From the (Raleigh) News and Observer - Records: Mike Easley involved in hiring - New documents show that the Mary Easley job at N.C. State University was orchestrated at the highest levels of state government, and included the direct involvement of then-Gov. Mike Easley.
From the (Raleigh) News and Observer - N.C. State chancellor resigns - In his resignation letter Oblinger said the university would be releasing e-mails that showed he was involved in her hiring, something he had denied.
**(Added) From the (Raleigh) News and Observer - Trustees eliminate Mary Easley's contract - The trustees said that the duties of Easley's $170,000-a-year job no longer exist and that her departure from N.C. State would be in the best interest of the university. The trustees, along with UNC system president Erskine Bowles, met this afternoon.
Forma Gubna Mike Sleazy and more tangled webs (fixed link) - (5/9/2009)
Where do our local leaders stand on The Mike Easley Issue? - (5/15/2009)
The Hound thinks that the State now has the grounds to fire Mrs. Mary Easley (added - Done Deal). This hiring has now been shown to be an act of pure political patronage. I also believe that Mr. Oblinger and Mr. Nielsen should be disassociated from North Carolina State University. Chancellor Oblinger did not come forward with these documents until he was point blank forced to. If he had plead Mea Culpa from the beginning, I believe that he would have deserved to stay on. But, all of these actions and documents show that he was knowingly dishonest during this entire investigative procedure.
I believe that it is time that our local "Hickory Metro Area" leaders demand answers and accountability for the tawdriness that has been on full display during this whole episode. It sure seems that they are throwing around a lot of unethical (and probably even illegal) money down in the state capital, while we continue to suffer through 15% unemployment.
This whole mess is an embarassment to NC State and the entire North Carolina University System. I believe this whole scheme should be fully investigated and that anyone who had knowledge of it, without exposing it, should be fired from the University system. If there have been illegal activities that have taken place, then I expect the people to be held fully accountable. Being less than forthright about this situation should play a major role in actions taken against them.
This whole situation reinforces my opinions of the Good Ole Boy network in this state. We will not begin to recover economically or culturally, in this state, until Justice and the Rule of Law are applied equally, to and for all citizens, no matter who they are or what they do.
**Everyone of us, especially the products of the North Carolina University System, need to flood Mr. Bowles and the NC Board of Governors to stop the proliferation of political patronage in our University System. The system should be about educating tomorrow's leaders, and not about corruption. (Board of Governors Directory).
