tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2088603658552825500.post8614270186038327402..comments2023-11-05T05:53:29.465-05:00Comments on The Hickory Hound: Ward versus At Large and the Referendum -- Jay AdamsJames Thomas Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04359970774315269896noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2088603658552825500.post-11726830144488470352012-09-12T00:59:40.633-04:002012-09-12T00:59:40.633-04:00And the above comments are not made against Exodus...And the above comments are not made against Exodus Ministries, although I am sure that some will try to construe it as such. It is about following proper protocols and procedures.James Thomas Shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04359970774315269896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2088603658552825500.post-71122252257021501782012-09-12T00:52:26.509-04:002012-09-12T00:52:26.509-04:00Jay is spot on with this and it is well thought ou...Jay is spot on with this and it is well thought out and perfectly reasoned.<br /><br />The million dollar tent, as I have stated, comes from the fact that they have not been forthright about the numbers. They have given various estimates over time. I was sent figures today that state $496k. These numbers don't include the man hours it took for the city to build this structure or the subsequent necessitated monies and man hours outsourced, from what I am told, to Exodus Ministries so that routine landscaping and maintenance could be performed on City Properties.<br /><br />Is that not an additional benefit to Exodus Ministries on top of the grant monies that have already been provided annually through public funding? And was there a bidding process that took place when Exodus was provided the contract to provide these landscaping and maintenance services?<br /><br />And to the term elite. It has been insinuated that the term includes anyone who works or visits the properties. It is ridiculous to say that we are talking about people making minimum wage and tips, $10 per hour, a hair stylist, a clerk, a sales person, secretary, manager, etc.<br /><br />Who we are pointing to are just a few people and I really don't want to call them out by name. But, these people own several PROPERTIES and a few own businesses<br />and they wear multiple hats. We are talking about conflicts of interest here folks. And Elite is a "I'm better than you - I know better than you - How dare you question me - Who're You?" mindset.<br /><br />I agree with Jay that people are the bigger issue, but I believe the Direct Ward system brings the City Council ward representatives closer to the people. God Bless Hank Guess, but he will tell you that the City comes first by a mile and then his ward gets representation. Then why even have ward representatives? And why not go to a pure at-large system and get rid of the wards all together, if the wards mean that little to you?James Thomas Shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04359970774315269896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2088603658552825500.post-13434200830891228562012-09-11T17:33:03.506-04:002012-09-11T17:33:03.506-04:00Good points Jay. I would add my own experience to ...Good points Jay. I would add my own experience to this. I ran for office and tried to bring some new ideas and approaches to hickory. Now, the people who are so upset about the insinuation of an elite, insider mentality would not consider an idea of mine if it would cause gold bars to fall in this city. I did some work at my house and the City wouldn't even come out and mark the location of my water line. Why? Because I am persona non grata, not in the club. And the idea that you can call the Mayor or council members on the phone and they will go to work for you is bogus too. A phone call is private and the Mayor or council member can deny that they spoke to you on an issue or promised you anything. They couldn't do this with public statements and that is the real reason to use the phone. I KNOW this happens. Like Jay, I regret the tone this has taken, mostly by the angry tone of the Mayor, but if this referendum fails we are still going to have a problem with a government that is not open, innovative or working for the WHOLE city. Something needs to change. We are not in a healthy, democratic community. Harry Hippshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18373435658855296299noreply@blogger.com