Hickory Inc. statement on this gift of property development at Geitner Park
* Deidra Templeton Lackey obituary from December 2011
* Donation to expand Geitner-Rotary Park announced at Hickory City Council meeting - Hickory Daily Record - John Tinkelenberg - August 20, 2013
Hound: This is an amazing gift and legacy provided by the Lackie family to the people of Hickory. And it would be wonderful if other's could/would be generous in such a fashion related to benevolent endeavors in the community going forward.
Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. (43:00) Cliff Moone thanked City Staff Attorney for providing some information about the City's Video Recording of Council meetings that he had requested.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. (44:45) Voluntary Satellite Annexation of Property Located at 1076 Fox Chase Drive containing .42 acres.
New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. (49:50) Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant Agreement for ZLoop Knitting Mill, LLC.
Hound Comment on the meeting
Wonderful coincidence that what I have mentioned as part of the 21st Century Hickory Platform was incorporated into this meeting. John Link talks about Fitness Well Crafted, where I have mentioned Dr. Jody Inglefield's Wellness Well Crafted. It is more than words folks. It is actions. And the City Inc. has nothing to do with this bike ride other than providing some police officers to monitor it and propaganda.
Then we have the mention by Alan Jackson of Microlending. Microlending came from Harry Hipps campaign four years ago. And we have seen the actions taken upon this subsequently - none. Joe Brannock is taking up this cause along with Dr. Inglefield. As a person who has a finance background it is something I truly believe in and that is probably the reason why it hasn't seen the light of day. Mayor Wright and Mick Berry are smothering the opportunity. The BDC can talk about it all day long, but talk is cheap. We need people that can help them facilitate such endeavors.
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Friday, August 23, 2013
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2 comments:
I read your blog often. While I did not attend the council meeting, I want to set the record straight concerning Brett’s Ride’s origins. I am Brett’s father.
Brett’s Ride was founded in 2003 while Brett was undergoing chemo. The very first meeting was held at the Foundation YMCA sometime in late 2003. Lisa Wright, a close family friend, had the idea for a bike ride for pediatric cancer. Brett was at the first meeting and approved the use of his name as well as lent his support to the event. The first ride was held in October of 2004. Brett rode in the first event while on chemo. He was the MC at the 2nd, but died 2 months before the 3rd.
While Brett’s grandfather was Pastor Walter Hitchcock, Walt had retired from Mt. Olive by that time. Brett actually was confirmed at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, although he did join Mt. Olive when he was in high school.
Brett’s Ride was always held at the Foundation YMCA. It is possible that Mt. Olive had a similar ride that was organized by Vicar Powell prior to the founding of Brett’s Ride, but as far as we are aware, there is no connection between her and Brett’s Ride.
Our family has close ties to Mt. Olive, and the church was always very supportive of Brett’s Ride. Their youth group and several members were regular volunteers at the event. Our family donated money to the ride in honor of the Mt. Olive youth so that the group’s name would be represented on the annual Brett’s Ride t-shirt. Brett’s funeral was held at Mt. Olive in August of 2006.
Brett’s family preferred that his name not be associated with the new ride. We believe that the new event would be better served developing their “brand.” Quite frankly, many members of the Brett’s Ride committee, including Brett’s family, were exhausted after nine years of planning and organizing the event. Since none of Brett’s family planned to be involved with the new ride and Brett wasn’t around to approve the use of his name, we felt it was better that they give the event another name.
Brett’s family, as well as the Brett’s Ride Committee, strongly supports the Carolina Cycle Challenge. We are honored that the Rotary clubs and the City of Hickory decided to continue an annual cycling event. I am very much looking forward to riding in the coming event – something I was never able to do at Brett’s Ride.
Mr. Gosnell, thank you for the response. I met Brett at Mt. Olive those years ago. We actually ushered a some Sunday's together and with Stephen your brother in law. I know that everyone at Mt. Olive truly cared about your family.
I did not intend that Brett's ride was originally held at Mt. Olive or that Vicar Powell had anything to do with it, but I was at the first bike ride that was held at Mt. Olive and I thought I remembered Brett participating. It was a big youth thing. There was actually a 20 some mile ride and a couple shorter rides. If it was all a coincidence I apologize. I know that his friends at Mt. Olive participated in Brett's original ride. My cousin Stephan Moore was one of them. I remember them coming to church wearing their t-shirts. It meant a lot to them.
I appreciate you taking the time to speak to the issue and explain all of this in the thorough manner in which you did and about the origins of Brett's ride. I did see where the Cancer Research money will still go to Brett's Cause. Brett meant a lot to all of the people his age that knew him here in the area. His name being on that bike ride meant a lot to his friends that participated, but that is a personal thing for your family.
God Bless you and your family. You are all still thought highly of at Mt. Olive.
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